Cats are known as the best self-groomers, and most cats groom nearly constantly. Fur licking keeps a cat’s skin healthy and stimulates sebaceous glands in their skin to produce oil to lubricate their fur. But sometimes our furry friends need our help with their grooming, specially if you notice they are are neglecting a specific area.

One or two brushings per week is actually beneficial to your kitty as it will remove dirt, grease, and dead hair from their coat. A regular brushing or combing also helps to remove skin flakes and increase blood circulation, which improves the overall health of your cat.

The ASPCA recommends checking out the condition of your kitty’s coat before brushing. “If it’s healthy, their hair will have a natural gloss and spring back under your hand when you touch it. There shouldn’t be any bald patches or signs of fleas and ticks, and their skin should be free of wounds and unusual bumps.”

Your cat may love getting groomed by you, or they might hate it and snarl and try to hide from you as soon as you pull out the brush. We have gathered the top 3 cat combs that you and your cat will both love!

TOP 3 CAT COMBS FOR GROOMING SHORT AND LONG HAIRED CATS

1. Dual-Length Metal Comb

The dual-length metal comb is perfect for grooming both short and long haired cats. It is specifically designed to make cat grooming easier. The short and long teeth pretty much cut grooming time in half. Plus the rounded head pins protect your kitty’s sensitive skin. They actually create a massaging effect that your fur baby will love.

We love the Freshly Bailey dual-length comb because of its professional-grade quality. The handle also makes it super easy and comfortable to use. It’s ergonomic and doesn’t cause any pain in your hands unlike other cat combs that make your hand tired right away.

2. A Dematting Comb

A dematting comb or tool is specially helpful when you have an older cat with long hair that has neglected its own grooming. They will tend to get tangles and painful mats if you don’t groom them on a regular basis. But removing mats from cats is no easy task. You need the right tool.

We love recommending the Freshly Bailey dematting tool because it has proven to be effective at removing mats while creating a positive grooming experience. The tool is terrific for getting into the undercoat and for working through the stubborn tangles. It is great for grooming long haired cats with tons of mats.

3. A Metal Greyhound Comb

The metal greyhound comb works well to remove tangles and dirt from your cat. It is also a great comb to add to your grooming routine. We like the Claw Claws Greyhound comb because it is a sturdy metal comb with rounded pins. It does not have an ergonomic handle, but it will do the job just fine.

HOW TO COMB A SHORT HAIRED CAT

1. Start your grooming session with a calm and relaxed cat. Do not randomly begin brushing in the middle of a play session. Wait for your cat to be calm. 

2. Do not bathe your cat and keep the fur dry.

3. Grab your dual-length metal comb and work the comb through your cat’s fur from head to tail to remove dirt. Brush in the direction the coat grows. Don’t forget to brush your cat’s chest and belly.

4. If you encounter any mats, concentrate on that area and brush using small strokes until the area is untangled.

5. Do not pull your cat’s skin.

6. Praise your cat and give some yummy treats.

7. Brush your cat once or twice per week.

HOW TO COMB A LONG HAIRED CAT

1. Start your grooming session with a calm and relaxed cat. Do not randomly begin brushing in the middle of a play session. Wait for your cat to be calm. 

2. Do not bathe your cat and keep the fur dry.

3. Grab your dual-length metal comb and begin with your cat’s belly and legs by gently combing the hair upward toward the head.

4. Comb the neck hair upward toward the chin.

5. Don’t forget about the tail - part it down the middle and gently brush out the fur on either side.

6. If you encounter any large mats, hold the mat firmly and use the tip of the comb to isolate hairs from the large mat. You might want to add some talcum or detangling spray if needed.

7. Keep combing through until you finish the entire body. If your cat is too matted, we recommend using the dematting tool. You may need several grooming sessions to tackle all the mats.

8. Give your cat a yummy treat when you finish every grooming session.

9. Make sure you brush your cat at least two times per week. Regular grooming helps with hairballs and to prevent painful matting.