Long-haired cats like Persians and Himalayans need daily grooming to keep their coats smooth and mat-free, but even with
consistent grooming, there are times when knots and mats can still get out of hand. Regular brushing can help reduce
hairballs, help spread your cat’s natural oils around their coat, and help with shedding too.
But what about when knots and mats are already present? In rare cases, these mats need to be cut out, but most of the time, a de-matting tool can do the trick. These tools are specially made with long, stainless-steel teeth to gently yet effectively help you brush knots and mats out of your cat’s coat, saving you the need to cut them out.
Of course, you want the de-matting tool that you purchase to be the best quality possible, while still being easy to use and gentle on your feline. With so many of these tools on the market, it can be confusing to find the right one. That’s why we put together this list of eight of our favorites, complete with in-depth reviews, to help you narrow the options and find the best one for your long-haired feline.
The FURminator deMatter tool is ergonomically designed, comfortable, and adjustable and our top choice of de-matting tool overall. The tool has curved cutting edges that help remove mats efficiently, safely, and gently, with a stainless-steel edge and slide tab that both lock in place to keep your cat safe. We love the comfortable, ergonomic grip that is non-slip and easy to hold, and the adjustable edges can be quickly adjusted depending on the length of your cat’s fur. Best of all, this tool is great for almost any hair type, from Persians to Siamese cats.
This de-matting tool is difficult to fault, although we feel that the curve of the blade is a little too tight, making it difficult to run through matted fur properly.
The Dematting Rake from Pet Republique is the best de-matting tool for the money. The rake has 23 stainless-steel teeth that are designed to remove even the densest tangles, complete with an ergonomic, comfortable handle. The tool is double-sided, with a six-tooth side to work tangles-free and an 11-tooth side for thinning fur and making your cat’s coat smooth and silky. These blades all have rounded edges to keep your cat safe, and the stainless-steel design is a breeze to keep clean. As a bonus, Pet Republique will donate 15% of all profits to the American Animal Rescue Society!
Several customers report that this tool gets easily stuck in dense mats and pulls at hair and is only good for removing small, easy-to-comb mats.
The Hertzko de-matting comb is ideal if you’re looking for a premium option for your cat. The comb is double-sided to remove even the toughest knots and is made with rust-resistant stainless steel that is hygienic and easy to clean. The rounded, no-scratch teeth are ideal for sensitive cats because they can reach deep enough to remove knots close to the skin but won’t scratch your cat, instead providing a calming massage for your feline. The ergonomic non-slip handle complete with thumb rest makes de-matting a breeze for your hands, while giving you the accuracy and control that you need.
This de-matting tool is difficult to fault, and the only downside is the comparatively high price.
The Andis Dematting Tool is small, lightweight, and ideal for removing knots and matting in sensitive, hard-to-reach areas. The tool easily removes dead hair and mats and reduces shedding by an impressive 90% overall, so it is a great tool both for removing and preventing knots. Its unique, small design keeps your cat’s topcoat smooth and silky and won’t tug, pull, or damage your cat’s fur. Lastly, the handle is made with comfortable, grippy plastic so you can use it for long grooming sessions without hurting your hands.
The main issue with this de-matting tool is the blades. They are a bit too dull, which causes the tool to pull on stubborn mats rather than cut through them.
The Long Blade Dematting Comb from Hertzko is made with long and sharp yet gentle and safe stainless-steel teeth that are designed especially for cats with medium to long coats. The comb is made with rust-resistant, serrated blades designed to cut through the most stubborn mats without pulling and causing pain for your feline, with rounded ends for safety. These rounded edges also gently massage your cat’s skin and help improve circulation. Lastly, the comb has a comfortable, rubberized handle with a large thumb rest for added comfort and stability while brushing.
Several customers reported that this comb did not work effectively with stubborn knots but worked well on small, looser mats. Also, some customers said that the screws in the handle came loose quickly and that the handle grip twisted easily and eventually broke off.
This de-matting comb from Master Grooming Tools has a comfortable, ergonomic design and a unique pistol-grip, ribbed handle made with non-slip rubber to ensure a safe and accurate grooming experience. The comb has nine hardened stainless-steel blades to cut through knots and matting, with rounded edges for safety and a steel thumb grip for added accuracy and comfort. We love that the tool is made with high-quality components yet is competitively priced and works well too.
Many customers report that this comb works well for small mats, but for large mats, it is too dull and will not cut through them efficiently.
The Babyliss Pro Dematting Rake is a small, lightweight de-matting tool that is great for use at home and on the go. The rake has heat-treated stainless-steel blades that safely and effectively remove mats without sacrificing your pet’s coat length. It also has a comfortable, ergonomic handle made with a silicone anti-slip grip so you can use it for extended periods without aching hands, and it gives you more accuracy and confidence while grooming.
This rake is a bit tricky to use with cats that don’t enjoy grooming, as the rake can only move in one direction. Also, several customers reported that this rake battled to remove even the smallest of knots.
Pros
Small and lightweight
Heat-treated stainless-steel blades
Ergonomic handle
Silicone anti-slip grip
Cons
Not great for squirmy cats
Doesn’t work on knots well overall
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Dematting Tool for Cats
De-matting combs and rakes are not hugely complicated tools, but there are still a few essential factors to consider before spending your money. You want the tool that you choose to work as effectively as possible, and for that to happen, there are a few important aspects to carefully consider. Let’s look at these factors here.
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Grip
In order to groom your cat properly and safely, especially if they have stubborn mats, it’s important to have a firm grip on the de-matting tool that you’re using. This not only makes it more comfortable for you to use for extended periods, but it will also help you groom more accurately and reduce the chances of causing pain to your cat. The handle should be ergonomic and comfortable and have a non-slip, grippy surface made with rubber or silicone.
Safety
Matting can be difficult to remove at times, and you may need a comb with fairly sharp, heavy-duty blades that can get through tight knots. Of course, the comb should still be safe to use on your cat and cause them as little discomfort as possible. Most de-matting tools are made with blades that have rounded edges to prevent scratching your cat’s skin, and these rounded blades can also serve to gently massage your cat as you brush.
Quality
You want the de-matting tool that you buy to last for years, so the overall build quality is important. The blades should be made from high-quality stainless steel that is rust-resistant and attached to a quality handle that will not twist off, break, or loosen after heavy use. While you may need to pay more for a quality product, you can at least be sure that it will last and keep your cat mat-free for many years.
Size
Most de-matting tools are made for use with both dogs and cats and come in a variety of sizes. While combs with large and wide blades may get the job done quickly, they cannot effectively get into hard-to-reach areas, such as under the arms. For cats, small tools are better, as they are versatile and allow for freedom of movement.
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Do de-matting tools actually work?
In most cases, de-matting tools are an effective way to remove mats in your cat’s coat, especially for those cats with medium to long coats. Regularly grooming your cat with one of these tools is also a great way to prevent mats, by removing dead hair caused by regular shedding.
De-matting tools work by using sharp, stainless-steel teeth that cut through the stubborn matting and gently pull your cat’s hair free. This is a great alternative to using scissors to cut out mats, which requires you to get close to your cat’s skin and risk injuring them. With regular practice, these tools are easy to use and highly effective at both removing and preventing mats.
Of course, there are extreme cases where the mats have become so tight and hard to reach, the only solution is cutting them. This should be left to a professional groomer, and you can then keep your cat mat-free after the grooming session with a de-matting tool.
Tips for cat grooming
Prevention is better than the cure
Brushing your cat regularly will go a long way toward preventing stubborn mats from occurring in the first place and is the best way to manage shedding. This is especially important in cats with long coats, and you’ll need to brush them daily for best results.
Image Credit: ANURAK PONGPATIMET, Shutterstock
Begin early
It’s no secret that most cats do not enjoy the process of brushing, especially if they have mats. If you begin grooming your cat daily from when they are a kitten, they will learn to accept the process and may even end up loving grooming sessions, making your job of keeping them mat-free much easier.
Your cat should be on a good diet
Unsurprisingly, diet has a massive role to play in the health of your cat’s coat. Feeding them foods that are high in animal proteins and essential omega fatty acids will help keep their coat silky and smooth and thus, much easier to groom and far less likely to mat.
Be gentle
Cats have highly sensitive skin, and pulling or scraping on their skin while brushing will make them extremely uncomfortable and can cause them to hate the process. Try to offer treats to your cat while grooming, use high-quality brushes and de-shedding tools that are gentle on your cat’s skin, and massage them while removing mats.
Conclusion
While any of these de-matting tools are ideal, the FURminator deMatter tool is ergonomically designed with a non-slip grip, is comfortable to allow for extended use, and is fully adjustable, and thus, it’s our top choice of de-matting tool overall.
The Dematting Rake from Pet Republique is the best de-matting tool for the money. With a rake that has 23 stainless-steel teeth, an ergonomic, comfortable handle, and double-sided action, this is certainly a great tool for an affordable price. The Hertzko de-matting comb is ideal if you’re looking for a premium option for your cat, with a double-sided design, rust-resistant stainless-steel blades, and an ergonomic non-slip handle complete with a comfortable thumb rest.
With all the de-matting tools available these days, it can certainly be confusing to choose the right one. We hope that our reviews have narrowed the options for you and helped you choose the best de-matting tool for your feline friend.
Featured Image Credit: ANURAK PONGPATIMET, Shutterstock
