The 5 Best Brushes for Ragdoll Cats (2021 Reviews)

I have large, spoiled Ragdoll Cat. She is sensitive and temperamental at times, and I brush her regularly. She enjoys it now, and I don’t need to jealously watch Youtube videos of owners brushing their docile Ragdoll Cat anymore!

Because of that experience, I can genuinely advise on what types and brands are the best brushes for Ragdoll Cats.

Below, we talk about those categories of brushes, some essential information on brushing itself, then I tell you how I successfully brush my Ragdoll Cat so you can do it too!

---

Best Every Day Brush

Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush

This is a perfect brush for your Ragdoll Cat on a daily basis and for them to develop a good connection to.

It gently removes loose fur and light tangles with bristles that penetrate deep into your Ragdoll Cat’s fluffy coat. The wide bristles prevent any discomfort and pulling on your pet’s skin.

But the main reason why the Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush wins this category is because it’s easy to clean. Slicker brushes are effective, but good luck with clean up.

Previously you had to pick out fur with your fingers, which would lead to bent wire bristles. This could lead to cuts in your pet while in use, so hard pass on that!

But now with the press of a button, trapped hair from its bristles drops to the ground.

This type of brushing also enhances healthy coats and distributes natural oils, leaving your Ragdoll Cats with a shiny coat. The brush is also designed with an ergonomic handle that prevents slipping and wrist pain.

Pros

• Comfortable for cats
• Self-cleaning
• Retractable bristles
• Ragdoll Cat sized

Cons

• Deep bristles may touch skin sometimes

---

Runner Up Every Day Brush

Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Cats

This is yet another effective brush that is a little bit similar to Hertzko slicker brush, but is smaller. This is the one my Ragdoll Cat and I used, when she was a kitten.

This Safari model works just as well in getting rid of tangles, overgrown fur, and enhancing the production of natural oils.

The Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush is the best in this category because of its performance and offers the self-cleaning functionality, while being fairly inexpensive.

The bristles are widely spaced hence preventing frequent tangles of fur, with deep stainless steel pins that reach into the fluffy coat for a massage.

Pros

• Safe and easy to use
• Has a comfortable handle
• Retractable bristles
• Ragdoll Cat kitten sized

Cons

• Deep bristles may touch skin sometimes

---

Best Deshedding Brush

Furminator Longhair deShedding Tool (Large Cats)

The American-made Furminator is the best deshedding brush hands down.

As a professional grade groomers tool available to the public, It simply terminates vast amounts of undercoat of Ragdoll Cats can accumulate – the most of any tool here, in my experience.

Used after the slicker brush approximately 2-3 times a week, the fur you remove with this thing will astound you, especially during the Spring and Summer hotter months.

And your Ragdoll Cat will be so happy, not to mention cooler, lighter, and in a better mood.

The Furminator has the strength of a valued brand behind it, so you can feel the solid weight (5.4 oz) and quality. Copycats are everywhere, with some reported to have softer teeth that may bend.

Clean up is facilitated by pressing the fur ejector button which releases trapped hair. It is also very comfortable to use because of its ergonomic handle.

Pros

• Removes the most fur with each swipe
• Prevents hairballs, mats, tangles
• Original brand, high quality construction

Cons

• Overuse 100% will remove too much fur

---

Best Budget Deshedding Brush

Dakpets Grooming Brush

For those not into the branded Furminator for any reason, the Dakpets Grooming brush is a great viable alternative.

Compared to the Furminator, this brush is

• Not self cleaning
• has a smaller comb edge
• lighter weight (1.6 oz vs 5.4 oz)

The Dakpets Deshedding Brush claims to reduce shedding by 95%. It’s hard to prove that number…

But it’s simple to see the generous 4 inch stainless steel edge with those deep teeth. It gets all the way down into your Ragdoll Cat’s undercoat and smoothly removes any loose-but-not dislodged fur.

A lot of users also state that there’s no pulling on skin, and the combing action is very smooth. There is also light, ergonomic handle that enhances grip, thus giving you good grooming experience.

Because of the value and how similar it performs to the Furminator, the Dakpet Deshedding Brush is the winner in this category.

Pros

• Removes a lot of undercoat
• Prevents hairballs, mats, tangles
• Has a versatile detachable design
• Price

Cons

• Need to remove fur from teeth manually

---

Best Dematting Brush

GoPets Dematting Brush

Despite your best efforts, your Ragdoll Cat will develops mats or knots. And when those cannot be brushed out, use a something like the GoPets Dematting Brush.

This model attempts to do it all, featuring dual sides that offer daily brushing and deshedding capabilities. People report those functions are fine, but the real benefit of this tool is the sharpened teeth.

This means you have a way to attack the tangles and mats by cutting through them as you comb.

Of course, you do have to proceed with caution here as we don’t want to use force – mats tangles tight to skin and this will cause pain. Some knots or mats will just take a few sessions to clear.

On the market, there are plenty of dematting brushes. This GoPets model is the original and best quality, especially the blades. People comment that on cheaper models, the blades are not as sharp and ends up pulling on the fur even more.

It’s similar to a sharp knife and how effortless it is to slice things, there’s no friction and no sawing – it’s like that with the GoPets Dematting brush.

All in all, if this can’t handle it, you need to book a professional appointment

Pros

• Original brand and high quality
• Multi-purpose
• Safe and easy to use
• Impressive thinning, shearing, cutting action

Cons

• Handle can get gummy

---

How Choose a Ragdoll Cat Brush

Keep these factors in mind when you choose any brush for your Ragdoll Cat.

