Best Grooming Tools for a Long Haired Cat

Last Updated on October 11, 2021 by Holly Anne Dustin

We know the reasons that we need to groom our long haired cat. Grooming keeps them from getting tangled and matted. It helps prevent hairballs by removing the dead coat before Kitty ingests it. Grooming can make living with cats possible for people with mild allergies, and reduces the amount to time you have to spend cleaning up all the fur around the house. To do the job right we need the right tools.

But what are the best grooming tools for a long haired cat? These are my favorite tools for an at-home grooming routine for longhaired cats.

Best Grooming Tools to Buy for a Long haired Cat

This post may contain affiliate links. Life and Cats is a Chewy affiliate and a member of the Amazon Associates program and as such we earn a small commission when you shop through our our links and banners. It doesn’t change the amount you pay. You can read our full disclosure policy here.

Nail Clippers

My recommendation for nail trimmers is a medium set of JW Nail Trimmers.

Yup, there’s a dog on the package. I have much more control trimming nails on wiggly kitties and can work more quickly through the furry paws of a long haired cat with these than a traditional pair of cat nail trimmers.

Stainless Steel Combs

A good quality comb is the best tool for grooming a long haired cat. If there’s one thing you don’t want to skimp on it is your combs. A great set of combs is fundamental to a good groom on a long haired cat.

It is important that your combs are stainless steel to prevent as much static build-up in the coat.

You need a few different combs: a coarse comb, a fine comb, and a “flea” or face and feet comb. If Kitty is prone to tangles and mats, or really hates being combed, a comb with rotating tines can help.

A 5in coarse/fine combo comb is a great start and overall comb. If you can only choose one tool to groom your lon haired cat choose this one.

The cat carding comb, specially designed for the founder of the National Cat Grooming Institute, is great for finishing work on ruffs and legs on long haired breeds and all-over body combing on short hair breeds.

The final comb you need is the flea comb to use to comb the shorter hair on Kitty’s face and feet. You want one with short metal tines, not the plastic style. Since you will be using this as a face and feet comb not an actual flea comb, get the shortest tines you can find. You will not actually use this as a flea comb through the long, thick fur on your furbaby’s body.

Brushes:

You can skip the brush with a long haired cat. But if you have multiple cats, a pin brush can work on both long and short coated breeds.

A slicker brush helps with finishing work on a long haired cat grooming but don’t use it on a cat with a thin coat or sensitive skin. You could scratch Kitty. Don’t use it until you have combed out tangles or it can cause hair breakage. If you want a slicker for your at home grooming routine, get the safari self cleaning slicker.

Deshedding Tool:

A deshedding tool will help you to remove excess undercoat and smooth out small tangles. This can help groom a  long haired cat with a really thick coat like a Siberian. It can make a groom go faster on a cat that hates grooming too. Don’t use it to rip through mats.

Mat Remover:

A mat remover will move small mats and tangles in a long coat. Don’t expect it to use it to remove large mats or pelts.

If you need to bathe your cat. be sure to choose a good quality cat shampoo. Don’t use dish soap, human shampoos, or something labeled for dogs. Check out our best cat shampoo list for our favorite picks for cat friendly shampoos to bathe your longhaired cats.

What Not to Buy to Groom a Long Haired Cat at Home

A Furminator or a knock off version of it.

What they don’t tell you is that Furminators are stripping blades. It will actually cut your cat’s coat. Your cat will “shed” for as long as you keep using the tool. Keep brushing with it and your cat will get bald spots. Save your money. You can remove more undercoat with a bath, blowout and regular combing.

A soft bristle brush.

These just skim along the top coat and really do nothing when grooming a long haired coat except maybe add shine.

Plastic or rubber brushes.

Plastic brushes will increase static in your long haired cat’s coat. Rubber mitts or brushes like the Zoom Groom can pull the hair on a long coat. It doesn’t seem to bother my thick coated forest cats but my Persian hates it. He normally really enjoys his grooming sessions but not with the Zoom Groom.

Any sort of waterless, rinseless bath or foam product.

Adding products to a dirty coat and leaving it for Kitty to lick off will not help her coat in the long run and might make her sick. Leave-in products will increase the likelihood of Kitty’s coat matting up.

Get a quality cat shampoo and bathe kitty or wait until you can get to the groomer. In a pinch, a cat appropriate dry shampoo or a little cornstarch will absorb excess oil.

Put together a kit with the best tools for a long haired cat and use them regularly. You will keep your cat in beautiful condition between professional grooms.