Best comb for long-haired cat?

[shiloh]

I have a beautiful long-haired orange cat with this crazy wispy undercoat. He has typical long-haired cat delicate skin and on the best of days hates to be combed. (Typical boy) I am using a Grooma comb but don’t think it is getting thru to the undercoat where all the tangles occur. I don’t try to power thru the tangles, but pick them out carefully by hand and use long regular strokes with the comb. Any recommendations on a comb or brush that can get thru super long hair?

He also has a lovely case of stud tail (he is neutered) and how the H*** do you get rid of that?

Wish you guys could see him as he is stunning - real orange, like orange marmalade, not just dark yellow and he has eyes that change from golden to green. In winter-time he looks like a miniature lion. But like I said - typical boy - doesn’t want his hair combed or any of that fussage, so it needs to be fairly effective with short sessions. I would like to keep my face, hands and arms ya know?

thanks!

[paulaedwina]

I love this shedding comb http://us.petvalu.com/in-our-store/products/dog/supplies-and-accessories/grooming/shedding-comb

It has 2 layers of blunt teeth and seems to be able to get that undercoat out in short order. I have two cats; one long haired, and one short hair with the most ridiculous undercoat. The shorthaired guy actually benefits alot from this comb because it gets out shedded-but-stuck undercoat that usually encourages him to over groom.

Paula

[Leather]

I have a Ragdoll and my groomer friend recommended a stripper and greyhound comb.

I have the 12 blade stripper: http://www.grooming-pet-supplies.com/bc9-1800/petsupplies/item.html

Greyhound comb: http://www.grooming-pet-supplies.com/bc9-1791/petsupplies/item.html

[RedMare01]

Furminator. Works like nothing else, can get them much cheaper on eBay. Make sure you get the one for long haired cats…I’ve tried lots of things on my Balinese, and the Furminator really gets the undercoat out without damaging the rest of the fur. :yes:

[Shiaway]

If you happen to have a pair of size 40 clipper blades laying around you can use the bottom blade and it’s the same thing as a furminator.

I’ve found the rubber-cury type brushes do just as good of a job grabbing onto loose hairs as the furminator I have. However, I have short-hair cats.

[Emryss]

My personal favorite is a Greyhound (brand name) comb with the medium-coarse teeth.

I also like the Paw Print (brand name, I think) ball tip soft slicker brush for my cats. It’s a relatively new product to me, but seems to work quite well.

I’ve never carded my cats (I despise Furminators…) but I can see where it might work if you have a restrained hand with it.

[Simkie]

I like the Furminator for my double coated cats–those with an undercoat and pronounced guard hairs–but it sucks for my long haired kitties that are all just fluffy undercoat. For them, I use a pretty basic soft slicker brush.

[JumpWithPanache]

[QUOTE=Leather;5730874]
Greyhound comb: http://www.grooming-pet-supplies.com/bc9-1791/petsupplies/item.html[/QUOTE]

That’s the kind I use on my Himalayans. The wider toothed section is excellent for the woolier parts (tummy, hips) and the narrower section is good for the silkier hairs (bib, back).

I’ve tried the furminator but felt like it pulled way too much hair. I do like it for the short hair cat though.

[kristinq]

Don’t waste your money on the Furminator. Yes, you can find them on eBay for much cheaper than sold at pet stores, but IMO they’re not worth it. It rips the hair out painfully, at least my cat insists that it does. I suppose if you go very, very slow it will work, but if your cat is like mine and lacks patience, you’re SOL. I wold try the ones that Leather and paulaedwina posted. I’ve just got a generic brush, nothing fancy, but if I use it often it works wonders. Sometimes I let her gnaw on the Furminator to distract her while I brush with the cheapo one, so I guess it does serve a purpose. :lol:

[LavenderFarm]

I use a metal comb like the Greyhound one mentioned. With long-haired cats, it works best to begin at the back (tail end) of the cat and work toward the head. You should always comb with the lay of the hair. Starting at the hind end allows you to comb through already combed hair and it does work better.

If the cat has mats, I would cut them out (the hair grows back) and it is much easier on the cat than trying to comb out really matted hair. Be careful not to cut the skin tho! Once close to the skin, you can use the end of the comb to comb out the remaining matted hair. (Not sure I described that procedure well … sorry.)

To create that “lion” look, after the cat is combed, you can reverse comb and fluff up the hair.

Powder works well with stud tails to absorb the moisture. Way back when I showed cats (including stud cats), I used an unscented plain powder (can’t remember the exact name now, but baby powder would work). Back in the day, lots of powder was used when grooming long-haired show cats.

If the cat isn’t crazy about being groomed, do a bit at a time and lots of praise and petting along the way. I always tell them how handsome / beautiful they look! I like to think they understand.

[BasqueMom]

Mine seem to enjoy the Furminator. Another good one is an undercoat rake.

[shiloh]

Thank you all - some very good products to try. Poor kitty - he doesn’t know what he’s in for! :lol: