Best Deshedding Tool for Dogs: Which Tool for Which Coat

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This page is for dog owners who are losing the fight with shed hair on the floor, the couch and their clothes. It covers which dogs actually need a deshedding tool, how deshedding tools, undercoat rakes and slicker brushes differ, how to use them without irritating the skin, and which tools from our catalog fit which coat.

The short answer: for a heavy-shedding, double-coated dog, pair one undercoat tool, either a bladed deshedding tool such as the FURminator or a pin-style undercoat rake, with an everyday slicker brush, and brush at least once a week, more during seasonal shedding. Short, single-coated dogs usually need only a brush. Use a light touch with every tool.

How we chose: picks are based on brand specs, the product listing and public reviews from named outlets linked on each product page. We have not tested these products ourselves.

How to choose a deshedding tool for your dog

Start with the coat

Shedding tools are made for the undercoat, the soft, dense layer under the longer guard hairs. Double-coated breeds such as Huskies, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and Corgis have one, and it is where most of the floor fluff comes from. The AKC notes that dogs in colder places may shed their undercoat only in spring and fall, while dogs in warmer climates can shed four times a year or all the time (AKC). If you part your dog’s hair and see a soft, woolly layer near the skin, an undercoat tool will help. If the coat is short and single, a bristle or rubber brush usually does the job, and the AKC recommends bristle brushes for short coats.

Deshedding tool, undercoat rake or slicker brush

• Deshedding tool (blade style): a fine-toothed metal edge that reaches through the topcoat and pulls out loose undercoat. Very effective on the right coat, but easy to overuse because it removes hair fast. Sized by dog weight and hair length.
• Undercoat rake: the AKC describes rakes as having one or two rows of metal pins that go through to the undercoat to remove loose fur and help prevent mats, and says they can be used on double-coated breeds of any fur length (AKC). A rake tends to be gentler than a blade on thick, woolly coats during a heavy shed.
• Slicker brush: short, tightly packed wire pins that the AKC recommends for medium, long, wire and curly coats (AKC). It lifts loose hair from the outer coat and handles light tangles. It does not reach deep undercoat as well as a rake or blade, so it is the everyday finishing tool.

Most heavy shedders do best with two tools: one for the undercoat and a slicker to finish. A dog with a light, short coat rarely needs more than one brush.

Match the size and hair length

Bladed deshedding tools come in sizes by dog weight and in versions for short and long hair. The FURminator in our picks, for example, is the Large, Long Hair version, made for dogs over 50 lbs with long hair (PetSmart product page). A blade that is too wide is hard to use on legs and smaller areas; a short-hair blade on a long coat can tangle. Check the brand’s chart before you buy.

Technique: light pressure, dry coat, short sessions

The AKC’s advice is to brush the hair, not the skin, and to keep a light touch with slicker brushes, since pressing down hard can cause discomfort (AKC). Work in the direction the hair grows, in short strokes, and move on once you are pulling out little hair from one area. Stop if you see red or irritated skin, and never run a tool over cuts, hot spots or sore areas. Brush a dry coat: Washington State University’s veterinary hospital points out that wet fur mats more than dry fur, so long-haired dogs should be combed out before a bath (WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital).

How often to brush

For double-coated dogs, the AKC suggests brushing with a slicker and following with a comb at least once a week (AKC). During a seasonal shed you may want short sessions every few days. With a bladed tool, shorter and less frequent sessions are safer than long ones, because it removes hair quickly.

Do not shave a double coat to stop shedding

Shaving can seem like the easy fix, but the AKC says you should not shave a double-coated dog unless the coat is so tangled that the skin cannot dry, and notes that shaving removes the coat’s insulation and can lead to skin problems (AKC). Regular brushing is the better route. Large mats close to the skin are a job for a groomer or your vet, not a deshedding tool.

Our picks for deshedding dogs

FURminator Undercoat deShedding Tool, Large Dog, Long Hair

The best known bladed tool, for large, long-haired double-coated dogs. A stainless steel edge reaches through the topcoat to remove loose undercoat, a button pushes collected hair off the edge, and the brand says it reduces loose hair from shedding by up to 90% with regular use (PetSmart). Canine Journal liked the size range and the hair-release button for heavy shedders like Labs, while noting the cost and some reports of the tool breaking. Use light strokes: the edge can feel harsh if you press hard.

JW Pet GripSoft Double Row Undercoat Rake

A simple rake for thick, woolly undercoats during a heavy shed, such as Huskies and German Shepherds. Two rows of round-tipped teeth in two lengths sit parallel to the skin so they lift dead undercoat without scraping (Petful). Petful picked it as the best undercoat rake in its dog brush guide, noting it does little on short single coats and is not a finishing tool, so follow it with a slicker.

Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush for Dogs and Cats

The everyday finishing brush to pair with an undercoat tool, or the only brush many medium-coated dogs need. The fine wire bristles retract at the push of a button so the hair wipes off (PetsRadar). YourBestDigs named it their best overall shedding brush after using it on a long-coated border collie and a short-haired terrier mix. PetsRadar noted the head can be too big for faces and small areas, and it is not a substitute for an undercoat tool on heavy shedders.

Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Dog Brush

A low-cost two-sided brush: coated steel pins on one side to work out tangles, nylon bristles on the other to smooth the coat. It suits light shedders and short coats more than heavy double coats. In YourBestDigs‘ test, the pin side detangled a border collie’s ruff, did little on a short wavy coat, and the bristles were slow to clean out.

Have a cat that sheds too? See the KONG Cat ZoomGroom, a soft rubber brush made for cats, in our grooming buying guide.

Mistakes to avoid

• Using a bladed deshedding tool on a short, single coat that does not need it.
• Pressing hard or going over the same spot again and again.
• Brushing a wet coat, or bathing a long-haired dog before combing out tangles.
• Buying the wrong size or hair-length version of a bladed tool.
• Shaving a double-coated dog to stop shedding.
• Ignoring sudden heavy hair loss, bald patches or itchy skin, which are reasons to see your vet.

FAQ

What is the best tool to deshed a dog?

For a double-coated dog, an undercoat tool (a bladed deshedding tool or an undercoat rake) paired with a slicker brush. For a short, single-coated dog, a bristle or rubber brush is usually enough.

How often should you deshed a dog?

The AKC suggests brushing double-coated dogs at least once a week, with more frequent short sessions during seasonal shedding. Use bladed tools in short sessions so you do not overdo it.

What is the difference between an undercoat rake and a deshedding tool?

A rake uses rows of metal pins to pull out loose undercoat and loosen mats, while a deshedding tool uses a fine-toothed blade that removes loose undercoat faster. Rakes tend to be gentler on very thick coats; blades remove more hair per stroke.

Should I shave my double-coated dog to reduce shedding?

No. The AKC advises against shaving a double coat except when severe tangles keep the skin from drying, since shaving removes insulation and can cause skin problems.

Can a deshedding tool hurt my dog?

It can irritate the skin if you press too hard, go over one spot too often or use it on a thin coat. Use light strokes, keep sessions short and stop if the skin looks red.

Should I brush my dog wet or dry?

Dry. Wet fur mats more easily, so brush and comb out loose hair and tangles before a bath, not after.

For brushes, nail tools, shampoo and more, read our dog and cat grooming buying guide, or see all grooming supplies.