Fleas. Those pesky little critters. No one likes fleas, least of all your pet. A good flea comb can help prevent a flea outbreak or stop one. Though preventing and treating for fleas – or ticks – is a multi-step process, a flea comb is a useful tool to add to your collection of bug-fighting products. It’s one of the fastest and most effective ways to eliminate fleas on your pet. And while meticulously combing your cat may seem time consuming and tedious, it builds a stronger bond between you and him as you spend time together.
We picked through dozens of flea combs for cats to find the best, and sunk our teeth into the details of what we found. We looked at combs for short- and long-haired cats, and combs for thin and thick coats. Other things we checked out include the prongs, handle, and overall useability of the comb.
We chose the Safari Dog Flea Comb with Double Row of Teeth as our top pick because the double row of dense teeth sweep up fleas and eggs easier and more thoroughly than the traditional flea comb.
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated Flea Combs for Cats
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Safari Dog Flea Comb with Double Row of Teeth | 4.5 |
| Best Flea Comb Set for Cats | GNAWRISHING Flea Comb 4Pcs | 4.6 |
| Best Budget Buy | Honbay 4 Pack Combs Double Sided Pet Combs | 4.5 |
| Best Fine Toothed Flea Comb for Cats | Hertzko Flea Comb with Double Row of Teeth | 4.4 |
| Best Metal Flea Comb for Cats | Laiannwell Professional Grooming Comb for Dog Cat Small Pets | 4.6 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best Flea Comb for Cats Overall: Safari Dog Flea Comb with Double Row of Teeth
Whether you’re combing your kitty to prevent a flea fiasco or to keep one under control, the Safari Dog Flea Comb with Double Row of Teeth does both jobs efficiently. The teeth are a sturdy stainless steel, able to handle short- or long-haired breeds. With the double row of fine-pronged teeth, this flea comb traps more fleas and eggs at one time than other leading brands. The proximity of the metal prongs means you get more with less effort. This cuts down on the amount of time you spend combing through your cat’s fur looking for the little buggers.
And since combing for fleas can take more than a minute or two, the handle is curved to match the contour of your grip, so it’s comfortable to hold for longer periods of time. The ergonomic handle is lightweight, and features a hole at the end for conveniently hanging the tool. Thousands of customers recommend this product for getting rid of fleas on your pet.
Safari Dog Flea Comb with Double Row of Teeth Key Features:
- Suitable for all coat types
- Contoured handle to match your grip
- Plastic handle with metal teeth
- Double row of fine prongs
Best Flea Comb Set for Cats: GNAWRISHING Flea Comb 4Pcs
Be prepared, and cover a wide range of needs with the GNAWRISHING Flea Comb 4Pcs. Chosen as our favorite flea comb set for cats, this 4-piece set delivers a variety of combs for different scenarios. If your kitty has short hair, or your furry family member has long hair, this set has the comb you need. Choose from short, medium, or long prongs to reach under a thick coat, long hair, or short fur. Wherever those fleas are on your cat, this set offers a tool to find them.
Three of the four pieces have stainless steel teeth, which are rounded at the end for your cat’s comfort. The fourth piece is double-sided with fine teeth, and made entirely from plastic, suitable for combing around the eyes. Each piece features a different type of handle. The long- and short-pronged comb have a small, round, or rectangular finger grip. The medium-pronged comb features a long, curved handle with diagonal grooves. It fits snug in your palm for a better grip. With all four pieces, you have a choice of using whichever flea comb is best for the moment.
GNAWRISHING Flea Comb 4Pcs Key Features:
- Three pieces have stainless steel teeth
- All pieces have single row teeth
- Plastic handles
- Double-sided comb has short, thin, plastic teeth
- Suitable for all coat types
Best Budget Flea Comb for Cats: Honbay 4 Pack Combs Double Sided Pet Combs
No matter why you’re tightening or stretching the purse strings, the Honbay 4 Pack Combs Double Sided Pet Combs make a good budget buy because you receive four double-sided flea combs for short money. If you’ve got one cat or a houseful, or whether you foster or care for strays, four combs in just one package is a deal. And if you don’t need the extra combs, donate them to your local animal shelter or rescue. They come in a variety of bright, solid colors, making it easy to see the fleas and dirt trapped on the comb.
These double-sided flea combs are made from a soft, durable plastic, which allows you to use this comb around more delicate areas, like your kitty’s eyes. Fleas love to hang out around the face. One side features fine-pronged teeth, while the other side has a wider set of teeth – suitable for all hair types. Comfortable in the hand, each flea comb is just over 3 inches long and just under 2 inches wide.
Honbay 4 Pack Combs Double Sided Pet Combs Key Features:
- Multi-color pack of four
- Just over 3 inches long
- Made from plastic
- Thin- and wider-pronged teeth
Best Fine Toothed Flea Comb for Cats: Hertzko Flea Comb with Double Row of Teeth
A good flea comb should have a fine tooth in order to capture the tiny insects, but some coats are too coarse for the finest prongs. If you’re looking for a fine-toothed comb for a fine-haired cat, then we like the Hertzko Flea Comb with Double Row of Teeth. The double row of fine-pronged teeth act like a one-two punch when knocking out fleas. The first set of teeth catches dirt, fleas, and eggs. The second set of teeth picks up what was missed because the first set was full of debris. This combination creates a more effective way of trapping fleas, dirt, and eggs.
The Hertzko flea comb has stainless steel teeth that are rounded on the end to protect your cat’s skin. They’re nestled inside sturdy plastic. The long handle features a slight curve to better fit your hand. The end of the handle has a hole to conveniently hang the comb if necessary. The bright purple color offers flea visibility when you catch them.
Hertzko Flea Comb with Double Row of Teeth Key Features:
- Smooth, rounded teeth
- Plastic handle
- Stainless steel teeth
- Suitable for all coat types
Best Metal Flea Comb for Cats: Laiannwell Professional Grooming Comb for Dog Cat Small Pets
The best metal flea comb for cats is the Laiannwell Professional Grooming Comb for Dog Cat Small Pets. In fact, this is a 3-piece grooming set that features all stainless steel teeth, and one comb with a metal handle. All of the teeth have rounded ends so the prongs are gentle on your cat’s skin. The two combs with long, plastic handles have fine-pronged teeth. The metal comb offers both fine prongs and wider set prongs. Even if your kitty has short or long hair, or fine or thick fur, these combs work on all coat types.
The metal comb features a fine-pronged end and a medium-pronged end. The prongs are slightly ridged to help gently detangle fur along the way, while trapping fleas and dirt in the dense teeth. The other two flea combs also have metal, fine-pronged teeth, but feature rubber handles for a no-slip grip. As a bonus, these three grooming pieces come in a handy drawstring bag.
Laiannwell Professional Grooming Comb for Dog Cat Small Pets Key Features:
- Long handles are ergonomically designed
- Rounded teeth for comfort
- Easy-to-grip rubber handles
- Wide comb is stainless steel
- Single row stainless steel teeth
Who Should Buy a Flea Comb for a Cat
It’s a wise choice for pet owners to have a flea comb on hand. It’s a useful addition to your pile of pet products. Even if your cat doesn’t currently have fleas, a flea comb can help prevent a future problem. Like other preventatives, maintaining regular action – such as combing her weekly – can help prevent a large or catastrophic issue later – like a flea infestation.
A flea comb is actually quite versatile. It’s not just used to pick out fleas and their eggs, it can be used to gently remove other fine debris, such as tiny pieces of twigs, leaves, and dirt. Flea combs also work to remove ticks, which can be difficult to find in thick or dark hair. Made for a number of different hair and coat types, a flea comb is good for any cat breed.
Important Features to Consider
A flea comb for a cat should have a few important features. Here’s what to consider when selecting a flea comb for a cat:
- The teeth or prongs. In order to catch fleas and their eggs – sometimes nearly impossible to see, a flea comb must have fine, thin, or dense teeth. But not all flea combs have the same amount of spacing. Some flea combs have teeth spread further apart for animals with thicker coats. The wider-set prongs are also good for a first flea swipe, to remove larger particles, or to loosely de-tangle matted fur. Likewise, the length of the teeth vary as well, to fit either short or long coats. Consider your cat’s fur, whether she has short or long hair, or a fine or coarse coat.
