The 15 Best Cat Brushes to Buy in 2024

If you’re lucky enough to live with a cat — or three, if you’ve really committed— then you’re probably familiar with the clusters of cat hair that go drifting across the floors like tumbleweeds when you don’t brush your cat regularly (and sometimes even when you do). Brushing a cat helps remove loose hair that’s been shed, so it doesn’t settle on every surface in your home and cling to your clothing. But brushing your cat has other upsides, too. 

“Brushing your cat is not only beneficial, but can be a bonding experience for the two of you,” says cat behaviorist Stephen Quandt, founder of Stephen Quandt Feline Behavior Associates. “It also allows you to monitor for bald patches, unusual bumps, or wounds that need a vet’s attention.”

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If you have a senior cat, brushing is even more important. “With older cats who are not as flexible as they once were, brushing assists them with areas on their bodies that are harder to reach,” Quandt says. 

There are lots of cat brushes on the market, and while some of them look fairly similar, many are actually quite different. You can find cat brushes with special features like undercoat rakes, dematting tools, and self-cleaning bristles. Some pet-grooming products are even eco-friendly, so you can do both the earth and your cat some love at the same time.

Choosing the right brush for your cat involves considering your cat’s coat type and preferences. For short-haired cats, a soft-bristle or rubber brush can effectively remove loose hair without irritating the skin. Long-haired cats benefit from slicker brushes or combs to prevent matting and tangling. Cats with dense undercoats may require a deshedding tool to reduce shedding.

Here are 15 of the best cat brushes out there, for cats with long hair, short-haired cats, and those somewhere in between. Shop our picks for the best deshedding and grooming tools, then settle in for a bonding session with your newly groomed kitty. (You can worry about feline oral hygiene later — because yes, you do need to brush your cat’s teeth.) Snuggles all around.

Btw, our editors (and their pets) picked out these products. They’re always in stock at the time we publish, but there’s a chance they’ll sell out. If you do buy through our links, we may earn a commission. (We’ve got a lot of toys to buy over here, you know?)

The best cat brush

Cat brushes come in many designs, and with many different types of bristles. “The most important consideration is to use a brush your cat likes,” Quandt says. He likes metal combs for all types of cats, basic soft-bristled combs for long-haired cats, and recommends a de-matting and undercoat-removing brush for long-haired cats, as well. You’ll want to make sure the handle is comfortable for you to use, and that the brush is easy to clean.

In a rush? Here’s a cheat sheet with our recommendations for the best type of brush in each category below:

• Best brush for long-haired cats: FURminator Long Hair Cat Deshedding Tool

• Best brush for short-haired cats: KONG Cat ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush

• Best brush for cats with medium hair: Furbliss Pet Brush

• Best grooming brush overall: Chris Christensen Butter Comb

• Best deshedding brush for cats: Mars Coat King Rake Stripper Tool

Best bushes for long-haired cats 

Long-haired cats, such as Maine Coons, are the most in need of brushing, with many experts recommending a daily brushing session. They need consistent brushing and maintenance to keep their coats healthy and well-groomed. Here are three brushes to try.

FURminator Long Hair Cat Deshedding Tool

$40

$30

This is it — the cat brush and deshedding tool that sets the standard for all others. The FURminator is not messing around. It’s got a metal edge that gets under your long-haired kitty’s topcoat to get at that undercoat and remove loose hair. The curved handle is comfy to hold, and a “fur ejector” button pushes the hair out of the metal teeth, so it doesn’t get clogged up. I use this one on all three of my cats, and they all love it. (Or they tolerate it, anyway.)

$30 at Amazon

Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush

$15

This slicker brush works on cats with any length of hair (and dogs, too). It has a button that retracts the bristles so you can clean the loose fur out, and an ergonomic, anti-slip handle that makes it comfortable for cat parents to hold.

$15 at Amazon

Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush

$19

$16

This brush features stainless steel “brush pins” that are gentle on your cat while still getting in there and removing loose hair. It's also got a push-button system for cleaning — and that comes in especially handy when you're brushing a long-haired cat.

