If you’re in a quandary about the best grooming tools long haired cats…in this guide you will get first hand advice about the right kinds of implements to aid you in the care and maintenance of your furry friend’s long-ish coat. Though it may be beautiful and silky to touch, it’s also more prone to tangles and mats than her domestic-shorthaired “cousins”…As I have the perfect specimen – Cosmo!
Cosmo is a long-haired beauty who always needs proper grooming. She enjoys being combed, too. If your cat has a long or even medium length coat, as silky and lustrous as it may be, you may find that that fur gets everywhere…and she’s going to need some proper grooming. Her hair gets everywhere, and I mean everywhere.
I know the consequences of matted fur. I’ve had to take my manicure scissors and snip snarls out of Cosmo’s fur when she got mats in it. One time, I took to an application of olive oil in some areas to loosen up the mats. That didn’t go so well…even though olive oil is a great product to use as a beauty treatment, it’s not what you want to reach for as far as cats’ coats may be concerned. But using the right grooming tools is what made the difference! That’s what I want to share with you in this post.
A Spotlight of Some of the Best Longhaired Cat Grooming Tools
Here they are at a glimpse if you’re in a hurry or just curious…
 | Garstor Self-Cleaning Brush | ||
 | GoPets 2 in 1 Grooming Rake | ||
 | ScaredyCut Tool Set with Accessories | ||
 | HandsOn Deshedding Gloves | ||
 | Neabot P1 Mini Vacuum Groomer with Attachments |
How I Found the Best Longhaired Cat Grooming Tools
We’ve used a variety of tools: currying combs, gloves, brushes. The best part of it is that Cosmo genuinely enjoys a good grooming session and I don’t have to try to get her to sit still (like I had to do when I used the little scissors – I had to reassure her with that one…)
The least effective tool was something called the “kitty komb korner” The others didn’t show that much interest in it…what it is is a corner piece designed with massaging nib bristles that your cat rubs up on and gets a nice work-over. To entice them to notice it, it took some work. Even though I love the concept.
#1 Garstor Self-Cleaning Brush
This has been great for regular use. The beauty is in the compactly arranged rubber ball-tipped bristles which keep your cat from getting scratched. They lie and move at a 135 degree angle. They will easily tackle the delicate nuances of the undercoat.
So if you’re looking for a tool that can help you manage the undercoat and remove loose fur, this is a good one to look into, you should have no trouble with either.
The bristles are made from wire tines, which excel at reaching the undercoat. Push the tab on the back to release the accumulated loose fur; the bristles will retract in turn. Then there’s different colors to choose from. The ergonomically-designed handle gives you superb comfort while you comb her out so no danger of a sore thumb.
Cosmo loves this one and will sit still for sure. It is a positive experience for the both of us. In this shot you can see Blaze jumping up, I got the impression she wanted me to work on her, too?
#2 GoPets 2-in-1 Grooming Rake
This 2-sided rake is ideal for a full undercoat combout. Regular use can help prevent mats and tangles in the fur,
plus it will be good for kitty’s circulation, too. The handle has a comfortable shape enabling you to tackle Fluffy without cramping. I really like this tool as it gives you practically 3 in one ergonomically designed style your hands don’t get tired, it includes a rake to ease off loose fur and untangles the top coat, and a tightly woven comb side for thoroughly combing the undercoat.
The silicone gel handle prevents cramping in your hands so you can give Miss Kitty the treatment she deserves. At 7.5″ in length this tool not only will do the three important tasks of deshedding, detangling and combing, but it won’t take up a lot of room either. The 2.5″ wide bristles are stainless steel with protective tips to prevent snagging. Seriously every pet owner should have one of these.
Pros: Great for working on the undercoat as well as the top coat
Cons: Nothing major to report
#3 The Scaredy Cut Grooming Tool Set
Let’s face it, not too many cats are a fan of electric clippers …they’re not that loud but they do have a vibration to them that is nerve-wracking, from a feline point of view, and not too many will sit still when you are coming at them with a pair of shears. I’ve used manicure scissors to trim some, uh, embarrassing and gross stuff off of Cosmo that no other tool could reach, and I think it may have been because she trusts that I wanted to help as her owner.
Well, this tool will give you the advantages of both . It consists of a pair of shears (just like the kind your local barber uses) with a ribbed tip so you won’t accidentally nick your cat, plus 7 attachable guards that you can swap out to get the best out of of your cat’s haircut. So whether you’re needing to trim off unsightly mats or do an all-over cut, you’ll have a guard that will suit your needs and leave your feline friend with a better appearance that ever.
The scissors are stainless steel and there are a couple of different “grippers’ for the inside finger holes, so you won’t be uncomfortable either. One is gel and the other is smooth, they can help fit your fingers better and avoid cramping. You also get a nice little storage bag and insert to organize the different guards. And if you’re left handed no problem as there are lefty scissors available as well as right-hand friendly, as well as different color choices. This is the kit to get when you want a manual method that gives you different grooming options in addition to making things easier and less daunting for kitty.
