Cat brush

Which brush should you choose for your cat?

Choose the brush according to your cat's coat, not its size: the length of the hair and the presence of a dense undercoat decide everything. A short coat is smoothed, a long coat is detangled, and a dense undercoat is removed with fine pins. As with a dog, the right tool depends on the hair, not the animal. A good tool is also judged by its pins: rounded tips and flexible teeth, for grooming without scratching. The table below sums up the right choice for each coat.

Brush for long-haired cats: removing knots without pulling

A long-haired cat needs two steps: fine pins that remove the dead undercoat deep down, then a finishing brush that separates and smooths the fur. The pins go first, in small sections, in the direction of the hair; the finishing brush then works along the whole length.

Knots always form in the same places: behind the ears, under the armpits, on the belly and on the britches. Start with these sensitive areas, using our fine-pin brush in XS size, designed for cats with silky coats. If a knot resists, do not pull: a detangler sprayed on the lock releases it without breaking the coat. A knot stuck to the skin should be cut by a groomer, never with scissors at home. Then run a fine-toothed comb through: if it catches, there are still knots, so go back over the lock. For the beauty of a Persian's coat, a wide comb followed by a fine comb gives the best results.

The Lady Prestige Démêlage, in oak wood with natural bristles, finishes the session: it smooths the cat's coat and spreads the natural oils that make its fur beautiful. It is also a moment of hygiene: every session removes dust and dead hair.

Brush for short-haired cats: smoothing and removing dead hair

A short-haired cat is brushed with natural bristles, which remove dead hair from the surface and gently massage the skin. There is no need for metal pins on a short coat: a brush that is too firm would irritate the skin without removing any more hair.

Our Lady Prestige Douce is made for this care. Brush in the direction of the hair, from the head towards the tail, then along the flanks: it stimulates blood circulation and gives the coat a beautiful shine. The only exception: a short-haired cat with a dense undercoat, such as the Chartreux, benefits from fine pins during the moult.

On a short-haired cat as on a dog, bristles pick up dead hair and leave the fur shiny: it is the simplest beauty routine, and the hair removed by the brush ends up neither on the sofa nor in your companion's stomach.

Fine pins, bristles, comb, mitt: what is each accessory for?

Fine metal pins reach down to the undercoat: they are the best allies of long-haired cats and moulting periods. For a cat, always choose a flexible model, as its skin is thinner than a dog's.

Natural bristles smooth, polish and massage. They suit every coat as a finish, and are enough on their own for a short coat.

The comb checks the work: if it runs from root to tip without catching, the coat is detangled. The grooming mitt helps a cat that refuses the brush to accept contact.

Bladed deshedding tools, such as the Furminator, remove a lot of dead hair but also cut the top coat: keep a Furminator for occasional use, without pressing.

Bristle, nylon or rubber: which brush material for a cat?

Natural bristles remain the gentlest material for a cat's hair: they polish without static electricity. Nylon brushes, which are stiffer, suit thick coats but can scratch thin skin; a mixed brush, bristle and nylon, is a compromise. Rubber brushes, often shaped as a mitt or a curry comb, pick up the dead hair of a short-haired cat and appeal to animals that enjoy a massage.

For long coats, two tools complement the brush: the mat splitter, with rounded blades, cuts knots that are too tight without pulling, and the rake, with long teeth, reaches into the undercoat of a Maine Coon or a Persian. We make neither mat splitters, nor rakes, nor curry combs: our brushes cover everyday brushing, for cats as for dogs, and a fine comb is enough to check the result. If in doubt, professional grooming remains the right option for a heavily matted cat.

How do you brush your cat without stress?

Choose a calm moment, after a meal or a nap, and start with what it accepts: the back and the neck. Short sessions of a few minutes are better than a long session it ends up running away from. Reward your companion at the end: brushing becomes a stress-free ritual, and a moment of bonding with your cat.

Hold the brush flat, without pressing, and always follow the direction of the hair. The belly and legs come last, once the animal feels confident. If it gets agitated, stop: the next session will go further. A cat stressed by the brush ends up running away from every grooming session.

Ladybel tip

Get your cat used to it from an early age, with a few strokes of the bristles every day. A kitten used to brushing becomes a companion that comes to you of its own accord for its care.

How often should you brush a cat?

A short-haired cat is brushed once a week, a long-haired cat two to three times a week, and every day during the spring and autumn moult. Daily brushing during the moult limits hair around the house and the hairballs the animal swallows while grooming itself: it is a matter of hygiene and beauty as much as coat care. To know what is normal and what is not, see our page my cat is losing its hair.

Brushing is also the first hygiene care: every session lets you spot a flea, a scab or irritated areas. If you find any, our advice stays the same: ask your vet before using any new product.

When to ask your vet

Bald patches, red or scabby skin, a cat that scratches constantly or completely matted fur are not a grooming matter: talk to your vet.

The prices and availability of our products are shown on each product page. To find out more: can you wash a cat, our cat shampoos and all our cat care products.

Not sure which brush to choose?

Tell us about your cat's coat, breed and age: we make these brushes, and our advice is free.