Best Cat Brushes for Shedding & How to Use Them

Let me take this chance to introduce you to my cat, Bruce.

Bruce has pretty short hair so I thought he wouldn’t shed. I was so wrong.

In fact, he sheds his fur so much it looks like I have a black carpet.

So in this post, I want to look at what are some of the best cat brushes for shedding cats, why it is a good idea to brush your furry friends, and how often you should be brushing.

Why Should You Brush Your Cat Regularly?

Regular brushing and grooming sessions help you spot and Identify any skin problems your cat may have before they become infected. Saving your cat from any discomfort and you from any vet bills.

The condition of the coat can even tell you your cat’s overall health – watch out for any bald patches or unexplainable loss of hair as it could mean an underlying health problem. If this is the case always take your cat straight to the vet!

Remember, a shiny and soft coat is a sign of healthy and happy kitty.

Regular brushing also helps your cat with the dreaded fur balls. I don’t know how you feel about seeing your cat coughing up fur balls? For me, I just feel sorry for Bruce.

Believe it or not, your cat needs help with removing the excess hair, there is simply too many for them especially in shedding seasons.

3 Best Cat Brushes for Shedding

Let’s take a look at some of the best cat brushes and how they help your kitty with excess hair.

1. FURminator deShedding Tool

FURminator deShedding Tool

What is nice about the FURminator is, well firstly it is called the FURminator which is an amazing name, but it also gets into your cat’s undercoat really well and pulls out all the loose hair (without hurting the cat).

This is probably Bruce’s favorite to be brushed with – just go carefully if your cat has any matted hair or knots in his or her coat as it can tug the fur out, which will cause your cat pain.

2. Highland Farms Select Deshedding Grooming Tool

Highland Farms Select Deshedding Grooming Tool

Highland Farms Select brush is great for grooming and shedding not only cats but also dogs and horses.

I personally use this brush on Sanchez as his coat is much fluffier and longer than Bruce’s, therefore requires a more “heavy-duty” brush to work through it all.

3. Shiny Pet Deshedding Brush for Long Haired Cats

Shiny Pet Deshedding Brush for Long Haired Cats

The Shiny Pet Deshedding brush comes in handy for cats with long hair prone to matting. Great thing about this fur brush is that it has a guard to prevent the blades from touching the skin and scratching your kitty.

Let’s Get Brushing!

As a responsible cat parent, I brush Bruce’s hair two to three times a week. However, if your cat has long hair prone to matting, the brushing procedure can be carried out more often.

How to Brush Your Cat

Before you start brushing there are a couple of things you should take into account:

• Your cat’s personality.

Real life example – Bruce adores brushing, where Sanchez absolutely hates it. Make sure you’re doing it right (yes, you can go wrong with it!).

My advice would be to think about your cat and start small. Does your cat love cuddles? Or are they more independent?

If it’s your cat’s first time let them sniff the comb, maybe offer a little treat and keep stroking them gently as you are brushing the coat, this is what I do and it works wonders.

• De-shedding requires your furry friend to trust you.

Once the trust is broken, instead of pampering session, there will only be an uneven fight.

Watch those claws, meeeow!

When you start brushing, try to focus on one part of your cat’s body at a time – tummy, chest, tail and the rest.

Wearing gloves could be a good idea if he or she turns out to be a vicious little kitty, however, you might not be able to feel any lumps or bumps that could indicate any skin issues.

In What Direction to Brush a Cat?

If you are doing your research, you will probably notice there is an ongoing dispute about brushing cat’s hair: do you brush with the direction of the coat or against it?

The truth is, it depends on the hair length. And most importantly, your cat.

The general word is to brush it against coat on long-haired and with on short-haired cats, but I’d say see how your cat gets on.

You might need to give up on the idea of doing it against the hair. Your cat is the real expert, and if what you are doing works and they allow it, then carry on!

If your cat doesn’t let you comb against the direction of their coat, don’t try to hold her down and do it anyway. Gently brush with the natural direction of the fur and use a blower to go against it.

What I also tend to do with Sanchez and his fluff, is run my fingers through his fur with wet hands.

It’s not as effective as combing, but at least it’s a compromise between the two of us that allows me to remove his dead hair.

Rubber mittens can be used if you find this method more suitable for your cat.

Another thing to avoid during de-shedding is tangled mats.

Neglecting to remove the excess hair can increase the amount of tangles. Whatever you do, do not try to pull them out – your cat will hate you for it.

I sometimes cut out the most stubborn tangles with scissors, but if you are unsure about doing it yourself consult with a professional cat groomer.

Don’t forget to check the skin condition during the brushing. Look out for any bald patches, injuries, fleas, worms and ticks. And spoil your cat with some delicious and healthy cat treats afterward!

The sooner you find any issues the better chance of keeping your cat fit and healthy.

Have you ever tried to brush your cat? How did it go?

Let us know in the comment!