As excellent as cats are at grooming themselves, they need a hand from time to time, particularly cats with dense longhaired coats. If you own a Maine Coon, Persian, or another longhaired breed, you definitely need to brush your cat often. But when you consider the multitude of cat brushes for all the different coats out there, finding the right brush for your cat can be overwhelming and time consuming.
That’s why we developed reviews of 10 of the best cat brushes available to Canadians, in the hopes that it saves you time and helps you find the brush that will make the grooming process easier.
The Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush is our top choice for the best overall cat brush in Canada. It has wire bristles that work well to get through a thick coat but shouldn’t scratch your cat’s skin because they are curved. It is effective at removing excess fur and dander, as well as removing and preventing mats.
One of the best features of this brush is the self-cleaning button. Just press the button after brushing, and the fur can be easily removed for disposal. The brush itself is easy to handle due to the comfortable grip, which is non-slip and should prevent wrist strain. However, it might be too large for small cats.
The best cat brush in Canada for the money is the Hartz Cat Brush, which is quite affordable. It’s a small brush and should do well for small cats and kittens, as well as cats with short hair. The pins are all coated for gentle brushing and shouldn’t scratch your cat’s skin but are effective at removing tangles and mats. The brush has an ergonomic handle that makes it easy to hold and use.
However, it isn’t recommended for large cats or cats with dense coats. It’s far too small for that. Additionally, the removed fur can be a bit of a challenge to get off the brush.
Pros
Affordable
Good for kittens, small cats, and short haired cats
Coated pins make for gentle brushing
Effective at removing tangles and mats
Ergonomic handle is easy to use
Cons
Not for cats with thick fur or large cats
Hair can be difficult to remove
3. Mars Coat King Boar Bristle Brush — Premium Choice
The German-made Mars Coat King Boar Bristle Brush is our premium choice pick for its use of all-natural materials. The handle is made with birchwood, and it’s finished off with nutwood varnish and boar bristles. The bristles are quite soft and can be used gently, which might help cats that aren’t fans of being brushed. Boar bristles are known to promote a healthy and shiny coat and can help reduce shedding.
It’s a premium choice pick for a reason: It’s durable but expensive. It’s also only suitable for cats with short coats and isn’t that effective at removing mats and tangles.
The Aumuca Cat Brush is a slicker brush with a self-clean button that when pushed, retracts the bristles so you can just swipe the hair away. The pins are coated, so it’s safe to use, but can still tackle mats. The pins are made with stainless steel and are thicker than most other pet brushes. This means they are quite durable and less likely to bend or fall out. The handle is non-slip.
The cons are that the brush doesn’t seem to grab the hair as well as it should. This means you get hair flurries while brushing. It also isn’t the best brush for cats with short or medium fur. It’s more suitable for longhaired cats.
The KONG ZoomGroom Cat Brush is not meant for mats or tangles. It is designed to be more of a massaging tool that also collects loose fur. It’s actually quite effective at gathering up that loose fur into one big, massive clump and can be removed easily from the brush. Since it is made with rubber, it’s gentle, flexible, and quite easy to hold.
But while it does a good job of removing fur, for some cats, it might need to be followed up with a regular brush to get rid of the excess. It’s also just a massaging brush and can’t remove mats, so you’ll definitely need an extra brush.
Pros
Massages cat
Attracts loose hair
Gathers fur into a big bundle
Gentle, flexible, and easy to hold
Cons
Might not remove enough hair for some cats
Not effective as a regular brush: can’t remove tangles
The FURminator DeShedding Tool is an excellent option if you have a cat that has a large amount of hair, which is typically accompanied by plenty of shedding. This brush comes in different sizes for different coat lengths; this is the largest for longhaired cats. It reaches through the coat to help reduce loose hair and debulks the undercoat without affecting the topcoat. It has a stainless-steel blade combined with a comb and a button to easily release the hair.
The issues are that it is quite expensive, and if not used correctly, it might hurt the cat.
Pros
Comes in different sizes for different coat lengths
Reaches the undercoat without damaging the topcoat
The DakPets Deshedding Tool & Pet Grooming Brush can help reduce shedding by up to 95% and lightly thins out the fur without affecting the outer coat. The stainless-steel blade is a strong comb with short teeth, which is detachable with a quick-release button. It also has an ergonomic, non-slip handle. It is durable and easy to clean, especially since the comb is detachable.
But if your cat has a serious undercoat with long fur, the teeth of the comb might not reach down to the undercoat. It’s also not a true de-shedder, as it doesn’t have a blade.
Pat Your Pet Deshedding Rake is a great option if your cat is prone to getting mats. It’s essentially a two-in-one because it helps remove mats and tangles and deshed your pet. There are nine teeth on one side, which is meant to take out any mats, and the other side has 17 teeth, which help de-shed and thin the fur. The dematting teeth have rounded edges, which help keep your cat safe from scratches, and the deshedder teeth are designed to go straight to the undercoat to remove excess fur. The handle is ergonomic and comfortable to hold.
