Best Deshedding Tools for Cats (2024 Reviews)

All cat lovers know that a cat is really a ‘man’s best friend.’ With their big, beautiful eyes and perfect little paws, cats have cuddled and purred their way into our hearts and can do no wrong in their owners’ eyes. The only downside to being an avid cat lover, however, is the shedding. Excessive cat shedding means that it’s time to invest in a cat-deshedding brush tool.

Shedding is a major hassle when caring for both long-haired and short-haired cats. It’s a well-known fact of life that owning a cat means having cat hair on everything. This, however, may no longer be the case thanks to a multitude of amazing de-shedding tools created just for cats. Read on to learn about our favorite cat-deshedding tools and accessories for successful and hassle-free cat-deshedding.

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7 Best Deshedding Tools For Cats

There are so many cat deshedding tools out there for cats and dogs; it is often hard to choose the right one. The best cat deshedding brushes are reliable, cost-effective, easy to use and make deshedding and grooming enjoyable for your cat.

Furminator Deshedding Tool For Cats

The Furminator Deshedding Tool for Cats is as effective as its name suggests. The Furminator Deshedding Tool for Cats is one of the best cat deshedding tools on the market, reducing shedding up to 90% for both short-haired and long-haired domestic cats. 

While it does work on cats with short hair, the Furminator is specifically designed with large and long-haired cats in mind. The bristles are able to reach through up to two inches of cat hair, removing loose hair from the topcoat and extra hair from the undercoat.

The Furminator Deshedding Tool for Cats has a long-haired stainless steel deshedding edge which operates much like a very well made comb, and its handle is contoured to fit the palm of your hand comfortably regardless of size. It also comes equipped with a fur ejector button, which releases captured hair from the brush for easy containment and cleanup.

Manufacturers Specs

• Size and weight: 1.75 x 3 x 6 inches; 5.44 Ounces
• Variations: smaller options available
• Material: stainless steel, plastic
• Colors: purple, black, pink

What We Like

• It’s effective!
• It is great for heavy hair and long-haired cats
• It offers an easy cleanup option

What We Don’t Like

• Limited colors
• Not designed specifically for short-haired cats
• Operates more like a comb than a full padded brush

Summary

If you have a long-haired cat or an extra-large cat at home that needs a strong tool for deshedding, the Furminator Deshedding Tool for Cats will give you the best results for your dollar. Long-haired cats love the feel of this deshedding tool, and while they are enjoying their spa session, you’ll be getting rid of all that extra unwanted hair and matted fur.

Cat Dematting Grooming Tool

Mars coat king stripping combs strip and detangle coats as well as break up thick areas of matted fur in one easy step. This premium quality stripping comb features double wide stainless steel teeth and a durable wooden handle contoured for a comfortable grip.

Other features include: Full tang construction, meaning the set of twenty-three, stainless steel blades extend into the ergonomic wooden handle for added durability works in all different types of fur pet coats, regardless of breed, size, or age recommended by professional groomers who consider it an indispensable grooming tool.

The Mars Coat King Dematting Rake Stripper is a great German-made tool made to quickly remove mats and knots in the topcoat of your cat. It is also used to trim long hair around the neck and paw areas if needed and can successfully remove excess hair from the undercoat. 

The Mars Coat King Dematting Rake Stripper has a sleek wooden handle which is thin and long. It is most effective on thick yet sleek coats that will not tangle around its stainless steel teeth. This cat deshedding tool can also be used on animals such as dogs and horses, and its sleek design makes it both utilitarian and aesthetically pleasing. This is a tool that will make deshedding your cat fast and easy while looking nice hanging up on your wall. 

Manufacturers Specs

• Size and weight: 8.8 x 3.3 x 0.7 inches; 3.2 Ounces
• Variations: available in blunt, original, and double-wide
• Material: stainless steel, wood
• Colors: silver, dark wood, medium wood, light wood

What We Like

• It’s fast and effective!
• It is great for heavy and sleek coats
• It is fashionable and aesthetically pleasing
• It has an extra-long handle
• It can be used on different household pets

What We Don’t Like

• Limited colors
• Not designed specifically for short-haired cats
• Won’t give the most enjoyable grooming session to your cat
• More utilitarian than pleasurable
• No grips on the handle
• It’s a bit pricey

Summary

If you have a long-haired cat with a thick and sleek coat, the Mars Coat King Dematting Grooming Rake is perfect for your household. It can groom all household animals and does a quick job at grooming any cats whose fur mats easily.

