# Best Deshedding Brushes and Tools (2026) for Dogs and Cats > Undercoat tools, rakes, slickers, rubber curries and grooming gloves for dogs and cats, matched to coat type, with FURminator's own limits on how often to use one. - Source: https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/best-deshedding-brushes - Publisher: PetProofLab (https://petprooflab.com) - Published: 2026-09-28 - Category: grooming-health - Tags: deshedding, dog grooming, cat grooming, undercoat rake, slicker brush, shedding, FURminator - Method: picks chosen from Amazon listings and brand specs; not hands-on tested; current Amazon prices are on the page; content checked 2026-09-28. - Quick answer: For a dog or cat with a thick undercoat, buy a FURminator undercoat deShedding tool in your pet's weight and hair-length version, and use it the way FURminator says: 1 to 2 times a week for 10 to 20 minutes, never on non-shedding breeds or sensitive skin. For a single, short coat, a rubber curry brush or grooming glove does the job more gently. ## Key takeaways - Match the tool to the coat: undercoat tools and rakes are for double coats; rubber curries and gloves suit short, single coats. - FURminator says to use its undercoat tool 1 to 2 times a week for 10 to 20 minutes, and not on non-shedding breeds or pets with particularly sensitive skin. - Brush out mats and tangles first; FURminator warns that working its tool through matted fur can break the teeth and feel uncomfortable for the pet. - The ASPCA says you cannot stop a healthy dog's normal shedding, only reduce the hair in your home by brushing regularly. - Excessive hair loss, bald patches, redness or scabs are a reason to call your vet, not to brush harder. ## Products (chosen from listings, not tested) 1. **FURminator Undercoat deShedding Tool, Medium Dog, Short Hair** (details: https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/best-deshedding-brushes#product-B07MZD93QQ) — The undercoat tool to buy for a medium, short-coated shedder such as a Lab-sized dog. - Pros: For dogs of 25 to 50 lb with short hair, per the listing; Stainless edge reaches through the topcoat to loose undercoat, per FURminator; FURejector button pushes collected hair off the teeth - Cons: Not for non-shedding breeds or pets with particularly sensitive skin, per FURminator 2. **FURminator Undercoat deShedding Tool, Large Dog, Long Hair** (details: https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/best-deshedding-brushes#product-B07MZDTG76) — For a big double-coated dog with long fur, once the coat is tangle-free. - Pros: For dogs over 50 lb with long hair, per the listing; Long-hair version is built to reach through a longer topcoat; Sold by Amazon.com - Cons: Brush out mats first; FURminator says the teeth can bend on tangled fur 3. **FURminator deShedding Tool, Medium to Large Cat, Short Hair** (details: https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/best-deshedding-brushes#product-B07MZD3ZVF) — The cat version to buy for a short-haired cat over 10 lb. - Pros: Large size is for cats over 10 lb, per the listing; Curved Skin Guard edge is designed to stop the blade digging in at the edges; Sold by Amazon.com - Cons: Still a blade: FURminator says rough or deep brushing can irritate skin 4. **FURminator deShedding Tool, Small Cat, Short Hair** (details: https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/best-deshedding-brushes#product-B002TMHRA8) — The size-down for a small short-haired cat. - Pros: For cats under 10 lb with short hair, per the listing; Narrower edge than the large cat tool; Sold by Amazon.com - Cons: Same rules as the other FURminators: 1 to 2 short sessions a week 5. **FURminator Grooming Rake for Dogs and Cats with Thick Coats** (details: https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/best-deshedding-brushes#product-B07NGM3QRN) — The first tool to reach for on a thick, tangle-prone coat, before any blade. - Pros: Rotating metal teeth for dense fur and double coats, per the listing; Removes loose hair and tangles and helps prevent mats; Sold by Amazon.com - Cons: Made for thick coats; overkill on a short single coat 6. **Andis Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush, Large** (details: https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/best-deshedding-brushes#product-B0CF2SMTX6) — A general-purpose slicker for medium and long coats, and for the pre-brush FURminator asks for. - Pros: Curved stainless steel pins for tangles, debris and loose hair, per the listing; Self-cleaning pins; lightweight plastic body; Sold by Amazon.com - Cons: Wire pins need a light hand on thin-skinned pets 7. **SleekEZ Deshedding Dog Brush, 5 Inch** (details: https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/best-deshedding-brushes#product-B00VC8DQX2) — A simple deshedding blade that also cleans hair off furniture. - Pros: Patented edge grabs loose hair from the tips, per SleekEZ; Works on short, medium and long coats, per the listing; made in the USA; Doubles as a hair rake for couches and car seats; sold by SleekEZ - Cons: A single edge, no ejector button 8. **Freshly Bailey Rubber Curry Brush for Dogs** (details: https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/best-deshedding-brushes#product-B0BMM52LYC) — The gentle choice for a short, single-coated dog. - Pros: Soft rubber tips