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Cat Health & Care

8 Best Cat Combs of 2026: Reviews & Top Picks

By Christian Adams
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brushing cat fur

Your furry friend deserves to look and feel their best. Cats are generally great at self-grooming, and they spend a large part of their day keeping clean. Short-haired and long-haired cats will both benefit from regular combing, glove use, or brushing to remove loose hair, remove tangles, lessen the frequency of hairballs, and allow natural oils to spread through the fur.

Most cats love to be groomed, but if you want to make sure your cat enjoys the experience of being combed, it’s a good idea to invest in a top-notch grooming tool. In order to help you find the perfect brush for your feline friend, we tested the best cat combs. Our reviews cover the best cat combs available to care for and pamper your kitty.

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A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2026

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Hertzko Self-Cleaning Cat Slicker Brush Hertzko Self-Cleaning Cat Slicker Brush
  • Self-cleaning
  • Comfortable grip
  • Cleans and softens your pet's coat
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Frisco Metal Cat Comb Frisco Metal Cat Comb
  • Smooth, rounded teeth
  • Suitable for cats of all sizes and coat types
  • Removes tangles, knots, mats, dirt, and loose hair
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    FURminator Long Hair Cat Deshedding Tool FURminator Long Hair Cat Deshedding Tool
  • Button for ejecting fur
  • Compact and lightweight
  • Tightly-packed, stainless-steel teeth
  • Best for Kittens
    Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Cats
  • Easy to clean
  • Comfortable, secure handle
  • Pin design for thorough grooming
  • Vetnique Labs Furbliss Massaging Cat Brush Vetnique Labs Furbliss Massaging Cat Brush
  • Suitable for wet or dry hair
  • Soothing, massaging action
  • Medical-grade silicone construction
  • The 8 Best Cat Combs

    1. Hertzko Self-Cleaning Cat Slicker Brush – Best Overall

    Hertzko Self-Cleaning Cat Slicker Brush
    Dimensions:10 X 5.8 X 3 inches
    Weight:3.2 ounces
    Material:Stainless Steel

    With the Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush, you can get deep into your cat's fur without irritating their sensitive skin. That's why this comb is our top choice overall. Your cat's hair can be easily groomed with this brush because of its extra-fine, slightly bent metal bristles. As a result of these bristles, your feline's fur will be free of loose hair, dander, and mats without irritating their delicate skin. In just a few minutes, you'll be surprised at how much hair you can pick up by brushing your kitty's fur! The self-cleaning feature is one of our favorite aspects of this brush. With a simple click, you can retract the bristles and release the hair. Both long- and short-haired cats can reap the benefits from this grooming tool, and the sturdy, comfort-grip handle helps prevent wrist strain while brushing.

    Pros

    • Self-cleaning
    • Suitable for both long and short-haired cats
    • Solid construction
    • Comfortable grip
    • Cleans and softens your pet's coat
    • Cuts down on shedding around the house

    Cons

    • None

    2. Frisco Metal Cat Comb – Best Value

    Frisco Metal Cat Comb
    Dimensions:7.49 X 1.38 X 0.24 inches
    Weight:1.1 ounces
    Material:Coated Metal

    If you want great results without spending a lot, the Frisco Metal Pet Comb is just what you need to keep your cat's coat in check. The comb’s body is constructed of stainless steel, with a dual-sided design that features both narrow and wide sets of smooth, rounded teeth. This comb will help you eliminate matting, knots, and tangles quickly and easily. The wide side should be run through your cat's coat first, then the narrow side to keep their coat soft and cuddly. Your cat will feel more comfortable and you can say goodbye to annoying shedding around the house! This product is simple, reliable, and the best cat comb for the money.

    Pros

    • Durable stainless-steel body and teeth
    • Smooth, rounded teeth
    • Suitable for cats of all sizes and coat types
    • Removes tangles, knots, mats, dirt, and loose hair

    Cons

    • Heavy

    3. FURminator Long Hair Cat Deshedding Tool – Premium Choice

    FURminator Long Hair Cat Deshedding Tool
    Dimensions:2 x 5 x 8.75 inches
    Weight:12.66 ounces
    Material:Stainless Steel

    The Furminator is a great brush for shedding, and with just a few strokes, this tool can remove much more fur than many other grooming tools can. Due to its tightly packed stainless-steel teeth, the tool reaches deep into your cat's undercoat without irritating or injuring their sensitive skin. There are two sizes available: designed for cats under 10 pounds, the small one has a 1.75-inch wide blade, and for cats weighing over 10 pounds, the medium-sized brush has a blade that measures 2.65 inches wide. Both brushes have an ejector button for releasing hair that has collected in the brush, with a curved plastic edge that prevents the blade from accidentally cutting into your cat's skin.

