Unless you own a hairless cat breed like the Sphynx, you will need to deal with your cat’s shedding at some point or another. Even short-haired cats will shed around your home, but long-haired cats like Persians all the more so. Cats need weekly or even daily grooming to keep their coats mat-free, but also to help reduce shedding and prevent hairballs.
Specially-made shedding brushes can certainly help this process along and reduce the amount of shed fur ending up around your home! Cats are fastidious groomers, leading many cat owners to simply leave their cats to it—they take pretty good care of their coats all by themselves. While this is largely true, a deshedding tool can make the process a lot quicker and more comfortable for your feline.
Finding the best cat deshedding tool among the sea of available options can be time-consuming, and confusing. That’s why we put together this list of in-depth reviews of eight of our favorite deshedding tools to help you find the best one for your needs. Let’s get started!
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Paws & Pals Deshedding Tool
Stainless steel blade
Gentle yet effective
Non-slip rubber handle
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Best Value
Frisco Deshedding Cat Brush
Inexpensive
Durable, angled stainless steel blades
Non-slip handle
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Premium Choice
FURminator Long Hair Cat Deshedder
Stainless steel blade
Curved blade edge
Built-in edge guard
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JW Pet Cat Deshedding Tool
Cushioned, non-slip handle
Stainless steel, curved blade
Inexpensive
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Hertzko Self-Cleaning Pet Deshedder
4-inch stainless steel blade
Curved, contoured design
Automatic cleaning function
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The 8 Best Cat Deshedding Tools
Paws & Pals Best In Show Cat Deshedding Tool is our top choice and overall best cat deshedding tool. The tool features a sturdy stainless steel blade that effortlessly goes deep into your cat’s undercoat yet is gentle on their skin. It has an ergonomic non-slip rubber handle that gives you maximum control and comfort without hand fatigue and is made from durable, long-lasting, quality materials that are a breeze to clean. It’s ideal for all cat breeds and regular use can dramatically reduce shedding and help stimulate the natural oils on your cat’s skin.
Material: Plastic, rubber
Lifestage: Adult
Weight: 88 ounces
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Some customers reported that while this brush worked, it took far longer than some other tools on the market due to its small size.
Pros
Stainless steel blade
Gentle yet effective
Non-slip rubber handle
Durable construction
Cons
Small size causes it to work somewhat slowly
The Frisco Deshedding Cat & Dog Brush is the best cat deshedding tool for the money according to our research. The tool has a durable stainless steel blade that is easy to clean, precise, and has a unique angled design to gently access your cat’s undercoat and remove dead hair. The blade is also wide to make grooming quicker and easier. Lastly, the tool has a comfortable, non-slip ergonomic handle that is comfortable to use plus it makes grooming safer and more precise. This comes in two different sizes to suit your unique cat.
Stainless steel blade
Gentle yet effective
Non-slip rubber handle
Durable construction
- Stainless steel blade
- Gentle yet effective
- Non-slip rubber handle
- Durable construction
Small size causes it to work somewhat slowly
- Small size causes it to work somewhat slowly
Material: Plastic, rubber
Lifestage: Adult
Weight: Varies between medium and large size
This tool works best for long-haired cats, and several customers reported that the tool had no effect on their short-haired felines.
Pros
Inexpensive
Durable, angled stainless steel blades
Non-slip handle
Available in 2 sizes
Cons
Not ideal for short-haired cats
FURminator has long been the go-to brand in cat deshedding and dematting tools, and the FURminator Long Hair Cat Deshedding Tool is no different. The tool is designed with effective stainless steel teeth that reach effortlessly to your cat’s undercoat to remove loose and dead fur. The blade has a curved edge that conforms to your cat’s natural body contours for comfortable and safe grooming sessions, with an edge guard to protect teeth while the tool is in storage and prevent the blade from digging into your cat’s skin. It also has a comfortable, ergonomic handle with a unique FURejector button that makes both grooming and cleaning a breeze.
Inexpensive
Durable, angled stainless steel blades
Non-slip handle
Available in 2 sizes
- Inexpensive
- Durable, angled stainless steel blades
- Non-slip handle
- Available in 2 sizes
Not ideal for short-haired cats
- Not ideal for short-haired cats
Material: Plastic, rubber, stainless steel
Lifestage: Adult
Weight: 66 ounces
While this tool is certainly effective, it has very sharp teeth. The tool does have an edge guard to protect your cat’s skin but can easily remove too much fur if you’re not careful.