for dry brushing short to medium coats, per the listing; Also lathers shampoo at bath time; Sold by Freshly Bailey - Cons: Dry, it works best on short to medium coats, per the listing 9. **HandsOn Pet Grooming Gloves, Large** (details: https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/best-deshedding-brushes#product-B0942XKZMJ) — For a pet that will not sit still for a brush but will take a stroke. - Pros: Rubber nodules on fingers and palms for shedding, bathing and massage, per the listing; Rub the gloves together to shed the hair; machine washable; Sold by HandsOn Gloves, the brand's store - Cons: Pulls surface hair; it will not reach deep undercoat 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](https://www.furminator.com/tips-and-info/faqs). Brushing will not stop shedding. The ASPCA's [dog grooming tips](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/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 | Tool | Type | Best coat | Pet | Amazon price | |---|---|---|---|---| | [FURminator Medium Dog, Short Hair](https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/best-deshedding-brushes#product-B07MZD93QQ) | Undercoat blade | Short double coat | Dogs 25–50 lb | see the current Amazon price on the page | | [FURminator Large Dog, Long Hair](https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/best-deshedding-brushes#product-B07MZDTG76) | Undercoat blade | Long double coat | Dogs over 50 lb | see the current Amazon price on the page | | [FURminator Medium–Large Cat, Short Hair](https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/best-deshedding-brushes#product-B07MZD3ZVF) | Undercoat blade | Short coat | Cats over 10 lb | see the current Amazon price on the page | | [FURminator Small Cat, Short Hair](https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/best-deshedding-brushes#product-B002TMHRA8) | Undercoat blade | Short coat | Cats under 10 lb | see the current Amazon price on the page | | [FURminator Grooming Rake](https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/best-deshedding-brushes#product-B07NGM3QRN) | Rotating-tooth rake | Thick, dense coat | Dogs and cats | see the current Amazon price on the page | | [Andis Self-Cleaning Slicker, Large](https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/best-deshedding-brushes#product-B0CF2SMTX6) | Slicker brush | Medium to long | Dogs and cats | see the current Amazon price on the page | | [SleekEZ Deshedding Brush](https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/best-deshedding-brushes#product-B00VC8DQX2) | Deshedding edge | All lengths (listing) | Dogs | see the current Amazon price on the page | | [Freshly Bailey Rubber Curry](https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/best-deshedding-brushes#product-B0BMM52LYC) | Rubber curry | Short to medium | Dogs | see the current Amazon price on the page | | [HandsOn Grooming Gloves](https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/best-deshedding-brushes#product-B0942XKZMJ) | Glove | Surface hair, any coat | Dogs and cats | see the current Amazon price on the page | ## 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](https://www.furminator.com/products/tools/deshedding-tools/undercoat-deshedding-tool-medium-dog-short-hair) 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](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/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](https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Spectrum-Brands-Pet-Care-Recalls-Pet-Fur-deShedding-Conditioner-Due-to-Risk-of-Exposure-to-Bacteria) (1 gallon) over bacteria; it is a conditioner, not a brush. Check any grooming product on our [pet recall list](https://petprooflab.com/recalls). ## 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](https://petprooflab.com/food-feeding/cat-water-fountains) and [escape-proof cat harnesses](https://petprooflab.com/walks-travel/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](https://petprooflab.com/about#veterinary)). Ask your vet about skin problems, heavy shedding or hair loss.* --- *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.* ## Sources - furminator.com: [FAQ](https://www.furminator.com/tips-and-info/faqs) - ASPCA: [Dog grooming tips](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-grooming-tips) - furminator.com: [Undercoat deshedding tool medium dog short hair](https://www.furminator.com/products/tools/deshedding-tools/undercoat-deshedding-tool-medium-dog-short-hair) - ASPCA: [Cat grooming tips](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/cat-grooming-tips) - U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: [Recall of FURminator deShedding Ultra Premium Dog Conditioner](https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Spectrum-Brands-Pet-Care-Recalls-Pet-Fur-deShedding-Conditioner-Due-to-Risk-of-Exposure-to-Bacteria) --- Last updated: 2026-09-28 Canonical URL: https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/best-deshedding-brushes How to cite: "Best Deshedding Brushes and Tools (2026) for Dogs and Cats", PetProofLab, https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/best-deshedding-brushes (checked 2026-09-28). Disclosure: as an Amazon Associate PetProofLab earns from qualifying purchases. Safety information summarizes public guidance and is not medical advice.