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$16 at Amazon

Best brushes for short-haired cats

You can get away with more infrequent brushing if you have a short-haired cat, but you’ll still want a brush with a comfortable handle — and since there’s less hair between the brush and your cat, be sure the bristles are gentle. These three choices fit the bill nicely.

KONG Cat ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush

$12

This kitty-cat shaped rubber cat brush acts like a magnet for your cat’s hair — and gives them a nice massage while you groom them. The teeth are just the right length for short and medium-haired cats, but it’s not going to remove an undercoat. One customer warned that they have to keep the brush hidden when not in use, because otherwise their cat likes to chew on it. Sounds like a good tool for everyone.

• Gives Back

$12 at Amazon

FURminator Short Hair Cat Deshedding Tool

$37

$32

The FURminator comes in a version for cats with short hair as well, with slightly shorter tines. It gets rave reviews, like this one from an Amazon reviewer: “This is the best fur brush I've ever used. Part of its success is the blade. Instead of multiple plastic rods with a broad tip, which are useless, it has a serrated edge that angles toward the base so that hair gets wedged in and pulled out. This brush is my game changer.”

$32 at Amazon

Pet Teezer Cat Grooming Brush

$15

This paw-shaped brush is best for cats that don't shed much, making it a good choice for a short-haired kitty that needs some bonding time more than a thorough grooming. It's lightweight, easily fits in your hand, and has a simple, all-in-one design that's easy to use and clean.

• Small Business

$15 at Amazon

Best brushes for cats with medium hair

A medium-haired cat is pretty adaptable as far as what type of brush will work best. While most any brush will work for these cats, remember to always brush in the direction of the coat, and be mindful of the rear, belly and tail areas, which Quandt says tend to be extra sensitive. Try one of these three choices (or any on this list, really). 

Furbliss Multi-Functional Pet Brush

$17

$15

Designed specifically for pets with short hair (yep, you can use it on your dog as well), this two-sided brush gives your cat a nice massage while helping to remove hair and dander. Bonus: It gets cat hair off of furniture and clothing, too.

$15 at Amazon

Well & Good Pin & Bristle Cat Brush

$14

This double-sided brush has pins on one side and bristles on the other; the pins are great for loosening hair and the bristle side helps distribute natural oils through your cat’s coat. This one will leave your cat gleaming — and the ergonomic soft-grip handle helps keep your hand from cramping up during brushing time.

• Women Owned

$14 at Petco

FURminator Hair Collection Cat Brush

$8

$6

At just $6, this brush is a bargain buy that works on pets of all kinds. It’s got four sides with four different textures, so you can try them out and see which one your cat prefers. To clean it, just run it under warm water and lather it up with a little mild soap. It’s made from rubber, so there are no sharp edges or metal teeth to upset a more sensitive cat.

$6 at Amazon

Best grooming brushes for cats

These professional-grade grooming tools that will leave your cat gleaming. Suitable for cats with coats of all lengths, these brushes (and one comb) get rave reviews from cat parents.

Chris Christensen Butter Comb

$55

OK, this one is technically a comb, not a brush, but if you're looking for a grooming tool worthy of the pros, it’s worth checking out. It’s called a “butter comb” because it glides through your cat’s coat like, yes, butter.

One Amazon reviewer says she uses it on her show cat: “It does a great job and ensures that I can present him to the judges with a top-condition coat.” Another says it works well on their cats with sensitive skin: “They have hated being brushed or combed for seven years. But, for this comb, they stretch out, turn over, and even allow combing of their abdomen.”

• Gives Back
• Small Business

$55 at Amazon

The Buddy System Boar-Bristle Cat Brush

$13

You don’t always need a heavy-duty brush with pins that reach deep into your cat’s coat. When you just want to give your cat some extra shine by distributing the natural oils through their coat, this boar-bristle number works well. It’s good for cats with short, medium, and long hair, and it even stimulates oil production to get them looking super glossy.

