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10 Best Dog Dematting Tools of 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture

By Nicole Cosgrove

A Husky dog enjoying a dematting tool

Looking for anything that has to do with pets these days can be a huge undertaking, even for knowledgeable pet owners. When trying to find an essential tool like a de-matting tool, you may find that it’s best to get some help.

We have a few dogs in our household that are always getting tangles, and we often try out and review these tools for our own benefit. We believe we can help you get closer to finding the right tool for your pet by reviewing ten different brands so you can compare them to see what you like and need in a dog de-matting tools.

We’ve also included a dog de-matting tool buyer’s guide where we look closely at how these devices work so you can be better educated as you shop. Please continue reading for our detailed reviews of each brand of dog de-matting tools, where we compare type, safety, blades, and durability, to help you make an informed purchase.

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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Andis Dematting Tool Andis Dematting Tool
  • Reduces shedding up to 90%
  • Ergonomic handle
  • Affordable
  • Best Budget
    Second place
    Pet Republique Dematting Tool Pet Republique Dematting Tool
  • Very affordable
  • Great for pets with sensitive skin
  • Stainless steel teeth are durable
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Master Grooming Tools Ergonomic Pet Dematting Tool Master Grooming Tools Ergonomic Pet Dematting Tool
  • Great for heavy-shedding pups
  • Reversible design for both right and left-handed people
  • Ribbed ergonomic rubber grip
  • Master Grooming Tools Ergonomic Dog Dematting Comb Master Grooming Tools Ergonomic Dog Dematting Comb
  • Great for tough mats
  • Different blade counts are available
  • Better option for medium or large breeds
  • Master Grooming Tools Ergonomic Dog Dematting Rake Master Grooming Tools Ergonomic Dog Dematting Rake
  • Pistol-grip handle is extremely comfortable
  • Great for professional groomers
  • Affordable
  • The 10 Best Dog Dematting Tools

    1. Andis Dematting Tool – Best Overall

    Andis Dematting Tool (1)

    If you’re looking for the best overall dog dematting tool, you won’t find a better choice than the Andis Dematting tool. Not only does it do a phenomenal job of getting out mats, but it also reduces shedding by up to 9%, which means far fewer dog hairs throughout your home!

    It comes with an ergonomic handle that makes it comfortable to use for longer amounts of time, which is a good thing because of the smaller brush size, meaning it takes˙ longer to use on large breeds. It’s a great choice for both pros and amateurs, but if you’re not careful, the plastic handle means you won’t get it to last as long as you want it to.

    Pros
    • Reduces shedding up to 90%
    • Ergonomic handle
    • Affordable
    • Special blades for cutting through mats, tangles, and knots
    Cons
    • Smaller brush size isn’t ideal for large breeds
    • Plastic handle isn’t the most durable


    2. Pet Republique Dematting Tool – Best Budget

    Pet Republique Dematting Tool

    If you’re looking to save a few bucks but still need a dog dematting tool, the Pet Republique Dematting Tool is just what you’re looking for. It’s a great choice for pets with sensitive skin, is super affordable, and the stainless-steel teeth make it extremely durable.

    Still, while it’s a great tool to help get mats out, it’s not the most effective at controlling shedding. Moreover, it has a very small brush size, so don’t expect to use it all over your pet quickly. It’s not the best overall choice, but it’s clearly the best dog dematting tool for the money.

    Pros
    • Very affordable
    • Great for pets with sensitive skin
    • Stainless steel teeth are durable
    Cons
    • Not the most effective at reducing shedding
    • Very small brush size


    3. Master Grooming Tools Ergonomic Pet Dematting Tool – Premium Choice

    Master Grooming Tools Ergonomic Pet Dematting Tool

    If you don’t mind spending a bit more and just want the best of the best, this Master Grooming Tools Ergonomic Pet Dematting tool is as good as it gets. Not only is it a great tool for mats, but it also helps out with shedding.

    The ribbed rubber grip is comfortable to hold, and it works great whether you want to use it with your right or left hand. Overall, it’s a great tool, but it is a bit more expensive than any other option on our list. On top of that, the size is small, so it can take a while to use on larger dogs.

