Choose tools for the coat's condition and your cat's tolerance, rather than buying the largest set and using every item. A comb can help you check whether a long coat is clear beneath the surface, while a suitable brush may collect loose hair. Tool design, tooth spacing and how you use it all matter. Ask a groomer or veterinary nurse to demonstrate on your cat if you are unsure. Introduce one tool gently and avoid pressing harder when it catches.
A snag may indicate a tangle that needs a different approach, not a reason to pull through. Inspect the tool for bent teeth, rough edges or damage and clean it according to its instructions. The best equipment is equipment you can use comfortably and correctly; a specialised cutting or dematting tool is not automatically appropriate for an inexperienced owner. A useful demonstration includes how lightly to hold the tool and when to stop, not just which brand or tooth spacing to purchase.
For product comparisons alongside this advice, see Cashmere Comb grooming set and Reusable pet-hair roller. The details below explain their sizes and uses.
Further reading: cats.org.uk; pdsa.org.uk; rspca.org.uk; bluecross.org.uk; cats.org.uk.
Cashmere Comb grooming set
Reusable pet-hair roller