9 Best Cat Brushes for Shedding in 2024

It’s a common experience for cat owners to get up from a cuddle session with their cat to find themselves covered in a layer of fur. Shedding is just a fact of life for pet owners, though some experience it to a greater degree than others.

The truth of the matter is that you’ll never get your cat’s shedding completely under control. All cats shed. In fact, it’s a sign of a healthy coat that your cat is shedding dead fur to make room for new growth. This doesn’t mean, however, that you have to settle for a house covered in fur. Regular brushing is the key to keeping shedding under control and it all comes down to the best cat brush.

In this article, we’ll explore the subject of shedding in cats to determine what’s normal and what’s excessive. We’ll talk about the causes of excessive shedding and what you can do to keep your cat’s shedding under control. Finally, you’ll receive our recommendations for the best cat brush for shedding.

What Causes Excessive Shedding?

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All cats shed but it’s true that some breeds tend to do so more heavily than others. Russian Blues, Persians, Main Coons, and American shorthairs often shed more than other cats. You may also find that your cat sheds more heavily in the spring and fall than at other times of year. If you notice a sudden increase in your cat’s shedding, however, it’s not something you should ignore. Changes to your cat’s skin and coat could be an indication of and underlying health issue.

Here are some of the most common causes of excessive shedding in cats: 

• Imbalanced Diet – Your cat requires certain nutrients for optimal health and a diet deficient in nutrients or made with low-quality ingredients could impact his skin and coat.
• Allergies – Cats can be allergic to food or environmental allergens, all of which can cause changes to his skin and coat. Overgrooming from skin irritation may also be allergy related.
• Skin Infections – Bacterial and fungal skin infections can cause hair loss which may look similar to shedding – check your cat for additional symptoms.
• External Parasites – Even indoor cats are prone to external parasites like fleas, ticks, and mites which can irritate the skin and cause excessive scratching that can damage your cat’s skin.
• Poor Grooming – As your cat gets older, he may have trouble grooming himself as well as he once did which may cause changes in his coat condition. Using the wrong grooming products (like human shampoo) can also affect your cat’s skin and coat.
• Hormonal Imbalance – Changes in your cat’s hormone levels can induce changes in his coat – talk to your vet about thyroid disorders or other underlying health issues.
• Stress – Sudden or significant changes to your cat’s routine or environment can cause stress which may impact his health as well as his skin and coat.

Tips to Reduce Shedding

Shedding is completely natural and a sign of a healthy coat in cats. Your cat’s fur goes through a life cycle much like your own hair – it doesn’t all grow at once. When one hair completes its life cycle and falls out, it’s replaced by a new hair. This happens all over your cat’s body with different hairs in different parts of the cycle.

You can’t stop your cat from shedding, but there are certain things you can do to minimize it. At the very least, you can remove some of the dead and loose fur from his coat before it ends up all over your clothing and your furniture.

Here are some simple tips to reduce shedding: 

• Brush your cat at least once a week to remove dead and loose hair before it can be shed – long-haired cats may need to be brushed more often.
• Choose a cat brush appropriate for your cat’s coat type and use it properly – some brushes work better for short coats and other for long or thick fur.
• Try using a deshedding tool like a FURminator for cats – these tools have been shown to reduce shedding up to 90% with regular use.
• Feed your cat a healthy and balanced diet – giving your cat the proper nutrients is essential for maintaining the health of his skin and coat.
• Make sure your cat is drinking plenty of water – try switching to canned food, add a wet food topper, or purchase a pet fountain to increase your cat’s moisture intake.

Now that you have a better idea what causes excessive shedding and what you can do to minimize it, you’re ready to start shopping for the best cat brush. Read on to see our recommendations!

The Top 9 Best Cat Brushes for Shedding

When it comes to the best cat brush for shedding, there are a few different types to consider. Deshedding brushes are sometimes called shedding rakes and they typically have shorter teeth spaced close together. Combs are an excellent option for long fur and cats with mats or tangles, as a pin brushes. Bristle brushes remove hair and debris from the topcoat – they may also boost smoothness and shine. We’ve done our best to provide you with a number of options.

