Persian cats require quite a bit of grooming to look their best. Otherwise, their coat can easily become matted and dirty. Brushing not only removes loose hair and keeps their fur tangle-free, but it also spreads around their natural oils, keeping their skin and coat healthy.
Not just any brush will do for a Persian cat, though. Choosing the wrong tool to tackle their grooming sessions will only make your job harder. The correct brush should be well-designed and meant for a cat’s long hair. You can’t just use any brush that you find lying around.
However, unless you’re a professional groomer, the world of cat brushes can be complicated. Many brushes are designed for specific purposes, which may or may not be suitable for your Persian’s flowing locks. Our reviews should help you choose the right one for your feline.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites
The 10 Best Brushes for Persian Cats — Reviews & Top Picks 2021
1. Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Cats — Best Overall
Slicker brushes are the way to go with most Persians. They are specifically designed to remove loose hair and debris. Persians have more hair compared to most other felines, so the Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Cats is a must-have. This brush is self-cleaning, so you won’t find yourself constantly picking out hair from between the bristles. Just click a button and all the bristles retract, so you can just wipe the fur away.
The pins are made with high-quality stainless steel for durability. They won’t irritate your cat’s skin and are hypoallergenic, so they should be fine for even the most sensitive felines. They’re also resistant against rusting, which makes it okay to use them in even wet fur. A comfort grip prevents hand fatigue during long grooming sessions.
The bristles are extremely thin. This makes them suitable for a cat’s fur and allows for minimum effort while grooming. They can reach far into the coat and effortlessly pull out all the extra fur that your cat produces, keeping your home and clothes cleaner.
Pros
- Stainless-steel bristles
- Self-cleaning
- Comfortable grip
- Thin bristles
- Rust-resistant
2. Burt’s Bees Double-Sided Cat Comb — Best Value
For mats and tangles, your best bet is to use the Burt’s Bees Double-Sided Cat Comb. Slicker brushes are great for removing loose hair, but they are not ideal for removing mats and tangles in a pain-free manner. For that, you need a comb, and this model is the best cat brush for a Persian for the money.
It has two different sides. The smaller side is perfect for removing debris, such as fleas and eggs. It can also be used for things like caked-on mud and sticky seeds. The larger side is more suitable for removing mats and tangles. These are most common under a cat’s legs and along their tail, where a slicker brush just can’t reach easily.
You can use this comb to remove dead hair as well. In fact, if you had to choose just one brush for your feline, we recommend this cat comb. However, it does take quite a while to groom a whole cat with it, since it is so small. For this reason, it is best when used alongside a slicker brush. Use the comb for spot-cleaning and removing tangles, and use the slicker brush across the whole coat to remove excess hair and help spread your cat’s natural oils.
Pros
- Double-sided for extra versatility
- Made of bamboo and recycled materials
- Removes tangles easily
- Great for spot-cleaning
Cons
- Can take a while to groom a feline using only this comb
3. Safari Flexible Slicker Cat Brush — Premium Choice
A cat’s contours and smaller size can make them difficult to groom. If you’re having trouble because of all the bumps and ridges, we recommend the Safari Flexible Slicker Cat Brush. It is specifically designed to be flexible, so you can easily groom difficult spaces like your cat’s head and limbs. It is perfect for cats that tend to be picky about their grooming experience.
The pins are extra-long so they can push into your cat’s fur all the way to the undercoat. This is where most of the loose hair comes from, and the brush can remove large quantities of hair that have yet to reach the surface. It is also better at removing stuck-in dirt and debris, which can elongate the time that your cat needs between baths.
The handle is ergonomic and non-slip, so it’ll be comfortable for your hand as well. The design of the handle prevents fatigue and is perfect for those long grooming sessions.
