What is the Best Brush for Cats with Long Hair? 12 of the most popular

This guide looks at the best brush types for cats with long hair currently on the market.

That’s because owners of long-haired cats need to think about grooming- their cat that is, just in case that wasn’t clear.

In short, grooming helps remove loose fur and dander and prevents fur from matting.

It’s also an act of bonding between you and your cat.

There are a myriad of cat brushes and a myriad of factors to consider when selecting an appropriate cat brush for this task, which we will look at later, but in essence, you need something that is:

• Suitable for the job you’re asking of it
• Comfortable for you to use
• Accepted by and comfortable for your cat

This article looks at the best brush types for cats with long hair currently available from well-known retailers covering basic grooming, dematting and deshedding.

Before seeing what’s on offer, just a quick line or two on how I chose these products…

How I did My Product Research or ‘Method’

In short, in order to determine this best brush for cats with long hair list, I’ve looked at products rated 4 stars and above on Amazon and ranked them in order of highest reviews at the time of writing (the ‘wisdom of the crowd‘ theory).

If you can find the same locally however, then do support your local business.

Please read this page for more detail on how I choose products.

The Best Brush For Cats With Long Hair

1. Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush

• Removes loose hair, eliminates tangles, knots, dander and trapped dirt
• For cats (and dogs) of all sizes and hair types
• Fine bent wire bristles designed to penetrate deep into the coat to groom the undercoat without scratching your pet’s skin
• Easy to clean- click the button and the bristles retract back into the brush, making it simple to remove hair, and prevent bristle damage after use
• Strong and durable
• Designed with a comfort-grip and anti-slip handle, which prevents hand and wrist strain

Notes: The best slicker brush for cats with long hair according to the reviews and sounds like it’s capable of taking on most long haired cat grooming tasks successfully. Not too bad a price either. This is the ‘Orginal’ version. See Amazon for other sizes/types.

2. Delomo Pet Grooming Gloves

• 255 silicone grooming tips, for a soft and relaxing massage
• For long, short and curly haired cats (and other pets)
• Shedding hair sticks to the glove, which is peeled off and thrown hair away
• Five finger design allows the grooming of hard-to-reach places like the tail or face
• Free from any materials which could cause skin damage
• One size fits all, owing to an adjustable wrist strap

Notes: Yes, a list looking at the best brush for cats with long hair, does include a pair of gloves. An alternative to a slicker brush which looks quite ‘handy’. Grey and red grooming gloves are priced differently (on Amazon at least). If not in stock, see an alternative here.

3. DakPets Pet Grooming Brush

• A non-irritation 4 inch (10 cm) heavy duty replaceable stainless steel pet comb with a blade cover to protect the blade’s life span
• Quick release blade mechanism
• Rubber handle for non-slip grip
• Removes loose cat (and dog) undercoat hair without damaging the top coat
• Suitable for pets with single and double coats

Notes:  A specialist deshedding tool which claims to reduce shedding by up to 95%. Manufacturer recommends using 2-3 times a week for 10-15 minutes each session (and more frequently during shedding seasons), although this can vary according to breed.

4. SleekEZ Deshedding Grooming Tool

• Patented wave pattern blade brush away loose fur, dirt, and dander without snagging
• Small teeth configured in a unique tooth and wave pattern which grabs the tips of the hair to extract from the skin without tugging
• Hair collects along the blade of teeth in rows before falling to the ground so no need to pull hair from the tool
• Can also be used on furniture, pet bedding, saddle pads, cars and carpeting

Notes: Looks like a bar of soap but seems to be very effective at removing loose hair. Not sure how beneficial hair falling to the ground is over pulling it out yourself though. Comes in a variaty of sizes and even in a 2-pack.