- What’s it made out of? Flea combs are made with either metal, wood, or plastic teeth. They feature plastic, rubber, wood, or metal handles. What type of material you settle on for a flea comb is mostly preference, but those made with metal teeth and sturdy handles tend to be more durable and last longer.
- A comfortable hold. Combing your cat for fleas is slightly time consuming because you want to methodically cover every inch of him. Due to the thin prongs, going slow is also essential so you don’t get the comb caught in his coat. Look for a handle that fits comfortably in your palm or between your fingers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a flea comb for cats and how does it work?
Flea combs for cats, or dogs, are handheld grooming tools designed with finely-spaced teeth. The finely-spaced teeth physically trap fleas, eggs, and dirt so you can safely and effectively remove them from your pet. Sometimes the teeth are referred to as needles, pins, or prongs. They are either in a single row on one side of the comb, or both sides of the comb – referred to as double-sided. And other flea combs have a double row of fine-pronged teeth.
Brush your cat with a regular wide-toothed comb to gently work out tangles and capture excess hair. Be sure to dispose of any shed fur in a sealed plastic bag in case you caught some fleas on the first go. Fill a large bowl or glass halfway with warm soapy water to keep beside you. In small sections, slowly comb your cat with the flea comb. Keep it at an angle, and comb in the direction the fur grows. Check the comb after each sweep to see if you caught any fleas. Dunk the comb in the warm soapy water to rinse the comb and kill the fleas.
Where should I comb my cat for fleas?
Fleas will show up anywhere on your cat’s body, so you want to comb her everywhere. Focus on the area around her ears, chin, the base of her tail, and her belly. Don’t forget her tail, paws, and face.
How do you kill fleas after combing them?
Before you sit down to comb your cat, be prepared with a glass or bowl of water mixed with dish soap. Alternatively, you can use citrus juice. After you have combed through your kitty’s fur and triumphantly discovered a few fleas caught in the grips of the metal teeth, dunk the comb in the glass of soapy water to kill the fleas.
What is the fastest way to get rid of fleas on a cat?
A flea comb is one of the fastest ways to remove fleas from a cat. Sometimes, a veterinarian will prescribe a round of Capstar for your cat, which will immediately kill off the adult fleas. But though these are quick methods, getting rid of fleas requires multiple processes. Treat your cat, his environment, your home, and the yard to completely eradicate the life cycle of the flea.
Other Flea Combs for Cats We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other flea combs for cats. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best flea combs for cats list, they’re the best of the rest, and are still great options for you and your favorite feline. The information you need to compare each one is included with the listing.
- Flea Comb Sets for Cats
- Half-moon Flea Combs for Cats
- Budget Flea Combs for Cats
- Other Flea Combs for CatsÂ
Flea Comb Sets for Cats
Boao 6 Pieces Pet Grooming Flea Comb
From two sets of three different flea combs, choose a long, double-sided, or short, wide comb. For short coats to long hair, this comb set can be used for fleas, lice, dirt, and more.
Key Features:
- Double-sided comb is plastic
- Long and short combs have metal teeth with plastic handles
- Long comb has curved handle with comfort grip
Cost: $6
ZYoung 3 Pcs Dog Comb Cat Grooming Comb
Three assorted flea combs give you the option of using either a short- or long-pronged comb, or a double-sided comb.
Key Features:
- Short-pronged comb has a long, contoured handle for a comfortable grip
- Short- and long-pronged comb have stainless steel teeth
- Double-sided comb is plastic
Cost: $4
Half-moon Flea Combs for Cats
This fine-toothed comb gets rid of fleas by trapping them in the thin prongs.
Key Features:
- Short, wide plastic handle
- Single row of metal teeth
- Palm-sized grip
Cost: $5
This palm-sized flea comb removes fleas with its fine-pronged teeth.
Key Features:
- Comfortable grip
- Made for all coat types
- Single row teeth
Cost: $13
Oster Animal Care Comb & Protect Flea Comb for Cats
Get rid of fleas with the Oster flea comb and its thin-pronged teeth.
