Best Cat Brushes for Long Haired Cats: 2021 Buyer’s Guide

Most cats do an excellent job of grooming themselves, however, when it comes to cutting down on hairballs or dealing with longer coats, grooming your pet using the best cat brushes for long haired cats is essential. Cats with a longer coat tend to get mats rather easily, which can be painful and uncomfortable. Additionally, if you don’t stay on top of your pet’s grooming needs then you’re looking at a serious grooming bill. In most cases, certain cat breeds, such as Persians, will need to be shaved if combing out the mats are not possible. If your cat has a longer coat and you’re searching for a brush that can keep your cat’s coat mat and tangle-free, then this buyer’s guide will help you choose a brush that’s effective and one that your cat’s sure to love. I’ve also tested out some of the top-selling models, narrowing it down to four brushes that are gentle, efficient, and affordable. Below, you’ll find a comparison chart that includes each of the models that made it onto my top four list, their best features, and how they rated.

Cat Brushes for Long Haired Cats Comparison Chart

Product	Brush Type	Hair type	Head Design	Rating
Pet Grooming Tool – 2-Sided Undercoat Rake Shop On Amazon!	Rake	Long/Thick	Dual
Hertzko Self Cleaning Brush Shop On Amazon!	Slicker	All	Single
FURminator LongHair deShedding Tool Shop On Amazon!	Rake	Long	Single
BV Dog Brush and Cat Brush Shop On Amazon!	Fine/Wire	All	Dual

Pet Grooming Tool – 2-Sided Undercoat Rake

Our Rating: (5/5)

This brush is designed for cats with thicker, long fur. The two-in-one dual head design features one side that’s equipped with nine teeth that can easily work out stubborn tangles and mats. The other side of the brush features seventeen teeth and can be used to de-shed or thin the fur. The teeth feature a no-scratch rounded design that gently massages a pet’s skin. The teeth on the inner side of the brush are sharp enough to cut through even the toughest knots, tangles, and mats. If your cat is an excessive shedder, then this brush is a great buy. With regular use, the brush will easily remove dead undercoat fur, which will prevent hair from covering you and your furniture and can also help to cut down on hairballs.

Conclusion

This brush features a dual head design that allows you to achieve pro grooming results. The special no-scratch teeth will prevent injuries and skin irritation and will instead work to massage your pet’s gentle skin. The brush also features an ergonomic grip and non-slip design. Together, these features will make any grooming routine easy.

Hertzko Self Cleaning Brush

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

This brush is designed to take on even the toughest mats. The brush will gently remove knots, tangles, loose fur, trapped dirt, and dander. The brush will get rid of mats without hurting your pet or causing discomfort. The fine bent wires will penetrate deeply into your cat’s coat to remove any trapped dirt, mats, tangles, or loose hair from the undercoat, without scratching the delicate skin.

The brush also massages the skin, which will promote improved circulation and can be very relaxing for your pet. The brush is also very easy to clean. Once you’ve finished brushing, all you have to do is click the button on the handle and the bristles will retract pushing the loose hair out. This model also comes with an anti-slip handle and a comfortable grip, both of which will prevent wrist and hand strain.

Conclusion

This durable, easy to use and clean pet brush is designed for hair of all lengths and textures, so you can use it on all of your pets. The effective bristle design will easily reach deep down into your pet’s fur and remove trapped dirt and debris, eliminate tangles, and will have your pet’s coat looking great in no time.

FURminator Long Hair De-Shedding Tool

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

This popular brush by FURminator is a powerful de-shedding tool that can easily reach through the top coat to the thicker undercoat and remove loose hair, trapped dirt, debris, dander, and can tackle thick mats and tangled fur. The brush is designed to remove loose hair without cutting the skin or damaging the coat. The manufacturer claims that the tool is designed to reduce shedding by up to ninety percent, which is pretty impressive.

Conclusion

This brush is specifically made for cats over ten pounds, with fur that’s longer than two inches. The stainless-steel edge is designed to reach deep down beneath the topcoat to remove loose hair from the undercoat, safely, and gently. The brush is easy to use, clean, and can handle tough mats, tangles, knots, and more.

BV Dog Brush and Cat Brush

Our Rating: (4/5)

This dual sized fine wire brush is designed for both cats and dogs and can handle all coat types. The bristle side is designed to remove loose hair, dirt, trapped debris, and tangles. The other side features round tip pins that help to evenly distribute the natural oils in the coat for smoother, shiny fur. The handle has an ergonomic design that will make the brush comfortable to grip, while giving you more control over the grooming process.

