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8 Best Brush for Long-Haired Cats in 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks

brushing a ragdoll cat

Our long-haired cats are stunningly beautiful, but their coats sure do take looking after to stay tangle-free. Keeping your cat’s long coat free from shedding hair, tangles, and mats is a labor of love, but it’s worth it to sit back and look at your cat in all their beauty!

One thing that makes the life of a long-haired cat owner a little easier is a good quality brush. Once you find the perfect brush for your cat’s coat, those daily grooming sessions certainly become easier for both of you. The trouble is that there are so many brushes to choose from, where do you even start? Right here is a great place!

Our reviews are designed to help you find the best brush for your cat, so you can be confident that you’re keeping their coat in the best possible condition. Our in-depth reviews include something for every budget, from basic synthetic brushes to self-cleaning slicker brushes and more. Keep reading to find out our top recommendations.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites

Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Hepper Cat Brush Hepper Cat Brush
  • Feature icon One click hair removal for easy cleanup
  • Feature icon Waterproof for keeping clean
  • Feature icon 60 degree needle bend to reduce discomfort when combing
  • Budget Buy
    Second place
    JW Pet Gripsoft Cat Slicker Brush JW Pet Gripsoft Cat Slicker Brush
  • Feature icon Comfortable handle
  • Feature icon Suitable for long-haired breeds
  • Feature icon Removes shedding hairs
  • Third place
    Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
  • Feature icon Ergonomic handle
  • Feature icon Self-cleaning
  • Feature icon Suitable for long-haired cats
  • ConairPRO Cat Pin Brush ConairPRO Cat Pin Brush
  • Feature icon Memory foam handle
  • Feature icon Suitable for daily use
  • Feature icon Long pins to penetrate your cat’s coat
  • Safari Complete Cat Brush Safari Complete Cat Brush
  • Feature icon Easy to hold the handle
  • Feature icon Combination bristles
  • Feature icon Keeps shedding under control
  • The 8 Best Brush for Long Haired Cats  

    1. Hepper Brush for Long-Haired Cats – Best Overall

    We love the Hepper Brush for making grooming fun and easy! We found the Hepper Brush to be the best overall brush for cats with long hair. The brush head is covered in flexible metal needles that bend up to 60 degrees, making brushing faster and more comfortable for any cat, even one who hates brushing! These flexible needles bring it a step above most metal cat brushes.

    The Hepper Brush is also easy to clean. A one-click hair removal tool helps you empty shed fur with no trouble, and the brush is also completely waterproof so you can rinse it off as needed or tame wet fur.

    Most cats are happy with this brush, but some cats with especially sensitive skin might be irritated by the metal needles. Be gentle whether or not your cat has sensitive skin; if you run the brush down the inside of your arm and it’s painful, you’re probably brushing with too much pressure.

    At Excited Cats, 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
    • Metal needles brush and clean quickly
    • 60-degree needle bend increases speed and comfort
    • Easy clean-up
    Cons
    • Metal brushes may irritate some cats
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    2. JW Pet Gripsoft Cat Slicker Brush – Budget Buy

    JW Pet Gripsoft Cat Slicker Brush

    If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, you can’t beat the JW Pet Gripsoft Cat Slicker Brush. The angled pins on this slicker brush are specifically designed to help keep your long-haired cat’s coat smooth and tangle-free. It’s also designed to be suitable for cats with sensitive skin, thanks to the fact that the pins are flexible rather than fixed in place.

    The soft handle of this brush for long-haired cats is ergonomically designed to make brushing comfortable for you and your cat! The non-slip grips on the front and back of the handle make this brush extremely comfortable to hold. The only reason this missed out on our top spot is that you’ll need to use a comb after brushing to help remove excess hair, whereas our top pick does both at the same time.

    Pros
    • Comfortable handle
    • Suitable for long-haired breeds
    • Removes shedding hairs
    • Great value for money
    Cons
    • Hard to remove hair from the brush
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    3. Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush

    Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush

    Another good self-cleaning brush is the Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush. Made by the same manufacturer as our top pick, this quality brush has a comfort grip handle, which makes grooming your cat easier!