Highland Farms Select Deshedding Grooming Tool for Cats

• REMOVE SHEDDING HAIR – Remove up to 95% hair within a minute, suitable for cats, dogs and horses. 5 inch stainless steel brush, without any hurt, protect your pets skin.
• EASY TO CLEAN & ERGONOMIC DESIGN – Ergonomic Non-slip Wooden Design fit with human hands and pet body perfectly. Perfectly constructed to gently brush away loose fur, dirt, and dander without snagging! Comes with a protective cover to make it last longer.
• RELIEVES YOUR PET – Allows you to check their fur/ skin & mental condition on a regular basis, also increases owner & pet bonding and helps keep allergies at bay. Recommended by veterinarians.

The Highland Farms Select Deshedding Tool for Dogs, Cats & Horses has over a thousand positive ratings from animal lovers across the world. This deshedding tool, while similar to the SleekEZ Deshedding Grooming Tool, looks and operates a lot more like a comb than a full padded handheld brush. 

The Highland Farms Select Deshedding Tool is easy to use and enjoyable for your cat, making grooming all that simpler. It comes with its own sanitary cover to keep it clean in between deshedding sessions and allows for easy clean up with its one row of stainless steel close-knit bristles.

The Highland Farms Select Deshedding Tool can be used on all animals in need of a good grooming. It has a lifetime guarantee, and cats love it because of its gentle brushing capabilities to remove excess hair without pulling or yanking on your cat’s skin.

Manufacturers Specs

• Size and weight:  5 x 2.7 x 1.3 inches; 8.82 Ounces
• Variations: small, large, double
• Material: wood, metal
• Colors: silver and light wood

What We Like

• It’s easy to use and to store!
• It is great for heavy hair and long-haired cats
• It offers an easy cleanup option
• It fits in the palm of your hand
• The price!
• It is small and aesthetically pleasing
• It is gentle on your cat’s fur

What We Don’t Like

• Limited colors
• Does not have a handle or grips
• Operates more like a comb than a full padded brush

Summary

The Highland Farms Select Deshedding Tool is a great comb and brush hybrid for cats that need excess hair removed from their undercoats. This tool is one of the best tools for its price point and, with a lifetime warranty, can’t be beaten in terms of efficiency and cost-effectiveness. It’s a tool that fits in the palm of your hand, which all cats will enjoy.

Self Cleaning Slicker Brush for Cats

• THE PERFECT BRUSH TO GET ALL NASTY MATS OUT OF YOUR PET’S FUR – Hertzko’s Slicker Brush gently removes Loose Hair, and eliminates Tangles, Knots, Dander and trapped Dirt. WORKS GREAT ON DOGS AND CATS WITH ALL SIZES AND HAIR TYPES!
• GET RID OF MATS WITHOUT HURTING HER – The bristles are FINE bent wires designed to penetrate DEEP into the coat and is really able to groom the undercoat well without scratching your pet’s skin!
• EASY TO CLEAN – When you’re done brushing your pet, Simply click the button and the bristles retract back into the brush, Making is SUPER SIMPLE to remove all the hair from the brush, So it’s ready for the next time use.

The Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush is one of the most technologically advanced cat deshedding tools out there. Unlike other brush and comb grooming hybrids, this tool is a real, thick brush complete with bristles and a durable handle. This gentle brush will be loved by your cat because it offers a calming sensation akin to being pet. 

The Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush is a rectangular shaped brush with a gray hair retaining pad. It comes complete with multiple open-ended bristle layers that retract when you push a button on the opposite side of the brush. This bristle retraction then allows you to easily swipe the leftover cat hair from the brush so that you can continue brushing with clean bristles. 

Cats love this brush because it is both gentle and helps remove the dirt that cats cannot clean on their own. You will love it because, in 5 easy steps, you will be able to groom, de-shed, and clean your brush without any added hassle.

Manufacturers Specs

• Size and weight:  5.8 x 3 x 10 inches; 3.2 Ounces
• Variations: none
• Material: metal, plastic, rubber
• Colors: purple and gray

What We Like

• The price!
• It is great for short and long-haired cats
• It offers an easy cleanup option
• It has a long handle with grips
• It is gentle on your cat’s fur

What We Don’t Like

• Limited colors
• Does not come with a warranty
• Possibility for hair to clog the bristle intake retraction pad
• One size only

Summary

This brush is a great option for those who own cats that require long brushing and grooming sessions. Perfect for sensitive cats, this gentle brush offers a quick and easy cleanup option with a one-click cleaning button. Whether removing excess hair from an undercoat or getting tangles out of your cat’s fur, the Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush offers good value with its low price.

