Best Cat Grooming Brushes and Deshedding Tools of 2025: Complete Review

Some cats shed enough fur each spring to build a second cat. Others get mats in their armpits no matter how often you brush them. And some just hate being brushed full stop. Over the years I’ve gone through a lot of cat brushes — the cheap ones that barely catch loose hair, the aggressive ones that make your cat flinch, and a few that actually do what they’re supposed to.

A good deshedding tool will cut loose undercoat by 80-90%, and the right slicker brush keeps long hair cats mat-free without turning grooming into a wrestling match. I tested six options across different price points and cat temperaments.

What to Look For in a Cat Grooming Brush

Coat Type Matters Most

Your cat tells you what brush you need. Short hair cats need something that catches loose undercoat without irritating the skin on top — a fine-tooth deshedding tool or a rubber curry brush works great. Long hair cats (Persians, Maine Coons, Ragdolls) need deeper penetration to prevent mats, which means a wide-tooth comb or a slicker brush with long, rounded pins. Double-coated breeds need a deshedding tool that reaches the undercoat without cutting the topcoat.

Blade vs. Pin vs. Bristle

Three main types of brush heads exist. Deshedding blades have stainless steel teeth that pull loose undercoat from deep in your cat’s fur — they do the heavy lifting. Slicker brushes have fine wire pins set in a cushioned pad, good for detangling and smoothing. Bristle brushes work on short hair cats and distribute natural oils across the coat for shine. Most thorough grooming sessions use two or three brush types.

Comfort for You and the Cat

A brush that hurts your hand after five minutes won’t get used. Ergonomic handles with rubber grips make a real difference. Equally important: the brush should not hurt the cat. Rounded pin tips (not sharp ones) and pressure-sensitive heads prevent scratching. If your cat tolerates the brush, you’ll brush more often — and that’s what prevents shedding on furniture and painful mats.

Easy to Clean

A brush that traps hair and won’t let go is frustrating. Self-cleaning slicker brushes have a button that retracts the pins, letting you lift off the hair clump in one piece. Deshedding tools usually have a finger groove that lets you push hair off the blade. If cleaning the brush is a chore, you’ll use it less.

Replacement Blades

Deshedding tools dull over time. Brands like FURminator sell replacement blades, which extends the life of the tool considerably. A dull deshedder pulls and snags instead of cutting loose hair — which is uncomfortable for the cat and less effective for you.

Top 6 Cat Grooming Brushes Reviewed

1. FURminator deshedding tool — Best for heavy shedders

The FURminator is the deshedding tool everyone knows. Its stainless steel edge reaches through the topcoat to grab and cut loose undercoat before it can fall on your furniture. The result is an absurd amount of fur removed — I’ve filled entire trash bags during spring shedding season with a medium-size cat.

The 4-inch blade width is good for most cats; the larger 6-inch version works for big breeds and horses. The FuRainTec technology (their name for the edge design) catches undercoat without damaging the topcoat when used correctly. You do need to follow the direction of hair growth and not press hard — scraping against the grain can cause irritation.

The handle is comfortable for extended sessions, though the tool feels substantial in hand. For cats that tolerate grooming, this is the quickest route to a noticeably less sheddy home.

Pros:

• Removes 80-90% of loose undercoat in one session
• Multiple size options for different cat sizes
• Replaceable blade extends life
• ShedLess supplement line pairs well for even better results

Cons:

• Requires proper technique — pressing too hard irritates skin
• Does not detangle mats (deshedding only)
• Pricey compared to basic brushes
• Not for cats with skin conditions or very short fine coats

Best for: Shedding season warriors. If you’re finding fur on every surface, this is the tool to reach for first.

Verdict: The standard for serious deshedding. Expensive but effective.

2. Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush — Best for long hair cats

Long hair cats need a brush that can reach through thick fur to prevent mats. The Hertzko self-cleaning slicker brush does exactly that. Its fine wire pins are bent at a 90-degree angle that catches loose hair without scratching the skin, and the cushioning on the brush head flexes to follow your cat’s body curves.

The self-cleaning mechanism is straightforward: push the button on top, the pins retract, and the hair lifts off in a neat strip. This seems like a small thing until you’ve spent five minutes picking hair out of a regular slicker brush with your fingers. It saves time and keeps you brushing longer.

The pins are fine enough to handle sensitive areas like bellies and armpits where mats form first. For cats that tolerate brushing, this tool makes daily maintenance fast and easy. For cats that don’t, the gentler touch helps build trust over time.

Pros:

• Self-cleaning button saves major cleanup time
• Fine bent pins don’t scratch skin
• Flexible head follows body contours
• Good for sensitive areas

Cons:

• Not heavy-duty enough for thick mats
• Plastic components feel less durable than metal brushes
• The self-cleaning mechanism can jam if hair wraps around the pins

Best for: Long hair cats that need regular brushing without drama.

Verdict: The most practical daily brush for long hair cats. Self-cleaning feature is genuinely useful.

3. Safari De-Matting Comb — Best for removing mats

When your cat already has mats, a regular brush won’t cut it. The Safari De-Matting Comb has stainless steel blades set between safety tips that cut through mats without cutting your cat. The blades are angled so you cut close to the skin without touching it — the safety tips contact the skin first, creating a gap that keeps the blade above the surface.

The way to use it: slide the comb under the mat with the safety tips against the skin, then gently saw upward. The mat breaks apart in sections. It takes patience — big mats need several passes — but it’s far less stressful than shaving the cat.

This comb also works well as a preventative for cats prone to armpit mats and britches (the fluffy fur on the back of hind legs). Running it through those areas once a week catches tangles before they become mats.