However, this doesn’t work like a brush, so the excess fur that the rake removes doesn’t stay on the rake itself. This means there will be a flurry of hair as you groom your cat. Also, if not used correctly, it might pull the hair out, which isn’t comfortable for pets.
Pros
Removes mats and de-sheds
Dematting teeth have rounded edges
De-shedder teeth remove excess fur in the undercoat
The Piepea Pet Comb has short and long stainless-steel teeth, enabling it to groom the undercoat and outer coat simultaneously. This also means it’s suitable for all coat types, and the handle is anti-slip and ergonomically shaped. The teeth are strong and static free, and the tips are rounded, so there’s no danger of scratching your cat’s skin.
However, it is quite small, so it might work better for small cats, particularly longhaired ones. In some cases, the handle might break off.
The DELOMO Pet Grooming Gloves are one size fits all, and you get two gloves for the right and left hand. Also, it is customized specifically for left-handers. It has 255 silicone bristles, so if your cat isn’t a fan of brushing, this could be an excellent option because you’re essentially stroking and massaging your cat. The hair sticks to the gloves, so you just need to peel it off, and you can use your fingertips to get at hard-to-reach areas. Finally, the gloves are easy to clean and have a wrist strap so you can adjust the fit.
But this product isn’t a brush, so you won’t be able to get through mats. Also, if you don’t remove enough hair, getting the hair on the gloves off is quite difficult. It doesn’t always do a good job of removing excess hair.
Pros
Two gloves for left and right hands
Brush by stroking and massaging your cat
Hair sticks to the gloves for removal
Fingertips can access hard-to-reach areas
Has wrist strap
Cons
Can’t remove mats
Hair difficult to remove if there isn’t enough
Doesn’t always remove much excess hair
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Cat Brushes in Canada
Here, we go over a few points in the hopes that it makes your brush buying easier. There are different considerations that you’ll need to make, depending on your cat.
Bristles
There are several different styles of brushes with different bristles:
Rubber: Brushes with rubber bristles tend to be called massage or curry brushes. They are quite effective at trapping loose fur but don’t work well in removing tangles. They are easy to clean, though, and most cats will enjoy how they feel. Just remember to keep the brush away from your cat when not in use, as some cats might want to chew on it.
Stainless Steel: Pin brushes are probably the most commonly used brushes for both cats and dogs. They are effective at removing tangles but bear in mind that the pins can get bent or potentially rust after a while. They are also difficult to clean unless you get one with a self-cleaning button. If you’re not careful, there’s the potential of scratching the skin, unless the bristles are coated with plastic or rubber tips.
Boar Hair: These bristles are all-natural and excel at making coats shine, but they are generally best for short haired cats. They can remove a certain amount of debris or dirt from the topcoat but can’t be used for removing mats. However, they can be used as a finishing brush for cats with long hair. Use a pin brush or other de-matting brush on your cat first, and finish with the boar bristles for a lustrous look.
Different Brushes for Different Coats
While shorthaired cats don’t need brushing as often as longhaired cats, they can still benefit from a grooming session. Longhaired cats like Persians need frequent grooming due to both the length and thickness of their coats. No matter how good your cats are at grooming themselves, many cats, particularly if they have mobility issues, rely on you to keep their coats healthy, shiny, and mat free.
Mats
If your cat currently has several mats or is prone to them, you’ll need to either have your cat professionally groomed or look for a brush, like a rake, to help with the mats. Mats should always be removed because they pull on your cat’s skin and are uncomfortable.
Removing mats might take several sessions because removing them can also be uncomfortable or painful. You should also consult your vet for recommendations for the best brush for your cat. If you decide to cut the mats out, be careful! It’s possible to accidentally cut into the cat’s skin.
All About Your Cat
Beyond finding a brush that’s best for your cat’s coat, it needs to be the best for your cat. If you brush your cat with a pin brush and they try to run for the hills, you probably need a different brush. Try to make your cat’s grooming session as relaxing and stress free as possible. If your cat seems to hate all brushes, only brush them in short grooming sessions.
Conclusion
The Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush is our favourite cat brush. It’s effective at brushing through all kinds of cat hair and removing tangles and has the added advantage of a self-cleaning button. The Hartz Cat Brush is small, has coated pins to prevent scratching your cat, and is an affordable price! Finally, the Mars Coat King Boar Bristle Brush is made with all-natural materials like birchwood and boar bristles and can make a cat’s coat shine!
We hope that these reviews and guides will keep your cat mat-free and looking forward to their next grooming session.
Kathryn was a librarian in a previous lifetime and is currently a writer about all things pets. When she was a child, she hoped to work in zoos or with wildlife in some way, thanks to her all-consuming love for animals. Unfortunately, she's not strong in the sciences, so she fills her days with researching and writing about all kinds of animals and spends time playing with her adorable but terribly naughty tabby cat, Bella. Kathryn is hoping to add to her family in the near future – maybe another cat and a dog....Read more