    Regular use of this cat brush for long hair will help reduce tangles, as well as keep your cat’s skin healthy and their coat shiny. Cleaning is as easy as pressing the button on the handle to retract the pins and wiping the pad clean. Pop the button back into place, and you’re ready for the next grooming session. The only reason that this missed out on a spot in our top two is that it’s a little more expensive.

    Pros
    • Ergonomic handle
    • Self-cleaning
    • Suitable for long-haired cats
    • Stainless-steel pins
    Cons
    • Expensive
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    4. ConairPRO Cat Pin Brush

    ConairPRO Cat Pin Brush

    If you’re looking for a professional quality cat brush to use at home, then the ConairPRO Cat Pin Brush is going to do a great job of keeping your long-haired cat’s coat in great condition. The stainless-steel pins of this brush are specifically designed to penetrate the dense coat of long-haired breeds, while the comfort tips will protect your cat’s delicate skin.

    The memory foam handle means regular grooming sessions are also comfortable for you! It’s designed to help improve control but also reduce the hand fatigue that any long-haired cat owner is familiar with.

    Pros
    • Memory foam handle
    • Suitable for daily use
    • Long pins to penetrate your cat’s coat
    Cons
    • Difficult to clean
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    5. Safari Complete Cat Brush

    Safari Complete Cat Brush

    The versatile Safari Complete Cat Brush is really a great option! The combination of the bristle brush and soft slicker means this brush is as well suited to long-haired breeds as it is to short-haired. This brush has a soft, easy-to-hold handle and will effectively remove shedding fur, as well as ease mats and tangles.

    Using this brush regularly will help distribute the natural oils in your cat’s coat to help keep it looking shinier and softer than ever. You can use this brush to help keep shedding coats under control as the seasons change, but it’s just as useful throughout the year. While this brush is expensive, we also think that it’s an excellent investment!

    Pros
    • Easy to hold the handle
    • Combination bristles
    • Perfect for long-haired breeds
    • Keeps shedding under control
    Cons
    • Expensive
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    6. Hartz Groomer’s Best Grooming Tools

    Hartz Groomer’s Best Grooming Tools

    The Hartz Groomer’s Best Grooming Tools double-sided detangling brush is a great multi-purpose brush that every cat owner should have in their grooming kit. This brush was developed by professional cat groomers to help with detangling, everyday shedding, and removing mats.

    One side of this brush has cushioned stainless-steel pins with a protective coating over the tips to increase comfort. The other side is made of dense synthetic bristles that can be used to remove stray hairs and help spread out the natural oils within your cat’s coat.

    Pros
    • Multifunctional
    • Developed by professional groomers
    • Ergonomic handle
    Cons
    • Hard to clean
    • Small brush head
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    7. Hertzko Slicker Brush

    Hertzko Slicker Brush

    The Hertzko Slicker Brush is ideal for removing tangles and mats from your long-haired cat’s coat. The soft and gentle bristles are designed to gently massage your cat’s skin to help increase blood circulation and leave their coat looking shinier than ever.

    The anti-slip and comfort grip handle means grooming is easy and painless for you as well! The only things that we don’t like about this brush are that the pins aren’t cushioned, so sensitive cats may find this brush too strong. It’s also difficult to clean once it’s full of loose hairs.

    Pros
    • Great for removing the shedding hair
    Cons
    • Pins are not cushioned
    • Expensive
    • Difficult to clean
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    8. Mars Boar Bristle Cat Hair Brush

    Mars Boar Bristle Cat Hair Brush

    The classic Mars Boar Bristle Cat Hair Brush is made from a luxurious birchwood handle and natural boar bristles and is great for removing loose hairs. What it won’t do, however, is remove shedding hair, mats, or tangles. But, if used in conjunction with a shedding tool, it’s a great way to stimulate blood circulation over your cat’s skin.

    This professional-grade brush is made from high-quality materials and is designed to enhance the shine of your long-haired cat’s coat. It’s not cheap, but if you’re looking for a well-made bristle brush with natural bristles, this is our suggestion!