Conclusion

This budget-friendly dual-sided brush is a great buy, but it’s not quite as versatile as the manufacturer claims it is.

This brush can be used for both dogs and cats and is designed to tackle any type of fur. However, you may find that the bristles are not quite long enough to remove trapped debris and mats from the undercoat. Instead, this brush would be a better choice for cats with long, fine hair, but will not work well for thicker coats.

Cat Brushes for Long Haired Cats Buyer’s Guide

If you’ve only ever had a short haired cat before, then you may be surprised at how quickly a long-haired cat’s coat can become tangled. In fact, their fur can become matted in as little as a week. While these cats groom themselves as often as short haired cats, their fine hair tends to tangle very easily.

Cats with longer coats definitely need some grooming help from their humans. Choosing the right brush for your cat’s coat will help prevent tangles and matted fur. It can also help to reduce or eliminate hairballs. Of course, it’s up to you to stay on top of your cat’s grooming needs. Most vets recommend brushing a cat daily to keep their coat and skin clean and healthy.

On average a cat will spend up to fifty percent of their day grooming. While this may seem excessive, it’s perfectly normal and necessary for a healthy coat. While a cat will do their best to keep their coat looking clean, cats with a longer coat must be groomed daily to prevent mats.

Aside from removing loose hair, dander, and debris from the coat, grooming will keep the coat healthy, shiny, and smooth.

Types of Cat Brushes

There are many types and styles of cat brushes to choose from, based on coat thickness and length. You may need to purchase more than one style of brush to find one that works well for your cat’s fur. Some brushes may feel uncomfortable for your pet, which is why I recommend purchasing a couple of different styles. If brushing is painful or uncomfortable for your pet, grooming your cat will be difficult since they will have a hard time sitting still for the process.

De-Shedding

If you’re looking for something that can keep your cat’s shedding and hairball problem under control, then a de-shedding brush is a great option. These brushes are designed to remove loose fur from your cat’s coat, so it stays off your clothing and furniture. Additionally, cats with thicker coats are often prone to hairballs. Brushing your cat daily can remedy your pet’s hairball problem.

Soft Bristle

Soft bristle brushes are a great choice for cats with longer coats and those with sensitive skin. The flexible, longer bristles are made out of boar’s hair or nylon and do a great job of working out tangles, gently. Like most types of brushes, they also do a great job of removing loose hair, dander, and debris from fur.

Slicker

The slicker style cat brush features bristles that are somewhere between de-shedding and soft bristles. These brushes feature wire bristles that are closely knit with tips that are topped with pinheads that prevent the bristles from pricking a cat’s skin. These brushes are very versatile and can be used on all types of coats. Additionally, they do a great job of removing dander, dust, and loose hair. They’re also a great choice if your cat’s coat easily knots or mats. Most cats find these brushes extremely comfortable when they make contact with the skin, so a slicker brush may also be the best choice if your cat’s skin is very sensitive.

Dual-Sided

This style of brush features bristle on both sides and is a better choice for short-haired cats. However, you can use the side with harder bristles for cats with thicker or longer coats. The side with softer bristles does an excellent job of removing dirt, debris, and loose hair.

Wire

Wire brushes can help with working out tangles and mats, but most cats find these brushes very uncomfortable, especially if the user applies too much pressure.

Fine

A fine bristled brush features closely packed bristles that can remove mats, debris, and pests from a cat’s coat. This type of brush is a good choice for cats with thicker fur. However, it should only be used after a regular brush. This brush is a great choice for achieving super straight hair and pest removal, but it can be difficult to use on severely matted fur.

Cat Coat Types

Cat coats come in a variety of lengths, thicknesses, and textures. Finding a brush that’s categorized for long hair may not be enough, especially if your cat has long hair that’s very fine or wiry. Below, you’ll find a list of the different types of cat coats and which style of brush will work the best for your pet’s unique coat.

Semi-Long and Long

This type of coat is more than an inch and a half in length, but it can grow up to six inches long. Cats with a semi-long or long coat often shed more than short haired cats and require the most grooming attention. While brushing a cat with this type of coat daily is ideal, at the very least, a cat should be brushed every two to three days. The best brush for this type of coat is a slicker or pin brush. In some cases, you may also need to use a comb. Examples of long-haired breeds including Turkish, angora, and Persian.