Here are our top picks for the best cat brush for shedding: 

Our 2024 Picks: Best Cat Brushes for Shedding
	FURminator deShedding Edge Cat Brush Effectively reduces hairballs Guaranteed to reduce shedding Price: $$$	CHECK PRICE
	Paws & Pals Best in Show Deshedding Tool Helps prevent mats Reduces shedding and pet odor Price: $	CHECK PRICE
	Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Cats Gentle, stainless steel pins Comfort grip handle Price:  $$	CHECK PRICE
	Hertzko Self-Cleaning Cat Deshedding Tool Massaging action Reduces shedding by up to 95% Price:  $$$	CHECK PRICE
	Safari Shed Magic Deshedding Tool for Cats Magical de-shedding too Stainless steel blades Price:  $$	CHECK PRICE
	K9konnection FURbeast Cat Deshedding Tool Reduces up to 90% shedding Removes tangles, and prevents knots Price:  $	CHECK PRICE
	Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Brush Dual-action brush detangles Removes excess fur Price:  $	CHECK PRICE
	Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush Comfortable, durable Anti-slip handle Price:  $$	CHECK PRICE
	Petkin 4-in-1 Vanilla Coconut Scent Feels like a massage Promotes bonding Price:  $$$	CHECK PRICE

FURminator deShedding Edge Cat Brush

This deshedding cat brush comes in two sizes and two designs for long or short hair. It features a stainless-steel edge that reaches deep into the undercoat, gently removing loose hair. The ergonomic handle fits comfortably in your hand while the curved edge keeps your cat comfortable. With regular use, this FURminator deShedding Edge Cat Brush can reduce shedding up to 90%.

Pros: Stainless-steel deshedding edge, comfortable ergonomic grip handle, reduces shedding 90%

Cons: Might tug on mats and tangles, somewhat expensive

Paws & Pals Best in Show Deshedding Tool

When it comes to cat brushes for shedding, many deshedding tools have a similar design. This Paws & Pals Best in Show Deshedding Tool is much like the FURminator for cats in that it has a stainless-steel blade but the teeth are a little longer. This tool works well to remove loose hair from the undercoat and the comfort grip handle reduces hand fatigue while optimizing control. It’s also a much more affordable option than many models.

Pros: Affordable price, stainless-steel blade, comfort grip handle, removes hair from undercoat

Cons: Some cats dislike the feel, may tug on mats and tangles

Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Cats

Remove hair from your cat’s topcoat and undercoat with ease using this Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Cats. This slicker brush features gentle stainless-steel bristles that remove loose hair, dirt, and debris without tugging on your cat’s fur. To remove accumulated hair, simply press the button to retract the bristles and discard the hair. This brush also features a comfort grip handle to prevent hand fatigue during grooming sessions and to ensure a steady grip.

Pros: Retractable pins for easy cleanup, gentle stainless-steel pins, comfort grip handle

Cons: May not work as well on long coats, some cats dislike it

Hertzko Self-Cleaning Cat Deshedding Tool

Another self-cleaning cat brush is this Hertzko Self-Cleaning Cat Deshedding Tool. This brush features a unique curved design that follows the contours of your cat’s body. The stainless-steel comb reaches into the cat’s undercoat to remove loose hair and dander without causing pain or irritation. This brush has an automatic fur eject button and a comfort grip handle.

Pros: Curved design follows the contour of the cat’s body, automatic fur ejector button

Cons: Some users thought the teeth were too short

Safari Shed Magic Deshedding Tool for Cats

The problem with many deshedding tools is that they’re not designed to handle mats. The Safari Shed Magic Deshedding Tool for Cats is different – not only does it reach deep into the undercoat to reduce shedding, but its curved blades help tackle mats and tangles. The blades are sturdy stainless-steel and spaced widely enough to comb through tangles without pulling on them too much.

