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10 Best Dematting Tools for Cats in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Written by: Christian Adams

Last Updated on March 6, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

hand holding shedded cat hair

10 Best Dematting Tools for Cats in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

hand holding shedded cat hair

Keeping your feline healthy and happy is your top priority, but are you brushing your cat’s hair every week? Cat owners often disregard grooming duties because cats seem to take care of themselves pretty well.

Cats are methodical about cleaning their fur, but sometimes, they need help to remove matted and loose hair. Using a dematting tool can keep your cat’s fur silky and attractive, but researching numerous styles and brands can take a significant amount of time. To make your search easier, we’ve compiled a list of reviews for the best dematting tools this year.3 cat face divider

A Quick Comparison of Our Winnder in 2024

Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Pat Your Pet Grooming Tool Pat Your Pet Grooming Tool
  • Dual-side design
  • Rounded edges on blades
  • Effective for dematting and deshedding
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Oster De-Shedding Tool Oster De-Shedding Tool
  • Great price
  • Lightweight design
  • Durable dematting blades
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    GoPets Dematting Comb GoPets Dematting Comb
  • Durable and effective
  • Dematting and deshedding tool
  • Dual-sided
  • Ameliade Cat Comb Hair Removal Ameliade Cat Comb Hair Removal
  • Lightweight
  • Affordable
  • Flexible teeth are easy on kittens’ skin
  • FURminator Adjustable Dematting Tool FURminator Adjustable Dematting Tool
  • Sturdy design
  • Comfortable handle
  • Adjustable blade length
  • The 10 Best Dematting Tools for Cats

    1. Pat Your Pet Pet Grooming Tool – Best Overall

    Size: Small
    Weight: 4.06 ounces
    Color: Black/Blue

    Our best dematting tool pick is the Pat Your Pet Grooming Tool. It has similar features as a premium, professional dematting tool but has a more reasonable price. It’s a double-sided brush with nine teeth on one side to smooth out matted fur and 17 teeth on the other side to remove loose hair and reduce shedding. The extra-wide brush grabs more fur than other models with narrower designs, and the rounded blade tips are smooth on your kitty’s skin.

    The tool’s handle has a comfortable grip, and the anti-slip ribbing on the sides of the handle allows you to groom your feline in wet or dry conditions. You can smooth out tangles and massage your cat’s coat while bathing it, and your hand will stay firmly attached when the tool is soaking wet.

    You’re unlikely to find another tool to minimize shedding, smooth out matted fur, and remove loose hair for such a low price. The Pat Your Pet’s only drawback is that the handle may be too small for larger hands.

    Pros
    • Dual-side design
    • Effective for dematting and deshedding
    • Rounded edges on blades
    Cons
    • Handle is too small for larger hands

    2. Oster ShedMonster De-Shedding Tool for Cats – Best Value

    Oster ShedMonster De-Shedding Tool for Cats

    Size: One size
    Weight: 3.2 ounces
    Color: Black/yellow

    If you’re looking for a quality de-shedder for under ten dollars, you can try the Oster ShedMonster D-Shedding Tool. The Oster brush impressed us with its solid design, and it won our best dematting tool for the money award. The stainless-steel dematting blades are similar to those on models with a much higher price tag.

    The curved blade glides over the cat’s undercoat and loosens matted hair, and the smaller profile is less intimidating to timid cats that run at the sight of a massive brush. The ergonomic handle is comfortable, but it’s not technically an anti-slip grip used in other brands. If you brush or massage your cat’s hair in the bathtub, your hand can slip if the handle is wet.

    Pros
    • Great price
    • Lightweight design
    • Durable dematting blades
    Cons
    • Handle can slip if wet

    3. GoPets Dematting Comb with Grooming Rake – Premium Choice

    GoPets Dematting Comb

    Size: One size
    Weight: 3.52 ounces
    Color: Gray and orange

    Our favorite premium dematting tool is the GoPets Dematting Comb with 2 Sided Professional Grooming Rake. The two-sided brush has one side with wider-gapped teeth to comb out matted hair and a side with tighter-spaced teeth to remove loose fur. After removing tangles with the brush, you can flip it over to reach the undercoat to grab shed hair that would otherwise end up on your rug and furniture.