• Small Business

$13 at Amazon

GoPets Professional Slicker Brush

$46

$35

This bristle pins on this slicker brush retract for storage and easy cleaning — and those bristles are soft, so they can get into your cat's coat without hurting them. The silicone handle is easy to grip, and the brush is lightweight, making it easily maneuverable.

• Small Business
• Gives Back

$35 at Amazon

Best deshedding cat brushes

A deshedding cat brush helps remove an undercoat: the coat under your cat’s coat. (That’s right, some cats have double coats.) It’s basically a heavy-duty cat brush. If you have a cat that frequently gets mats in their fur, or coughs up a lot of hairballs, a deshedding tool might be a good idea. Give one of these a try. 

Mars Coat King Rake Stripper Tool

$38

This rake-like tool works on both dogs and cats and is great for keeping mats at bay, if your cat is prone to them. Go gently and you'll be able to untangle knots, remove loose hair, and thin kitty’s coat so they stay clean and smooth.

• Small Business

$38 at Amazon

Pet Republique Dematting Rake

$12

This dematting tool has a six-tooth side and an 11-tooth side; one for getting tangles out and one for thinning your cat}s coat to cut down on hairballs, drifting balls of cat fur, and mats. While some cat parents said their cats weren’t crazy about it (it’s pretty intense), most said it worked well and was worth the kitty protests.

One Amazon reviewer writes: “With the Pet Republique Dog [CAT] Dematting Tool having two sides of combing ‘fingers’ I am able to pick at the matts and gently remove them a bit at the time. I comb other areas not matted between the picking of the matts, and she is purring! She will often roll over so I can comb her tummy and chest. I've never had a cat enjoy being groomed to this level.”

• Gives Back

$12 at Chewy

FURminator Long Hair deShedding Tool

$37

Another FURminator pick, this deshedding brush has the ergonomic handle, the stainless steel edge to reach through to the undercoat, and the button to eject the loose hair. Seeing all the hair that’s come out of your cat’s coat (and therefore won’t end up getting thrown up or stuck to your new black dress) is pretty satisfying.

$37 at Amazon

FAQs (People also ask):

What are the qualities of a good cat brush?

A good cat brush gets the job done with the least amount of struggle, for both you and your cat. It will be effective, easy to clean, comfortable to hold, and durable. Sterling emphasizes that your cat will ultimately decide which brush is the best. “Let the cat be the judge of which brush is the right one. Don’t force anything on the cat,” she says.

Should I consider my cat’s breed when choosing a brush?

Absolutely. The best brush for a Persian cat is going to be different from the best brush for a Ragdoll cat or the best brush for a Siamese cat. The way you brush these cats will be different as well. “Some breeds, like Burmese, have dense hair and no undercoat, so gentle brushing is all that is required,” Quandt says. “Flat-faced cats may benefit from gentle brushing around their faces, and very gently and carefully around their eyes with a soft toothbrush or a gentle cloth.”

How often should you brush your cat? 

“Brushing regularly will reduce matting in longer-haired cats and reduce the number of hairballs in potentially all cats and can reduce allergens in your home,” Quandt says. He suggests once or twice a week for short-haired cats, every other day or a few times a week for medium-haired cats, and every day for long-haired cats.

How long should a brushing session last? 

There’s no set amount of time that’s right for every cat. “Grooming should take just a few minutes, but be thorough and gentle, and take your time,” Quandt says. “It’s not a race, so think of it as a massage. Watch how your cat grooms themselves and use that as a guide for creating a gentle and methodical experience.”

Sterling encourages you to pay attention to how your cat is responding. “Go with the flow and with the cat's reaction: How does your cat like it? Where does your cat like it? How long does your cat like it? And then take it from there and work with your cat.”

Does brushing my cat help with shedding? 

“Brushing not only removes dead hair — which reduces shedding — it helps remove grease, dirt, skin flakes, and improves blood circulation in the skin,” Quandt says.