What Brush Should I Use for My Cat's Coat?

By Dr Duncan Houston

The right cat brush depends on more than whether your cat looks fluffy. Coat length, thickness, texture and skin sensitivity all affect which tool will work comfortably.

A soft brush might be perfect for a sleek short-haired cat but barely touch the tangles hiding beneath a dense coat. And a tool that removes an impressive mountain of fur is not automatically doing the best job.

The aim is a comfortable cat with loose hair removed and tangles prevented. Producing enough fluff to build a second cat is optional.

Quick Answer

For most short-haired cats, start with a soft bristle brush or gentle rubber grooming brush. Medium and long-haired cats usually need a smooth metal comb, with a gentle pin or slicker brush as an optional addition. Fine curly coats need particularly gentle handling, while hairless cats need skin care rather than conventional brushing. Tight mats should be assessed by a cat-experienced groomer or vet instead of being pulled out.

Which brush suits which type of cat hair?

Use this as a starting point, then adjust to your individual cat's coat and comfort.

Coat type	Useful starting tools	Routine to aim for
Short, sleek coat	Soft bristle brush, gentle rubber brush or grooming mitt	Start with a weekly session; increase if loose hair builds up
Short but dense or plush coat	Soft brush plus a smooth metal comb with teeth suited to the coat depth	Several brief sessions each week if needed
Medium-length coat	Metal comb; optional gentle pin or slicker brush	Several times a week, with daily checks for tangles
Long, silky or thick coat	Wide-toothed metal comb followed by closer-spaced teeth where comfortable; optional gentle brush	Usually daily grooming
Fine, delicate curls, such as a Cornish Rex	Gentle hand grooming or a very soft brush	Light grooming according to the individual coat
Dense curls, such as a Selkirk Rex	Wide-toothed comb	Regular gentle grooming, often daily for long coats
Hairless or nearly hairless coat	Soft cloth and an individually tailored skin care routine	Clean according to skin needs and veterinary advice

Grooming schedules vary between cats. Cats Protection recommends weekly brushing as a starting point for many short-haired cats and daily care for long-haired cats; PDSA also emphasises adjusting care to coat type and the cat's ability to groom themselves.

Short, sleek coats: keep it soft and simple

For a coat that lies close to the body, a soft bristle brush or gentle rubber brush is often enough to lift loose hair.

A grooming mitt may suit a cat that enjoys being stroked but becomes suspicious when you approach with a handle. Use gentle strokes in the direction the hair grows.

The RSPCA specifically recommends soft bristle or rubber brushes for removing loose hair from short coats.

Choose flexible grooming surfaces without sharp or damaged edges. There is no need to press harder because your cat has short hair. There is less fur between the tool and their skin.

Dense short coats: check beneath the surface

Some short-haired cats have a surprisingly thick coat. The surface may look neat while loose hair accumulates underneath.

A soft brush can tidy the top, but adding a smooth metal comb helps you check deeper into the coat. Select teeth long enough to move through the hair without digging into the skin.

Start with wider spacing. If the comb catches, stop and find out why. It may have reached a tangle, or the teeth may be too closely spaced for that part of the coat.

A snag is a reason to pause, not a reason to pull harder.

Ask your veterinary nurse or a cat-experienced groomer to demonstrate the right comb and pressure if you are unsure.

Medium and long coats: make a comb your essential tool

A long coat needs more than a quick sweep over the back.

A wide-toothed metal comb with smooth, rounded tips is a useful starting point. A gentle pin brush or slicker brush can help collect loose hair, but follow with a comb to check that the coat is free of tangles. The RSPCA recommends wide-toothed metal combs for long-haired cats and identifies pin and slicker brushes as useful grooming tools.

A pin brush has relatively widely spaced pins. A slicker has many fine, closely spaced wires, so it needs a particularly light touch.

Work through small sections rather than skimming over the outer fluff. Combs with alternating long and short teeth can help reach different depths of the coat.

Pay attention to areas where fur rubs together:

• Behind the ears.

• Under the front legs.

• Around the chest and belly.

• Along the inner thighs and hindquarters.

• Around the bottom.

Only groom sensitive areas while your cat remains comfortable. Do not roll them onto their back and hold them down to finish the job.

A useful check is whether the comb moves through a small section without snagging or dragging the skin. A shiny surface alone does not tell you what is happening underneath.

Curly coats: not all curls need the same care

A fine Cornish Rex coat and a dense Selkirk Rex coat should not be treated as interchangeable.

Cornish Rex: Gentle hand grooming is often sufficient. Some individuals with longer or woollier coats benefit from a very soft brush or carefully chosen comb. Heavy brushing is unnecessary.

Selkirk Rex: The thicker, curly coat needs regular combing to prevent tangles, particularly in long-haired individuals. A wide-toothed comb is useful, but excessive grooming can reduce the curl.