Short and Thick

Using a brush designed for long haired cats on a short and thick coat is a great choice, especially if their coat often attracts a lot of debris. Cats with a short coat have fur that’s one and a half inches or shorter. These coats don’t require as much maintenance as longer coats, so you may only need to brush them once a week. However, if your cat is a big shedder, then brushing them every few days can help to cut down on the hair you find around the home.

The best types of brushes for this coat include soft bristle and slicker. Avoid using a pin brush for this type of coat since it can scratch a cat’s skin.

Wavy or Curly

Wavy and curly coats can be difficult to brush. Often, these coats are three to five inches in length and prone to mats. For this type of coat, a slicker brush is a great choice. Additionally, cats with this type of coat are heavy shedders, so a de-shedding brush is also a great option.

Wire Coats

Cats with wiry coats can be difficult to groom. These coats are very fine and prone to tangles. Using a soft bristle or slicker brush will work for this type of longer coat.

Dealing with Matted Fur

A cat’s fur can become matted for a variety of reasons. Matted fur is usually found in areas where there’s plenty of friction, such as on the chest or between the legs. At times, fur can also become matted as a result of shedding. When hair falls off but remains on a cat’s coat it can easily become tangled. These mats can become tight wads that will pinch and place pressure on a cat’s skin causing pain and discomfort.

Why is My Cat’s Fur Matted?

Your cat’s fur can become matted for a variety of reasons. Matted fur is often found in areas where there is a lot of friction, like between their legs or on their chest. Fur can also become matted as a result of shedding. When hair falls off but stays on your cat’s coat, it can become tangled. These mats can become tight balls that put pressure on your cat’s skin. If the mat is small, instead of using a brush, you can use your fingers to work it out. Apply a small amount of coconut oil to the mat, then gently loosen it up. Avoid cutting a mat out since you may accidentally cut your cat’s skin. If you’re not able to remove the mat using a brush or with your fingers, then you may need to take your cat to the vet or a professional groomer. If there are several mats, a cat may need to be shaved.

Brushing Your Cat

• How often your cat should be brushed can vary. Ideally, you should brush your cat daily. However, not all of us have time to stay on top of our pet’s grooming needs, so every two to three days should be sufficient. But if you notice that your cat’s fur becomes matted in between brushing sessions, you’re going to have to step it up with the brushing frequency or have your cat groomed by a professional.
• There are some challenges that come with brushing your cat yourself. Especially if you have a cat that’s very hyper, one that’s deathly afraid of brushing, or a cat that’s pretty skittish.
• Some cats absolutely love being brushed and find it very relaxing, while others hate it. If your cat is not very tolerant of brushing, try to choose the right time of day to brush them. If they tend to nap in the afternoon, or they’re calmer in the morning, then choose one of these times to introduce a new brush.
• Before you begin brushing them, show them the brush and allow them to sniff and inspect it. When you begin brushing, make sure you use gentle pressure. If your cat starts to tense up, stop brushing them immediately and try again another day. For the first few times you brush your pet, stop after two or three minutes. Over time you can gradually work up to a longer brushing session. If your cat continues to hide from you or tries to make a run for it when you bring the brush out, keep some cat treats on hand and offer them to your cat as you brush their coat and use plenty of verbal praise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Long Haired Cats Need Haircuts?

Long haired cats tend to have their own unique grooming needs. A cat should be brushed several times a week, especially if their coat is very fine and prone to mats. If you’re not able to brush your cat as often as needed, then consider having them groomed professionally.

How do I Keep My Long-Haired Cat from Matting?

One of the best ways to prevent mats is by brushing your cat’s coat regularly. Daily brushing helps to keep a cat’s coat tangle-free while distributing oils throughout their fur and removing any dead hair.

What Do You Do for a Severely Matted Cat?

Try sprinkling talcum powder or cornstarch in the matted area, gently working it in the coat with your fingers. Next, try pulling the mat away from the skin, gently. If the cat panics during this time, take a break and wait for your cat to calm down before trying again. Avoid using scissors since you may accidentally cut their skin. If you’re not able to get the mat out yourself, then you may need to take your pet to the vet.

Final Thoughts

This buyer’s guide is designed to help you choose the right brush for your cat based on hair length, thickness, and texture. Using the best cat brushes for long hair will keep your cat’s coat free from mats and tangles. It will also help to cut down on the amount of hair that sticks to your furniture and clothing. Additionally, regularly grooming your cat will improve both skin and coat health, can remove dander, debris, and dirt from their coat and can also strengthen the bond between you and your cat.