Pros: Good to use on cats who may be adverse to electric tools
Cons: Nothing major
#4 HandsOn Pet Deshedding Gloves
This is a great concept that delivers on both sides – humans and pets. You just put them on and stroke your cat just like you do in any other situation – except that these gloves are fashioned with silicone massaging nibs on the inside. They’re designed for all types of pets, short and long haired cats too…Not only is effective at making your cat’s coat look her best, but it’s a great bonding tool for the both of you. They are great for those brush-adverse fussy cats that just don’t want to sit still, or think the brush is a toy.
These may not substitute for a more “professional” brush-out, but they will help you get rid of all that pesky loose hair your cat drops after the chilly winter season ends and she starts to shed her now-uncomfortable excess.
They have a strap on the wrist to ensure they fit snugly. The gloves themselves are made from nylon which has a natural stretch to it. They do not come in different sizes so I am assuming they were designed with “one size fits all” in mind. The narrower nibs in the finger areas will comb more dense fur areas, and the palms have looser arranged nibs, which are useful for the deshedding part.
Pros: Great for cat owners whose cats are resistant to brushing, gloves fit most hands, good tool for bonding with pets
Cons: May not do as good a job on the undercoat – better for removing loose hair instead.
#5 Neabot P1 Tool Set
I’ve saved the “big ticket” one for last – if you’ve ever had or currently own a small pet vacuum to suck up all that pet hair that drifts and lands everywhere, you will love this, as it is designed on that principle. The power of a mini vacuum complete with 5 different attachments de-shedder, brush and clipper set with 4 attachment guards (I know this isn’t always the ideal thing for cats, but if you have dogs, too, they may tolerate it better) and ta special brush, lastly a wand style these last two are very reminiscent of your own vacuum attachments.
The loose fur you comb off gets trapped int the air hose and filter so you are free from the flyaway hair that’s always obvious in grooming sessions.Afterward you just detach the filter compartment and empty it just like you do with your real vacuum. While it does cost more than the other tools I have presented here, it is definitely worth the money if you have multiple pets. Cats, dogs, long silky coat rabbits too, will benefit from being groomed with this amazing tool.
Pros: Multiple attachments provide various grooming options, great for allergy sufferers
Cons: A little expensive
Buyer’s Guide to Grooming Tools
When choosing proper grooming tools, there are a few things that need to be considered. The breed of cat, is one factor, as well as others…
Different Breeds and Coat Length
Although long-haired cats differ in coat density, and length. Some breeds have denser coats than others if they originated from cold climates. The Siberian and the Norwegian skogkatt ( translation: “forest cat”) come to mind here. To survive the harsh winter they developed thicker coats. Even if you live in warm places like sunny Arizona they still retain the characteristics of a heavy coat but they tend to shed more in the spring .
Most cats do regardless of breed. So it’s no surprise that you may find they excess shedding increases around the time the weather gets warmer. Then there are breeds like the Ragdoll and the Maine Coon, both larger in size than other domestic breeds on average that have double coats that need special attention to.
Not to mention the fact that cats groom themselves via their tongues…this is why they get hairballs, and the “dry heaves”. Most of us hate that sound, but you know your cat doesn’t enjoy it either! Which is why it’s so important to pay attention to their grooming.
Topcoat and Undercoat
With long-haired cats, it’s important to tackle the undercoat.A tool with a narrow or tight weave as far as the bristle layout goes, will capture more loose hair. A looser one will pick up less. Loose bristled tools are better for going around the more delicate areas of your cats like their face and tail. The tight weave combs work much better on their outer bodies. Also, tight-weave patterns (with many rows of bristles) are the best for grooming the undercoat. Tools with looser-woven bristles do not get there easily.
Rake-style tools are the best choice for removing loose fur. You will have to catch it as it falls (and it may be a lot, depending on when your cat was last worked on…) but these make the best de-shedders. We use a grooming rake on Cosmo and she will definitely sit still for this. She will arch her back up in the air…that’s how much she likes it.
Tips For Grooming
The easiest part of your cat to comb is clearly, the top of her head and her back. The tail, being more sensitive, I’m the most gently with and use a tool with wide-set teeth there. Long strokes up and down Cosmo’s tail. The part of the comb with more compactly set teeth, is better for her back, as it will catch the most loose hair.
Start with your tool, and work in the direction of the growth as you comb. Nows it sometimes hard to reach their bellies – cats, as a rule, think of that as their “no no zone” – a few exceptions of course. If you can get her to lit on her side that will work better.
I start with her head with the narrow tooth part of the tool, and work my way down. When the teeth catches enough loose fur , I pull it out and commence combing.
If the weather is nice, better yet, try grooming your cat outdoors, all that shedded hair will drift away to the wind and you won’t have to be bothered with cleaning it up, so a win-win for you both.
It blows my mind what comes off of Cosmo sometimes!
We have a currier comb, it has tiny needle-like bristles and this is excellent at catching a lot of that loose hair she sheds.
Wrap-Up
Well, that was a lot of territory to cover….(not too different from Cosmo, if you think about it…) Hopefully this article was enlightening and helpful?
