11 Best Cat Brushes in 2022 – Reviews & Top Picks

Cats are excellent self-grooming machines but every now and then, they need a little help with shedding and hard-to-reach spots. Overweight cats may not be able to groom themselves effectively and oftentimes, old cats will groom less than what is needed. Illness, age, weight, and coat can all play into what kind of brush you need for your cat and how often you should be brushing.

Choosing the right brush for grooming your cat can be the difference between purrs and scratches. Every cat has different preferences when it comes to brushes, so these product reviews will go over the pros and cons of the 11 best cat brushes on the market to give you the info you need to choose the best brush to keep your cat well-groomed and prevent hairballs and mats.

A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2022

The 11 Best Cat Brushes

1. Hepper Cat Brush – Best Overall

Our top pick overall for grooming your cat is the Hepper Cat Brush. Made with 60-degree needles, this cat brush allows you to groom your cat with ease, without fuss, and without making your feline angry and agitated. We all know that grooming a cat isn’t one of the easiest tasks for a pet parent, but the Hepper Brush makes it a bit easier with gentle needles and a waterproof design that makes the brush easy to clean.

Once the grooming session is over, you can get rid of the hair in the brush with one easy click thanks to the one-click hair removal feature built into the cat brush. This brush comes in pink, blue, or grey so you can choose the best color to suit you and your furry pal.

While this is the best overall choice for fuss-free grooming sessions, some owners did report the needles being too hard for cats with sensitive skin, and that the brush broke easily in some cases. But, those hard needles are what also makes this one of the best cat brushes for shedding.

All in all, we think this is the best cat brush available this year.

You might have guessed, this is our own product – but we love it so much we just have to share it, and hope you get to own one too!

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2. Catit Senses 2.0 Self Groomer Cat Brush – Best Value

The best cat brush for the money is the Catit Senses 2.0 Self Groomer Cat Brush. This brush is effective and requires very little work on your part. It can be mounted on a flat surface or a corner with the included adhesive strip or screws, which are not included. There are not replacement adhesive strips available for this product currently. This brush allows your cat to rub their face and body against the brush, brushing themselves.

The bristles are soft rubber and the brush detaches from the base easily, allowing for easy cleaning. This feature also allows you to put catnip inside of the brush to pique your cat’s interest. A sample of catnip is included with this brush. This cat brush can be used for longhair or shorthair cats.

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3. Furminator Longhair Deshedding Tool – Premium Choice

The premium choice for cat brushes is the Furminator Longhair Deshedding Tool for Cats. This product is also available in a shorthair version. This brush features small, metal, toothed head that is designed to grab loose undercoat without tugging healthy hair. It includes a small tab on the back of the brush head that can be pressed down to release any loose hairs caught in the brush, making for easy cleaning. The tab automatically returns to its original position when released. It also has a soft-grip, ergonomic handle to make it easy to hold while you brush your cat.

When it comes to this type of brush, it’s best to avoid using a shorthair brush on longhair cats or you may risk breaking or pulling hairs. This brush can be used to remove mats but it is not ideal for this task and should be used very gently.

When it comes to premium picks, we think this is the best cat brush for shedding.

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4. KONG Cat ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush

The KONG Cat ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush is a good option for hair removal and soothing your cat. This brush is made from soft rubber. The soft rubber “fingers” are ¾ inch long and can be used to remove loose hair, functioning like a hair magnet, but they do not grab hair so they will not tug or break hairs. The soft rubber also stimulates oil production in the skin and this brush can be used to gently massage your cat. Since this brush is gentle and soft, it can be used as a soothing device for your cat when stressed, like during or after vet visits. If your cat requires a bath for any reason, this brush can be used to massage shampoo into the coat and remove loose hair and dirt.

This brush is not able to get out mats or tangles because the nubs are too thick to get into the hair. This brush also will not do a good job of pulling loose undercoat hairs up from the skin.

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5. Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Cats

The Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Cats is our next on the list. This brush features gentle, stainless steel pins that are effective at removing hair without irritating your cat’s tender skin. The pins are slightly angled downward, allowing them to grab loose hair effectively without pulling attached hairs. It can be used for longhair or shorthair cats, but it isn’t a great brush option for removing mats.