Maxpower Planet Pet Grooming Brush

• Dual-Sided Design: Start with 9 teeth side for stubborn mats and tangles and finish with 17 teeth side for thinning and deshedding. Achieve faster and more professional dematting and grooming results
• Skin Friendly to Your Pets: Our Dematting Brush is designed with Sharpened but Fine Rounded Teeth, allows you easily and safely remove mats, tangles, knots, loose hair without irritation or scratching
• Effective Dehedding Tool:This undercoat rake gently removes loose hair, and eliminates tangles, knots, dander and trapped dirt.Perfect solution for dogs and cats with thick fur or dense double coat care

The Maxpower Planet Pet Grooming Brush is a favorite cat deshedding brush for its dual-sided design featuring nine large bristle teeth on one side and 17 bristle teeth on the other side. The Maxpower Planet Pet Grooming Brush has a non-slip handle with grips and offers a comfortable deshedding rake shape. This shape allows the brush to swivel as you brush your cat, avoiding snagging or pulling your cat’s fur. This tool is good for both dogs and cats and captures your pet’s unwanted hair, so it does not go flying through the air as you brush them.

With its 100% pet-safe guarantee, the Macpower Planet Pet Grooming Brush will make your cat’s hair shiny and sleek. Whether your cat has long hair or short hair, this tool will reach deep into the undercoat to remove dirt, excess oil, and unwanted loose fur. Cats love being groomed by this gentle tool, which feels like a massage as it maneuvers through their fur.

Manufacturers Specs

• Size and weight: 6.6 x 3.9 x 2 inches; 4 Ounces
• Variations: two colors, no size variations
• Material: stainless steel, plastic, rubber
• Colors: black, pink, blue

What We Like

• It’s effective and easy!
• It is great for short-haired and long-haired cats
• It captures the fur as it brushes
• It maneuvers across your pet’s fur so that won’t pull or snag
• The price!

What We Don’t Like

• Limited colors
• Limited sized
• Can become clogged with hair in between bristles

Summary

This tool is a great one for sensitive cats who don’t always enjoy being brushed. It is gentle and will never snag or pull your cat’s fur, allowing for a relaxed deshedding session. The price point is low, and the dual-sided capabilities of the brush allow for removing tangles and brushing the undercoat for loose fur.

Professional Deshedding Tool for Cats

• Best pet grooming tool! Leave behind the grooming headache, removing up to 95% of dead hair and tangles from your cat and dog easily IN JUST 10 MINUTES! Keep your furniture and floors free of pet hair while SAVING MONEY and TIME on expensive visits to the vet for pet grooming services! Get valuable grooming tips on the ‘Four Dog Care’ FREE E-book!
• A durable shedding tool! This dog and cat comb is MADE TO LAST through long years of effortless pet grooming! With the 100mm STAINLESS STEEL BLADE protected by a cover for your safety and the blade longevity and the STURDY, EASY-GRIP HANDLE, it promise top precision. It is a long-lasting deshedding tool, a MUST-HAVE pet hair remover!
• Healthy, shiny pet coat! Rid your four-legged friend of undercoat and loose hair effortlessly, and keep at bay allergies by frequently brushing them! Have your pet thankful for the professional services of a dog/cat deshedding tool and establish strong bonds between you and your four-legged friend!

The last favorite deshedding tool for cats on our list is the Pet Grooming Brush from Pet Neat. This deshedding tool is great for anyone with multiple cats who loves easy clean up after their weekly grooming sessions. The Pet Grooming Brush from Pet Neat effectively reduces shedding by 95% in both short and long-haired cats. 

It offers a removable head for easy cleanup or brush head switching for those long deshedding sessions that require some extra brush care. The removable head also offers easy storage when not being used.

The Pet Grooming Brush from Pet Neat is great for both cats and dogs with extra thick fur because it manages to detangle thick fur without hurting your pet. Its long oval shape allows for good coverage plus expert combing abilities. Your cat will thank you for its soft, shiny coat after being groomed with this great cat deshedding tool.

Manufacturers Specs

• Size and weight: 8 x 5 x 1 inches; 4.8 Ounces
• Variations: none
• Material: stainless steel, plastic
• Colors: black, blue, gray

What We Like

• It’s effective!
• It is great for heavy hair and long-haired cats
• It offers an easy cleanup option and removable head
• The price!
• Its unique long oval shape
• You can switch the brush heads out easily

What We Don’t Like

• Limited colors
• No warranty
• Doesn’t come in larger or smaller sizes

Summary

Thick haired animals need a brush that is designed specifically for thick fur. The Pet Grooming Brush by Pet Neat is exactly that. Cats will love being groomed by this versatile double-sided brush, which offers excellent results for its low cost.

