Cat Comb: Flea Combs and Grooming Combs for Thorough Cat Care

Cat Comb: Thorough Right Down to the Undercoat

A good cat comb is the tool for the finishing touches. While a brush smooths the surface, the teeth of a comb reach right down to the skin. That lets you find small knots before they turn into mats and remove loose undercoat from thick fur. With a flea comb you can also check quickly and without chemicals whether fleas or dirt are hiding in the coat.

Flea comb and dust comb

A flea comb has particularly closely spaced teeth. Fleas, flea dirt, dust and fine dandruff get caught in it, things you would hardly see otherwise. For cats that go outdoors, a quick check along the back, neck and base of the tail is well worth it, especially in the warmer months. Kerbl offers a combined dust and flea comb for this, as well as a dedicated flea comb for cats that sits comfortably in the hand.

Stainless steel grooming combs

For everyday coat care, stainless steel grooming combs with rounded teeth, such as the combs from Aesculap, are a great choice. They don't rust, are easy to clean and are kind to the skin. A comb with a light aluminium handle is pleasant to use if you comb a longhaired cat often. Many combs have two tooth spacings: the wide side for detangling, the narrow side for the finish.

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell if there are fleas when combing?
Look for small dark specks in the comb. Place them on a damp white kitchen towel: if they turn reddish, it is flea dirt. In that case, talk to your vet about a suitable treatment.

Should I brush first or comb first?
With long fur, detangle roughly first with the wide side of the comb or a brush, then go over it again with the fine comb. With short fur the comb alone is often enough. Whatever the coat, always work in the direction of hair growth.

Which comb makes sense for shorthaired cats?
For short fur, a comb with closely spaced teeth is ideal, so a flea or dust comb. It reliably picks up loose hair and dust. A wide-toothed grooming comb is more suited to semi-longhaired and longhaired cats.