As someone who’s owned Maine Coons for many years, I know how important it is to keep them well-groomed. I don’t think there’s a grooming tool I’ve not tested!
We currently have four Maine Coons and groom them all daily. It doesn’t take long and is well worth the time.
The best Maine Coon grooming brush to prevent tangles and matted fur is the Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush. It’s the only brush you’ll need to keep any Maine Coon’s fur well-groomed and knot-free.
If you’re about to embark on a Maine Coon grooming regime, you’ll need a simple set of tools and they don’t have to cost a fortune.
The perfect Maine Coon grooming kit consists of:
There are a lot of grooming brushes and tools to choose from and I’ve bought most of them over the years! Trial and error proved that many of them aren’t necessary and actually don’t work that well!
I am recommending the only four tools I use and that you will need to groom a Maine Coon and I recommend you use these on your cat little and often.
The only Maine Coon grooming tools you’ll ever need
Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush
This is my favorite brush. It’s brilliant and is one I use all the time on my four Maine Coons. It keeps them knot-free when used for a few minutes every day.
What do I really like about this brush?
- It’s really easy to use and clean – you can just press a button to retract the bristles and the fur will just wipe off . You’ll be amazed how much fur comes out!
- The bristles are firm, sturdy needles and aren’t sharp. They glide effortlessly through a Maine Coons long coat and gently separate any small knots.
I have bought brushes that appear similar but have found the wire bristles are either too sharp, too soft, or too short. This brush works the best in my opinion – and that’s why I’m recommending it.
Tangle Teezer
This brush is actually for humans but is also perfect for Maine Coons, especially kittens. Its teeth are perfectly deigned to detangle a cat’s fur without tugging.
Our breeder gave us two of these for our new kittens last year and they proved invaluable for tidying their fluff and getting them used to being groomed.
Seam Ripper
As soon as you discover any knots developing in your Maine Coons fur that a brush doesn’t remove, try a seam ripper. It has a tiny blade that’s perfect for splitting matted fur.
Take your time to tease out knots as this device has a small sharp prong. Be careful not to catch your cats skin which is suprisingly baggy in places.
I can honestly say this tool has been a game changer and helps us to keep all four of our Maine Coons free of nasty mats.
Hartz Groomer’s Best Comb
No Maine Coon grooming kit is complete without a comb. Used in the usual way, the close knit teeth of the Hartz comb singles out fleas if necessary.
I use the tip of this comb to gently work on matted fur after splitting it with the seam ripper. It’s another invaluable piece of Maine Coon grooming equipment.
What Other Grooming Products Do You Need For Your Maine Coon?
Sometimes you will notice dirt/debris around your Maine Coons ears and other hard-to-reach places on their bodies.
Cotton wool and water is great for cleaning these but not baby wipes as these contain products a cats should not lick or ingest.
We use Pogi’s Grooming Wipes which are plant-based, organic wipes. They’re Earth friendly and don’t contain any ingredients that will harm your Maine Coon.
There are a lot of different wipes on the market but I wouldn’t look any further than these. If you’re in any doubt, just take a look at the product reviews!
Why You Should Brush a Maine Coon’s Coat
It’s simple really. If you don’t brush a Maine Coon, its fur will develop serious knots and mats which will eventually become painful and tug on their skin.
If you look at a knot that’s been around for a while, you’ll see that it’s very tight against their skin and this can make it rather tricky to untangle.
Therefore, the best solution is not to let it get to this stage! I know this advice is useless if they already have a matted coat but don’t worry, I’ll get onto this in a minute.
Start grooming your Maine Coon early to make life easier for yourself
I can’t stress enough how important it is to groom a Mainr Coon from a very young age to get them used to the brush.
Even if there are no knots run a brush through your cat’s fur on a daily basis and always make it a pleasant experience.
Preventing knots is so much better than tryif to remove them. If brushing hurts your Maine Coon, it will probably not let you continue.
When Do I Need To Get The Vet Involved?
If you believe that matting is getting out of control and your Maine Coon is becoming distressed when you try to groom it, then it may be time to for a professional groom.
Depending on the temperament of your cat, a vet can provide them with a sedative to calm them down. It’s traumatic enough for them going to the vets, let alone having someone holding them down whilst another person uses noisy clippers on them!
Sometimes though, this is the best (and only) option. It’s not the cheapest option but it may be the best option for your Maine Coon.
Conclusion – best brushes for Maine Coons
You don’t need a whole variety of equipment to brush a Maine Coon but you do need a regular grooming Maine groom. A slicker brush, a detangler, a comb and a seam ripper make the perfect brush and grooming kit.
Regular grooming from a youmg age to prevent knots is the key to succesful Maine Coon grooming.
If your cat just won’t comply and mats take over its coat,visit your vet for a dedated groom.