The 2 Best Alternative Cat Deshedding Accessories

Here are a couple of other great options to add to your deshedding routine. Each of these is best as an addition to one of the shedding tools above, to add another layer of excess hair removal.

Furminator deShedding Rinse Free Foaming Shampoo for Cats

As creators of the FURminator deShedding Tool, FURminator continues to raise the bar with innovative, proprietary shedding solutions. The FURminator lineup of deShedding tools, grooming tools, hair care products, bathing and hygiene solutions broadens and enhances the FURminator deShedding experience for pet parents and their pets.

Simply put, there is no pet care solution on the market like the FURminator product line. FURminator deShedding Rinse Free Foaming Shampoo helps to reduce excess shedding and helps prevent hairballs without bathing.

The Furminator deShedding Rinse-Free Foaming Shampoo for Cats is one of the best accessories to aid in grooming your cat. This shampoo is great because it gets rid of the possibility of hairballs without having to give your cat a bath and reduces the shedding of your cat’s fur.

This shampoo is both paraben-free and non-toxic and can be left in your cat’s fur without worrying about rinsing it off. It was created specifically for the frizzy, dry, and thick cat fur of long-haired cats but can be used on all cats with all fur types.

What We Like

• It’s effective!
• The price!
• It’s non-toxic and paraben-free
• No need to rinse it off

What We Don’t Like

• It must be used weekly in order to be effective

Summary

In order to aid in the deshedding process, use the Furminator deShedding Rinse-Free Foaming Shampoo for Cats to prevent hairballs and excess loose fur. This product is great for the spring and summer when your cat will start to shed the most and is easy to use without giving your cat a full bath.

HandsOn Pet Grooming Gloves

• GENTLY GROOM, SHED, BATHE, & MASSAGE PETS – HandsOn’s five-finger design, complete with bristle tips on the fingers and round tips on the palm, allow for a versatile expert tool capable of grooming, de-shedding, bathing, or massaging your animal. This pair of gloves gently removes excess hair, debris, and tangles while keeping your hands and finger nails clean from dirt and oil.
• NON-ABRASIVE, FLEXIBLE RUBBER NODULES – Groom and shed your animal without hurting their skin! Non-abrasive, flexible rubber nodules gently massage your pet and remove excess hair while distributing natural oils for a healthy skin and coat.
• BIG OR SMALL PETS / LONG OR SHORT HAIR – Whether you are grooming a horse, chihuahua, or calico cat, rest assured that HandsOn has you covered. Our patented design works on all animals, big or small, long or short hair!

If you’re looking for a brush alternative but aren’t interested in diving into the world of lotions, salves, and leave in shampoo, then the HandsOn Pet Grooming Gloves will be perfect for deshedding your cat. 

The HandsOn Pet Grooming Gloves slide onto your hands just like any regular gardening gloves and offer a comfortable fit for most sizes. These gloves have pliable bristles on the palms and fingers of the gloves, allowing you to brush your cat as you pet it.

If you are the owner of a skittish cat who isn’t a fan of the brush or who hides every time they see a cat comb, these gloves will be the perfect way to make your cat feel comfortable. The HandsOn Pet Grooming Gloves allow your pet to feel at ease as you pet them regularly while removing excess shedded fur.

What We Like

• It’s calming for your cat
• The gloves fit comfortable and slip on easily
• It offers easy cleanup
• They come in many sizes and colors

What We Don’t Like

• Not as effective as a regular brush or comb
• Needs to be cleaned often and does not retain much fur

Summary

If your furry friend is scared of regular cat deshedding tools, calm their nerves by wearing these gloves. They will remove unwanted fur while giving your cat a gentle massage and calming its nerves. You will get the best of both worlds with both comfort and utility with the HandsOn Pet Grooming Gloves.

Different Types of Cat Grooming Tools

Each of the grooming instruments below has one goal in mind: reducing excess hair. We’ll explain what works best about each type of tool.

Cat Brushes

Cat brushes are the original cat grooming tool, and for a good reason. Cat brushes are reliable and easy to use and often come with comfortable and versatile handles for gripping. 

Cat brushes can come in various shapes and sizes and almost always have thick rows of bristles. These bristles can either be open-ended, meaning they are pointy at the tip, or closed-ended, meaning that they have little rounded tips for a gentler brush-through.