Pros
- Flexible head for sensitive areas
- Stainless-steel pins to reduce shedding
- Extra-long pins to reach your cat’s undercoat
- Comfortable grip to prevent hand fatigue
4. Li’l Pals Coated Tips Cat Slicker Brush
The Li’l Pals Coated Tips Cat Slicker Brush is like many other slicker brushes on the market. It has a pad of flexible pins that penetrate deep into your cat’s fur to remove tangles, dirt, and other things that shouldn’t be there. The plastic tips at the end of the bristles prevent the brush from scratching your pet’s skin, a feature that can be particularly useful with sensitive cats. The pins are flexible enough to contour to your cat’s body and promote a better grooming experience.
This brush is basically the same model that is used on dogs, just scaled down for cats. That said, it may be a bit too small for some cats. If you have a smaller cat, this isn’t anything to worry about. Larger cats may take longer to brush, though.
Pros
- Flexible pins
- Plastic tips on bristles
- Designed to remove excess fur
5. Hertzko Self-Cleaning Dog & Cat Slicker Brush
Compared to some other slicker brushes on the market, the Hertzko Self-Cleaning Dog & Cat Slicker Brush is quite expensive. However, there are a few reasons for this. For starters, it is self-cleaning. You press a button, and the bristles retract, allowing the hair to be removed easily. The bristles are also designed to reach all the way into the undercoat, where most of the hair and dirt is located. However, they do not irritate your pet’s skin and will create a comfortable grooming experience.
The comfortable, durable handle prevents hand fatigue and allows you to withstand the longer grooming sessions that your cat requires. It is also anti-slip to prevent dropping it, should your cat decide that they don’t like the grooming much.
That said, when you try to make a product for both dogs and cats, you’re bound to run into issues. This brush can be a bit harsh for a cat’s short fur, as this brush seems to be made for a dog’s wiry coat. It can be great for occasional brushing but can cause irritation when used daily.
Pros
- Self-cleaning
- Comfortable handle
- Long bristles
Cons
- Expensive
- Harsh for a cat
6. Pet Republique Dematting Rake
A dematting rake is designed to quickly remove large amounts of hair from a pet’s coat. The Pet Republique Dematting Rake is one of the better models on the market and is often recommended to pet owners with Persians. It has a six-tooth side for removing tough tangles and an 11-tooth side for thinning out fur. All the teeth are made of stainless steel for easy cleaning and rust prevention.
This rake is designed for both cats and dogs. It is often used on long-haired canines, as well as cats like Persians. The ergonomic handle prevents your hand from slipping while you brush, which also allows you to sit through long grooming sessions more easily.
The main problem with this rake is that you shouldn’t need it if you’re keeping up with your cat’s brushing. It is best left to a professional, as misuse can seriously irritate your pet’s skin. Even if you figure out how to properly use this brush, the rare times that you need it don’t justify the price. We recommend sticking with a regular comb for de-tangling.
Pros
- Double-sided
- Ergonomic handle
- Stainless-steel teeth
Cons
- Expensive
- Not suitable for most Persians
7. Hertzko Double Sided Dog & Cat Dematting Comb
The Hertzko Double-Sided Dog & Cat Dematting Comb is specifically designed to smooth out tangles in a pet’s fur and work out mats. It can also remove loose hair, dirt, and other debris. However, it is rather small, so you can’t groom your whole cat with it. Instead, it is designed for spot-cleaning. The teeth are designed not to scratch your pet’s skin, which is essential when you’re dealing with a sensitive Persian.
The handle is quite comfortable and designed with an anti-slip grip. This makes it easier to groom your cat for the longer sessions that they may need.
However, this comb doesn’t work quite as well as suggested. It tends to pull on your cat’s mats instead of actually removing them. This can cause significant discomfort and often puts an immediate end to the grooming session. The small size of this comb does make it nearly impossible to use on larger cats. It is better used as an accessory to another brush.
Pros
- Can remove smaller tangles easily
- Comfortable handle
- Designed for spot-cleaning
Cons
- Too small to use on the whole cat
- Doesn’t work on larger tangles
8. JW Pet Gripsoft Cat Slicker Brush
The JW Pet Gripsoft Cat Slicker Brush is an average slicker brush. It comes with a rubber-sheathed handle, which is comfortable to use and non-slip. You should be able to groom your cat for quite a long time using this brush. It is made specifically with angled pins, which remove loose hair sufficiently while also smoothing your cat’s coat.
