How to Use a Dematting Comb and Mat Splitter on Dogs and Cats

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A dematting comb and a mat splitter are the two tools people reach for when brushing alone will not shift a knot in a dog’s or cat’s coat. Used gently on small, loose mats, they can save a trip to the groomer. Used on a tight mat against the skin, they can hurt your pet. This guide explains what each tool does, how to use them step by step, how to tell when a mat is a job for a groomer or vet, and how to stop mats coming back.

How we wrote this: the safety advice comes from PetMD (a veterinarian’s guide published September 2026), the ASPCA, the RSPCA and Cats Protection, all checked on 1 November 2026. Tool technique comes from groomer and dog writer Margaret H. Bonham in Dog Grooming For Dummies and from Whole Dog Journal. We looked for hands-on tests of dematting combs and mat splitters by named reviewers and found none we could use, so this is a how-to rather than a list of picks. We did not test these tools ourselves, and we do not show prices or ratings.

Why mats matter

Mats form when loose hair tangles and clumps together. PetMD explains that a small tangle collects more hair, dirt and moisture until it becomes a tight, hard mat. Long-haired and thick-coated dogs and cats are most at risk, and PetMD notes that a cat who normally keeps itself tidy can start to mat when illness, pain or arthritis makes grooming harder. If your cat suddenly starts to mat, ask your vet to check for an underlying cause.

Mats are not just a looks problem. PetMD says they pull on the skin every time your pet moves and can trap moisture and debris, which can lead to irritation and infection. An ASPCA veterinarian, Dr. Julie Horton, adds that fleas and ticks can live deep in a mat out of sight, that mats around the hind end can collect feces, and that severe mats can wrap around a leg tightly enough to cut off its blood supply. The ASPCA’s own animal hospital has treated pets whose mats led to surgery and, in severe cases, amputation.

Dematting comb vs mat splitter

• Dematting comb (also sold as a mat rake). A comb with sharp-edged blades in place of plain teeth. Margaret H. Bonham writes in Dog Grooming For Dummies that you use a mat rake the same way as a comb, raking along the lay of the hair, and that its sharp teeth work at cutting through the mat.
• Mat splitter. A small hooked or tapered blade that slices a large mat into narrow strips. Bonham calls mat splitters potentially razor sharp and says to use them with care. A splitter does not untangle anything; it makes one big mat into several small ones you can then work out with a comb or rake.
• A plain comb and a slicker brush. For a small, loose tangle you may need neither special tool. PetMD says a wide-tooth comb or slicker brush can help with small knots, and Whole Dog Journal notes that a regular dog comb can work just fine. The RSPCA recommends a specialised dematting comb instead of trying to cut matted fur with scissors, because of the risk of cutting your cat’s skin.

Before you start: is this mat safe to do at home?

PetMD says small, loose tangles may be worked out at home, but lists signs that a mat needs a professional groomer or a vet. Stop and get help if the mat:

• is tight against the skin
• covers a large part of your pet’s body
• will not loosen with gentle brushing
• makes your pet cry, snap or resist being handled
• is near the eyes, ears, genitals or anus
• has redness, swelling, odor, moisture or discharge nearby

PetMD adds that a vet exam is needed when mats are extensive or you suspect the skin underneath is damaged, and that a vet may use sedation to remove mats without unnecessary stress or pain.

Cats need extra care. Cats Protection warns that brushing out knots that have grown close to the skin risks ripping or tearing it. Its advice for a matted cat is to see a vet, who can do a de-mat clip under sedation, rather than a groomer, who cannot sedate. PetMD names both groomers and vets as options. If your cat is tense, or the mat is anywhere near the skin, ask your vet first.

How to use a dematting comb, step by step

These steps combine PetMD‘s advice with Bonham’s method in Dog Grooming For Dummies. Work on one mat at a time, keep sessions short, and stop if your pet shows any sign of pain.

1. Find the mats. Run a comb through the coat and feel with your fingers. PetMD lists the usual spots: behind the ears, under the legs and in the armpits, under the collar or harness, between the toes, and around the tail and hindquarters.
2. Loosen with your fingers. PetMD suggests starting with your fingers to tease the strands apart. A pet-specific detangling spray can make the hair more slippery so the knot gives more easily.
3. Hold the base of the mat. Bonham says to hold the mat at the base, closest to the skin, so the comb pulls on the mat and not on your pet’s skin.
4. Work from the outside in. Start at the tips of the mat, where the hair is free, and use short, gentle strokes toward the skin (PetMD, Bonham). Do not drag the blades through the whole mat in one pull.
5. Rake with the lay of the hair. If a plain comb will not move it, switch to the dematting comb and rake gently along the direction the hair grows (Bonham).
6. Finish and check. Brush the freed hair out with a slicker or comb, then comb through again to make sure the knot is gone right down to the skin.
7. Take breaks. PetMD advises frequent breaks so your pet does not get too stressed. Reward calm behavior and end on a good note.

