The Best Brushes For Cats (Review) in 2020

These cat brushes are the best of the best, and we hope our top 10 list has something for every feline’s needs. To help you understand which brush is best for you and your kitty, we’ve also compiled the handy buying guide below.

With grooming tips a-plenty, you’ll be getting the most out of your new brush in no time at all - good luck!

What to Look for in a Cat Brush

Which cat brush you ultimately choose will depend a lot on your cat’s individual needs. To help you decide, we’ve run through some key factors to bear in mind:

• Your Cat’s Hair

The first thing to bear in mind when selecting a brush for your cat is exactly what type of hair you’ll be brushing. Short haired breeds are more likely to benefit from rigid, steel or wire bristles, whereas long haired felines may find this type of brush tugs too much, and prefer a soft, nylon bristle option. If in doubt, check the manufacturer’s advice - many brushes are suitable for both long and short haired cats.

• Your Cat’s Temperament

If your cat is skittish, or just doesn’t enjoy grooming, chances are they won’t take kindly to brushes that tug. For cats with this sort of temperament, select a brush with soft bristles. This is also a good option if your kitty has sensitive skin, as metal bristles can irritate their skin.

• Bristle Type

We’ve already alluded to the different types of bristle above, but it bears repeating. Bristle type is one of the most important things to consider when choosing a brush for your cat. We’ll talk about bristle type, and what it means for your cat, in more detail later.

• Ease of Use

Finally, when choosing a cat brush it’s important to find one that’s comfortable and easy to use. Look out for features that facilitate easy cleaning, such as retractable bristles, handles that are comfortable to grip, or a rotating head.

Why You Should Brush Your Cat

Brushing your cat regularly comes with a number of benefits:

• Brushing your cat significantly reduces shedding, protecting your home from stray hairs
• By removing excess hair from your cat, the risk of fur balls is hugely reduced
• Grooming your cat promotes bonding between pet and owner
• Regular brushing removes dirt and dander from your cat’s coat
• Brushing your cat promotes blood circulation and healthy skin
• Grooming your cat provides a great opportunity for flea and tick spotting
• Some brushes help to evenly distribute oil throughout your cat’s coat
• Regular brushing helps to prevent tangles and mats from forming

Types of Cat Brushes

When selecting a cat brush, you’ll have a few different choices - different types of brush are good for different functions:

• Deshedding Brush

If you’re looking for the best cat brush for shedding, deshedding brushes are the best option. They’re specifically designed for stripping excess fur out of your cat’s coat, so it doesn’t end up on your furniture. Stripping away dead hair like this is also a great way to prevent kitties from getting hairballs. Although hairballs are a fairly common occurrence, they can be dangerous - potentially blocking your cat’s intestinal tract. Bear in mind that deshedding brushes are best for felines already comfortable with grooming, because the sensation of the narrowly spaced teeth running through the coat can be intense.

• Soft Bristle Brush

These make great long hair cat brushes. Their soft and flexible bristles are typically made from nylon or boar’s hair, and they’re great for detangling hair gently. Like most cat brushes, they also strip away dead hair and dander, while also removing dirt from the coat. One advantage peculiar to these brushes is their ability to evenly spread your cat’s natural oils throughout the coat. This prevents oils from building up in one place, and leaves the coat looking especially soft and shiny. Soft brushes are usually the best option for cats who don’t like grooming, or have sensitive skin, since they tug less than other options.

• Slicker Brush

In terms of bristle stiffness, the slicker brush falls somewhere between soft brushes and deshedding brushes. They feature fairly close knit wire bristles, usually topped with a pinhead to prevent them from scratching your cat’s skin. Slicker brushes are versatile enough to be used on the coats of both cats and dogs, making them ideal for households with multiple pets. They remove excess fur, dirt, and dander, and can also be used to tease out mats and knots. Most cats and dogs will find this kind of brush comfortable against their skin.

• Rubber Brush

Number nine on our list is a good example of this kind of brush. They feature soft rubber bristles, spaced quite widely, which many cats will find more comfortable to be brushed with than other styles. The surface of these bristles clings to cat hair, helping to strip out the excess. However, since the bristles are not very rigid, they’re unlikely to penetrate very deep into your cat’s coat.

• Flea and Tick Comb

Finally, we should mention the flea and tick comb. This specialised piece of grooming equipment has many teeth packed closely together, allowing you to tease apart single hairs, and pull out any fleas and ticks. Grooming with this kind of comb regularly would be incredibly time consuming, but it’s a good idea to check over your cat for these pests and their eggs regularly.

Tips For Grooming A Cat Who Hates Being Brushed

Grooming can be an enjoyable experience for your feline friend, but unfortunately not all cats feel this way! If you do have a reluctant cat, you can try the following tips:

• Allow your cat to simply interact with the grooming brush, without actually brushing them, to help disperse any fear associated with the object
• Build up grooming time gradually, brushing for just a minute at first, so your cat can become used to the sensation over time
• Foster positive associations with grooming by providing treats and praise whenever you brush them
• Try a cat calming product just prior to brushing, to help them feel more relaxed about the process
• Consider using a pair of grooming mittens instead of a brush - this will feel more like petting, and cats who hate brushes may feel comfortable with the sensation

Best Brush For Cats FAQ:

Q: How Frequently Does My Cat Need to be Groomed?

A: This will depend on their hair:

• Long-haired cats such as Ragdolls should be brushed daily
• Medium-haired cats should be brushed nearly every day
• Short-haired cats should be brushed a few times a week

Q: How to Properly Brush a Cat?

A: When it comes to brushing your cat, it’s important to make things as comfortable as possible, so the experience is pleasant for you both:

• Always brush your cat when they’re relaxed - preferably when they’ve settled down from some form of exercise
• Brush against the direction of the hair at first, before smoothing it back down by brushing with the hair
• Remove clumps of hair from the brush regularly as you go
• Wipe down your cat’s coat with a chamois when you’ve finished - this will remove any dead hair still sticking around, and leave a great sheen

Sources:

1. How to Brush a Cat - wikiHow
2. Cat Grooming 101 - PetMD