5. Pat Your Pet Deshedding Brush

• Dual-Head Design. Use the 9-teeth side for dematting, and the 17-teeth side for coat thinning and deshedding
• Rounded teeth to protect your pet’s skin
• Suited to cats (and dogs) with thick, long fur – but can also be used for coats of all kinds
• Non-slip handle

Notes: The first of the double-sided brushes that is both an able ‘dematter’ and ‘deshedder’. Use alongside a good slicker brush or equivalent. Comes with a free engraveable collar tag.

6. Ruff ‘N Ruffus Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush

• Removes knots, dander, and loose hair
• Easily cleaned by pressing the button on the slicker brush to retract the bristles causing hair to simply fall off
• Suited to cats and dogs of all sizes hair types
• Comfort grip and anti-slip handle

Notes: Other than the colour, looks very similar to the Herztko (number 1 on the list). Comes with a free set of nail clippers. If not in stock, the alternative purple version is here which comes with nail clippers AND comb.

7. Handson Gloves for Shedding, Bathing and Grooming

4.4/5 from 15,991 ratings

Key Features:

Colour: Black, Green, Blue, Gray/Grey, Mono-Green, Mono-Purple, Purple, Red

Material: Rubber

Size: See chart above

• Bristle tips on the fingers and round tips on the palm, for grooming, deshedding, bathing, or massaging
• Removes excess hair, debris, and tangles while keeping your hands and finger nails free from dirt and oil
• Non-abrasive, flexible rubber nodules
• Suitable for big or small animals with long or short hair
• Hook and loop fastener
• Easy to clean- rub your gloved hands together, rinse off with water and air dry or machine wash

Notes: Look like something a villain in a horror movie would wear, but an effective fur remover. Could always wear them for Halloween if they don’t quite work out…

8. Glendan Dog & Cat Brush

• Grooming brush that removes mats, dander and trapped dirt
• Rotatable slicker brush head
• Easy to clean
• Suitable for long and short hair
• Comfort-grip and anti-slip handle

Notes: The rotating head seems to be a unique feature. Two size and two colour options.

9. Maxpower Planet Pet Grooming Brush

• Dual-sided design with a 9 toothed side for stubborn mats and tangles and a 17 toothed side for thinning and deshedding
• Skin friendly with sharpened but fine rounded teeth, allowing for the safe removal of mats, tangles, knots, loose hair without irritation or scratching
• An undercoat rake that gently removes loose hair, and eliminates tangles, knots, dander and trapped dirt for cats with thick fur or a dense double coat
• Lightweight and non-slip rubber handle

Notes: Looks identical to the ‘Pat Your Pet’ to me and makes the same ‘reduces shedding by up to 95%’ claim.

10. GoPets Dematting Comb

• Dematting and detangling tool
• Double sided pet comb with a different number of teeth on each side. The lower density side (12 blades) is a dematting rake; the higher density side (23 blades) is a detangler, deshedding tool, or undercoat rake
• Sharp teeth to prevent pulling hairs with rounded ends to help make it safer on sensitive skin when used as an undercoat brush
• Non-slip silicone gel filled handle

Notes: A higher blade count than the ‘Pat Your Pet’ and ‘Maxpower’ models, but you seemingly pay more for it.

11. Hartz Groomer’s Best Slicker Brush 

• Extra fine bristles with coated tips to remove tangles and mats whilst remaining gentle
• Ergonomic handle
• Designed to reduce static electricity

Notes:  A good, reasonably priced slicker brush. Simple.

12. Pet Neat Pet Grooming Brush

• Can remove dead hair and tangles
• Suitable for short, medium and  long hair, both thick and thin, single or double-coated
• 100mm stainless steel, rust-resistant blade protected by a cover for safety and blade longevity
• Detachable head design
• Non-slip ergonomic handle

Notes: Claims to be able to remove up to 95% of dead hair (like the other similar models on this list) and tangles after 10 minutes of brushing. Very similar to the DakPets brush by the looks of it.

Types of brush and what they do

When determining the best brush for cats with long hair, it’s important you choose the correct tool for you and your cat’s needs.

The main brush types and their functions are explained below.

