Regardless of whether you own a fluffy Persian or a smooth Siamese, daily brushing is essential to remove any shedding hair before it makes its way into your home. For cats with longer coats, daily brushing will help prevent any knotting and matting. Daily brushing will also encourage good hygiene and keep your cat looking and feeling great.
It is important to use a brush specifically designed for cats. A regular brush can be too harsh for your feline, whereas cat brushes are softer and gentler and won’t hurt your cat’s delicate skin. Plus, regular grooming is a great way to bond with your feline friend.
It can be difficult to find the right brush for your unique breed of cat, as they all have different needs. We put together this list of in-depth reviews of the best cat brushes to help you narrow down the options and find the best cat brush to suit your unique needs.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2024
The 11 Best Brushes for Cats
1. Hepper Cat Brush — Best Overall
Brushing cats has never been easier thanks to the Hepper Cat Brush, our overall favorite cat brush. The stainless-steel bristles have 60-degree angles to firmly remove dead hair while preventing scratches and pokes to your cat’s delicate skin. They also gently massage the skin to relax your cat and increase blood flow. The wide brush head covers large areas at once to significantly reduce grooming time. The comfort-grip handle lets you work through tangles and mats with ease. While you brush, the bristles grab loose hair along with dirt and dander, which can reduce symptoms in owners who suffer from pet allergies.
If your cat experiences dry skin, the Hepper Cat Brush will remove buildup around their hair follicles, enabling their natural oil glands to work properly. Regular brushing will help distribute these oils evenly, resulting in moisturized skin and soft, silky coats.
Once the loose hair is collected in the brush, there’s no need to spend time trying to dig it out of the bristles. Simply click the button on the back of the brush, and the hair is pushed off the bristles for easy disposal in one step.
The waterproof feature of this brush enables it to be used during baths to keep your cat’s coat tangle-free. Use it to apply your cat’s conditioner evenly before rinsing for optimal coat softness. It’s also available in three colors!
The only downside to this brush is that it is not an effective tool for loosening or combing out matted fur.
At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
Pros
- Gently massages while brushing
- Doubles as a de-shedder
- Easy to clean
- Comfortable grip
Cons
- May not be able to work through matted fur
2. Catit Senses 2.0 Self Groomer Cat Brush — Budget Buy
Our budget buy option is the Senses 2.0 Self Groomer from Catit. This unique brush can be mounted to a wall to allow your cat to self-groom whenever they feel the urge. The bristles will gently massage your cat’s skin and remove any loose hair to prevent hairballs and keep your house fur-free. The brush has an inner compartment that can be filled with catnip to further entice them into grooming and comes with an included sample. The brush has adhesive strips to easily attach to any flat surface.
That said, the included adhesive strips can easily be ripped off by an excited cat, so you will likely have to permanently attach it with screws. The catnip compartment has holes for the smell of the catnip to come through, but they are rather large, and the catnip easily falls through.
Pros
- Wall-mounted for convenient self-grooming
- Bristles gently massage your cat’s skin
- Catnip compartment to encourage grooming
- Included adhesive strips
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Adhesive strips are not that strong
- Catnip compartment holes are too large
- Not all cats respond favorably to catnip
3. Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
The Self-Cleaning Slicker brush from Safari is another great choice. At first glance, the brush looks like any other pet brush, but the pins on the brush head are retractable for quick and easy cleaning — the hair drops out with the simple push of a button! The stainless-steel pins are gentle on your cat’s skin yet will effectively remove any dead hair and knots. The rubber handle is comfortable to use and ensures a sturdy grip and the brush works well for both shorthaired and longhaired cats.
The bristles on the brush head are comparatively stiff and may hurt some cats. This also makes them prone to bending, which will stop the self-cleaning mechanism in its tracks. This brush is expensive too, keeping it from the top two positions on this list.
Pros
- Self-cleaning mechanism
- Stainless-steel pins effectively remove knots and dead hair
- Rubber handle for a comfortable grip
- Ideal for longhaired and short-haired cats
Cons
- Bristles are fairly stiff
- High price point
- Bent bristles will keep the self-cleaning mechanism from working
4. JW Pet Gripsoft Cat Slicker Brush
The Gripsoft Cat Slicker Brush from JW Pet has a rubber-sheathed handle for optimum comfort and precision while brushing. The brush has angled pins to effectively untangle knots, even if your cat has sensitive skin. It’s designed to work on cats with any length of fur and will aid in the reduction of furballs and shedding around your home. The brush’s pins are made from flexible stainless steel that will effectively untangle while being hygienic and easy to clean.
Several customers report that the brush’s pins bend easily and are fairly sharp, which may hurt some cats. The bristles’ white tips may flake off after a few weeks of use, which your cats may end up ingesting.
Pros
- Comfortable rubber-sheathed handle
- Angled stainless-steel bristles
- Works with any coat length
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Bristles bend easily
- The bristles are sharp
- Paint on the bristle-ends flakes easily
5. KONG Cat ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush
The KONG Cat ZoomGroom cat brush doubles as both a massaging tool and a de-shedder, making it a great choice. The soft, rubber fingers will gently massage your cat while you brush, making the experience a far more enjoyable one. Loose hair will cling to these rubber fingers, which will also condition your cat’s skin and prevent hairball formation. The grip is comfortable and flexible, the brush is easy to clean, and the durable material will keep you brushing for years.
