# FURminator vs Hertzko (2026): Deshedding Tool or Slicker Brush? > The FURminator undercoat tool and the Hertzko self-cleaning slicker do different jobs. Edge vs pins, sizes by weight and hair length, and the coats each suits. - Source: https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/furminator-vs-hertzko - Publisher: PetProofLab (https://petprooflab.com) - Published: 2026-09-28 - Category: grooming-health - Tags: FURminator, Hertzko, slicker brush, deshedding tool, undercoat, dog grooming, cat grooming - 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: Buy the FURminator if your dog or cat has a dense undercoat that comes out in clumps: its stainless-steel edge reaches through the topcoat, it comes in sizes by weight and hair length, and FURminator says to use it only 1 to 2 times a week and never on non-shedding breeds. Buy a self-cleaning slicker such as the Hertzko for everyday tangles on any coat, including curly and doodle coats. Most double-coated pets do best with both. The Hertzko was sold only by a third-party seller when we checked, so our slicker card is the Andis self-cleaning slicker from Amazon.com. ## Key takeaways - Different tools: the FURminator is a fine-toothed steel edge for loose undercoat; the Hertzko is a slicker with fine, bent wire pins for tangles and loose hair. - FURminator sizes dogs by weight (medium 25 to 50 lb, large over 50 lb) and by short or long hair; cat tools split at 10 lb. - FURminator says 1 to 2 sessions a week of 10 to 20 minutes, and not on non-shedding breeds or pets with particularly sensitive skin. - Both clear hair with a button: FURminator's FURejector pushes hair off the edge; Hertzko's pins retract into the pad. - Brush out tangles before the FURminator: its maker warns that matted fur can bend or break the teeth. ## Products (chosen from listings, not tested) 1. **FURminator Undercoat deShedding Tool, Medium Dog, Short Hair** (details: https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/furminator-vs-hertzko#product-B07MZD93QQ) — The FURminator to buy for a medium-sized, short-coated shedder. - Pros: For dogs of 25 to 50 lb with short hair, per the listing; Stainless-steel edge reaches through the topcoat to loose undercoat, per FURminator; FURejector button releases collected hair; sold by Amazon.com - 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/furminator-vs-hertzko#product-B07MZDTG76) — For a large, long-coated double-coated dog, after a slicker has done its work. - Pros: For dogs over 50 lb with long hair, per the listing; Same FURejector button and ergonomic handle as the short-hair tools; Sold by Amazon.com - Cons: Needs a tangle-free coat first; FURminator says matted fur can bend or break the teeth 3. **FURminator deShedding Tool, Medium to Large Cat, Short Hair** (details: https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/furminator-vs-hertzko#product-B07MZD3ZVF) — The FURminator for a larger short-haired cat that sheds heavily. - Pros: For short-haired cats over 10 lb, per the listing; Curved Skin Guard edge is designed to stop the edge digging in; Sold by Amazon.com - Cons: FURminator makes a separate small cat tool for cats under 10 lb 4. **Andis Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush, Large** (details: https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/furminator-vs-hertzko#product-B0CF2SMTX6) — The self-cleaning slicker we could trace to Amazon.com, for the same everyday job the Hertzko does. - Pros: Long, curved stainless-steel wire pins for tangles, debris and loose hair, per the listing; Sold as self-cleaning, for dogs and cats of all breeds and fur lengths; Sold by Amazon.com - Cons: The listing does not explain how the self-cleaning works The FURminator and the Hertzko are not two versions of the same brush. The FURminator undercoat deShedding tool is a fine-toothed steel edge that pulls loose undercoat out of a shedding coat; the Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush is a pad of fine wire pins that takes out tangles and loose hair on almost any coat. Buy the FURminator for a thick undercoat that sheds in clumps, a slicker for everyday brushing and for curly coats, and both if you have a husky, shepherd or long-haired cat. **How we chose:** we did not test either tool; we compared what FURminator and Hertzko publish and what their Amazon listings say, and give cards only to tools sold by Amazon.com or the brand's own store on September 28, 2026. ## FURminator and