The type of brush you use will depend on both your preference and, more importantly, the preference of your cat. While only some cats truly love being brushed, most cats will actually tolerate it. The best cat brush is a brush that allows for:

• Your comfort while grooming
• An effective deshedding process
• The enjoyment of your cat

Double-Sided Cat Brushes

Double-sided can brushes are a great alternative to owning various different types of cat brushes for deshedding. The best double sided cat brushes are the ones that offer:

• A sturdy handle for a comfortable grasp
• A rectangular or square shape for a large surface area
• Round-ended rows of bristles
• One side with larger bristles for deshedding
• A second side with tiny bristles for detangling

When a double-sided cat brush offers two sides with different textures and bristle capabilities, you will be able to groom your cat without switching tools partway through.

Cat Combs

Cat combs are a variation of the well-known cat brush. Similar to combs made for people, cat combs are long and rectangular-shaped. Rather than having multiple rows of bristles that rest on a pad that collects the cat hair, cat combs are often made of one row of open-ended pointy bristle spikes. Cat combs can come in both metal and plastic materials and do not have handles like cat brushes do.

While cat combs can be used for deshedding, they are often best used for flea removal or problem areas within your cat’s fur. These problems areas can include:

• Foliage stuck in your outdoor cat’s fur
• Tangles caused by sleeping or rolling in long-haired cats
• Food getting stuck in your cat’s neck fur

Pet Grooming Gloves

Pet grooming gloves are the newest invention in cat grooming and deshedding. While pet grooming gloves aren’t always loved by all, they make pet grooming a fun and interactive activity. 

Pet grooming gloves are gloves made of silicone, rubber, or fabric that contain moderately pliable bristles on the fingers and palms of the gloves. They are used by slipping them on like regular garden gloves and then petting your cat with your hand bristles until all extra unwanted hair is caught on the gloves.

The best cat hair remover gloves are ones that offer a good, snug fit for your hands while also being gentle enough so that your cat enjoys its petting time.

It is important that you choose gloves with long enough bristles so that the hair remains on the gloves rather than flying loose into the air.

Cat Deshedding Shampoos and Salves

Cat deshedding shampoos and salves are a great aid when deshedding your cat. The cat deshedding process can sometimes be difficult, depending on the length of your cat’s hair. 

Bathing your cat in gentle, warm water with a deshedding shampoo can help remove some of that unwanted extra hair before the brushing process even begins. 

Cat deshedding salves can act as shampoo without needing to bathe your cat. Simply add a small amount of the salve, following the directions on the salve product, to your cat’s fur before deshedding. This will help the excess hair slide off gradually and comfortably while removing knots and tangles.

How to Groom a Cat

Depending on whether your cat has long or short hair and how well your cat tolerates being groomed will dictate how often you need to groom your cat. 

Brushing your cat every day is good for any cat, regardless of whether they have long or short hair. Brushing your cat stimulates the hair follicles and acts as a relaxer for your cat’s muscles. Regular grooming helps your cat’s skin create good oils to protect it from weather and the elements. 

• If you have a short-haired cat, you can get away with brushing once every week to once every couple of weeks since cats often groom themselves with tongues especially designed for grooming.
• If you have a long-haired cat with very thick fur, try to brush it every other day if possible. 

Especially for long-haired cats, regular grooming prevents knots from forming and helps ensure your cat doesn’t swallow too much of its own fur. When a cat swallows too much fur, it will result in your cat having hairballs.

Step-by-Step Cat Grooming

Step 1: Find a spot where your cat can lay comfortably. This can be the couch, a pillow, the bed, or the floor.

Step 2: Start by gently combing your cat’s legs and tail, moving on to its belly.

Step 3: Cut out any mats or knot with a pair of small scissors, and repeat brushing your cat’s legs, tail, and belly.

Step 4: Brush the back and sides of your cat, moving on to the top of the head.

Step 5: Lastly, brush the front of your cat’s neck very gently. If you notice any mats or food stuck to that area, carefully cut those parts off with scissors and repeat brushing that area again.

Step 6: Clean the brush and offer your cat a treat. Rewarding your cat’s good grooming behavior will ensure that grooming is easy next time you do it. This will get your cat used to being groomed so that they are not afraid of the brush or the sensation of being brushed.

A Well-Groomed Cat is a Happy Cat

While there are countless deshedding tools for cats available for purchase nowadays, the best tools offer easy cleanup, comfort for your cat, effective deshedding, removal of dirt and excess oil, and good value for its price. Whether choosing a comb model, or a multi-row bristle model, insist on a cat deshedding tool that will properly deshed both your cat’s topcoat and undercoat.

When you choose the right cat deshedding tool, your cat will be happier, healthier, and more vibrant. Show your cat that you love it by investing in the best deshedding tools available.