    Pros
    • Great for heavy-shedding pups
    • Reversible design for both right and left-handed people
    • Ribbed ergonomic rubber grip
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Not ideal for larger breeds


    4. Master Grooming Tools Ergonomic Dog Dematting Comb

    Master Grooming Tools Ergonomic Dematting Comb (1)

    While this Master Grooming Tools Ergonomic Dog Dematting Comb doesn’t get a special accolade on our list, that doesn’t mean it isn’t a great choice for tough mats. There are different blade counts to pick from so you can find exactly what works best for your pup’s coat.

    It’s not the best tool for shedding, and it’s slightly more expensive, but if your pup suffers from thick mats that nothing else can break through, this is exactly what you need!

    Pros
    • Great for tough mats
    • Different blade counts are available
    • Better option for medium or large breeds
    • Grip is extremely comfortable
    Cons
    • Pricey


    5. Master Grooming Tools Ergonomic Dog Dematting Rake

    Master Grooming Tools Ergonomic Dog Dematting Rake

    The Master Grooming Tools Ergonomic Dog Dematting Rake is yet another Master Grooming Tools dematting tool to make our list, and it’s for a good reason. The pistol-grip handle is both unique and comfortable, and it does a great job of reducing shedding. Better yet, it’s got a large rake, making it a good choice for those who own larger breeds.

    The tool’s quality makes it an outstanding choice for professional groomers, and overall, the price makes it worth considering too. But if your pup has sensitive skin, this isn’t the tool for them as it can irritate their skin while you get the mats out.

    Pros
    • Pistol-grip handle is extremely comfortable
    • Great for professional groomers
    • Affordable
    • Ideal for large and medium dog breeds
    Cons
    • Not great for dogs with sensitive skin
    • Only moderately effective at controlling shedding

    6. Hertzko Pet Dematting Tool Comb

    Hertzko Pet

    The Hertzko Pet Dematting Tool Comb features a two-sided head. One side has twelve teeth, while the other has twenty-three. All blades have rounded edges so they won’t scrape your pet. The handle also features some rubber gripping on the sides that help make it more comfortable to hold and prevents slipping.

    The downside to this model is that it tends to pull on your pet’s hair, especially on the side with twenty-three blades. We feel that some of the hair-pulling could be alleviated if the blades were a little sharper. Even the blades on the side with twelve teeth seemed dull compared to some of the others on this list.

    Pros
    • Two-sided head
    • Rubber gripping
    • Rounded edges
    Cons
    • Pulls hair
    • Dull blades

    7. Pat Your Pet Dematting Dog Comb

    Pat Your Pet

    The Pat Your Pet Dematting Comb is a larger-sized de-matting tool. It features a two-sided head with 9 wide-spaced teeth on one side and 17 teeth on the other. It features an ergonomic anti-slip grip handle for more control while grooming your pet. It also comes with a free dog tag to help prevent the loss of your pet.

    We liked the wide teeth and larger size of their tool but felt the blades were too dull to get rid of and matted hair. If you have a smaller-sized dog, this comb may be too large to get into the smaller areas of your pet.

    Pros
    • Two-sided head
    • Ergonomic anti-slip grip
    • Includes dog tag
    Cons
    • Dull
    • Too big for small dogs

    8. Poodle Pet Dog Dematting Tool

    Poodle Pet

    The Poodle Pet Dog Dematting Tool is four inches wide and features two rows of round metal bristles. These bristles are stiff and won’t bend like soft bristles, but the round tip prevents the comb from scratching your pet’s skin. We found the brush very durable and have no fears about it lasting several years.

    What we didn’t like about this comb is that it isn’t perfect for thick coats or dogs with a heavily matted undercoat. This comb can break up some knots, but it cannot cut through any dense mats or thin the coat.