While the rubber fingers will soothingly massage your cat, they will not remove tangles as effectively as pin-style brushes. This will also result in the brush “pulling” at hair rather than moving through it, which may be an issue for long-haired cats.
Pros
- Gently massages while brushing
- Doubles as a de-shedder
- Easy to clean
- Comfortable grip
Cons
- May not effectively remove knots
- May pull on cat’s coats with longer fur
6. JW Pet Double-Sided Cat Brush
The Double-Sided Cat Brush from JW Pet doubles as an effective pin brush for removing knotting and matting, and the other side features a soft bristle brush for the finishing touch of a smooth and silky coat. The handle features grip-soft and non-slip technology for a comfortable and precise brushing experience. The wire bristles are rounded at the ends to ensure no irritation to your cat’s skin, while the bristle side will effectively remove dead hair and prevent hairballs. Both sides are quick and easy to clean.
The brush is large and bulky, making it difficult to use on smaller cats. Several customers report that the wire bristles are too hard and don’t work effectively for knots, while the opposite side will only give a superficial brushing at best.
Pros
- Double-sided design
- Comfortable grip-soft handle
- Rounded wire bristles
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Large and bulky
- May not effectively remove knots
7. Andis Steel Pet Comb
The Andis Steel Pet Comb is great for cat owners looking to remove tangles, mats, loose hair, and dirt. Its dual-ended design offers wide and narrow teeth, making it a great tool for cats (and dogs) of all shapes and sizes. The wider end is best on tangled mats and to give your kitty a fluffy finished look, while the finer side is ideal for thinner coats or around the sensitive areas of your pet’s body.
It is available in two sizes (7.5 inches or 10 inches), so you can pick the one that works best for your cat’s size. However, we recommend the smaller option if your cat is of average size and weight, as the tool may be too long otherwise.
The comb can be awkward to hold for long periods and lacks the ergonomics of some of the other options on our list. Additionally, it may not be as effective on shorter-haired cats as it doesn’t pick up the hair quite the same way it does for those with longer coats.
Pros
- Dual-ended design
- Two size options
- Great for achieving a finished look
- Can tackle mats
Cons
- Can be awkward to hold
- May be too big for some cats
- Not as effective on shorter coats
8. ConairPRO Soft Slicker Cat Brush
The ConairPRO Soft Slicker Cat Brush has gentle pins that will safely and gently remove dead hair from your cat’s coat, as well as remove matting and knotting without hurting their sensitive skin. The brush tips are reinforced for extra protection and are safe to use on sensitive areas like the face and paws. The brush also has a memory grip gel handle for increased comfort and accuracy and is ergonomic and non-slip. No matter the breed and coat length of your cat, the ConairPRO is a worthy choice.
The brush head is really small, making it great for difficult areas but not ideal for your cat’s entire coat. The head doesn’t hold onto hair, so it can make quite a mess while you’re brushing. The bristles are stiff and spaced far apart, making them likely to pull on cats with longer fur.
Pros
- Has gentle yet effective pins
- Reinforced bristle ends
- Memory grip gel handle
- Suitable for any coat length
Cons
- Small brush head
- Doesn’t hold onto loose hair
- Stiff and widely spaced bristles
9. Four Paws Gentle Slicker Wire Cat Brush
The Four Paws Gentle Slicker Wire Cat Brush has gentle and flexible wire bristles with a rubber under-pad that is guaranteed to never come loose. The wire bristles are effective at both removing any dead hair and keeping your cat free from matting and knotting. It has a comfortable rubber grip handle that is also non-slip for easy and precise brushing. The design of the brush allows you to effectively remove knots without pulling, which your cat is sure to appreciate, and the rubber under-pad keeps the loose, brushed fur from flying in all directions.
The brush head is fairly large, which is an issue for sensitive areas like the face and paws. The brush is difficult to clean, with hair easily getting stuck in the bristles. Some customers report that the brush doesn’t work well on cats with longer coats.
Pros
- Gentle, flexible wire bristles
- Soft, rubber under-pad to collect loose hair
- Comfortable rubber grip handle
- Brushes effectively without pulling
Cons
- Large handle and brush head
- Difficult to clean
- May not work well with longer coats
10. JW Pet Gripsoft Cat Comb
The JW Pet Gripsoft Cat Comb is an ergonomic option featuring non-slip grips and a comfortable-to-hold handle to offer the most control while grooming. Designed with medium and long-haired cats in mind, this comb is a great way to prevent matting and the inevitable formation of hairballs in cats that ingest a lot of their loose hairs. This tool works best in conjunction with JW Pet’s Gripsoft Cat Brush but can be used on its own, too.
The comb may not work on all coat types. The teeth are quite far apart, which can make removing the fur difficult. As comfortable as the comb is to hold, it may be too bulky for folks with smaller hands.
