Best Deshedding Brushes and Tools (2026) for Dogs and Cats

For a dog or cat with a dense undercoat, the tool to buy is a FURminator undercoat deShedding tool in the version for your pet's size and hair length. For a short single coat, a rubber curry brush or a grooming glove is gentler and usually enough. This guide matches nine tools to coat types and sets out the limits the makers and the ASPCA publish, because a deshedding blade used too often is the easiest way to irritate a pet's skin.

How we chose: we did not test these tools; every pick is sold by Amazon.com or the brand's own store, and features come from the listing or the maker's page.

Undercoat or single coat: what you are brushing

Shedding comes from two kinds of coat. A double coat has a soft, dense undercoat under longer guard hairs; huskies, shepherds, retrievers and many long-haired cats shed the undercoat in clumps. A single coat has no thick undercoat, so hair comes out a strand at a time.

That difference decides the tool. FURminator says its undercoat tool "may be used on most animals that shed, including dogs, cats, and other pets with an undercoat," and that it "should not be used on non-shedding breeds or on pets with particularly sensitive skin," per its FAQ.

Brushing will not stop shedding. The ASPCA's dog grooming tips say shedding old or damaged hair is normal and that "while you cannot stop a healthy dog from normal shedding, you can reduce the amount of hair in your home by brushing your dog regularly."

Nine deshedding tools compared

Prices are Amazon's, as of the time shown, and subject to change. Details

Which tool does what

• Undercoat deshedding blade (FURminator, SleekEZ): a fine-toothed edge that reaches through the topcoat to pull loose undercoat. The most hair per stroke, and the most care needed.
• Undercoat rake (FURminator Grooming Rake): rows of metal teeth that work through dense fur and loosen tangles; on the FURminator rake, the listing says the teeth rotate.
• Slicker brush (Andis): fine bent wire pins for tangles and loose hair on medium and long coats, and for the pre-brush before a blade.
• Rubber curry brush (Freshly Bailey): soft rubber nubs that lift loose hair from short coats, dry or in the bath.
• Grooming glove (HandsOn): rubber nodules on a glove; surface hair only, but many pets accept it as petting.

How to use a deshedding tool without hurting the skin

FURminator's product page sets out the method, and it applies to any blade-style tool:

1. Check the skin first. Look for sores, bruises and skin conditions the coat may hide, and FURminator says to seek treatment from a vet before brushing if you find any.
2. Remove tangles and mats first with a rake or dematting tool. The FAQ warns that using the tool on matted or tangled fur "can bend or break the teeth, as well as feel uncomfortable for the pet."
3. Stroke in the direction of hair growth, head to tail, with "extra care near the stomach, legs, genitals, and anus."
4. Use fewer, long, gentle strokes. FURminator says to avoid "making excessive strokes in a single area" and to avoid excessive pressure, because "deep or rough brushing can still irritate pet skin."
5. Stop if you see redness or irritation. FURminator: "If you notice any redness or irritation discontinue use."

Key point: more is not better. FURminator says to use its undercoat tool "1-2 times a week for 10 to 20 minutes each session," more often only during heavy shedding seasons. Between those sessions, use a slicker, curry or glove.

For dogs: pick by weight and hair length

FURminator sells its dog tools by weight (small, medium, large) and by hair length (short or long). Buy the medium short-hair tool for a dog of 25 to 50 lb with a short double coat, and the large long-hair tool for a dog over 50 lb with long fur. Pair either with the FURminator Grooming Rake or the Andis slicker to take out tangles first.

How often to brush depends on the coat. The ASPCA says smooth, short coats need brushing "once a week," short dense fur "once a week is fine," and long, silky coats need "daily attention." Use the blade in only one or two of those sessions a week.

For a short single coat, skip the blade. The Freshly Bailey rubber curry or HandsOn gloves lift loose hair without cutting into the coat.

For cats: gentler tools, shorter sessions

The ASPCA's cat grooming tips say "one or two brushings per week" keep a cat's coat healthy, and that long-haired indoor cats shed through the year and need grooming "every few days" to prevent tangles. Skipping it, the ASPCA warns, "can lead to painful tangles and a bellyful of hair."

For a short-haired cat, choose the FURminator small cat tool under 10 lb or the medium to large cat tool over 10 lb, per the listings. FURminator's small cat listing says deshedding "can help reduce hairball formation because fewer loose hairs are consumed during self-grooming." That is the maker's claim.

Many cats object to a blade. If yours does, the HandsOn gloves let you groom during petting, and the ASPCA's advice to run your hands along the body during weekly grooming, "checking for wounds, bumps, tangles, parasites, and debris," is easy to do in the same session.

When shedding is a vet question

Heavy shedding can be seasonal, but it can also be a sign of a problem. The ASPCA says to consult your veterinarian if a cat is losing "an excessive amount of hair or has bald patches," and to watch dogs for "skin irritation, including redness, bumps, rashes or scabs." A new brush will not fix any of those.

Recalls: we found no CPSC recall of any tool on this page. In 2024 the CPSC announced a recall of FURminator deShedding Ultra Premium Dog Conditioner (1 gallon) over bacteria; it is a conditioner, not a brush. Check any grooming product on our pet recall list.

What we left out

The Hertzko self-cleaning slicker, KONG ZoomGroom, Coastal Safari undercoat rakes and Chris Christensen slickers were only offered by third-party sellers when we checked, so they have no product card here. If you buy one, check who the seller is on the listing.

For the rest of your cat's routine, see our guides to cat water fountains and escape-proof cat harnesses.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I use a deshedding tool?

FURminator says 1 to 2 times a week for 10 to 20 minutes, and more often only during heavy shedding seasons. On other days, use a slicker, curry or glove.

Can a deshedding tool hurt my dog or cat?

Yes, if it is used with too much pressure, on the same spot, or on matted fur. FURminator says deep or rough brushing can irritate skin and to stop if you see redness or irritation.

Should I use a FURminator on a poodle or other non-shedding breed?

No. FURminator says its undercoat tool should not be used on non-shedding breeds or on pets with particularly sensitive skin.

Is a grooming glove as good as a brush?

Not for deep undercoat. A glove pulls loose surface hair and suits pets that dislike brushes; for a thick double coat, pair it with a rake or undercoat tool.

Does brushing reduce hairballs in cats?

The ASPCA says skipping brushing can lead to "a bellyful of hair," and FURminator says deshedding can help reduce hairball formation. If your cat brings up hairballs often, ask your vet.

This guide is general information, not veterinary advice (read more). Ask your vet about skin problems, heavy shedding or hair loss.

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PetProofLab is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We did not test these tools; features are the makers' own.