Pros
Stainless steel blade
Curved blade edge
Built-in edge guard
Unique ejector button for easy cleaning
Cons
Expensive
Extremely sharp blades
The JW Pet Cat Deshedding Tool is a simple yet effective tool to promote a healthy coat for your cat. The tool has a cushioned, non-slip handle that makes it comfortable and easy to use, plus gives you more accuracy while brushing. It has durable stainless steel blades with a curved design to reach under your cat’s topcoat and remove dead hair, and these blades will rake rather than cut or pull at your cat’s coat, making for a pain-free grooming session.
Stainless steel blade
Curved blade edge
Built-in edge guard
Unique ejector button for easy cleaning
- Stainless steel blade
- Curved blade edge
- Built-in edge guard
- Unique ejector button for easy cleaning
Expensive
Extremely sharp blades
- Expensive
- Extremely sharp blades
Material: Plastic, rubber
Lifestage: Adult
Weight: 8 ounces
The large blades of this tool make it top-heavy and challenging to use accurately. Also, it works well on long-haired cats but doesn’t work as effectively on cats with medium or short coats.
Pros
Cushioned, non-slip handle
Stainless steel, curved blade
Inexpensive
Gentle on your cat’s skin
Cons
Somewhat cumbersome to use
Works best with long-haired cats
The Hertzko Self-Cleaning Cat Deshedding Tool is easy to use and effective, featuring a 4-inch curved stainless steel blade that helps to reduce shedding by up to 95%. The blade is designed to fit the contour of your cat’s body to make deshedding quick, easy, and safe. Cleaning is a breeze thanks to the automatic fur eject button that instantly leaves the tool fur-free and ready for more grooming. It also features a comfortable rubber grip and anti-slip handle to keep grooming pleasant and comfortable for pet parents too.
Cushioned, non-slip handle
Stainless steel, curved blade
Inexpensive
Gentle on your cat’s skin
- Cushioned, non-slip handle
- Stainless steel, curved blade
- Inexpensive
- Gentle on your cat’s skin
Somewhat cumbersome to use
Works best with long-haired cats
- Somewhat cumbersome to use
- Works best with long-haired cats
Material: Plastic, rubber
Lifestage: Adult
Weight: 38 ounces
The automatic cleaning feature is great, however, the head snaps off easily, even while brushing, which is disappointing considering the high price.
Pros
4-inch stainless steel blade
Curved, contoured design
Automatic cleaning function
Comfortable, anti-slip handle
Cons
Expensive
Brush head falls off easily
If your cat doesn’t enjoy brushing, Mr. Peanut’s Hand Glove Deshedding Aid is a great alternative. The gloves are made with flexible, comfortable, neoprene mesh fitted with 259 silicone pins to effortlessly remove loose and dead hair. The mesh is water-resistant and fast-drying, plus is breathable to keep your hands cool. The gloves feature an adjustable Velcro strap for a comfortable fit, and the silicone tips gently massage your cat while giving them a smooth, shiny coat.
4-inch stainless steel blade
Curved, contoured design
Automatic cleaning function
Comfortable, anti-slip handle
- 4-inch stainless steel blade
- Curved, contoured design
- Automatic cleaning function
- Comfortable, anti-slip handle
Expensive
Brush head falls off easily
- Expensive
- Brush head falls off easily
Material: Neoprene, silicone
Lifestage: Adult
Weight: 88 ounces (each)
Unfortunately, there are some quality control issues with these gloves, as several customers reported that the stitching came apart easily after only a few uses. Also, they only come in one size and may be too small for bigger hands, plus hair gets stuck easily in the Velcro strap.
