How to Select the Right Cat Brush
Which Brush is Best for My Cat?
Choosing a cat brush may come down to trial and error to find the one that works well on your cat’s fur and one that your cat likes being brushed with by you. There are some factors you should take into account before narrowing down your selection which are explained in this post.
Types of Cat Brushes
There are many selections when it comes to choosing a cat brush. There really is no one best brush for every cat. The best brush for your cat will depend on how long their fur is and which brush they like being brushed with by you. Although you may need to groom them with a brush they don’t like as much sometimes (such as a dematter to remove tangles), using one they like will increase their brushing sessions and make them more enjoyable for your cat.
How to Choose the Right Cat Brush
One thing you want to keep in mind when selecting a brush is the length and thickness of your cat’s fur. Long-haired cats usually need a little more assistance than short-haired breeds. However, cats with medium-length coats and or thicker coats may benefit from brushes marketed for the long-haired varieties.
Factors to consider
- Length of fur (short/medium/long)
- Thickness of fur
- Size of your cat
Best Cat Brushes
Cats with longer and thicker fur do better with deshedding and dematting tools. Deshedding tools are also made for short-haired cats and tend to be the best ones to remove loose hair and undercoats.
Deshedding Tool
There are many brands on the market, but the one I recommend is the Furminator deShedding tool. The deshedding tool feels a bit more sturdy and helps to remove hair that gets stuck in the undercoat. It is well made and will last you for years.
It comes in different sizes, with the only difference being the size of the head of the brush, allowing you to select the best one for your cat. Professional groomers often use Furminator brand tools in their pet salons.
Dematter Tool
The dematter tool has a smaller head and is curved to get under the snarls and matted hair. A dematter is used for removing tangled and snarled fur before it become matted. It can also be used to work matted fur out.
The curved tines provide added safety to prevent hurting your cat without giving up any performance. Again I recommend the Furminator brand adjustable dematter tool. It is the only brand I have used, but it works so well that I never needed to try other ones.
Slicker Brush
A slicker brush has thin metal wires which are close together. Slicker brushes help trap and remove dander, dirt, and loose hair. A slicker brush can also help break up matted fur and is more for surface brushing.
Grooming Gloves
Grooming gloves are usually made of silicone, rubber or soft plastic. The glove is designed to remove hair while you pet your cat. Grooming gloves can be helpful for cats that don’t like to be brushed. However, they mostly remove only surface hair.