This brush features an easy-to-use button that, when pressed, retracts the pins, leaving the hair on a pad that can easily be wiped clean. Reposition the button to put the pins back into place and your brush is ready to be used again. This cat brush has a comfort-grip handle to make it comfortable for you to hold while you brush your cat.

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6. JW Pet Gripsoft Cat Slicker Brush

The JW Pet Gripsoft Cat Slicker Brush is a traditional slicker brush but has an oval-shaped head as opposed to the traditional rectangular shape, making it easier to use for cats. It uses angled, stainless steel pins to remove hair and tangles without irritating your cat’s skin when used correctly. This best cat brush for shedding will effectively remove tangles and can be used for small mats. It can be used for shorthair and longhair coats. It features an ergonomic handle with non-slip grip to make it easy for you to brush your cat.

This type of brush is more difficult to clean than some others and it does not include any features to help remove hair stuck in the bristles. These bristles are stainless steel and somewhat sharp, so they should be used gently and carefully to not cause damage to your cat’s skin.

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7. FURemover Duo Dual-Sided Grooming Cat Brush

The FURemover Duo Dual-Sided Grooming Cat Brush is a handy tool to have around because it can be used on more than just your cat. This brush is available in multiple color combinations including grey and red as well as green and grey. It has soft, rubber bristles on both sides with one side being fine bristles and the opposite side being thicker bristles. The thicker bristles can be used to brush your cat, removing loose hairs and dirt. You can flip the brush and use the thinner bristles on furniture and clothing to remove pet hair. The brush can be cleaned by hand or by running under water and allowing it to dry, but make sure you don’t let pet hair go down the drain. The handle is soft and ergonomic, making it easy to hold.

This brush will not work for mats or tangles and it is not able to grab undercoat hair to remove it. The brush color you receive will be random.

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8. HOP Brush for Grooming Cat Long & Short Hairs

The HOP Brush for Grooming Cat Long & Short Hairs is a fun and functional double-sided brush. One side of this brush features bright, rainbow-colored, S-shaped plastic pins. The shape of the pins allows for thorough but gentle hair removal for shorthair and longhair cats, as well as cats with curly or wavy coats. The plastic pins are capped with plastic balls to protect against skin irritation. The other side of the brush is a soft bristle brush that increases skin oil production while knocking loose hairs and dirt from your cat. The plastic pin side of the brush has an air pocket that protects against brushing too hard.

This brush is made from eco-friendly bamboo and has an ergonomic handle. The handle does not have a grip, though. While this can be used for longhair cats, it will not effectively remove thick undercoats, so it may not work well for some thick-coated cat breeds. If dropped, the plastic pins can break, leaving sharp points.

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9. FURminator Hair Collection Cat Brush

The FURminator Hair Collection Cat Brush is unique in that it offers four different brushing shapes and sizes, allowing for you to remove hair even from small and difficult to reach areas. It can be used on shorthair and longhair cats. This brush has sturdy rubber teeth on three sides with short, sparse teeth, long, tightly-formed teeth, and a line of medium-length teeth. The fourth side features a smooth edge. This brush can be used on pets, clothing, and furniture, and works on wet and dry hair.

This best cat brush for short hair and long haired cats works by creating static, so you may shock yourself during brushing. None of these sides will be effective for mats, tangles, or thick undercoats. The handle has a soft grip but is fat and may be difficult for some people to grip well. It can be cleaned with water but ensure hair does not go down the drain.

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10. ConairPRO Cat Pin Brush

The ConairPRO Cat Pin Brush is very similar to the type of brush you might use on your own hair. It features stainless steel pins capped with stainless steel balls to protect against scrapes from sharp points. This brush can be used on shorthair or longhair cats but is made for long hair and tangles. It’s intended for daily use, so it’s able to penetrate through long coats and release loose undercoat hairs, but it isn’t particularly effective for matting. This brush has a memory gel handle for your comfort while you brush your cat.

The pin bristles on this brush are flexible, so they may become easily bent with thick coats and mats. Over time, the pins may begin to push into the backing of the brush, making it ineffective over time. Since this brush is made with long hair in mind, it may not work well for short hair.