Pros
Made from comfortable neoprene mesh
259 silicone pins to remove loose hair
Water-resistant and fast-drying
Adjustable Velcro strap
Cons
Poor quality control
Only come in one size
Hair gets stuck easily in the Velcro strap
The Hertzko 2-in-1 Cat Grooming Tool features a safe and effective deshedding blade as well as a grooming comb in one convenient tool. The brush has a flexible neck to prevent irritation to your cat’s skin, and glides along easily, contouring to your cat’s body. It has a comfortable rubber grip and non-slip handle with stainless steel blades that are sharp enough to cut through thick undercoats but gentle enough not to harm your cat. It’s ideal for long or short hair and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Made from comfortable neoprene mesh
259 silicone pins to remove loose hair
Water-resistant and fast-drying
Adjustable Velcro strap
- Made from comfortable neoprene mesh
- 259 silicone pins to remove loose hair
- Water-resistant and fast-drying
- Adjustable Velcro strap
Poor quality control
Only come in one size
Hair gets stuck easily in the Velcro strap
- Poor quality control
- Only come in one size
- Hair gets stuck easily in the Velcro strap
Material: Plastic, rubber, stainless steel
Lifestage: Adult
Weight: 8 ounces
While the deshedder tool works great for most cats, many customers reported that the comb doesn’t work very well. Also, the flexible neck part of the brush eventually breaks with repeated use.
Pros
Deshedding blade and comb combo
Flexible brush neck
Comfortable non-slip handle
30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
The comb is made of poor quality material
Flexible neck breaks easily
The Hartz Groomer’s Best Fur Fetcher Deshedding Cat Brush is a unique deshedding option for your feline, with plastic microcombs rather than stainless steel blades. This design is claimed to remove three times more hair than brushing alone, making it ideal for long-haired breeds like Persians. The unique design removes loose hair from the undercoat without skin irritation and is great for cats with sensitive skin, plus has an ergonomic handle that is comfortable to use for long periods.
Deshedding blade and comb combo
Flexible brush neck
Comfortable non-slip handle
30-day money-back guarantee
- Deshedding blade and comb combo
- Flexible brush neck
- Comfortable non-slip handle
- 30-day money-back guarantee
The comb is made of poor quality material
Flexible neck breaks easily
- The comb is made of poor quality material
- Flexible neck breaks easily
Material: Plastic, rubber
Lifestage: Adult
Weight: 12 ounces
This brush removes loose hair, but due to the small blades, the hair must be removed after every stroke to prevent it from ending up on your cat again! It also has a very small head so grooming will certainly take some time, and the microcombs can pull harshly at your cat’s undercoat.
Pros
Plastic microcomb design
Removes 3x times more hair than brushing alone
Ergonomic handle
Cons
Doesn’t hold much hair while brushing
Difficult to use
Microcombs may hurt your cat
Buyer’s Guide: How to Purchase the Best Cat Deshedding Tool
Even though cats are fastidious groomers and do a great job of cleaning themselves, they still need to be brushed regularly. This is especially true for long-haired cats, but brushing short-haired cats will also reduce shedding around your home. Also, loose hair can be ingested when cats lick themselves, resulting in uncomfortable hairballs. While normal brushes can certainly help with excess shedding, specially designed shedding brushes are the best cat deshedding tool option.
Plastic microcomb design
Removes 3x times more hair than brushing alone
Ergonomic handle
- Plastic microcomb design
- Removes 3x times more hair than brushing alone
- Ergonomic handle
Doesn’t hold much hair while brushing
Difficult to use
Microcombs may hurt your cat
- Doesn’t hold much hair while brushing
- Difficult to use
- Microcombs may hurt your cat
Let’s look at some of the factors to consider when choosing a deshedding tool for your feline.
Type
Typically, deshedding tools come in a brush form. Some of these brushes are dual-purpose and also have a regular comb built-in, while others are purpose-built for deshedding only. If your cat doesn’t enjoy being brushed, you can also use grooming gloves, which also gently massage your cat’s skin and are easier to use for sensitive cats.
Comfort
No matter the style you go for, it should be comfortable both for you and your cat. A brush tool should have a comfortable, non-slip handle for extended use, and the gloves should have an adjustable strap to make them fit tightly. The tool should also be effective at removing loose hair but still comfortable for your cat. The blades should ideally be curved to follow the contour of your cat’s body, and not sharp enough to harm their skin.