How to use a mat splitter

Bonham’s order is comb first, then mat rake, then splitter only if the rake does not work. With a splitter:

1. Hold the base of the mat so the skin is not lifted into it.
2. Split the mat into narrow horizontal or vertical strips (Bonham), one small cut at a time.
3. Work each small strip loose with a mat rake or comb.
4. Watch the whole time that no skin is pulled up into the mat (Bonham). If you cannot see clearly where the hair ends and the skin begins, stop.

A splitter is not a tool for a wriggly pet or a mat lying flat on the skin. PetMD points out that mats can sit surprisingly close to the skin, and that a sudden move can lead to a cut. If your pet will not stay still, leave it to a groomer or vet.

Never use household scissors

PetMD, the RSPCA, Cats Protection and Bonham all advise against cutting mats out with scissors, because it is easy to cut the skin. Bonham writes that you can seriously injure a dog this way even if you are careful. Not every source agrees: the Whole Dog Journal writer says she trims difficult mats from her own dogs with hair-cutting scissors, holding a comb between the skin and the blades. We follow the vets here. If a mat will not come out with a comb, rake or splitter, a groomer or vet can clip it off; PetMD notes that groomers usually use clippers rather than scissors for severe mats.

How to prevent mats

• Brush on a schedule. The ASPCA‘s Dr. Horton says pets with medium to long hair need frequent brushing, some daily. Cats Protection and the RSPCA say many long-haired cats need brushing every day. Ask your groomer or vet what suits your pet’s coat.
• Check the friction spots listed above every time you brush. The Whole Dog Journal writer brushes around the ears and tail daily and dematts at least once or twice a week.
• Brush before a bath, dry fully after. PetMD says a damp, tangled coat is more prone to matting, so brush out tangles before bathing and dry the coat thoroughly. See how often to bathe a dog and how to bathe a cat.
• Book regular grooming. PetMD says regular professional appointments help pets whose coats are hard to keep neat at home, by keeping the coat at a manageable length and catching mats early. The ASPCA notes that groomers often charge extra for mats, so brushing at home can save money too.

Dematting tools we name without links

Double-sided dematting combs such as the GoPets 2-in-1 Dematting Comb and the Hertzko Double-Sided Dematting Comb appear in many online roundups, and a colleague of the Whole Dog Journal writer recommends the Raw Paws dematting comb. We found no dated hands-on test of any of them by a named reviewer, and no maker product page we could check for GoPets or Hertzko, so we do not link or recommend a specific model.

For everyday brushing tools that help stop mats forming, see our guides to the best dog brush by coat type and the best cat brushes for shedding.

FAQ

What is the difference between a dematting comb and a mat splitter?

A dematting comb has sharp-edged blades and is raked through the coat like a comb to cut through a mat. A mat splitter is a single sharp blade that slices a big mat into smaller strips, which you then comb out. Bonham suggests trying the comb first and the splitter only if the comb does not work.

Can I cut mats out with scissors?

No. PetMD says mats often form close to the skin, so you can easily cut your pet. Ask a groomer or vet to clip tight mats instead.

Are mats painful for dogs and cats?

They can be, especially when tight or near sensitive areas, according to PetMD. Mats pull on the skin as your pet moves and can trap moisture that irritates it.

Should a matted cat go to a groomer or a vet?

For mats close to the skin, Cats Protection recommends a vet, who can clip the mats under sedation. PetMD names both groomers and vets. If your cat is stressed by handling or the skin looks sore, start with your vet.

When is matting an emergency?

PetMD says matting is an emergency if the mat is causing pain or the skin underneath is red, raw, moist or broken. See your vet straight away.

How often should I brush to prevent mats?

It depends on the coat. Long-haired cats and many long-coated dogs need daily brushing, per the ASPCA and RSPCA. Ask your groomer or vet for a schedule.

For more grooming help, read the dog and cat grooming buying guide, the best deshedding tool for dogs and how to use a pet grooming glove.