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Home > Cats > 8 Best Brushes for Short-Haired Cats in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

8 Best Brushes for Short-Haired Cats in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Woman combing fur of a Bengal cat with brush. Woman taking care of pet removing hair at home

For cat owners,  it can feel impossible to keep your cat’s hair off of your clothes, furniture, or even your dinner. While you may not be able to completely neutralize the shedding, you can significantly reduce the amount of cat hair your pet leaves around the house by brushing her coat regularly.

If you’ve been searching for a brush for your short hair, you probably already know that there are many options available. In this article, we’ve compiled some of the best brushes out there for short-haired cats. Read our reviews to find the brush that’s right for you and your cat.

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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2024

Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Hepper Cat Brush Hepper Cat Brush
  • Brush needles angled at 60 degrees
  • Affordable
  • One-touch hair removal
  • Budget Buy
    Second place
    CeleMoon Silicone Cat Brush CeleMoon Silicone Cat Brush
  • Easy to handle
  • Easy to wash
  • Affordable
  • Third place
    FURminator for Cats FURminator for Cats
  • Comes in different sizes
  • Easy to handle
  • Mars Boar Bristle Cat Hair Brush Mars Boar Bristle Cat Hair Brush
  • Soft, gentle bristles
  • Well made
  • Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush
  • Good for both short-haired and long-haired cats
  • Easy to handle
  • Retractable bristles make for easy cleaning
  • The 8 Best Brushes for Short-Haired Cats

    1. Hepper Cat Brush – Best Overall

    Style: Slicker brush
    Material: ABS plastic + Stainless steel needles
    Size: 19cm x 8cm
    Shape: Circle

    Grooming your cat is an essential task that keeps its coat shiny and healthy and reduces the piles of loose hair clinging to your furniture and clothes. Although most pets eventually enjoy being brushed, some picky felines dislike the feel of sharp pins irritating their skin. You can find several cat brushes online, but you’re unlikely to find one as efficient and reliable as Hepper’s cat brush.

    With Hepper’s Cat Brush, you do not have to worry about your pet feeling uncomfortable during a grooming session ever again. Its stainless steel bristles are angled at 60 degrees to match the contours of a cat’s body. The brush effortlessly glides through the cat’s coat while removing dirt, dander, and loose fur. The plastic handle is easy on your hands during long grooming sessions, and when you’re finished grooming, you can hit the button above the handle to dispose of the collected hair. The Hepper brush is available in pink, gray, and blue colors.

    At Pet Keen, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!

    Pros
    • Affordable
    • Brush needles angled at 60 degrees
    • One-touch hair removal
    • Waterproof design
    Cons
    • The brush may be too small for large hands

    2. CeleMoon Ultra-Soft Silicone Washable Cat Brush – Budget Buy

    CeleMoon cat brush_Amazon

    Style: Brush
    Material: Silicone
    Size: 8” x 4.5” x 2.5”
    Shape: Oval

    The CeleMoon Ultra-Soft Silicone Cat Brush is one of the least expensive brushes on our list. However, cheap doesn’t mean ineffective; but this brush has 3,500 positive reviews on Amazon, proving that this product is tried and tested among cat owners. The teeth on this brush are made of silicone, which means there is no chance of scratching your cat. This brush also features a non-slip handle, which means it is easy to grip and makes for a comfortable experience for both you and your pet. The primary downside of this brush is that it does not collect hair in the way that other brushes on this list do. One tip is to get the brush damp before grooming your cat so that the hair will stick to the brush more effectively.

    Pros
    • Easy to handle
    • Easy to wash
    • Soft teeth make for a gentler experience
    • Affordable
    Cons
    • Does not trap loose fur

    3. FURminator for Cats

    FURminator for Cats, deShedding Tool_Amazon

    Style: Rake
    Material: Stainless steel
    Size: 75” x 5.5” x 2.5”
    Shape: Rectangle

    If you have a cat that sheds a lot and you are willing to spend a little bit more money on your cat’s brush, the FURminator is a great choice. Reviewers say that this brush is one of the most effective deshedding tools available; this tool has the ability to reduce shedding up to 90%. One of the biggest benefits of this rake-style brush is that it comes in multiple styles and sizes in order to accommodate cats of different sizes and breeds. This model was designed specifically for short-haired cats; choose the small version if your cat is less than 10 pounds or the large version if your cat is more than 10 pounds.

    Pros
    • Comes in different sizes for varying coat lengths
    • Easy to handle
    Cons
    • Fur ejection button can sometimes get stuck
    • Can take a long time to remove fur

    4. Mars Boar Bristle Cat Hair Brush

    Mars Boar Bristle Cat Hair Brush_Amazon

    Style: Bristle brush
    Material: Wood handle, boar bristles
    Size: 2” wide
    Shape: Oval

    The Mars Boar Bristle Cat Hair Brush is a great choice if you only own short-haired cats. The bristles on this brush are very soft, which makes brushing a pleasant experience for your cat. However, if you have long-haired cats or you want to purchase a brush that is capable of catching your cat’s fur as you go, you should probably look at other products; this is not a brush that is capable of collecting fur. In addition, you may find that the bristles are too soft to be effective depending on your cat’s coat. Overall, this brush is great for keeping your cat’s coat healthy, but not to be used universally.

    Pros
    • Soft, gentle bristles
    • Well made
    Cons
    • Bristles fairly thin; not suitable for thicker coats

    5. Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush

    Hertzko Self-Cleaning cat brushes_Chewy

    Style: Slicker brush
    Material: Wire bristles, rubber anti-slip handle
    Size: 8” x 3” x 10”
    Shape: Rectangle

    The Hertzko Self Cleaning Brush is another great pick for short-haired cats. Not only does it feature smooth, fine bristles that provide your cat with a gentle brushing experience without scratching their skin, but it also collects your cat’s hair as it goes. The Hertzko slicker brush also has a button that retracts the bristles, making it easy to release and dispose of all that hair when you’re done. As an added bonus, the retractable feature helps keep the bristles from bending and becoming damaged. Overall, we found this to be a top-notch brush.

    Pros
    • Good for both short-haired and long-haired cats
    • Easy to handle
    • Durable
    • Retractable bristles make for easy cleaning
    Cons
    • Too big for some cats

    6. GoPets Dematting Comb

    GoPets Dematting Comb_Amazon

    Style: Rake
    Material: Silicone gel-filled handle; stainless steel teeth
    Size: 9” x 2.5” x 1.4”
    Shape: Rectangle

    If your cat tends to get matted fur, the GoPets Dematting Comb could be a great option for you. The GoPets comb is actually a double-sided tool with 12 teeth on one side and 23 on the other side, giving you options for any type of fur and any size tangle or mat. You can also use the side with the greater number of teeth as a deshedding comb. This rake-style tool doesn’t look much like a comb, but its teeth are rounded on the ends, making it easy to work through mats without hurting or pulling on your kitty’s skin.

    Pros
    • Easy grip
    • Works as both a deshedding and dematting comb
    Cons
    • Silicone gel handle may leak
    • Teeth can dull quickly

    7. Mr. Peanut’s Grooming Glove

    Mr. Peanut's Grooming Glove Brush_Amazon

    Style: Glove
    Material: Silicone rubber & mesh cloth; Velcro strap
    Size: 9” x 6.5”
    Shape: Mitten shape with thumb pocket

    If your cat does not enjoy being brushed, a grooming glove could be a great alternative. This glove is made of silicone rubber and comes with a Velcro strap that allows you to adjust the size of the glove as needed. Gloves are very easy to use; all you need to do is put them on and essentially pet your cat. This glove picks up a lot more cat hair and dander than you might expect. You can use this glove for all kinds of coats. One downside is that you may find it difficult to remove your cat’s hair from the glove after you are finished grooming, but the good news is that these gloves are washable.

    Pros
    • Adjustable sizing
    • Good for both short-haired and long-haired cats
    • Easy to clean
    Cons
    • May be too big if you have small hands
    • Hair can be difficult to remove after use

    8. HandsOn All-in-One Pet Bathing & Grooming Gloves

    HandsOn Bathing & Grooming Gloves_Chewy

    Style: Glove
    Material: Surgical grade nitrile, surgical-grade PVC, and nylon
    Size: Multiple sizes available; range between 6”-10.5”
    Shape: Glove – pocket for each finger

    The HandsOn All-in-One Pet Bathing and Grooming Glove is another good glove option. These gloves do double duty: they are made for washing your pet in addition to grooming. While you may not wash your cat very often, they are a great option if you have multiple pets, including dogs, that need to be groomed and occasionally need to be washed. The gloves feature rubber nodules that massage your pet and help capture your cat’s hair. While you won’t capture as much hair as other products, these are a great option for glove-averse cats. The material of these gloves also makes them easy to clean once you are done grooming your cat.

    Pros
    • Efficient and easy
    • Good for both short-haired and long-haired cats
    Cons
    • Nodules can irritate cats if used for too long
    • Can’t get as much hair as other products

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    Buyer’s Guide: Picking the Best Brush for Short-Haired Cats

    Why Brush Your Cat?

    If you’ve never brushed your cat before, you may be wondering what the benefits of doing so are. After all, cats are very good self-groomers. Why do cat owners need to worry about grooming their pets?

    In addition to helping to prevent shedding, brushing your cat can help remove dirt and dead skin, stimulate your cat’s blood circulation, and overall improve the condition of your cat’s coat and skin. Plus, brushing your cat is a great way for you to bond with your pet!

    Types of Cat Brushes

    There are several different types of cat deshedding tools you can choose from. Here, we describe each one so that you know what to look for.

    Slicker Brushes

    cat brushing_ANURAK PONGPATIMET_Shutterstock
    Image Credit: ANURAK PONGPATIMET, Shutterstock

    Slicker brushes are those with bristles comprised of fine wires lined up on a flat surface. If your cat has tangles or matted fur, these brushes are a great option. However, you need to be careful when using a slicker brush on your cat’s coat so that you don’t scratch her.

    Bristle Brushes

    Bristle brushes are used to smooth out your cat’s hair and help distribute her natural oils in order to create a healthy-looking coat. If your cat has short hair, you may only need to use a bristle brush. If you also have medium or long-haired cats, you may need to use a bristle brush in combination with other tools to get the results you want.

    Rakes

    A rake is typically shaped like a T and features pins that help pull out any shedding fur. If you are using one of these tools, make sure not to dig in too much, or you could injure your cat.

    Grooming Comb

    A grooming comb is used to untangle any knots in your cat’s fur. Long-haired cats need combs with teeth that are more spaced out, whereas short-haired cats require combs with teeth that are closer together.

    Dual-Sided Brush

    GoPets Dematting cat Comb_Amazon
    Image Credit By: GoPets, Amazon

    A dual-sided brush is a handy tool that combines both a bristle brush and a fine-toothed brush.

    Things to Consider

    There are a few things to consider when you are trying to find the right cat brush for your needs. The first, most important thing to consider is the length of your cat’s coat. The recommendations that were made in this guide were made with short-haired cats in mind. If you have a medium or long-haired cat, you will probably need more substantial tools to curb your cat’s shedding and prevent matting.

    The other thing you need to think about is your cat’s tolerance for grooming. Deshedding your cat can be a long process, and if your cat doesn’t like the tool you choose, you are never going to be able to get her to sit still long enough for it to be effective. If you know that your cat doesn’t like behind handled or has sensitive skin, you may want to opt for one of the glove styles that will feel more like regular petting than grooming.

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    Final Thoughts

    You have many choices when it comes to buying a brush for your cat. For the best overall cat brush for short hairs, the Hepper Cat Brush is an excellent choice because of its fine bristles and self-cleaning feature. Our budget buy pick is the CeleMoon Ultra-Soft Silicone Washable Cat Brush. The FURminator is a highly-rated tool and does an excellent job of eliminating shedding but comes with a higher price tag. We hope these reviews have been helpful in selecting a brush that works for your pet.


    Feature Image Credit: Rodica Vasiliev, Shutterstock

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