Hertzko side by side | | FURminator Undercoat deShedding Tool | Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush | |---|---|---| | Tool type | Deshedding edge (a row of fine steel teeth) | Slicker brush | | Working part | Stainless-steel edge that "reaches through topcoat," per FURminator | "Fine bent wires designed to penetrate deep into the coat," per Hertzko's listing | | Sizes | Dogs by weight and short or long hair; cats under or over 10 lb | One size, listed for dogs and cats of all sizes | | Cleaning | FURejector button pushes hair off the edge | Button retracts the pins so the hair slides off | | Maker's limits | Not on non-shedding breeds or particularly sensitive skin; 1 to 2 times a week | None published beyond the listing | | Sold by (Amazon, Sept. 28, 2026) | Amazon.com | Third-party seller only | For a slicker you can buy from Amazon.com, the Andis self-cleaning slicker is in the price table below. | Tool | Pet | Amazon price | |---|---|---| | [FURminator Medium Dog, Short Hair](https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/furminator-vs-hertzko#product-B07MZD93QQ) | Dogs 25–50 lb | see the current Amazon price on the page | | [FURminator Large Dog, Long Hair](https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/furminator-vs-hertzko#product-B07MZDTG76) | Dogs over 50 lb | see the current Amazon price on the page | | [FURminator Medium–Large Cat, Short Hair](https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/furminator-vs-hertzko#product-B07MZD3ZVF) | Cats over 10 lb | see the current Amazon price on the page | | [Andis Self-Cleaning Slicker, Large](https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/furminator-vs-hertzko#product-B0CF2SMTX6) | Dogs and cats | see the current Amazon price on the page | ## What the FURminator does FURminator's [product page for the medium short-hair tool](https://www.furminator.com/products/tools/deshedding-tools/undercoat-deshedding-tool-medium-dog-short-hair) describes it as "specially designed to reach through the topcoat to safely and easily remove loose hair and undercoat without damaging the coat or cutting the skin," when used as directed. The edge sits in a curved "Skin Guard" that FURminator says prevents "digging in at edges," and the FURejector button "releases hair with ease." It is sized two ways. By weight: the medium dog tool is for dogs of 25 to 50 lb, and the [large long-hair tool](https://www.furminator.com/products/tools/deshedding-tools/undercoat-deshedding-tool-large-dog-long-hair) for dogs over 50 lb. By coat: short-hair and long-hair versions, the long-hair edge built to reach through a longer topcoat. For cats, the Amazon listings split the short-hair tool at 10 lb. FURminator also says what not to do. Its [FAQ](https://www.furminator.com/tips-and-info/faqs) says the tool "may be used on most animals that shed, including dogs, cats, and other pets with an undercoat," but "should not be used on non-shedding breeds or on pets with particularly sensitive skin." The same page sets the dose: "1-2 times a week for 10 to 20 minutes each session," more often only in heavy shedding seasons. ## What the Hertzko slicker does A slicker works on the top and middle of the coat. Hertzko's Amazon listing describes "fine bent wires designed to penetrate deep into the coat," says the brush "gently removes loose hair, and eliminates tangles, knots, dander and trapped dirt," and that it works "on dogs and cats of all sizes and types of hair." It was "designed with sensitive skin in mind," per the same listing. The button is the feature people buy it for: "simply click the button and the bristles retract back into the brush," so the mat of collected hair slides off in one piece. The listing publishes no size chart and no list of coats to avoid. A slicker is also the tool the ASPCA names for tangles. Its [dog grooming tips](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-grooming-tips) say to "use a slicker brush to remove tangles" on short, dense fur, and to remove tangles "with a slicker brush" every day on long, silky coats. ## Which coats suit which tool - **Double coat that sheds in clumps** (huskies, shepherds, many retrievers, thick-coated cats): FURminator, once or twice a week, with a slicker first to take out tangles. FURminator's product page tells you to remove tangles or mats before using the tool. - **Curly, wavy or doodle coat:** slicker, then a metal comb. FURminator's own FAQ rules its undercoat tool out for non-shedding