    The professional-grade brush is easy to use and incredibly effective at smoothing out mats and minimizing shedding. Go Pets includes a 100% money-back guarantee so you can return the brush if you’re unsatisfied.

    The gel handle is comfortable on your hand but not as durable as other non-slip handles. Try not to store the brush near sharp or pointed objects. If the handle is punctured, the gel can leak out.

    Pros
    • Durable and effective
    • Dual-sided
    • Dematting and deshedding tool
    Cons
    • Gel handle can leak if punctured

    4. Ameliade Cat Comb Pet Short & Long Hair Removal – Best for Kittens

    Ameliade Cat Comb Pet Short

    Size: One size
    Weight: 1.59 ounces
    Color: Green, blue, or pink

    Some dematting tools are too rough for a young cat or kitten, but the Ameliade Cat Comb Pet Short & Long Hair Removal is a lightweight comb that’s not abrasive or rigid. Unlike its competitors, the comb is used more like a claw than a brush. Instead of a cylindrical handle, the comb uses a cat-shaped loop you wrap your fingers around.

    The comb’s flexible teeth glide across a kitten’s coat to remove loose hair and light tangles. It’s suited for kittens and small cats afraid of traditional cat brushes but not for long-haired adult cats. Although it’s ineffective for removing difficult tangles or excessive matting, it can be used daily on your kitten to prevent tangling and matting. It’s the lightest brush we reviewed, and your kitten is sure to prefer a light brush over a robust model.

    Pros
    • Lightweight
    • Flexible teeth are easy on kittens’ skin
    • Affordable
    Cons
    • Cannot handle significant matting
    • Not durable

    5. FURminator Adjustable Dematting Tool

    FURminator Adjustable Dematting

    Size: One size
    Weight: 6.1 ounces
    Color: Gray, yellow/green

    The FURminator Adjustable Dematting Tool is a hefty brush with rounded teeth for untangling matted hair. It has a unique blade system that lets you adjust the length of the teeth depending on the length of the cat’s fur. It has an ergonomic handle, a firm grip, and sturdy stainless-steel teeth built to last several years. It’s best for long-haired adult cats because of its weight, which may be too heavy for a kitten or skittish cat.

    The blades of the tools are adequate for dematting, but you must be careful to use the device as directed to prevent discomfort. Although it can remove stubborn tangles, the brush isn’t as wide as other models and does not cover as much area.

    Pros
    • Sturdy design
    • Adjustable blade length
    • Comfortable handle
    Cons
    • Too heavy for small cats
    • Brush head is too narrow

    6. ShedTitan Pet Grooming Tools Value Bundle

    ShedTitan Pet Grooming Tools Value Bundle

    Size: One size for each tool
    Weight: 14.89 ounces
    Color: Yellow/black

    If you have a long-haired feline with a thick coat, you can use the ShedTitan Pet Grooming Tools Value Bundle for grooming. The bundle includes a dual-sided brush for removing loose fur and a sharp tool for removing stubborn matted hair. The dual-sided brush is similar to competitors’ models, but the wider design can cover more area faster. The dematting comb is excellent for extra-long hair but may be too abrasive for short to medium-haired felines.

    Although several dematting tools have sharp blades, the comb is exceptionally sharp. If you use the comb, be gentle with your strokes and avoid touching the blades.

    Pros
    • Great price for two tools
    • Removes large tangles
    • Comfortable grips
    Cons
    • Comb is not for short-haired cats
    • Blades can cut your hand

    7. Hertzko Maty Remover Grooming Comb For Cats

    Grooming Comb Suitable

    Size: One size
    Weight: 3 ounces
    Color: Purple/black

    The lightweight Hertzko Maty Remover Grooming Comb For Cats may be small, but it has large blades to reach under matted long hair. The blade stems are sharp, but they have rounded ends that glide smoothly across the undercoat. It has a soft, comfortable, non-slip handle with a helpful thumb grip to give you more control during brushing.

    The wide gaps between the teeth allow you to remove collected hair easily, but you have to be careful around the sharp blades. Although it works well on long-haired felines, the deeply grooved tool may be too rough for cats with thinner coats.

    Compared to other models of its size, it’s a bit more expensive and has a narrower cutting path. This tool is not designed for kittens or cats with skin conditions.