Slicker Brush

A slicker brush is typically the cat brush of choice for the everyday grooming of a long haired cat.

This is because they are good at removing loose hair, dirt and simple knots.

They are usually broad headed implements with a high number of angled or bent pins.

The Herzko (number 1 on this list) is a good example of this.

Slicker brushes are often used in conjunction with more specialised tools where necessary.

And it is these we will look at next….

Deshedding Tools and Brushes

ALL cats shed to some extent.

Some more than others.

Shedding leads to a build-up of fur around the home.

Not only does this need cleaning or vacuuming up, but fur levels need to be kept to a minimum level for those who suffer from cat allergies.

One way to prevent unwanted fur being shed is to catch it before it falls.

And this is where deshedding cat brushes come in.

Deshedding brushes are designed to remove loose hair and in some cases, will pull out simple tangles and mats.

A slicker brush will do a good job at removing fur but to get at your cat’s undercoat, a specialised deshedding tool will be better.

These typically have a higher density of bristles or teeth, such as the DakPets brush.

Dematting Tools and Brushes

Mats and knots can occur in (long haired) cats for a number of reasons.

• Poor grooming regimes, particularly in old or obese cats.
• Fur from an undercoat can get stuck in the top coat, can attract dirt and have the potential to grow into a knot or mat
• An underlying health condition

A change in grooming habit can indicate something is wrong with your cat and a trip to the vet may be in order.

If left unattended, mats can become large, unsightly and even painful. 

Any list looking at the best brush for cats with long hair with have a dematting brush which will remove these build-ups by cutting through them with minimal pulling of fur.

These usually have a lower density of bristles/teeth which are made from metal to cut through the mat or knot.

You will find a number of brushes are double sided- a deshedder on on side and a dematter on the other.

See the GoPets dematting comb as a good example.

What to look for and be aware of

As has been discussed, brushes and combs have different characteristics according to their function.

If you’re not too sure what you need, consider the following:

Bristle Type:

The type of bristles a brush has will affect its function.

Additionally, you will want a brush with bristles that avoid discomfort to your cat. The main varieties are listed below:

Metal: Typically stainless steel, metal bristles are sharp and designed to effectively remove mats and tangles. Bent pins may irritate your cat’s skin and brushes or combs with metal bristles need to be cleaned and stored appropriately to avoid possible rusting.

Plastic: With greater flexibility, plastic bristles are considered less likely to damage a cat’s skin.  However the down side is that they may be less effective when it comes to removing dense mats and complex tangles.

Rubber: Rubber bristles are softer to touch than plastic and less abrasive. As with plastic though, don’t expect them to pull up any trees or pull out many mats and tangles.

Other Factors To Consider

Other factors to consider when looking for the best brush for cats with long hair include:

• How easy the brush is to clean
• Whether your cat has a medical/skin condition
• The condition of your cat’s fur

But is brushing really needed.. ? Cats groom themselves don’t they?

Should You Brush A Long Haired Cat?

Cats can’t reach all parts of their body- their backs for example.

Brushing a long-haired cat then is considered essential.

There are numerous benefits to be had for both you and your cat that include:

Removal of Excess and Loose Fur:

Brushing your cat before fur falls from its body means less ends up in your home.

Not only does this reduce time spent vacuuming and cleaning up, but it helps provide a better environment for allergy sufferers (it’s probably best the person with the allergy avoids brushing…)

Additionally, less loose fur means fewer fur balls produced by your cat- a common issue with those that have long hair.

Prevention of Mats and Tangles:

If not groomed regularly (and effectively) a long haired cat’s fur can develop mats and tangles.

These can be time consuming to remove, require the use of more specific tools and overall lead to a very unpleasant experience for you and your cat.

Removal of Dirt and Debris

Dirt, plant debris and even insect life and find its way into your cat’s fur- especially if they’re outdoor cats.

A routine brushing regime then, will stop these things from building-up and prevent them being dumped or spread around your home.

