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10 Best Brushes for Short-Haired Cats of 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Written by: Kathryn Copeland

Last Updated on March 14, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

cat brushing a home

10 Best Brushes for Short-Haired Cats of 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

cat brushing a home When you own a cat with medium to long hair, you know that you’re in for serious brushing sessions! But there are those who believe that a short-haired cat doesn’t need any brushing at all, and that just isn’t the case.

You might be surprised to learn that even your short-haired cat can get mats! Therefore, you should invest in a good brush for them. Since there is a plethora of brushes to choose from, we saved you a bit of time with these reviews of the top 10 brushes for short-haired cats.

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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites

Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Hepper Deshedding Cat Brush Hepper Deshedding Cat Brush
  • Stainless-steel pins at a 60° angle
  • Pins are rubber tipped to prevent scratching the skin
  • Waterproof
  • Budget Buy
    Second place
    Frisco Pin Bristle Brush for Cats Frisco Pin Bristle Brush for Cats
  • Affordable
  • Two brushes in one
  • Rubber-tipped pins on one side and bristles on the other
  • Third place
    FURminator Short Hair Cat Deshedding Tool FURminator Short Hair Cat Deshedding Tool
  • Helps cut back on shedding hair
  • Designed specifically for short-haired cats
  • Curved blade conforms to the cat’s body
  • KONG Cat ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush KONG Cat ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush
  • Flexible and gentle
  • Massager
  • Removes loose hair
  • HandsOn All-in-One Pet Bathing & Grooming Gloves HandsOn All-in-One Pet Bathing & Grooming Gloves
  • Helpful for cats that don’t like being brushed
  • Gives a gentle massage
  • Easy to reach challenging areas
  • The 10 Best Brushes for Short-Haired Cats

    1. Hepper Deshedding Cat Brush — Best Overall

    grey shorthaired cat hepper brush

    Brush type: Pin brush
    Material: ABS plastic, stainless steel
    Size: 7.5 x 3.15 inchesv

    The best overall brush for short-haired cats is Hepper’s Deshedding Cat Brush. It’s perfect for short-haired cats because it has stainless-steel pins at a 60-degree angle, which prevents the pins from scratching the skin. This is further assisted with each pin being covered by a rubber tip, which prevents scratching and can feel like a pleasant massage.

    The brush has a button that when pressed, retracts the pins, making removal of hair from the brush a breeze. It’s also waterproof for easy cleaning.

    The only issue is that the handle is not ergonomic and might slip in your hand while you’re brushing. But short-haired cats don’t need that much brushing, so this might not be an issue.

    At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest, so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!

    Pros
    • Stainless-steel pins at a 60° angle
    • Pins are rubber tipped to prevent scratching the skin
    • Waterproof
    • Remove hair from the brush at the push of a button
    Cons
    • Handle is not ergonomic

    2. Frisco Pin Bristle Brush for Cats — Budget Buy

    Frisco Cat & Dog Pin Bristle Brush

    Brush type: Pin and bristle
    Material: Plastic and rubber
    Sizes: 7.09 x 1.97 inches (mini), 9.26 x 2.76 inches (large)

    Our budget buy pick is the Frisco Pin Bristle Brush for Cats, mainly because you get two brushes in one! One side is a pin brush with rubber tips, and the other side is a bristle brush designed to smooth the coat and distribute the natural oils. Both sides work well for a short-haired cat.

    The problem with this brush is that the pins are spaced far apart, so they don’t always remove excess hair.

    Pros
    • Affordable
    • Two brushes in one
    • Rubber-tipped pins on one side and bristles on the other
    • Great for short-haired cats
    Cons
    • Pins spaced fairly far apart

    3. FURminator Short Hair Cat Deshedding Tool

    FURminator Short Hair Cat Deshedding Tool

    Brush type: Deshedder
    Material: Plastic and stainless steel
    Sizes: 8.75 x 5 inches

    We recommend the FURminator Short Hair Cat Deshedding Tool as a choice pick. While this isn’t exactly a brush, it similarly helps with the grooming process. Short-haired cats tend to shed more than you might think, so using this deshedder can really cut back on the hair floating around in your home. It has also been designed specifically for cats with short coats.

    The metallic edge is curved slightly to conform to your cat’s body, and the handle is ergonomic for a comfortable grip. The main issues with this deshedding tool are the price, and while it does effectively remove excess hair, the hair tends to fly all over the place during use.