Is It the Right Brush?

You’ll need to do a few kinds of brushing on your Ragdoll Cat, so you need the right one or you’ll hurt yourself or your Ragdoll Cat.

A slicker brush can be used to groom your Ragdoll Cat daily. You’ll also need a deshedding tool at least twice a week – it deals with your Ragdoll Cat’s undercoat. Dematting with a dematting brush occasionally is also vital to remove knots, tangles, and mats in the fur.

Comfort

Your Ragdoll Cat has preferences and tolerances for how brushes feel. Therefore, no matter how great a brush is at its job, it’s useless if your Ragdoll Cat doesn’t accept it.

A big part of this certainly come back to the owner, and how early proper grooming was introduced to the cat.

Control

Are you able to hold the brush comfortably and ergonomically? This is critical because you might be grooming your Ragdoll Cat at a funny angle or compromised position at times, and last thing you’d want is to slip or get a cramp.

Ease of Clean up

After brushing, it’s important to clean up your brushes to prevents pet’s fur from spreading everywhere. Some brushes might require you to pull the hair out of the brush while others have some enhanced features on how you can remove them.

Therefore the most important thing is to find a brush that is not too inconvenient to clean. That way you actually clean it.

Best Way to Brush Your Ragdoll Cat

The Slicker Brush

Step one is to use a slicker brush, because its bristles are wide apart, yet deep and get into their coat for loose topcoat, dirt, oil, and other dust. This should be done daily or regularly and should not hurt your Ragdoll Cat.

The bristles should be wide enough apart not to be threatening or pull on potential mats or knots. But also tight enough to actually sort through the fur and remove unwanted stuff.

Deshedding

Step two is deshedding. A deshedding brush has tightly packed teeth that attack the undercoat, and dislodges loose fur that doesn’t shed by itself. This is done after brushing with slicker, when the fur nice and ready for additional work.

Undercoat left to its own devices turn into the nasties: knots, mats, and tangles. As your Ragdoll Cat grooms themselves, they swallow more and more undercoat, leading to hairballs!

Diligent deshedding prevents all of that, plus keeps your house clean. There is no more random shedding, which means less fur on the furniture, floors, carpet, and on your clothes.

Dematting

Mats are bound to happen, even as we brush and deshed. When that happens, we use a tool like a dematting brush. And yes, daily brushing precedes dematting with every session.

These have the tightly packed teeth of deshedding tools, but with sharper edge to cut away minor mats, knots, and tangles.

Mats are very annoying and painful to your Ragdoll Cat, so we advise caution with working through them. And it’s better to get professional grooming help if there’s a big mat your Ragdoll Cat won’t let you handle. (You’ll know)

---

Related Products

Looking for the Best Shampoo for Ragdoll Cats?

On a related note, be sure to give your Ragdoll Cat a bath every month or so. Check out my full review of the best shampoo for Ragdoll Cats – Pets are Kids Too Shampoo and Conditioner.

What about the Best Clippers for Ragdoll Cats?

See my full review on the best clippers for your Ragdoll Cat, the Simply Pets Clippers.

Ragdoll Cat Toys

Now that your Ragdoll Cat is looking and feeling fresh, why not treat them with some cat toys. See my full post on the best Ragdoll Cat toys.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best brush for the Ragdoll Cat?

Owners have their preference when it comes to brushes for Ragdoll cats. Well, the cats do too!

I recommend starting with the Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush because it is very easy to use and clean. The wire bristles are wide apart and gentle so it won’t hurt your Ragdoll Cat.

Give them snacks and compliments to make a good time after during brushing. Then introduce a deshedding brush, and finally, a dematting brush, when you discover minor mats.

How often should you brush a Ragdoll Cat?

Grooming a Ragdoll Cat should be done daily with a low impact tool like a slicker brush. It ensures your Ragdoll Cat is cleared from loose fur, debris, dirt, oils, and light tangles.

Grooming can stimulate natural hair production and effective blood circulation. This collectively contributes to healthy skin and good overall well-being. You can also detect any underlying health problems such as scratches, fleas, and other skin problems.

Don’t forget – it is also enjoyable because it offers other therapeutic benefits like fluffing up their coat while strengthening the bond between you and your Ragdoll Cat. Brushing is a non-negotiable part of pet ownership.

Deshedding should happen twice, or at the minimum, once a week. Dematting is as needed, or during regularly scheduled professional pet salon appointments.

How do you brush a Ragdoll Cat?
Begin with small strokes as you use the slicker brush in the direction of hair growth. Repeat this and work through all sections of fur. Be extra gentle near the belly, arm pits, and back of legs.

Deshedding can be a little bit more demanding. Just go slow and don’t overdo it at each session.

If you notice your Ragdoll Cat is feeling uncomfortable, give it break, and feel free to use treats and hugs to help them. Or just stop, and try again in a few days.

If you don’t feel comfortable with cutting or shearing mats, consult a professional groomers. Do not attempt to use scissors.

Do Ragdoll Cats shed a lot?
Surprisingly, no. For a dramatically long haired cat, they do not shed all that much compared other breeds like Persians, Himalayans, and Ragdolls.

A Ragdoll Cat’s fur is also not prone to tangles vs other long haired cats. This is most likely due to its waterproof nature and harkens to the Ragdoll Cat breed’s wild past in nature. A prissy, high maintenance coat probably was not advantageous.

Despite that, they still do shed, so that is why I recommend a high quality deshedding tool like the Furminator to get rid of the vast majority of loose undercoat.