breeds, so do not use it here. - **Long, silky single coat:** slicker, daily, per the ASPCA. A deshedding edge has little undercoat to work on. - **Smooth, short coat:** neither is the first tool. The ASPCA suggests a rubber brush and a bristle brush. - **Sensitive skin:** FURminator says not to use its tool. Use a slicker with a light hand, and ask your vet if the skin is red or sore. Our guide to [dog and cat brushes by coat type](https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/dog-and-cat-brushes-by-coat-type) goes through each coat in more detail. ## Using them together For a double-coated dog, the order matters. FURminator's directions say to check the skin first for "sores, bruises and skin conditions," to remove tangles with a rake or dematting tool before the edge touches the coat, and to use "fewer long, gentle strokes" in the direction the hair grows, with extra care near the belly, legs and rear. Its 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." So a typical week looks like this: a slicker session (Hertzko or Andis) on most days the coat needs it, and the FURminator once or twice for 10 to 20 minutes. FURminator says to stop "if you notice any redness or irritation." **Key point:** the FURminator removes more hair per stroke, which is exactly why its maker limits how often you use it. The slicker is the tool you can reach for daily. ## Seller and recall check On September 28, 2026 the Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush was listed on Amazon only by a third-party storefront (BullzEyeDeals), and two other Hertzko slicker listings were out of stock, so it has no product card. The FURminator tools and the Andis slicker are sold by Amazon.com. We found no CPSC recall of a FURminator or Hertzko brush. The CPSC did announce a 2024 [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), a 1 gallon conditioner, over bacteria; it is not one of the tools here. You can search any brand on our [pet recall page](https://petprooflab.com/recalls). For more undercoat tools, rakes, rubber curries and gloves, see our full guide to [deshedding brushes](https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/best-deshedding-brushes). If shedding comes with bald patches, redness or scabs, ask your vet; this page is not veterinary advice ([more on that](https://petprooflab.com/about#veterinary)). ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Is the FURminator better than a slicker brush? It does a different job. The FURminator pulls loose undercoat from shedding coats and is limited by its maker to 1 to 2 sessions a week; a slicker removes tangles and loose hair and can be used daily, including on curly coats the FURminator is not meant for. ### Can I use a FURminator on a doodle or poodle? No. FURminator says its undercoat tool should not be used on non-shedding breeds. Use a slicker and a metal comb instead. ### Does the Hertzko brush remove undercoat? Partly. Hertzko's listing says its bent wire pins "groom the undercoat," but a slicker is built for tangles and loose hair; a dense double coat that sheds in clumps usually needs an undercoat tool as well. ### How do the self-cleaning buttons differ? The FURminator's FURejector button pushes collected hair off the steel edge. The Hertzko's button retracts the wire pins into the pad so the hair slides off. ### Which FURminator size should I buy? Go by weight and hair length. For dogs, medium is 25 to 50 lb and large is over 50 lb, each in short- and long-hair versions; for short-haired cats, the tools split at 10 lb. --- *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, from their sites and listings.* ## Sources - furminator.com: [Undercoat deshedding tool medium dog short hair](https://www.furminator.com/products/tools/deshedding-tools/undercoat-deshedding-tool-medium-dog-short-hair) - furminator.com: [Undercoat deshedding tool large dog long hair](https://www.furminator.com/products/tools/deshedding-tools/undercoat-deshedding-tool-large-dog-long-hair) - 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) - 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/furminator-vs-hertzko How to cite: "FURminator vs Hertzko (2026): Deshedding Tool or Slicker Brush?", PetProofLab, https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/furminator-vs-hertzko (checked 2026-09-28). Disclosure: as an Amazon Associate PetProofLab earns from qualifying purchases. Safety information summarizes public guidance and is not medical advice.