This tool is made to be non-irritating and used for everyday grooming sessions. The bristles shouldn’t irritate your cat’s skin. It is mostly designed for long-haired cats, which makes it suitable for your Persian.
This brush seems to have a problem catching fur, though. Most of the fur gets raked out onto the ground, with little ending up in the bristles. This leads to a tougher cleanup. When the brush does catch hair, figuring out how to clean it can be a problem.
Pros
- Non-irritating bristles
- Comfortable handle
- Suitable for everyday brushing
Cons
- Hard to clean
- Doesn’t always catch hair
9. Babyliss Pro Pet Triangle Slicker Dog & Cat Brush
The Babyliss Pro Pet Triangle Slicker Dog & Cat Brush is a unique shape: a triangle. It is designed to reach smaller areas with ease. The bristles are extra-long to help reach into your cat’s fur and remove masses of extra hair. They are also flexible and gentle enough to avoid irritating your cat’s skin.
Its ergonomic handle is quite comfortable, though it isn’t necessarily anything special. The bubble grip prevents your hands from slipping.
This brush is extremely small, though. It is made for small areas and spot cleaning. You aren’t going to be able to groom large parts of your cat with this at all. It is also a bit too harsh for sensitive areas like the face. If that’s what you plan on using a brush for, this isn’t a suitable option. The bristles also bend a little too easily to be of much serious use.
Pros
- Ergonomic handle
- Pointed design
Cons
- Small
- Harsh for sensitive areas
- Bristles are bendy
10. Master Grooming Tools Ergonomic Slicker Pet Brush
The Master Grooming Tools Ergonomic Slicker Pet Brush has a rubber handle for comfort and ease of use. The lightweight design prevents hand fatigue and allows for easy grooming. The teeth are designed to go deep into your cat’s fur to remove tangles and loose hairs. Made of stainless steel, the teeth will not break or rust easily.
However, we found that the handle was not the easiest to hold. It is a bit large for most people’s hands and not ergonomically designed. The pins are fine, but they are a bit loose and flexible. Compared to other slicker brushes, this tool just doesn’t have the value.
It is also difficult to clean because it doesn’t have a self-cleaning feature. You’ll have to pry the fur out with your fingers.
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Stainless steel
Cons
- Difficult to clean
- Bulky handle
- Expensive for the value
Buyer’s Guide
Persians have long, flowing, beautiful coats, but only if they are kept well-groomed. Otherwise, they can get matted easily, which is uncomfortable for your feline.
However, grooming these cats can be difficult without the correct equipment. It is vital that you start out on the right foot by purchasing quality grooming products. Otherwise, you’re going to cause more of a headache and potentially turn your cat off from grooming
It isn’t as simple as choosing the most highly rated brush online, though, because pet brushes are designed for specific purposes. Your cat’s lifestyle and how often you spend grooming them also matters. Some cats tend to get quite matted, while others shed more. This can change the parameters of what brushes you need to purchase.
In this guide, we help you choose the best brush for your Persian. There are several factors to keep in mind if you’re looking to purchase the perfect brush for your feline.
Types of Brushes
There are many types of brushes. Some are perfect for your Persian, while others aren’t. You may prefer certain types, depending on your main purpose of grooming your feline.
Slicker Brush
These brushes are often curved or slanted, with “pads” of small teeth. These are often referred to as “pins” due to their extremely small size. They are mostly designed for removing dirt, dander, and loose hair from medium- to long-coated cats. For this reason, they can be useful for Persians. They not only prevent shedding but also keep your cat clean.
Their main purpose is to prevent matting. However, they can remove small ones efficiently, especially if they are caused by debris in the coat.
Matbreakers
There are many different kinds of “matbreakers.” They are also often referred to as “racks” or similar names. These tools are generally designed to remove mats. However, some of them work better than others. Matbreakers typically aren’t necessary for Persian cats as long as you keep up with their regular brushing. If you don’t, though, one of these brushes may be necessary for removing the mats that your feline will end up developing.