    Pros
    • Helps cut back on shedding hair
    • Designed specifically for short-haired cats
    • Curved blade conforms to the cat’s body
    • Ergonomic handle
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Hair flies all over the place while in use

    4. KONG Cat ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush

    KONG Cat ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush

    Brush type: Rubber brush
    Material: Rubber
    Size: 4.5 x 2.75 inches

    KONG’s Cat ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush is a rubber brush that is flexible and gentle and can act both as a massager and brush to remove loose hair. It is made with rubber, so it can attract loose hair while you’re brushing, and the massaging effect helps condition the skin.

    But it is a curry brush, meaning it doesn’t have a handle and might be difficult for some people to hold while grooming. Additionally, it can be difficult to clean.

    Pros
    • Flexible and gentle
    • Massager
    • Removes loose hair
    • Made with rubber, which can attract loose hair
    • Helps condition the skin
    Cons
    • Difficult to clean
    • Some might find it difficult to hold

    5. HandsOn All-in-One Pet Bathing & Grooming Gloves

    HandsOn All-In-One Pet Bathing & Grooming Gloves

    Brush type: Grooming gloves
    Material: Rubber
    Sizes: Junior, small, medium, large, x-large

    The HandsOn All-in-One Pet Bathing & Grooming Gloves can help owners of short-haired cats that might not like being brushed. Your cat will simply think that they are getting amazing pets while you brush them, as it also provides a gentle massage. You can use these gloves on your cat while giving them a bath (if your cat likes baths), and they can easily reach areas on your cat that might normally be difficult to access. They come in five sizes.

    Unfortunately, since the hair doesn’t stick to the gloves, the hair that comes out while brushing tends to fly off everywhere. Also, the nubs on the gloves are more of a hard plastic, so if you press too hard, it might hurt your cat.

    Pros
    • Helpful for cats that don’t like being brushed
    • Gives a gentle massage
    • Easy to reach challenging areas
    • Can be used in the bath
    • Comes in five sizes
    Cons
    • Hair flies off the gloves
    • Plastic nubs might hurt if you press too hard

    6. Hartz Groomer’s Best Slicker Brush

    Brush type: Slicker
    Material: Plastic
    Size: 9 x 3.25 inches

    The Hartz Groomer’s Best Slicker Brush features a coating on the tips of the pins, so it’s gentle on your cat’s skin. The pins are close together and extra fine, so it’s effective at removing any mats or tangles. The handle is ergonomic, making it easy to hold and control, and the size of the brush is perfect for cats. Finally, the shape of the brush enables you to get into difficult-to-reach areas on your cat, such as the face.

    However, the coated tips are small and fall off easily, so it might be uncomfortable for some cats.

    Pros
    • Pins have a protective coating on the tips
    • Pins are close together for removing mats
    • Ergonomic handle is easy to hold
    • Brush shape allows for brushing tricky areas
    Cons
    • Plastic tips fall off easily

    7. Frisco Metal Dog & Cat Comb

    Frisco Metal Dog & Cat Comb

    Brush type: Comb
    Material: Stainless steel
    Size: 7.49 x 1.4 inches

    While not exactly a brush, the Frisco Metal Dog & Cat Comb is an effective tool for brushing your short-haired cat. It’s dual-sided with wide teeth on one side and narrow teeth on the other, and the teeth have rounded tips, so it’s less likely to hurt your cat. It is durable stainless steel and can help remove mats and any dirt or debris in your cat’s coat.

    The only issue is that if you have a kitten or tiny cat, you might find this comb to be on the large and heavy side.

    Pros
    • Wide teeth on one side and narrow teeth on the other
    • Teeth have rounded tips
    • Sturdy, stainless-steel comb
    • Easily removes mats and dirt
    Cons
    • A bit large for small cats

    8. Safari Complete Cat Brush

    Safari Complete Cat Brush

    Brush type: Slicker
    Material: Plastic
    Size: 6.5 x 3 inches

    The Safari Complete Cat Brush is a slicker brush that has a combination of nylon-coated, rounded-tip plastic bristles and traditional plastic bristles. It helps remove any mats and tangles but will be comfortable for your cat. The bristles help distribute natural oils and effectively remove excess hair. Finally, the handle is ergonomic and doesn’t slip out of your hands.

    However, the brush isn’t always effective at removing excess hair, and any hair in the brush tends to be challenging to remove.