Pros: Great for medium to long coats, helps with mats and tangles, curved stainless-steel teeth

Cons: May not work as well on short hair, use with caution to avoid pulling hair

K9konnection FURbeast Cat Deshedding Tool

Keeping your cat brushes clean can be tricky, but the K9konnection FURbeast Cat Deshedding Tool has a unique feature – you can remove the blade to clean it. This brush still has an ergonomic handle for comfort and the stainless-steel blade reaches into the undercoat to remove loose hair. Because it doesn’t have sharp teeth, it massages your cat’s skin to stimulate circulation as well.

Pros: Removable blade for easy cleaning, massaging action stimulates circulation, comfort grip handle

Cons: Blade isn’t curved, may not work well for hard-to-reach areas

Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Brush

Frequent brushing is the key to keeping shedding under control and you don’t always need a special deshedding tool to make it effective. This Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Brush features wire pins on one side and closely spaced bristles on the other, making it a great everyday grooming tool for cats with all coat types. Plus, it has a padded handle to ensure comfort and optimal control.

Pros: Double-sided design, great for everyday brushing and grooming, padded handle for comfort

Cons: Bristles may be too stiff for some cats

Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Dogs and Cats

If you’re tired of spending half the grooming session removing accumulated hair from your brush, consider this Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Dogs and Cats. This slicker brush features a self-cleaning option – just press the button to retract the bristles and throw away the accumulated hair. The bristles themselves are uniquely designed to penetrate even thick fur while massaging your cat’s skin with the blunted tips. As a result, your cat’s skin is healthier and his coat shinier – not to mention less shedding and fewer tangles!

Pros: Curved bristles reach into the undercoat, retractable bristles for easy cleaning

Cons: Locking mechanism may eventually break, regular size may be too large for some cats

HandsOn All-in-One Bathing & Grooming Gloves

When it comes to grooming your cat, these HandsOn All-in-One Bathing & Grooming Gloves are the perfect combination of fit and function. They are easy to adjust, so they won’t slip off whether you’re using them wet or dry and they come in five different sizes as a pair. To groom your cat, just put them on and pet him as you normally would, gathering dead and loose hair as you go along. These gloves work best to remove loose hair from the top coat, but you can also use them during a bath to help massage your cat’s skin and loosen dead hair in the undercoat.

Pros: Easy and comfortable to wear, works with wet or dry fur, massaging action for cats

Cons: May not remove hair from deep in the undercoat

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Should I be concerned about an increase in shedding? Any changes to your cat’s physical health are worthy of concern. Keep in mind that cats tend to shed in cycles, however, and your cat’s cycle will be unique – it may or may not match up with the seasons. You should be concerned if you notice a sudden increase in shedding or if you see your cat losing clumps of fur. If your cat’s coat becomes thin overall or you notice additional skin symptoms, call your vet.
2. Does bathing help with shedding? Giving your cat a bath may help rinse some of the accumulated dead fur from his coat, but you should really brush him before bathing for the best results. The primary benefit of bathing your cat is improving the health and condition of his skin. If your cat has a skin infection or suffers from dry skin, medicated shampoo can help repair the skin which will also boost his coat condition and may reduce shedding. Make sure to talk to your vet before using medicated shampoo.
3. Are hairballs a sign of excessive shedding? The occasional hairball is normal and generally nothing to worry about. When your cat grooms himself, he’ll ingest a little hair and it could accumulate in his digestive tract. If you’re feeding your cat a healthy, high-quality diet that supports his digestion, hairballs shouldn’t be too much of a problem. An increase in the frequency of hairballs could potentially indicate a digestive issue or might be related to shedding. More loose and dead hair in your cat’s coat could increase the amount of hair he ingests in grooming.
4. What is the best cat brush for short hair? Many cat owners find that their short-haired cats shed more than cats with longer, finer coats. When it comes to the best cat brush for shedding, short hair cats do well with slicker brushes while long-haired cats may require a shedding comb or wire pin brush. You can also consider the FURminator for cats which comes in several models for different coat types.

As a cat owner, you’ll eventually get to the point where you either stash sticky rollers all over the house or you simply give up caring about everything being covered in cat fur. Shedding is a reality for any pet owner but just because you can’t stop it doesn’t mean you can’t reduce it. Try one of the cat brushes for shedding we’ve recommended above to see if you can get your cat’s shedding under control.