    Pros
    • Lightweight
    • Non-slip handle
    • Handy thumb grip
    Cons
    • Brush head is too narrow
    • Cannot loosen complex tangles
    • Not for short-haired cats or kittens

    8. Mars Coat King Mini for Detail Body Work on Cats

    Mars Coat King Mini for Detail Body Work on Dogs and Cats

    Size: 10 blades fine, 14 blades extra fine
    Weight: 2.82 ounces
    Color: Stained wood and stainless steel

    Unlike the previous products, the Mars Coat King Mini for Detail Body Work on Cats has a stained wood handle instead of a non-slip grip made of plastic. It’s available in a 10-blade matting tool and a larger 14-blade model. The stainless-steel blades remove tangles and grab loose hair. Although it’s more stylish than other models, the wooden handle is less practical than a non-slip one.

    If you use the tool when it’s wet, your hand can slip and possibly upset your cat. The Coat King Mini is durable, but it has a much narrower cutting surface than other tools, and some customers complained that the tool got caught in their long-haired animal’s fur. For dematting, it’s not as effective as other brands, and it’s pricey.

    Pros
    • Durable construction
    • Stylish design
    • Choice of two sizes
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Handle can slip
    • Narrow cutting surface

    9. Petoffers 3 in 1 Pet Grooming Brush

    Petoffers 3 in 1 Pet Grooming Brush

    Size: One size for three tools
    Weight: 4.69 ounces
    Color: Orange/black

    If you’re looking for a tool that includes a flea comb, dematting tool, and deshedding brush, you can try the Petoffers 3 in 1 Pet Grooming Brush. The palm-shaped device has a clever design that allows you to change the head type by pushing a button and rotating the head. It’s safe to use on dogs and cats, but the small tool is better for short-haired pets with light coats.

    Switching to a flea comb or deshedder is nice, but the tool cannot handle stubborn tangles or excessive matting. The manufacturer suggests removing knots and tangles before using the brush.

    Although you get three tools for a low price, the Petoffers is not as sturdy as other brands, and it’s not up to the task of smoothing out matted fur. It’s better suited for kittens or young short-haired cats.

    Pros
    • Low price
    • Three tools in one
    Cons
    • Not durable
    • Rotating head is too small
    • Cannot handle long hair

    10. Andis Pet Grooming Tool

    Andis Pet Grooming Tool

    Size: One size
    Weight: 2.88 ounces
    Color: Green/white

    The Andis Pet Grooming Tool has a lightweight design and a comfortable handle that gives you a firm grip while grooming your kitty. Its blades remove loose fur and matted hair, and the rounded tips prevent irritation or scratching. It’s lighter than some of its competitors, and some customers were satisfied with the results.

    However, the narrow cutting surface makes your grooming sessions take longer, and pet owners dislike the dullness of the blades. Compared to other brands with more effective dematting blades, the Andis Pet tool is expensive. If your cat has problems with matting or stubborn tangles, we suggest using a brush with sharper blades and a wider cutting surface.

    Pros
    • Comfortable handle
    • Lightweight
    Cons
    • Dull blades
    • Narrow Cutting surface
    • Expensive

    3 cat face divider

    Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Dematting Tool for Cats

    The brands we reviewed only represent a small portion of the de-matting tools available online, but we tried to include a broad selection of products with different styles, prices, and features.

    If you have a long-haired feline that requires daily grooming, we suggest buying a durable tool that can last several years. For cats with minimal grooming requirements, a premium brush is probably unnecessary. Selecting the perfect tool for a cat depends on a few minor factors.

    Your Cat’s Coat Type

    Long-haired cats with thick, bushy coats tend to have more problems with matting and tangles. Long-haired Orientals, Persians, and Himalayan cats need a sturdy dematting tool with sharp blades.

    However, unless your cat spends most of their time outdoors, you won’t need to use the dematting tool as often as a brush. You’ll have to use a grooming brush daily on a bushy cat, but you’ll only need to de-mat the fur once a week if the cat stays clean.

    For short-haired cats with thin coats, you may not need to use a de-matting tool. A slicker brush or comb can keep your short hair’s coat soft and healthy if you groom the animal at least once or twice a week.