Choose according to the actual texture and density in front of you. “Curly cat” is not a complete grooming instruction.

Hairless cats: focus on skin care

A Sphynx does not need a slicker brush or an undercoat tool.

Their care centres on managing oils and keeping skin folds clean. PDSA notes that Sphynx cats need regular cleaning because oils that would normally be absorbed by fur can accumulate on the skin.

Ask your vet about an appropriate cleaning routine and cat-safe products. The right frequency depends on the individual skin, so avoid assuming that more washing is always better.

Do cats need deshedding tools?

Some cats with substantial undercoats may benefit from an appropriately selected deshedding tool, but it is an optional tool with specific instructions.

Deshedding is different from everyday brushing and combing. Check that the tool is intended for cats and suitable for the coat length and type. Follow its directions for pressure and frequency; rough use can irritate the skin.

Use it only on a healthy, tangle-free coat. It should never be used to force through a mat.

If you are unsure whether your cat has the right coat for one, start with a gentle brush and comb, then ask for a demonstration before adding a more specialised tool. Do not keep working over one patch simply because hair continues to come out.

How to brush your cat comfortably

A sensible tool still needs a gentle introduction.

1. Choose a calm moment. Let your cat settle on a stable surface and investigate the brush.

2. Start with one or two strokes. Pick an area they already enjoy having touched.

3. Follow the direction of hair growth. Keep the pressure light.

4. Reward and pause. Offer a small treat or another interaction your cat enjoys.

5. Let them leave. Build up gradually rather than aiming to finish the whole coat immediately.

Battersea recommends giving cats choice during grooming and watching for discomfort. Tail flicking, rippling skin, turning sharply towards the brush, growling or trying to leave are reasons to stop.

Keep the brush clean and check for bent teeth or damaged pins. A predictable routine of comfortable sessions is easier to maintain than an occasional wrestling match.

What if you find a knot or mat?

A small, loose tangle may separate with very gentle finger work or careful combing. Stop if it pulls on the skin or your cat objects.

A firm mat close to the skin is different. Do not cut it out with scissors. Skin can be caught within or pulled up beneath the mat, making accidental cuts easy.

Veterinary guidance recommends professional help for severe or extensive matting and veterinary assessment where the skin is irritated. Clippers may be needed, but safe clipping of a moving cat requires experience. Bathing an already tangled coat can also make the tangles harder to remove.

Use these decision points:

• Loose hair, healthy skin and a comfortable cat: Continue gentle routine grooming.

• Persistent tangles or tight mats: Stop trying to brush them out and arrange professional help.

• Pain, sores, bleeding or irritated skin: Contact your vet promptly rather than continuing grooming.

When a coat problem needs more than a new brush

An older cat that suddenly becomes matted may be struggling to groom. Cornell advises that a sudden reduction in grooming can indicate a health problem and that older cats may need more gentle assistance.

Reduced mobility, discomfort or illness can change how well a cat maintains their coat. A new dislike of brushing, especially over one area, deserves attention rather than stronger restraint.

The opposite change matters too. Excessive licking, chewing at the fur and bald patches can be associated with itching, parasites, allergies, pain or stress. These signs need assessment; they are not simply a reason to buy a better deshedding brush.

Common brushing mistakes

• Choosing by breed name alone. Individual coat thickness and tolerance vary.

• Only brushing the easy areas. Tangles can develop away from the back and shoulders.

• Pressing harder when the tool catches. Find the snag instead.

• Trying to remove every last loose hair. Comfort and coat condition matter more than the size of the pile.

• Continuing after the cat has had enough. Stop early and build tolerance gradually.

Frequently asked questions

What brush is best for a Ragdoll or Persian?

A smooth metal comb is a useful core tool, often with a gentle pin or slicker brush for loose hair. Check the actual coat density and finish by looking for tangles beneath the surface. Most long coats need daily attention.

Can I use a grooming glove on a long-haired cat?

It can collect some surface hair and help introduce grooming, but it usually cannot replace a comb for checking deeper tangles.

Should I brush my cat every day?

Many long-haired cats benefit from daily grooming. Short-haired cats may only need a weekly session, with more frequent attention during shedding or if they struggle to groom themselves. Adjust to the coat rather than following a rigid timetable.

What if my cat hates every brush?

Begin with brief, rewarded contact using the gentlest suitable tool. If brushing seems painful, their tolerance changes suddenly or mats are already present, arrange a veterinary check before pushing ahead.

Choose a tool that reaches the part of the coat needing care without pulling or scratching. For many cats, a simple brush, a suitable comb and a comfortable routine are all that is needed.

If your cat's coat has changed or grooming has become uncomfortable, ASK A VET™ can help you decide what to discuss with your vet and how to approach the next step.