Finer toothed combs may be needed should a problem with lice or nits for example, be identified.

Checking Your Cat’s Overall Condition

A cat at close quarters and ideally, calm and relaxed, offers the perfect opportunity to check for anything untoward such as cuts, lumps or swellings or even weight changes.

Naturally, the earlier things like these are detected and dealt with, the better- especially if the attention of a vet is required.

Bonding

It’s simple really.

Most cats enjoy being stroked and when done correctly, brushing is no different.

Therefore your cat will link you (and hopefully not just the cat brush…) to that pleasure, generating all the extra trust and purring associated with it.

Other benefits include the spreading of oils around the coat (which a cat will do naturally when grooming), and I have read that brushing helps improve circulation.

Those are the ‘whys’ of brushing, so now comes the ’how’….

How Do You Groom a Cat With Long Hair?

Advice varies, although general principles remain the same- take your time by brushing slowly.

If your cat shows any signs of discomfort or agitation stop and try again later.

You may find it’s best to start with a good all-round slicker brush or grooming brush.

One website advised spraying a little conditioner or water over your cat’s coat first to act as a form of skin protection- trial and error will determine whether this is an essential step.

It is best to brush cats with long hair slowly and gently from neck to tail, with small strokes at first to remove dead hair, loose hair and dirt.

If you hit any mats or tangles, you can try loosening the knot(s) with your fingers.

If that fails, you’ll need a good deshedding tool/metal comb to cut through or thin them out.

Then you can once again pick up the slicker brush- brushing in different directions to brush the remainder out.

Continue with the rest of the body, legs and neck- but NOT the face.

Instead use a cat brush with soft bristles to avoid any discomfort or injury.

Again, brush as long as your cat is happy, and when finished, reward with a treat- both you and your cat.

But how often should you do all this.. ?

How Often Should You Brush Your Cat?

‘Should’ depends on a cat’s needs, which will be different for each individual.

Some attempt to brush their long haired cats every day (and this is mentioned by the RSPCA); others employ a less strict regime.

Essentially, you want to brush regularly enough to PREVENT mats and tangles forming and to eliminate shedding/remove dead hair as much as possible.

If going for the daily option, a slicker brush or an equivalent will generally suffice.

You can then use a deshedding brush/tool a couple of times a week or so as appropriate.

Again there may be an element of trial and error here, to find a timetable that works for both parties.

Remember to reward or treat your cat after every successful brush session- although for many, the brushing will be the reward.

Now a quick word on short-haired cats…

What about Short-Haired Cats?

Short-haired cats usually look after their fur better than those with long hair.

After all, short hair is easier to look after.

Nonetheless it is recommended by many, including Dr. Yuki Hattori in his book ‘What Cats Want’, that short-haired cats are groomed on a weekly basis.

In terms of equipment, a fine-toothed flea/tick comb, a bristle brush or a pair of rubber grooming gloves will suffice.

Or you could try wipes…

Grooming Wipes

Although this article is about the best brush for cats with long hair, some (for whatever reason) may just not accept being brushed.

Perhaps they’ve had a previous bad or painful experience.

Or maybe they had a bad dream about one once.

Either way, you could try grooming wipes instead of a grooming brush, like those below:

They can be used for cleaning, as an alternative to bathing and to remove loose hair and dander.

As an alternative, try a damp washcloth or a microfibre cloth.

Summary

Grooming a long-haired cat should be a regular, trouble free, even pleasant experience for both you and your cat.

But it’s important to use the right tool for the right job to get the most out of it.

This list should help you decide which is the best brush for a cat with long hair and perhaps even those with short hair.

As standard, it is best to brush cats with long hair using a slicker brush alongside an appropriate deshedding and dematting tool when appropriate.

So go ahead and get grooming.

Further Reading:

Please note, Amazon links on this page are affiliate links from which I’ll receive a small percentage if you purchase at no extra cost to you. It all helps. Thanks.

Featured image by Keenan Barber