    Pros
    • Quality manufacturing
    Cons
    • Won’t remove tangles
    • Won’t remove mats
    • Expensive

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    Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Long Hair Cat Brush

    Before you buy a new brush for your long-haired cat, it’s best to take a look at all the options out there and work out which one is going to suit your cat best. There are a few different types of brushes available, so let’s take a look at those first:

    • Slicker brushes. These have thin teeth, sometimes called pins. They’re designed to penetrate your cat’s long hair to remove and lift out shedding hair. If you use a slicker brush every day, it can also help prevent mats. Some slicker brushes are cushioned, while others use a flat base. The latter can be too harsh for cats with sensitive skin.
    • Two-sided brush. These are great if you’re looking for a minimal grooming kit that isn’t packed full of loads of products. Two-sided brushes usually have a cushioned side with stainless-steel teeth and a softer plastic end. This side is designed to help remove tangles. The other side is made of synthetic or natural bristles. These are designed to help spread the natural oils through your cat’s coat, leaving it looking super shiny.

    You can also get de-shedding tools, shedding combs, de-matting combs, and mitt brushes. We haven’t included those in this review, but you can check out our specific reviews for those products if you’d like to add one to your grooming kit.

    cat brushing a home
    Image Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock

    How do I choose the best brush for my cat?

    Some cats love being groomed and others don’t enjoy it. Here are a few hints and tips to help you choose the best cat brush for you and your long-haired cat.

    • Comfortable handle. Brushing a long-haired cat can take a fair amount of time, so selecting one with a handle that’s comfortable for you to hold can make a big difference. Some brushes have memory foam handles, others have soft rubber handles, and some have harder wooden or plastic handles.
    • Ease of cleaning. Some cats shed frequently, and if you happen to choose a brush that’s hard to clean, then the novelty of picking out those pads of cat hair can soon become tedious. Some of the more expensive slicker brushes are self-cleaning, so you simply press a button to retract the pins and lift the hair away. These are the easiest option when it comes to cleaning your brush multiple times in one session!
    • Sensitivity. As we just mentioned, some cats have sensitive coats and will react strongly to a brush that is too harsh. Bites and scratches during grooming aren’t any fun for you! If you already know that your cat has sensitive skin, then choosing a brush with a cushioned pad means the pins will feel softer against your cat’s skin. If you’re not sure, then a cushioned brush is still a safer option!
    • Long bristles. If you choose a brush that’s designed for cats with short hair, then the bristles may not be long enough to penetrate down to your long-haired cat’s skin through their thick coat. That will leave hair that’s been shed and ready to be lifted out stuck in your cat’s coat. This can increase the risk of mats and tangles forming.

    How much should I brush my long-haired cat?

    Even if your long-haired cat doesn’t seem to suffer from too many mats and tangles, they’re likely to shed quite a large amount of hair. Our cats are great at grooming themselves, but long-haired cats are more likely to suffer from hairballs if you don’t help remove loose hairs and they end up swallowing these instead. Some cats manage to deal with hairballs without too much bother, but others can get quite ill if a hairball gets stuck in their stomach or digestive system.

    Daily grooming sessions are the best way of keeping your long-haired cat’s coat in top condition, as well as reducing the risk of them developing hairballs.

    Grooming is also a great way to bond with your cat and gives you a chance to check them over for any cuts and scrapes. It also means you can quickly find out if they develop a skin infection, and get them treatment as soon as possible.

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    Conclusion: Best Brush for Long Hair Cats

    After reviewing the best brushes for long-haired cats on the market today, our top pick is the Hepper Cat Brush. Its simple design & angled stainless steal pins means no fuss or fury.

    For a budget-friendly option, we suggest the JW Pet Gripsoft Cat Slicker Brush. This is a great tool for removing shedding hair and tangles from your cat’s coat, and it won’t break the bank either.

    Our reviews are designed to help you cut through the overwhelming number of cat brushes and all their different features. By bringing you a round-up of our eight favorite cat brushes, it makes it even easier and quicker for you to find the perfect option for your cat.

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    Featured Image Credit: VeronArt16, Shutterstock

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