Dual-Sided Brush
This is what most people think of when looking for a pet brush. It typically has bristles on one side and a fine-tooth brush on the other. Both sides are designed for different functions, which is one reason that these brushes are so popular. They can also remove tangles and spread around natural oils. However, they are generally not good at removing excess hair, which makes them a bit unsuitable for a Persian.
While these brushes are widely available and often inexpensive, they may not be the type of brush that you should be considering for grooming your feline.
Mitt Brush
These are suitable for cats that dislike grooming. They’re often advertised as feeling the same as petting your cat, but many cats can pick up the difference between your hand and a vinyl glove covered with rubber bristles, so don’t let the advertising fool you.
Most of the time, these brushes are best for cats that have short hair. They aren’t made to get deep into a cat’s undercoat, which can make them unusable for Persians.
Shedding Comb
Shedding combs are one of the simplest grooming tools that you can find. These combs are usually double-sided or longer, with different bristle dimensions. They are good at removing mats and work similarly to a human comb. The widely spread teeth are preferable for long-haired cats because they can remove much of the mat without causing excess pain. Smaller tangles can be removed with the closely packed side, which is also good for getting rid of dirt and debris.
These combs are recommended for Persians on the occasions that they have a mat. If you’re keeping up with your grooming, mats should be few and far between. However, they can still form, and these combs are inexpensive and easy options for removing them.
Length
No matter what type of brush that you decide to purchase, it should come with varying length bristles. You want bristles that are long enough to reach into your cat’s undercoat, as this is where most of the excess fur and dirt will be. Generally, your goal should be for the bristles to be just long enough to reach into your cat’s undercoat while also being short enough to not scratch your cat’s skin.
This is one reason that it is important to choose a brush that is specifically designed for cats, as dog brushes generally don’t have bristles that are the correct length.
Price
You can find brushes ranging from $3 to $300. Often, the most expensive brushes are designed for groomers. They can work great with the right training, but you generally don’t need a brush that can withstand all-day use. Instead, we recommend choosing a cheaper brush that can accomplish the task of grooming a Persian.
Price isn’t always a good indicator of quality. There are quite a few expensive brushes out there that are simply over-designed. Sometimes, all you need is a simple, inexpensive comb to get the job done.
Ease of Use
Some brushes are made for the owners in mind, while others are not. Many may be great for cats but difficult for you to use correctly. This can make you resent grooming sessions and may lead you to groom your cat less. After all, if using a brush is a pain, you probably aren’t going to be excited about grooming.
Therefore, how easy the brush is to clean and the comfort of the handle matter. You shouldn’t skimp on these features, as they are just important as how well the brush works on your feline.
Self-cleaning slicker brushes are welcomed in most cases because it can be difficult to remove the fur otherwise. Some brushes have touch bristles that will poke at your fingers when you attempt to remove the fur.
Conclusion
For most Persian cats, we recommend the Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Cats. This brush can dig into a cat’s coat and remove much of the loose fur underneath. It is also self-cleaning, which makes it easier to clean. It is comfortable to use and has a nice handle for preventing fatigue.
We recommend purchasing the Burt’s Bees Double-Sided Cat Comb as well. This cheap comb is inexpensive, but it is great for spot-cleaning and removing dirt. It can get rid of mats without hurting your cat too much. The double-sided comb makes it quite versatile, so you shouldn’t need another comb.
Hopefully, our reviews helped you locate the best brush for your feline. You may want to purchase more than one for different situations so you can provide your feline with a complete grooming experience. If you have any questions about which brush is best for you and your cat, then we recommend re-reading the buyer’s guide.
Kristin is passionate about helping pet parents create a fulfilling life with their pets by informing them on the latest scientific research and helping them choose the best products for their pets. She currently resides in Tennessee with four dogs, three cats, two fish, and a lizard, though she has dreams of owning chickens one-day!
