Pros: Self-cleaning button retracts pins for easy hair removal, ergonomically designed handle with rubber grips, stainless steel pins detangle mats and tangles, good for undercoat care SleekEZ Original Deshedding Tool: This affordable wooden tool with a wavy stainless steel blade has a pleasing look and is easy to hold. But, of the three deshedding blades we tested, this one did the worst job removing hair from the undercoat. It's one of the softest cat grooming brushes we've tried and is suitable for use on cats of any age. If you have a senior cat, you may start to notice that self-grooming is becoming more difficult for them to manage. This brush can be very beneficial for keeping the skin and coat in shape by collecting dry skin flakes, dirt, and hair that has already been shed. Hartz Combo Brush: This dual-ended brush gives you two grooming tools in one. One side is a pin brush with round-tipped stainless steel bristles, and the other side uses nylon bristles. You can start a brushing session with the stainless steel side to help remove loose fur and detangle and then switch to the nylon side to massage and condition the fur as it redistributes the pet’s natural oils. Pros: Good for cats who are sensitive to grooming, flexible and comfortable, available in five sizes, can be used wet or dry, good for massage or bathing, durable

GoPets Dematting Comb Grooming Rake: Given that it has a curved-tooth design similar to the Andis and Bissell tools, I was surprised that this brush removed far less hair than its competitors despite having a dual-headed rake. With the FURminator Undercoat deShedding Tool, humans who share their home with a cat or two can reduce the amount of fur found throughout the home. This tool has a stainless steel comb, with very small teeth, that glide through the topcoat and into the undercoat, safely eliminating loose hair and cat dander. While cats don't need to be bathed, Miller says baths are effective for removing dander and dead undercoat and keeping a cat's coat fresh. However, not many cats enjoy being bathed by their guardians. If you think your cat might be willing to be bathed, introduce it cautiously and use a shampoo designed specifically for cats, not humans. If your cat really needs a cleaning but won't tolerate bathing, try a grooming wipe like Earthbath's hypoallergenic version. When should I take my cat to a professional groomer?This grooming tool is ideal for both long- and short-haired felines, as well as virtually all dog breeds. The sturdy, comfort-grip handle is designed to prevent slipping and wrist strain. A good curry brush is ideal for grooming a short-haired cat, according to Melissa Tillman, owner of Melissa Michelle Grooming. I was impressed by the Furbliss Pet Brush not just because its flexible silicone nubs are gentle and effective at removing loose hair but because it can also be used to massage a pet, remove hair from clothing and upholstery, and dispense shampoo in the bath. The squishy, non-slip handle is easy to grip and helps you get into difficult-to-reach spots, like underneath the front legs, where mats tend to develop.

The FURminator for Cats has four options. First, you select the size based on weight—small for cats up to 10 pounds and large for heavier cats. Then you choose the long-hair or short-hair model. Its ergonomically-designed handle provides a comfortable grip, and the comb is curved to accommodate the shape of a feline's body. Many cats enjoy being brushed with the FURminator because it cuts down on their self-grooming time, prevents hairballs, and feels a lot like being gently petted by their favorite human. Pros: Dual-length stainless steel teeth, solid brass spine, lightweight, comfortable to use at different angles Litterbox.com Grooming Brush: Litterbox.com's bamboo grooming brush, which has stainless steel pins on one side and soft boar bristles on the other, doesn't fit into any of our defined testing categories, but I like that it is two brushes in one. It works well for a short-haired cat but is not particularly effective at removing the undercoat from a long-haired cat. We found the brush was comfortable to grip with its soft, rubbery gripped handle. The grip is ridged to keep your hand from slipping. There’s also a spot for your thumb that provides added comfort. However, the brush feels top-heavy. If you have sensitive or arthritic wrists, the uneven weight distribution might put added strain on your joints and make the brush uncomfortable to grip. If you’re using the brush just occasionally on troublesome tangles, it shouldn't be bothersome. But long grooming sessions with this brush could get problematic. The Furbliss comes in two different designs. The blue brush has dense, cone-shaped teeth for short-haired pets, and the green brush has larger, more widely spaced nubs for long-haired pets. I tried both on my long- and short-haired cats and didn't notice a significant difference between them. Each one worked well on both types of fur.Curry brushes: Curry brushes are the next step up from a grooming glove. Like gloves, they have soft-but-firm rubber or silicone nubs that won't rake the skin and bother sensitive cats. Curry brushes are good for massage, stimulating circulation, distributing natural oils, and removing dirt, loose hair, and debris. Yes, gently brushing a cat with a soft-bristled brush, like our choice for Best Overall, the Mars Boar Bristle Cat Hair Brush, once or twice a week will collect the hair that has been shed from a cat's coat. It will collect on the head of the brush, reducing the amount of hair found throughout your home. After each brushing session, the hair collected on the brush should be disposed of in the trash. Grooming gloves: Grooming gloves are best for cats who are sensitive to brushing or who love a good massage. Like regular gloves, they fit over the hand and secure at the wrist. On the palm, dozens of raised, soft-but-firm rubber or silicone nubs help to remove loose hair, dirt, and debris while stimulating circulation and distributing the natural oils that keep the skin and coat healthy.

I found the well-constructed HandsOn All-in-One Bathing and Grooming Gloves to be the best of the brands that I tested. The rubber palms are covered with rounded nubs, three clumps on each finger and two on the thumb. The other side of the glove is made of strong nylon fabric with a Velcro closure at the wrist that secures it snugly. The tool also features an aptly named FURejector button to assist with the cleaning of the comb, but we still had to use our fingers to fully clear the hair and dander that was collected.The side with fewer teeth has more space between each prong making it a highly effective rake that can work through mats of all shapes and sizes. The side with more teeth serves as an efficient comb as it passes through the undercoat, removing loose hair and dander.

The soft bristles are very close together so they are better suited and more effective with short-hair, but with both long and short, we did notice an improvement after using the brush on our cats' fur. The long-haired cat wasn't thrilled with the experience, but their fur was smoother, softer, and silkier after brushing with the bristle side. On the other hand, the pin side was immediately welcomed and adored by the long-haired cat, who reveled in the feeling of the pins. This side took out some of her excess loose hair and detangled her long hair well, except for any matted and knotted fur.Resco Pro-Series Rotating Pin Comb: This well-constructed comb has rotating stainless steel teeth and a long, heavy handle. Unlike carding combs with teeth of two lengths, its uniform tines do poorly break up mats. No universal rules exist for brushing with a deshedding tool. For instance, Andis recommends using its deshedder a few times a week, while Furminator recommends using its tool once weekly. How long should a brushing session with my cat last? The Frisco Cat and Dog Combo Brush is sturdy, versatile, and priced affordably. It's double-sided, with a pin brush on one side and a soft bristle brush on the other. The pin side removes tangles and any loose hair, while the bristles work to smooth and soften hair and help distribute natural oils through your cat's fur. The rubber handle makes it easy to maneuver and comfortable to hold. Yes! Brushing a cat removes dead hair and skin cells that would otherwise end up being swallowed while grooming or shedding onto your floor. The less hair a cat consumes, the less likely they are to have regular hairballs. Brushing also distributes the natural oils in the coat to keep it shiny, stimulates blood circulation, and helps a cat and their caregiver bond. How often should I brush my cat? Bissell Furget It All-in-One Grooming Brush: I liked this dematting brush, which did a good job removing excess undercoat. The pile of fur it extracted was comparable to that of the Furminator. The tool is comfortable to hold but slightly larger and less agile than the Andis or Furminator.