    Pros
    • Rounded bristles
    • Two rows
    • Durable
    • Comfortable handle
    Cons
    • Not good for thick coats
    • Won’t trim or cut

    9. LilPals Dog De-Matting Comb

    LilPals W6216

    The LilPals W6216 NCL00 Dog De-Matting Comb is a small comb featuring serrated-edged stainless steel blades perfect for de-matting and grooming small dogs and cats. The small blades let you slowly work your way into dense knots to break them up gently without injuring your pet. The blades are reversible if you are left-handed, and this feature also allows you to replace worn-out or broken blades.

    After reviewing this comb, we feel that it’s most likely too small for most people. It’s very sharp and works well with tiny knots, but there is a particular technique that you need to use, and it is hard to get the hang of it, especially with no instructions. Its small size limits its usefulness to targeted areas and small dogs. Even small grooming projects take a long time and require plenty of patience. Another problem we run into with this type of comb is that we tend to cut ourselves on them.

    Pros
    • Stainless steel serrated blades
    • Reversible for left-handed use
    Cons
    • Only for small dogs
    • Slow
    • Learning curve
    • Easy to cut yourself

    10. Paws Pamper Dematting Comb

    Paws Pamper

    The Paws Pamper Dematting Comb is the final dog de-matting tool on our list. This de-matter is similar to the last brand but features larger blades. This model has twelve stainless steel teeth that won’t rust. Each blade has rounded edges and there is a convenient place to rest your thumb while you work. The handle is durable hard plastic.

    The downside is that these blades are very dull and only served to pull our pet’s hair, and the thin handle had our hands cramping up quickly while grooming our dogs. We liked that it was a little larger than some of the other brands with this style but poked and pulled too much to recommend it.

    Pros
    • Stainless steel blades
    • Large blades
    • Thumb rest
    Cons
    • Dull
    • Thin handle
    • Pokes pet

    hepper-dog-paw-divider 5

    Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Dog Dematting Tool

    Let’s have a look at the two most common tools for de-matting your pet.

    Undercoat Rake

    Rakes are also known as undercoat rakes, and it resembles a shaving razor with metal bristles or rounded blades where the blades would be. This tool digs into the undercoat where it can break apart knots and mats, but if used aggressively, it can pull the hair from your dog. It allows you to press down firmly, which can be helpful in some situations, but it is easy to press too hard and push the metal bristles into your pet, scratching them.

    Undercoat Comb

    An undercoat comb resembles a small handheld comb with a handle. The teeth of this type of comb are thin, sharp blades. These blades often have serrated edges that you can use to cut around thick mats and knots. These tools can be quite valuable for removing knots and mats but they are also very sharp, and it’s easy to cut yourself or your pet.

    Blades

    Both types of de-matting tools use blades, and there are a few things to consider about the blades.

    Sharpness

    Sharper blades will make the job of breaking up a dense mat much easier, but it will also make your tool very dangerous for you and your pet.

    Shape

    The shape of the blade is essential to a useful tool. If it’s an undercoat rake, it needs rounded blades that won’t scratch your pet as it glides over the skin.  The sharp part of the blade on this type of tool is on the inside.

    On undercoat combs, the blades are flat and sharp. These blades can have curves or serrations to help cut through dense fur.

    furminators grooming deshedding brush tools for pet cats and dogs
    Image Credit: Photo_mts, Shutterstock

    Length

    The length of the blade on either type of dog de-matting tool will determine how deep the tool can work. Long-haired dogs and dogs with dense fur like a husky will need a tool with longer blades.

    Handle

    The handle may not seem like a big deal, but after a few hours of grooming your pet, you will appreciate a soft grip that won’t slip, and won’t cause your hand to cramp. We recommend always taking a look at the handle before purchasing to make sure it will work for you.

    hepper-dog-paw-divider2

    Final Thoughts

    If you’re still trying to figure out which dematting tool is best for your pup after reading through the buyer’s guide and the reviews, don’t overthink it! There’s a reason the Andis Dematting Tool is our top choice, as it’s an awesome combination of price and quality with great reviews. Of course, if you’re in a tight spot financially, the Pet Republique Dematting Tool can save you a few bucks and still give you the results you’re looking for.

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