Pros
- Comfortable to hold
- Can prevent mats
- Can prevent hairballs
- Sturdy design
Cons
- Bulky design
- Doesn’t work on all coat types
11. FURminator Dual Grooming Brush
The FURminator Dual Grooming Brush features a double-sided head to tackle any fur type. One side features durable, ball-end-protected metal bristles to detangle your cat’s hair and massage their skin, and the other side has stiff plastic bristles to smooth their topcoat and spread essential coat oils. It has a comfortable ergonomic handle for maximum control and comfort and is suitable for cats with any length coat.
The brush is poorly made, and plenty of users report the handle slipping off the brush easily. The soft bristle side of the brush is densely packed, making it difficult to properly brush your cat’s hair. The brush head attachments also easily come apart from the head, and bristles can fall out one by one due to the plastic disintegrating within a few weeks.
Pros
- Double-sided design
- Comfortable handle
- Suitable for any coat length
Cons
- Handle grip slips off easily
- Bristles are too densely packed
- Head attachments come off easily
- Bristles fall out easily
- Plastic parts made from inferior materials
Buyers Guide: Finding the Best Brushes for Cats
A grooming brush for cats is not a complicated item, and the simpler the brush is, the less chance of something going wrong. Still, some brushes have multiple applications and still do the job they were designed for effectively.
Here are a few factors to look for when purchasing a new cat brush:
- You’ll likely be using your cat brush daily, so you’ll want it to be made from the most durable materials possible. Most good-quality brushes use stainless-steel pins, which can be prone to bending but are the most effective at detangling and preventing knots. Some use plastic bristles, but these are generally only effective for the topcoat and give only a superficial surface brushing. Many brushes feature a combination of the two, which are the most versatile options. Some brushes also feature a self-cleaning mechanism, which is a convenient added feature.
- The brush should be comfortable not only for your cat but also for you. The handle should be non-slip and grippy, preferably made of rubber, so you can brush without hurting your hands or your cat’s sensitive skin.
- Some brushes feature metal pin bristles, others plastic, and still other rubber, all of which have unique use. Brushes with rubber fingers will massage your cat’s skin, making them enjoy the essential brushing process. Some have short pins that will not reach your cat’s skin and cause irritation, which is ideal for cats with sensitive skin, and some have a combination of all three. The design that you choose to go with depends on your cat. Cats with longer fur will have different needs from cats with short coats. Some designs are also for self-grooming and can be attached to the wall to allow your cat the freedom to brush when they choose.
Benefits Of Using A Cat Brush
You may see your cat grooming and licking their fur all day long and wonder if a brush is even necessary.
Even if you have a cat with a short coat, there are numerous benefits to giving them a daily brush:
- Knotting and matting. While it’s true that most cats constantly self-groom, you can assist them in this process and help avoid knotting and matting from getting out of hand.
- Fur periodically falls off your cat’s coat, and daily brushing will allow you to collect it before it ends up strewn all over your home.
- When your cat self-grooms, they are licking up and ingesting all the loose dead hair on their coats. This may cause hairballs, which is not fun for you nor your furry friend. Brushing can help avoid this dramatically.
- Daily brushing will help stimulate the production and distribution of the natural oils on your cat’s coat, keeping their fur healthy and shiny.
- A daily brush is a great way to encourage bonding with your feline friend. It also gets them used to being touched and handled, which is useful to prepare them for trips to the vet or grooming parlor.
Our Cat Brushes Selection Process
Catster’s dedicated team of writers and editors collaborate with expert veterinarians, considering a wide range of factors when selecting the best for cats. These parameters include customer reviews, brand reputation, veterinary experience, and in some cases, hands-on testing. Of course, our cats have a say in the process, too! We strive to select and review the highest-quality products available, to help you choose the best possible product and make the most informed decision for your and your cat’s needs.
Why Trust Catster?
Catster has been a trusted online brand since 2001, so we know a thing or two about cat brushes. We’re a team of cat-loving writers, editors, and veterinarians dedicated to helping you make the most informed decision for your feline. We deeply believe in providing the best information for cat owners to help their cats live their best life possible. We look at reviews from the most trusted sources available, and this, combined with our veterinary team’s experience and expertise, helps us gather the best options on the market. Our team is invested in the welfare and health of cats around the world, and believe that expert knowledge is one of the best ways to achieve this.
Final Thoughts
The Hepper Cat Brush is the top choice overall according to our tests. The double-action brush has soft, rubber fingers that will gently massage your cat while you brush, and any loose hair will cling to the rubber fingers for a furball-free feline. It also has a comfortable grip and is made from durable rubber, giving you a brush that will last for years to come.
Our budget-friendly choice is the Senses 2.0 Self-Groomer from Catit. The brush can be mounted to a wall via adhesive strips or screws to allow your cat to self-groom whenever they feel the urge. The plastic bristles will gently massage your cat’s skin, and it has an inner compartment that can be filled with catnip to further entice them into self-grooming. It comes at a highly affordable price.
There are a ton of different cat brushes on the market, each with their unique strengths and weaknesses. Hopefully, our in-depth reviews have helped you narrow down the options so you can find the perfect brush for your feline friend.
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Featured Image Credit: Koltsov, Shutterstock