Cats can be difficult to groom at the best of times, but when they hate being brushed, it can really be a challenge.
Unfortunately, just saying, “Oh well, he hates to be brushed, so I won’t brush him” isn’t a great solution, especially if you have a long-haired cat. You’ll end up with a matted-up cat, hair balls floating all over your house, and piles of kitty vomit due to hairballs.
Luckily, if your cat hates being groomed, there are tons of products available that you can use to help your cat relax and keep their coats pristine.
So, if you’re desperate to groom your feline friend, but you don’t know where to start, check out these brushes (and brush alternatives) to get your kitty smooth and clean and even build a better bond with him.
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✅ Why Does My Cat Hate Being Brushed?
There are several reasons why your furry companion may hate the thought of being groomed.
First – and perhaps most obviously – cats enjoy grooming themselves. Letting them groom themselves isn’t always an option, though, especially when Fluffy has a long coat that he can’t entirely get to.
Second, your cat may have a natural fear of being groomed. Many pets – cats, dogs, birds, and even rodents – have a few natural fears that often have no specific root cause. If your cat is afraid of being groomed, it may not have had enough exposure to it. After all, new things can be scary sometimes.
Your cat may also hate being brushed and groomed if their fur is longer. Longer coats tend to matt, so when the brush catches on their tangled fur, it may tug on their sensitive skin — and it hurts! This can cause your kitty to associate grooming with pain, and as soon as your pull out the brush, they may want to escape.
Finaly, your cat just might not enjoy being handled. Cats are mysterious creatures and sometimes only like to be held and petted at their request (as you’ve probably notice). If they fell like you’re invading their personal space, they’re sure to let you know that they don’t like it. And the more you push — such as trying to hold them in one spot for grooming — the more they’ll push back.
✅ How To Brush A Cat That Doesn’t Like To Be Brushed
Although it might seem like brushing your cat correctly is easy, grooming your kitty companion requires a specific approach, and there are a few tips to the trade that you should learn.
Choosing the perfect brush for your cat is the first step toward mastering proper cat grooming. Cats of various breeds have different hair lengths, and your kitty need a brush explicitly designed for them and their hair length. You won’t be able to get the job done if you use a brush designed for a short-haired cat on a long-haired feline.
It also helps if you brush your cat in the direction of their coat. So if your cat’s hair falls downwards, you should follow the natural flow of their coat rather than brushing it in the opposite direction.
You’ll also find that brushing your cat every now and then isn’t enough to keep up with their hygiene. Your kitty will rely on you to help them detangle knots in their hair regularly.
Brushing long-haired cats one to two times per day should help you avoid hairballs, while short-haired cats need to be groomed between one to three times a week. (True confessions: I don’t brush my cats that often either.)
If you’re unsure, schedule a professional grooming appointment if you find matted hair on your cat and don’t feel comfortable removing it yourself.
✅ What Can You Use Instead Of A Cat Brush?
There are tons of products currently on the market for fussy felines, so if you still can’t find a brush that your cat likes, have no fear.
One option is to use a grooming mitt, which you can wear like a regular glove. (See our review below of the HandsOn Grooming Gloves.) They are often made from silicone and can be used by running your hand over your cat’s coat. It will help your cat feel calmer, and it may feel more like they are being petted rather than groomed.
If you want to get rid of shedding or excess hair, you can also use grooming sprays (this spray by Burt’s Bees moisturizes your cat’s skin and reduces dander and flaking, shed control cloths, or even a hairdryer. These products are all specifically designed to get rid of shedding hair and can help to keep hairballs at bay. They aren’t too practical for getting knots out of your cat’s fur, though, so you may have to use them in conjunction with a grooming mitt.
A de-shedding brush is also a helpful tool and is often less harsh than a generic cat brush. De-shedding brushes will also help your cat go for longer periods between groomings, making it less traumatic when it comes time for a quick de-shedding brush.
CeleMoon Ultra-Soft Washable Silicone Cat Brush
CeleMoon Ultra-Soft Washable Silicone Cat Brush
The CELEMOON is a divine silicone brush that is an excellent pick for fussy cats. We love how soft this brush is, and because it doesn’t have any blades or sharp metal bristles, you can rest assured that it won’t hurt your beloved pet or scratch their skin.