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11. Burt’s Bees for Cats 2-in-1 Double Sided Brush

The Burt’s Bees for Cats 2-in-1 Double Sided Brush has a metal pin side and a boar-hair bristle side. The stainless steel pins are capped for safety and this side of the brush is intended for brushing long hair. The boar-hair side of the brush helps increase oil production on the skin and remove loose hairs and dirt. The boar-hair bristles are more effective on short hair than the stainless steel side. This brush is made from eco-friendly bamboo and recycled materials.

With rough handling, the bamboo parts of this best brush for cats can be broken and over time the boar bristles may shed during use. This brush is not a good option for removing mats and tangles and will not work well for thick hair. while the boar bristle side can be used for longhair or shorthair cats, the metal pin side is not very effective on short hair.

Related Read: 5 Best Cat Grooming Gloves in 2021 – Reviews & Top Picks

Buyer’s Guide: Buying the Best Cat Brush

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Cat Brush:

Your Cat’s Coat Length: Longhair cats have very different grooming needs than shorthair cats. Shorthair cats often need brushing to maintain the oils on the skin and coat and to remove loose hairs and dirt or dust they may have gotten on them. Longhair cats, on the other hand, require brushing for more than shedding and cleanliness. They need brushing to prevent tangles and mats, which can be painful and even lead to skin infections.

Your Cat’s Coat Type: Just like the length of your cat’s coat, the type of coat your cat has matters when it comes to choosing a brush. If your cat has long, fine hair, then a brush with long, narrow pins may work well. However, if your cat has long, thick hair, then a narrow-pinned brush may catch the hair and pull your cat’s hair or bend the pins.

Your Cat’s Preference: What kind of brush does your cat like? Cats are particular creatures and they all seem to have brushing preferences. You want to make brushing time as stress-free and enjoyable as possible for both of you. Stressful brushing can lead to injury or distrust between you and your cat, so it’s important to choose a brush that will work for your cat’s coat while still keeping them calm and relaxed.

Your Cat’s Current State of Groom: If your cat’s coat is healthy and they just need some assistance with loose shedding hairs, then you have plenty of brush options. However, if your cat already has thick tangles or mats, then you will need a brush that can safely but effectively get into the mats to break them up and untangle them. Brushing mats out can be stressful and uncomfortable for your cat, so you want to make sure to be ready with the right tools. If you try to approach matted hair with the wrong kind of brush, you may not get a second chance at brushing your cat!

Related Read: 10 Best Waterless Cat Shampoos – Reviews & Top Picks

Brush Bristle Options:

• Stainless steel: Stainless steel brush pins are the more traditional pick for brush pins for pets. They are effective and can be used for tangles and mats. However, these brush pins are also prone to bending and can even rust with improper care or storage. They can be difficult to clean hair from and some may cause scratches if not used carefully.
• Plastic: Plastic brush pins are similar to stainless steel, but they are more flexible and are not as good for dealing with thick tangles and mats. Plastic is usually skin-safe and should not cause injury or irritation to your cat’s skin.
• Boar hair: A great option for smoothing and improving shine, boar hair bristles can be real or artificial boar’s hair. This option helps bring the oils from the skin to the surface of the coat and spreads them evenly across the coat, improving shine. They are great for removing surface hair and dirt, but these bristles will not penetrate a coat far enough to effectively remove hairs that are not at the surface of the coat.
• Rubber: The safest option, rubber brush bristles often act like hair magnets, capturing loose hair on the surface. Some rubber bristles are able to penetrate through some hair, but these bristles are not effective for mats or tangles. They are the easiest to clean of all brush options and should last a long time.

Conclusion: Best Cat Brush

The best overall cat brush is the Hepper Cat Brush for its ease of use and efficacy at removing loose hair and tangles. For the best value product, we like the Catit Senses 2.0 Self Groomer Cat Brush because of the environmental enrichment it offers to your cat while helping keep them well-groomed. The premium product pick is the Furminator Longhair Deshedding Tool for Cats, which carries a premium price but is worth the cost because of how effective the product is.

Choosing a brush to keep your cat groomed and healthy shouldn’t be hard! There are hundreds, if not thousands, of pet brushes on the market, so it can definitely be overwhelming to decide. These reviews should help you determine the type of brush you need for your cat’s coat.

Brushing your cat can be a bonding experience for both of you, providing social interaction and a sense of safety and calm for your cat. Choosing the right brush will make this experience pleasant and happy for you both.

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Featured Image Credit: photong, Shutterstock