    The Weight of the Brush

    Kittens and smaller cats typically prefer a lighter brush than a robust one, and we included the lightest brush we reviewed as the best option for kittens. Since most of the brushes we discussed weigh less than a pound, they won’t harm your cat, but some felines may dislike how a heavier tool feels.

    Grooming your fur baby is a process that they very likely either love or hate. If your cat tends to lean towards the hate side of grooming sessions, you can make it a bit more enjoyable with our favorite brush, The Hepper Cat Brush. This brush has soft pins and a one-click button for easy clean-up, making this brush something that both you and your cat will enjoy. Click here to try it out!

    Hepper Deshedding Cat Brush
    • ONE PUSH RELEASE - This kitten brush / cat brush pops out fur with just a simple press, leaving you...
    • DURABLE - Cat shedding can be a tough ordeal. Made of resilient ABS plastic and metal bristles with...
    • COMFORTABLE - A cat fur brush with 60 degree angled, fine bristles and rubber stoppers will bring...

    At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!

    The Cat’s Preferences

    It can take your kitty a while to warm up to frequent grooming or weekly dematting, but eventually, they may grow to appreciate the ritual. However, if your feline has had a bad experience with a dematting tool, you may have to try another product.

    When a tool gets stuck in a tangle or injures your pet, it’s better to discard it and try a different design.

    Ameliade Cat Comb Pet Short & Long Hair Removal

    3 cat divider

    The 5 Grooming Tips for a Trouble-Free Experience

    Your cat may not enjoy the grooming experience until they’re accustomed to the routine. Cats that aren’t fond of petting or laying in your lap can take a few weeks or months to get accustomed to having their fur groomed. Stay patient with your furry friend, and use these tips to help your cat tolerate and enjoy grooming.

    1. Wait Until the Cat is Calm

    As you probably know, cats can have a spontaneous burst of energy that causes them to run laps around your room and furniture. Wait until your cat is relaxed and possibly close to taking a nap before using the grooming tools.

    Lazy cats are much easier to groom, and it’s safer for your cat to be calm when you use a sharp tool. A frantic cat can cause injuries or be injured if the blades slip.

    cat sitting on owners lap
    Photo Credit by: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock

    2. Inspect Your Cat’s Skin Before Brushing

    Looking closely at your cat’s fur and skin before dematting can help you avoid any bumps or sensitive areas. A dematting tool can cause a great deal of pain if it cuts a mole or pimple on your cat’s body. Avoid bumpy areas, damaged skin, or wounds when you use the tool.

    grooming ragdoll cat
    Photo Credit by: Pxhere

    3. Brush in the Direction of the Growth

    Typically, cats and dogs dislike being pet from tail to head, and most animals will express their displeasure vocally or with a quick snap of their jaws. Using a tool or grooming brush against the direction of the hair’s growth can produce a similar reaction, but it can also injure your pet.

    Although you may be tempted to approach a stubborn tangle from a different direction with a dematting tool, suppress the urge, and only move the device in the direction of the growth.

    brushing a ragdoll cat
    Photo Credit by: VeronArt16, Shutterstock

    4. Follow the Manufacturer’s Directions

    How complicated can dematting be? Using a dematting tool is simple, but read the instructions before using a new product. Some grooming tools are not designed for wet hair, and they can tear up the animal’s coat and damage its skin when used improperly.

    person brushing a gray cat
    Photo Credit by: alektas, Pixabay

    5. Be Gentle

    Grooming is an activity that cannot be rushed. The dematting tools are designed with sharp blades, and you must move slowly to keep your feline safe. If you encounter a tangle close to the skin and nearly impossible to fix with your tool, contact a professional groomer for an appointment.

    professional groomer grooming persian cat
    Photo Credit by: artcasta, Shutterstock

    3 cat face divider

    Conclusion

    Frequent grooming and dematting can keep your feline’s fur silky and healthy. Our best overall pick for dematting tools is the Pat Your Pet Grooming Tool. Its dual-head design allows you to perform all the necessary grooming functions with one tool.

    Our best dematting tool for the money is the Oster ShedMonster De-Shedding Tool. It’s effective and available for a lower price than similar designs. After examining our reviews and buyer’s guide, we hope you find the dematting tool that’s ideal for your cat.


    Featured Image Credit: Doucefleur, Shutterstock

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