Key Features:
- Palm-sized, half-moon handle
- Made for short and medium length coats
- Single row of metal teeth
Cost: $7
Patty Both Dog Cat Pet Lice & Flea & Nit Removal Comb
Ideal for all coat types, this short, fine-toothed flea comb features rounded teeth.
Key Features:
- Single row of metal teeth
- Suitable for all hair types
- Gentle enough to use around the face
Cost: $6
PrimePets Pet Dog Cat Flea Comb
With more than 2 inches of thin-pronged teeth, fleas and eggs don’t stand a chance against this flea comb.
Key Features:
- Curved, half-moon handle
- Single row of stainless steel, round teeth
- Prong length is just over half an inch
Cost: $6
Budget Flea Combs
Dougez Dog Cat Small Pet Brush Comb Grooming Tool
The handle of this flea comb is made from silicon gel to provide a soft, comfortable grip.
Key Features:
- Single row of stainless steel teeth
- Smooth, rounded teeth
- Thin-pronged teeth
Cost: $5
Harris Flea Comb for Cats and Dogs
Made for all hair lengths and coat types, this flea comb has stainless steel teeth that trap fleas, eggs, and more.
Key Features:
- Curved handle for easier holding
- Single row of fine-pronged teeth
- Bright color to detect fleas
Cost: $5
Hartz Groomer’s Best Grooming Tools
For use as a flea comb or grooming detangler, the ergonomic handle is easy to hold.
Key Features:
- Designed for all coat types
- Single row of extra fine-pronged teeth
- Soft, comfort grip
Cost: $4
H&H Pets Flea Comb with Rubber Handle
Suitable for all coat types, this flea comb has a large, rubberized grip for easy handling.
Key Features:
- 60-day, money-back guarantee
- Rubber handle with a single row of metal teeth
- Soft, comfortable grip
Cost: $5
Master Grooming Tools Contoured Grip Flea Combs
With a handle designed for long-term use, this flea comb is comfortable to hold, sturdy, and guaranteed for life.
Key Features:
- Single row of thin-pronged metal teeth
- Ergonomic plastic grip
- Suitable for all hair types
Cost: $4
Safari Pet Products Flea Comb for Cats
The Safari flea comb has thin-pronged teeth with a contoured handle to better fit your finger grip.
Key Features:
- Single row of metal teeth
- Plastic handle
- ½ inch long teeth, with 31 teeth per inch
Cost: $5
The SunGrow fine-toothed cat comb gently lifts away fleas from beneath your kitty’s coat.
Key Features:
- Plastic handle with a single row of metal teeth
- For use on all hair types
- Non-slip handle with textured grip
Cost: $5
Other Flea Combs for Cats
Andis Premium Pet Grooming Tools
The Andis flea comb works for all coat types, and has fine-pronged teeth.
Key Features:
- Easy-to-hold, curved handle
- Metal teeth
- Single row teeth
Cost: $15
PetEnjoy Pet Grooming Tools Flea Comb
The PetEnjoy flea comb features an ergonomic handle with stainless steel teeth.
Key Features:
- Single row of thin-pronged teeth
- ABS plastic handle
- Can be used on all coat types
Cost: $6
Suitable for all coat types, the Pixikko flea comb has a rubber grip plastic handle for easy holding.
Key Features:
- Extra fine-pronged teeth
- 30-day, money-back guarantee
- Single row metal teeth
Cost: $7
Poodle Pet Double-Sided Pet Brush for Grooming
The Poodle Pet grooming brush offers two sides – an extra fine-tooth and a wider-set tooth for picking up fleas and eggs.
Key Features:
- Stainless steel teeth
- Thick, round rubber handle
- Grooved ridges on handle for easy gripping
Cost: $10
Featuring medium sized, thin-pronged teeth, the Safari flea comb works on all hair lengths.
Key Features:
- Smooth, contoured wooden handle
- Single row of metal teeth
- Suitable for all coat types
Cost: $10
Wick away fleas with the Sentry Flea Comb for Cats using the fine-pronged teeth.
Key Features:
- Long, curved plastic handle
- Made for short to medium coats
- Single row of metal teeth
Cost: $6