Pros:

• Cuts through established mats safely
• Safety tips prevent skin contact with blades
• Also useful as a preventative tool
• Inexpensive

Cons:

• Slow process on large mats
• Not a daily brush — de-matting is an occasional task
• Some cats dislike the sawing motion

Best for: Cats that get mats despite regular brushing.

Verdict: Essential rescue tool for matted cats. Not a daily brush but indispensable when you need it.

4. Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Brush — Best budget pick

Not every cat needs a forty-dollar brush. The Hartz Combo Brush has stainless steel pins on one side and soft nylon bristles on the other, covering both detangling and shine in one tool. The pins are tipped with rounded safety balls to prevent scratching, and the bristle side distributes natural oils for a glossy coat.

The handle has a rubber grip that stays comfortable during longer grooming sessions. It does shed some loose hair, but not as much as dedicated deshedding tools — this is more of a maintenance brush than a shedding-season heavy lifter.

For short hair cats and cats that need a gentle introduction to brushing, this is a solid starting point. It won’t work miracles on heavy shedders or mat-prone long hair cats, but for the price, it’s hard to beat.

Pros:

• Dual-sided: pins + bristles in one tool
• Very affordable
• Rubber grip handle
• Rounded safety tips

Cons:

• Does not remove undercoat effectively
• Pins can bend with heavy use
• Not for dematting

Best for: Budget-conscious owners of short hair cats.

Verdict: Gets the basics done for under ten bucks. Upgrade if your cat sheds heavily.

5. Delomo Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush — Best for short hair cats

Short hair cats still shed — it just shows up as fine hairs on everything you own instead of obvious fur clumps. The Delomo slicker brush has fine bent wires that grab short fur effectively, and the self-cleaning mechanism works the same as the more expensive Hertzko.

The brush head is slightly smaller, which makes it easier to use on cats that don’t like being brushed on their face and legs. The pins are gentle enough for daily use without causing irritation, and the rubber handle provides good grip even when wet.

It’s essentially the budget version of the Hertzko. The build quality isn’t as solid — the plastic housing feels lighter — but for the price difference, most owners won’t notice a difference in performance.

Pros:

• Gentle on short hair coats
• Self-cleaning button
• Small head works well for face and legs
• Very affordable

Cons:

• Build quality is noticeably lighter than premium brushes
• Pins may not penetrate thick double coats
• Not for heavy dematting

Best for: Short hair cats that need light daily brushing.

Verdict: A capable budget brush for short hair maintenance.

6. GoPets Dematting Undercoat Rake — Best for double-coated cats

Double-coated cat breeds like Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest Cats have thick, plush undercoats that mat easily. A regular brush bounces off the top without reaching the problem areas. The GoPets rake has alternating short and long stainless steel teeth — the short teeth work the topcoat, the long teeth penetrate to the undercoat.

The 9-tooth width covers a good area per stroke. The teeth are rounded at the tips to prevent scratching, and the wooden handle is more comfortable than plastic versions. The rake pulls out thick tufts of undercoat that other brushes miss entirely.

It is not a gentle tool — the raking motion is aggressive by design. Cats with sensitive skin might find it uncomfortable. But for a Maine Coon or similar breed during shedding season, nothing else clears out the undercoat as effectively.

Pros:

• Dual-length teeth reach both coat layers
• Excellent for thick double coats
• Comfortable wooden handle
• Priced fairly for the performance

Cons:

• Too aggressive for short hair or sensitive cats
• Not for daily use — seasonal shedding tool
• Can pull if not used in direction of hair growth

Best for: Double-coated and heavy-shedding breeds.

Verdict: Specialized tool for the furriest cats. Not for every cat but essential for the ones that need it.

Comparison Table

FAQ

How often should I brush my cat?

Short hair cats need brushing 1-2 times per week. Long hair cats need brushing 3-4 times per week, ideally daily during shedding seasons (spring and fall). Cats that don’t get brushed regularly are more likely to develop mats and hairballs from swallowing loose fur.

Does brushing reduce hairballs?

Yes. Hairballs form when cats swallow loose fur during self-grooming. Brushing removes that loose fur before your cat can swallow it. I notice that when I brush my own cats daily during shedding season, the hairballs go from a weekly problem to rare.

What’s the difference between a deshedding tool and a regular brush?

A deshedding tool has a stainless steel edge that cuts through the topcoat to reach loose undercoat hair. A regular brush only catches surface hair and loose topcoat. For cats that shed heavily, a deshedding tool removes several times more loose fur than a regular brush.

Can I use a dog brush on my cat?

You can, but it’s not ideal. Cat skin is thinner and more sensitive than dog skin. Dog brushes designed for thicker coats may be too aggressive for cats. It’s better to use brushes specifically designed for feline coats.

My cat hates being brushed. What do I do?

Start slowly. Let the cat sniff the brush. Brush for just 10-15 seconds at a time and give treats afterward. Focus on areas the cat enjoys being petted (cheeks, chin, back) and avoid sensitive spots (belly, tail, legs) until trust builds. Some cats that hate slicker brushes tolerate rubber curry brushes or grooming gloves.

The Bottom Line

The FURminator is the best deshedding tool if shedding is the problem — it removes more loose hair than anything else. The Hertzko slicker brush is a better daily choice for long hair cats, and the Safari comb is what you need when mats have already formed.

Most cats benefit from having at least two tools: a deshedding tool for shedding season and a daily maintenance brush. If you’re starting with one tool, go with the brush that matches your cat’s coat type rather than picking the most popular option. A well-groomed cat sheds less, has fewer hairballs, and spends less time hiding from you with the brush.

Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you purchase through links on this page — at no extra cost to you.