If you are trying to introduce your pet to grooming or get your cat used to the sensation of being groomed, the CELEMOON is one of the best ways to do that.
The silicone bristles are pretty broad, creating the feeling of being massaged. This gentle grooming style will have your cat relaxed, happy, and purring while you manage their gorgeous coat.
A handgrip is included on the brush so that you can slip it through your fingers. So, not only is it super comfortable for your furry friend, but it’s also comfortable for you, too! It can also remove up to a whopping 90% of loose hair from your cat’s coat.
While the brush is effective on its own, you can also wet the brush before you use it to help attract hair to the silicone. It will help the hair stick to the brush and make your grooming method more effective.
The silicone also allows you to rinse the brush off after use so that it’s ready to go the next time your kitty needs to be groomed.
This brush is excellent for most cats, although it may not be able to detangle stubborn knots in your cat’s fur. Instead, this brush is for grooming maintenance, and you may need to seek out a professional to get rid of any matting before you use it.
The only downside to this brush is that it doesn’t have an easy way to remove the hair between the bristles. Instead, you’ll have to pull it out of the brush yourself. Taking the hair out of the brush is a small price to pay for a brush of this caliber, though, so we aren’t complaining.
Amazon reviewer C.A.T. said that after using this brush they had enough fur to build another cat:
I’ve had my cat for ten years and never really been able to brush her because she gets really mad and runs off … The other day I found a mat on her back and I knew I would have to figure it put. I ordered three brushes and this was by far the winner. I brushed her for a looooong time before she had enough and she was purring and drooling like crazy. And now she feels soft and clean!
My favorite part is the ergonomic design. You can conceal the brush in your hand really well and it kept her from running off at the sight of the brush. And because of the shape and how small it is, it was easy to get awkward areas like her neck and chest.
Pros:
• Won’t scratch your cat’s skin
• Soft and safe
• Gets rid of up to 90% of shedding hair
• Washable
• Comfortable to use
• Massaging effect to help cats relax
Cons:
• May have to remove hair from the brush often for long-haired cats
• It doesn’t remove matting
HANDSON Pet Grooming Gloves
Why not just skip the brush altogether and get your cat groomed while you’re petting him?
That’s the basic concept behind grooming gloves. The HandsOn grooming gloves slip onto your hands just like any other glove, and they are secured at the wrist so that they won’t come off during grooming. They are hypoallergenic, chemical free, and mildew resistant.
Each finger on the glove has bristled tips and the glove’s palm has rounded tips to give your pets a relaxing massage as they are being groomed. All of the tips are made from nylon. They’re versatile enough to be used for grooming, getting rid of loose hair, bathing your kitty, or even just giving them a massage using the palms.
These gloves effectively remove shedding hair, dirt, knots, and dry skin from your cat’s coat. Although they’re made from nylon, which is harder than some silicone grooming gloves, they are non-abrasive, so they won’t harm your pet or scratch their skin.
You can use the HandsOn Pet gloves for almost any pet – not only cats and dogs, but also goats, rabbits, pigs, and horses. So, if you’ve got a few different pets, you won’t have to buy more than one set of grooming gloves for each one.
After using the gloves, you can just rinse them off, rub your gloved hands together over a big trash can, or even throw them into the washing machine, making cleaning them a breeze.
Because the bristles aren’t made of silicone, you may find that your cat’s hair doesn’t stick to the glove. Instead, it will come off onto the floor. You can either groom your pet in an area that you don’t mind getting a bit dirty, or you can wet your gloves before grooming them to attract the hair to the gloves better.
The HandsOn gloves are also available in five sizes, including junior, small, medium, large, and extra-large.
Amazon reviewer AnnLeah raved about these grooming gloves:
Y’all, I have been blessed. These gloves are from heaven above.
I recently took in my grandmothers cat whom is very big, very spoiled and very fluffy. He sheds every where, and of course, me having hard wood floors in my house I constantly have tumble hair balls (derivative of tumble weeds) running across my floors. I’ve used all types of brushes and he never seems to like them cause they are kinda course. But, this right here, amazing. He will just lay there and let me “pet” him. I’ve never been so happy about a product in my life.