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Materials
Most deshedding tools are made with stainless steel blades as these are the most effective and durable. The handle should be made from comfortable rubber or plastic to offer grip for accuracy, and make it comfortable for extended use. Deshedding gloves need to be breathable and tight-fitting ideally with an adjustable strap, and a neoprene mesh is the most common material. Neoprene is water-resistant, breathable, and easy to clean.
Cleaning
With all the loose hair coming off your cat after grooming, the brush should be easy to clean. The best deshedding tools come with a button to easily release the loose hair, and they should be water-resistant to rinse after use too.
What Causes Excess Shedding?
While shedding is a natural and normal part of owning a cat, some cats seem to shed more than others. This is caused by several factors, including:
A well-balanced diet is essential for the health of your cat’s coat. If your cat is not getting the nutrients they need, it can cause their hair to become brittle and break easily, which can cause more than average shedding.
Senior cats can often have reduced mobility and may consequently have trouble grooming themselves. If you have an older cat, especially with a long coat, they will need daily grooming to prevent mats and knots and reduce shedding.
Health issues like parasites, fleas and ticks, and allergies can also cause excessive shedding in cats. It’s important to make sure your cat has been treated for parasites to reduce itching or skin irritation, or if they have, schedule them for an appointment with the vet to see what’s causing the skin irritation. Stress can also cause excess shedding. If you’ve got a new pet or moved into a new home, your cat may be stressed or anxious, causing more than usual hair loss.
Some breeds shed more regularly than others, notably long-haired breeds who will need far more grooming than short-haired breeds.
Conclusion
The Paws & Pals Best In Show Cat Deshedding Tool is our top choice and overall best cat deshedding tool. It features a sturdy stainless steel blade, ergonomic non-slip rubber handle for maximum control and comfort, and is made from durable, long-lasting, quality materials that are a breeze to clean.
A well-balanced diet is essential for the health of your cat’s coat. If your cat is not getting the nutrients they need, it can cause their hair to become brittle and break easily, which can cause more than average shedding.
Senior cats can often have reduced mobility and may consequently have trouble grooming themselves. If you have an older cat, especially with a long coat, they will need daily grooming to prevent mats and knots and reduce shedding.
Health issues like parasites, fleas and ticks, and allergies can also cause excessive shedding in cats. It’s important to make sure your cat has been treated for parasites to reduce itching or skin irritation, or if they have, schedule them for an appointment with the vet to see what’s causing the skin irritation. Stress can also cause excess shedding. If you’ve got a new pet or moved into a new home, your cat may be stressed or anxious, causing more than usual hair loss.
Some breeds shed more regularly than others, notably long-haired breeds who will need far more grooming than short-haired breeds.
- A well-balanced diet is essential for the health of your cat’s coat. If your cat is not getting the nutrients they need, it can cause their hair to become brittle and break easily, which can cause more than average shedding.
- Senior cats can often have reduced mobility and may consequently have trouble grooming themselves. If you have an older cat, especially with a long coat, they will need daily grooming to prevent mats and knots and reduce shedding.
- Health issues like parasites, fleas and ticks, and allergies can also cause excessive shedding in cats. It’s important to make sure your cat has been treated for parasites to reduce itching or skin irritation, or if they have, schedule them for an appointment with the vet to see what’s causing the skin irritation. Stress can also cause excess shedding. If you’ve got a new pet or moved into a new home, your cat may be stressed or anxious, causing more than usual hair loss.
- Some breeds shed more regularly than others, notably long-haired breeds who will need far more grooming than short-haired breeds.
The Frisco Deshedding Cat Brush is the best cat deshedding tool for the money according to our research. The tool has a durable stainless steel blade with a unique angled design and has a comfortable, non-slip ergonomic handle that is comfortable to use, plus comes in two different sizes to suit your unique cat.
The FURminator Long Hair Deshedding Tool is a great premium option for your cat. It’s designed with durable stainless steel teeth and a curved blade with an edge guard, and a comfortable, ergonomic handle with a unique FURejector button that makes both grooming and cleaning a breeze.
Shedding is a normal part of owning a cat, and something that all cat owners will need to deal with at some point. Luckily, there are some great tools for the job! We hope our reviews have narrowed the available options and helped you find the perfect tool for your feline.
Featured Image Credit: Konstantin Aksenov, Shutterstock