    Pros
    • Plastic bristles for smooth brushing
    • Nylon-coated rounded tips on long pins
    • Removes mats and tangles easily
    • Helps distribute natural oils
    • Ergonomic handle is easy to grip
    Cons
    • Doesn’t always remove excess hair
    • Hair can be difficult to remove from the brush

    9. ConairPRO Pet-It Boar Bristle Brush

    CONAIRPROPET Pet-It Boar Bristle Brush

    Brush type: Bristle
    Material: Boar hair and plastic
    Size: 16.75 x 8.25 x 6 inches

    ConairPRO’s Pet-It Boar Bristle Brush doesn’t have a handle, but rather a grip that slips between your fingers, giving you better control of brushing your cat. It also mimics the act of stroking your cat, which should make the experience more enjoyable for you both. The best parts of this brush are the boar bristles, which are known to work well at distributing natural oils and smoothing fur.

    This brush has 50% boar bristles and 50% synthetic fibers, which will give your cat a shiny coat. However, the problem with this brush is that it’s fairly small and might be more comfortable for people with small hands. Also, the bristles are stiff, and getting hair out of the brush can be difficult.

    Pros
    • Uses a grip that fits between your fingers for better control
    • Mimics the act of petting
    • Has 50% boar bristles for smoothing the hair
    Cons
    • Only comfortable for people with small hands
    • Challenging to get the hair out of the brush
    • Stiff bristles

    10. Catit Senses 2.0 Self Groomer Cat Brush

    Catit Senses 2.0 Self Groomer Cat Brush

    Brush type: Self-grooming brush
    Material: Plastic and stainless steel
    Size: 5.2 x 3.8 x 2.3 inches

    Catit Senses 2.0 Self Groomer Cat Brush is a departure from regular brushes. This one is called a self-groomer because that’s precisely what it is. You can place this brush on the corner of a wall or furniture (at cat height, of course), and your cat can rub themselves on it whenever they want. It’s attached with either adhesive strips or more permanently with screws, and there’s a separate compartment for catnip for added attraction. It’s also quite easy to clean.

    The problem is that the bristles aren’t that soft and might be too hard for some cats. Also, some cat owners didn’t receive the adhesive strips or screws to attach it. For those who did receive the adhesive strips, it didn’t always stay up for long.

    Pros
    • Cats can groom themselves
    • Easily attaches to walls or other surfaces
    • Separate compartment for catnip
    • Easy to clean
    Cons
    • Bristles are hard
    • Some owners don’t receive the adhesive strips or screws
    • Adhesive doesn’t hold for long

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    Buyer’s Guide

    Now that you’ve gotten a few ideas about the brushes available for your short-haired cat, let’s go over a few pointers that should help you with your final decision.

    Best Types of Brushes for Short-Haired Cats

    Becoming familiar with what kind of brushes work best on short coats is a good idea. A soft, slicker brush used once a week works well, but ensure that the bristles aren’t too long or likely to scratch your cat. Also, be sure to use it gently to reduce the chances of hurting your cat.

    Bristle brushes are also recommended for smoothing the coat and distributing the natural oils, which will make your cat’s coat shine! You can also invest in several other tools, such as a deshedder or a rake if your cat is prone to matting.

    Go With What Your Cat Likes

    Figuring out what kind of brush works well on your cat’s coat and what they like is crucial. Your cat might prefer a bristle brush over a slicker but maybe only a specific type of bristle brush. You might need to make multiple purchases until you find the brush that doesn’t make your cat run away when you bring it out.

    brushing a ragdoll cat
    Image By: VeronArt16, Shutterstock

    Getting Your Cat Used to Brushing

    If you feel that you must battle your cat whenever it’s time for a brushing, you’re not alone. Starting a grooming routine when they are a kitten is best, but this isn’t always possible.

    Start by showing them the brush and letting them smell and even play with it. This way, it isn’t a strange item but something familiar. Try gently brushing them when they’re curled up on or next to you, which should feel similar to a gentle stroking.

    If you encounter a tangle, gently ease it out—this is where a cat comb or rake can come in handy. You can add conditioner to the mat if it’s stubborn, but never use scissors! Some cat owners have accidentally cut their cat’s skin, so you’re better off taking them to a groomer if mats are an issue. This is also a sign that they should be brushed more often.

    Finally, offer praise and treats after a good grooming session. Add in nice cheek and chin scratches while you’re at it!

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    Conclusion

    Our overall favorite brush is Hepper’s Deshedding Cat Brush. It has stainless-steel rubber-tipped pins, that are perfect for short-haired cats, and you just press a button for simple cleanup.

    Frisco’s Pin Bristle Brush for Cats gets you two brushes in one—a pin and a bristle brush—for an affordable price. Finally, the FURminator Short Hair Cat Deshedding Tool is great for being incredibly effective at removing excess hair from short-haired cats.

    We hope that these reviews have led you to a brush that works out well for you and your cat. Grooming a cat, even a short-haired breed, is an essential part of being a cat parent, and it can even be a great bonding experience!


    Featured Image Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock

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