    Pros

    • Tightly-packed, stainless-steel teeth
    • Compact and lightweight
    • Easy to handle
    • Small enough to fit into tight spaces
    • Button for ejecting fur
    • Two sizes available

    Cons

    • Comparatively expensive

    4. Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Cats – Best for Kittens

    Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
    Dimensions:9.5 x 5.1 x 2.1 inches
    Weight:4.2 ounces
    Material:Plastic, metal wire

    You never have to worry about grooming your cat again! With the Safari’s comfort-grip handle and stainless steel pins, you can easily groom your cat with minimal effort. Pushing a button retracts the pins of this brush, making it easy to clean. After all of the hair falls off the brush head, the pad can be wiped clean, then simply reset the button and you're good to go again. This brush is gentle on kittens and its 288 pins and 3 by 2-inch paddle are nimble enough to get into difficult spaces. If you begin regularly grooming your cat while they’re still a kitten, it's easier to go on keeping your home clean, rather than seeing tangles of fur pile up on your clothes or furniture.

    Pros

    • Easy to clean
    • Comfortable, secure handle
    • Pin design for thorough grooming

    Cons

    • Fairly sharp bristles

    5. Vetnique Labs Furbliss Massaging Cat Brush

    Vetnique Labs Furbliss Massaging Cat Brush
    Dimensions:4.5 X 2.5 X 1 inches
    Weight:3.84 ounces
    Material:Silicone

    You can easily tackle tough tangles with the Vetnique Labs Furbliss Brush. This multi-purpose groomer gently removes lint, fur, and dander while deshedding your kitty. Its brushing action provides a soothing massage sensation, stimulating your pet and freeing your house of stray hairs. It's also designed to work well on a wide range of coats and fur types. The brush is dishwasher and washing machine safe, so you can easily sterilize it between grooming sessions. While deshedding, the tool also prevents allergy-causing dander and sebum from building up on your furniture.

    Pros

    • Medical-grade silicone construction
    • Suitable for wet or dry hair
    • Soothing, massaging action

    Cons

    • Not ideal for deshedding

    6. HandsOn All-In-One Pet Bathing & Grooming Gloves

    HandsOn-All-In-One-Pet-Bathing-and-Grooming-Gloves
    Dimensions:Jr: 5 inches, Small: 2.75 inches, Medium: 3 inches, Large: 3.25 inches, X-Large: 3.5 inches
    Weight:Varies by size
    Material:Rubber, nylon, and velcro

    There are cats that love to be groomed, cats that tolerate it, and cats that resent it. Grooming gloves can get your cat accustomed to being brushed in a gentle manner. Because gloves mimic normal handling, they might work for those kitties who hate being groomed with a brush or comb. The HandsOn All-in-One Bathing and Grooming Gloves have little rounded nubs all over the palms, fingers, and thumbs of each glove. At the wrist, a Velcro closure secures the glove snugly. The glove's topside is made of strong nylon fabric and they come in five sizes, junior to extra-large. HandsOn Gloves can be used dry or wet and are highly durable and can at least help remove some fur and dander even if your cat doesn't like brushing. However, gloves do not work as well as other comb designs for removing hair from a cat's coat.

    Pros

    • Cats who don't like to be groomed may love this
    • Comfortable and flexible
    • Five sizes on offer
    • Wet or dry use
    • Great for massages and baths

    Cons

    • Glove design is less effective

    7. Mr. Peanut's Hand Gloves Cat Grooming & Deshedding Aid

    Mr. Peanut's Hand Gloves Dog & Cat Grooming & Deshedding Aid
    Dimensions:Varies by size
    Weight:Varies by size
    Material:Rubber

    Mr. Peanuts' Hand Gloves are another great option for combing out and removing your kitty’s loose fur. Proactively getting rid of shedding hairs means less cleaning up for you later, and because these gloves can be made part of your normal handling routine, they are generally better tolerated by skittish kitties. Grooming tools can potentially intimidate some cats, but with gloves, you can simply pet your feline just as you normally would. These gloves lift dirt and undo tangled hair mats with their flexible mesh fabric and multiple rubber tips. Thanks to the adjustable fuzzy strap, these gloves fit most hands and they can be used on short hair, long hair, wet hair, or dry hair.

    Pros

    • Convenient and easy to use
    • Covered with soft rubber tips
    • Suitable for all coat types

    Cons

    • Complaints of shoddy stitching from some reviewers

    8. KONG Cat ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush

    KONG Cat ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush
    Dimensions:4 X 3 inches with ¾-inch long rubber teeth
    Weight:Not listed
    Material:Rubber

    With the ZoomGroom for cats, you can groom your cat in two ways at once! Aside from grooming, its massaging mechanisms will also relax your cat and any flyaway hairs are attracted to the soft, rubber fingers. Using the KONG ZoomGroom regularly can help condition the skin and reduce hairball formation, plus, the massaging action can help calm stressed or anxious cats, especially during potentially traumatic situations such as veterinarian visits. This soft, flexible, and firm 3/4-inch rubber tooth massager reaches through the coat to gently massage the skin beneath. This massager is made of durable rubber that will last for a long time, and the ergonomic grip of this massager makes it a breeze to use.