Pros:
• It comes in a range of sizes
• Versatile
• Non-abrasive bristles mean that they are suitable for cats with sensitive skin
• Easy to clean and machine washable
• The gloves work on a range of different animals
Cons:
• Hair doesn’t stick to the glove
✅ Home of Pawa 2-in-1 Short Hair Cat Brush
The Home of Paws (HOP) grooming brush is a must-have for cat-owners who have cats that are sensitive to the harsh bristles of regular slicker brushes. This double-sided brush has both soft rubber bristles and gentle boar bristles on either side of it, each with its own unique benefits.
The rubber (silicon) bristles won’t hurt your cat’s skin but will rather massage the skin to promote blood circulation for a happier, healthier kitty! They can easily scrub away dirt, debris, dead skin or dandruff, and pesky loose hairs without pulling on your cat’s fur. They’re also fantastic for giving your cat’s coat some extra luster and sheen, making it smooth and silky.
Similarly, the boar bristles stimulate natural oil production in your cat’s coat to make it look clean, healthy, and gorgeous. It can also remove dirt, shedding hair, and dead skin like the rubber bristles.
What we love about this brush is that you can use either side on your cat, depending on what they’re comfortable with. If you have more than one cat, you could also change the side of the brush that you use to one that works best with their coat.
Either way, your cat shouldn’t fuss too much since each side is gentle on their skin and fur and won’t pull their coat.
The brush’s ergonomic bamboo handle is also strong and durable and is comfortable to hold for long periods. So, whether you are giving your cat a quick brush or full-on grooming, you’ll be able to do it comfortably.
The HOP grooming brush is relatively pricey compared to some other products on this list. Still, it is comparable to the price of other slicker brushes on the market.
Reviewers were impressed with how well-made this brush is, how nice it looks, and how the green rubber side does a great job at getting the undercoat hairs.
If you’re also a dog owner, this brush works well for doggie bath/shampoo time.
Pros:
• Double-sided
• Made of soft rubber and boar bristles
• Gentle on your pet’s skin
• Good for long or short-haired cats
• Promotes blood circulation and oil production for healthy, shiny coats
• The bamboo handle is durable and comfortable to use
Cons:
• Relatively pricey compared to silicone brushes and grooming mitts
✅ Blackhole Real Cat Tongue Textured Grooming Brush
Blackhole Real Cat Tongue Textured Grooming Brush
This product might look like a joke or gag gift at first glance — and your spouse or roommate might laugh at your when you first use it — but it’s no joke.
The BlackHole grooming brush has a unique design that is inspired by the texture of a cat’s tongue. The feeling is not only pleasant for your cat but can relax them by reminding them of the feeling of being groomed by their mother.
Because it mimics a cat mommy, your kitty will feel safe, and using this tool to groom your precious kitty will improve your bond with them. So if your cat is terrified of grooming, this may be the solution to all of your problems.
This brush is made with durable ABS plastic and is scratch-resistant and – best of all – recyclable! It comes in pink or grey and is available in either a long, tapered shape or a ladle-like shape.
The elongated shape of the brush was designed so that the smaller area of the brush at one end could comfortably brush smaller areas of your cat, such as their ears, face, or chin.
The broader end of the brush is better for use on your cat’s back or belly.
Because it is made of plastic, this brush is also easy to clean. All you need to do is rinse it under a tap, and it’s ready to go.
If you have a cat with a longer coat, this brush may not work for all of your grooming needs. This is because excess hair doesn’t stick to the brush, and because the brush doesn’t have any bristles, it can’t get rid of matted fur.
However, this brush is ideal for short-haired cats or for brushing long-haired cats in between professional grooming sessions.
Reviewers were impressed by the fact that even their shy, skittish cats enjoyed this brush. One reviewer said that when they use this brush, “the cats are so blissed out, they melt into my lap in ripples of purrs.”
Pros:
• Designed to mimic a cat’s tongue
• Improves your bond with your feline friend
• Recyclable
• Tapered shape for different areas
• Easy to clean
• Good for short-haired cats
Cons:
• Can’t get rid of knotting or matting
• Hair doesn’t stick to brush