    Pros

    • Pets will love the flexible, gentle brush
    • Bathes, grooms, and massages your cat
    • Helps prevent hairball formation

    Cons

    • Beveled teeth may drag through the fur
    • Very soft and pliable construction
    • It takes a lot of effort to work with this tool
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    Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Cat Comb

    When grooming your cat, using the right comb can make a big difference. Cats naturally groom themselves, but regular brushing helps them maintain a clean and healthy coat, reduces shedding, prevents matting, and distributes natural oils throughout their fur. Whether you have a short-haired or long-haired cat, here are the important features and considerations to help you choose the best grooming tool.

    combing the hair of the cat
    Image Credit: namaki, Shutterstock

    Bristle Type

    The type of bristles on a cat comb is crucial to its effectiveness. Metal bristles are best for deep cleaning and detangling without irritating your cat's sensitive skin. For more sensitive cats or kittens, it's better to use soft rubber or silicone bristles, which provide a gentler grooming experience.

    Ease of Cleaning

    Cats shed frequently, and a good comb will collect a significant amount of loose fur. Tools with self-cleaning mechanisms allow you to remove collected fur easily with the push of a button, saving time and hassle during grooming sessions.

    Size and Shape

    Cats come in different sizes, and so do their grooming tools. Combs with varying tooth sizes or compact shapes are great for reaching small or hard-to-groom areas. If you have a larger cat, choose combs with wider bristles to cover more surface area with each stroke.

    Comfort and Grip

    Grooming sessions should be comfortable for both you and your cat. Look for combs with ergonomic, non-slip handles to prevent hand or wrist strain. This is especially important if you have a long-haired cat that requires frequent or lengthy grooming.

    Benefits of Regular Grooming

    female hand combing the bengal cat
    Image Credit: Svetlana Rey, Shutterstock

    Reduces Shedding

    By combing your cat regularly, you can greatly reduce the amount of fur being shed around the house. It also reduces the chance of hairballs since loose hair and excessive undercoat are minimized.

    Prevents Matting and Tangles

    Long-haired cats tend to get more mats and tangles, so brushing them with double-sided combs or slicker brushes is important. Using these brushes will significantly help detangle hair and prevent mats, avoiding potential discomfort and skin issues and keeping your cat’s coat smooth and healthy.

    Promotes Healthy Skin

    Regularly brushing or combing is great for distributing natural oils throughout your cat’s coat, ensuring it looks shiny and smooth. Certain combs go even further, offering a massaging action to stimulate blood flow, which aids in healthy skin and a relaxing experience for your cat to boost their overall well-being.

    Cat Comb Comparisons

    • Metal vs. Rubber Bristles: Metal combs are better for deep grooming and untangling mats, while combs with rubber bristles are gentler on the skin and more suited for short-haired cats or sensitive areas.
    • Traditional Comb vs. Gloves: Grooming gloves provide a more natural grooming experience for cats that dislike regular brushes. However, they may not reach down to the skin with longer-haired cats to remove as much loose fur as traditional slicker and metal combs.
    woman combing her cat
    Image Credit: Mariia Boiko, Shutterstock

    How We Selected Our List of the Best Cat Combs

    Catster has an experienced, expert team of writers, editors, and veterinarians who carefully consider a wide range of parameters when choosing the right cat comb. This includes but is not limited to customer reviews, brand reputation, veterinary experience, hands-on testing, and of course, our cats have a say in the process too! We aim to select and review only the best products available, to help you make the best possible choice and most informed decision for your and your cat’s needs.

    Why Trust Catster?

    A trusted online brand since 2001, Catster has a lot of experience with cat combs. Our team of cat-loving writers, editors, and veterinarians is dedicated to helping you make the best decision for your precious cats. Our aim is to provide the best information available for cat owners to help cats live their best life possible. To do this, we scour reviews from the most trusted sources available and this, combined with our veterinary team’s experience and expertise, helps us gather the best options available to readers. Our team is deeply invested in the health and welfare of cats the world over, and believes that expert knowledge and veterinary guidance will help you make the right choices—for you and your cats!

    divider cat faces 2 oct 2024

    Final Thoughts

    Those who own cats are accustomed to finding hair on their clothes, furniture, and floors, and brushing your indoor cat regularly can help reduce shedding. Our top cat comb choice is the Hertzko Self-Cleaning Cat Slicker Brush with its solid construction and self-cleaning mechanism. We also love the Frisco Metal Cat Comb for its simple, durable design and pocket-friendly price point. Our premium choice is the Furminator Deshedding Tool that's easy to handle and a great choice for deshedding.

    Whatever comb you choose from our list we hope you and your kitty enjoy many hours of bonding and grooming ahead!


    Featured Image Credit: ANURAK PONGPATIMET, Shutterstock

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