Dematting Comb vs Undercoat Rake vs Deshedding Tool
Quick answer: An undercoat rake lifts loose undercoat and reaches deep into thick double coats. A dematting comb cuts through tight knots and mats. A deshedding tool pulls shedding hair off the surface. Use a rake or deshedding brush for shedding, and a dematting comb for mats. Many double-coated dogs need both.
Quick answer: An undercoat rake lifts loose undercoat and reaches deep into thick double coats. A dematting comb cuts through tight knots and mats. A deshedding tool pulls shedding hair off the surface. Use a rake or deshedding brush for shedding, and a dematting comb for mats. Many double-coated dogs need both.
Mats and shedding are two different problems, and they need two different kinds of tools. A mat is a knot of tangled hair that has tightened against the skin, so it has to be cut or worked apart. Shedding is loose undercoat that has let go of the skin and needs to be lifted out before it ends up on your couch. Reach for the wrong tool and you either tug at a mat that will not budge or drag a blade through a coat that only needed a brush. This guide breaks down the dematting comb, the undercoat rake, and the deshedding tool, plus the Tuff Pupper version of each, so you can match the tool to the job.
I sell and handle this grooming gear every day, so the picks below come down to one thing: what your dog's coat actually needs, not what looks impressive on a shelf.
Undercoat rake vs dematting comb vs deshedding tool: a side by side comparison
Here is the short version before the detail. An undercoat rake reaches deep, a dematting comb cuts mats, and a deshedding tool clears loose hair off the surface. The table maps each Tuff Pupper tool to the coat and job it suits, so you can scan it in a few seconds and skip to the one that fits your dog.
| Tool | Type | Best for | Key features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undercoat Dematting Rake | Undercoat rake | Thick, dense double coats that both mat and shed heavily | Long reversible blade reaches deep to lift mats, tangles, and loose undercoat, rounded skin-friendly edges | $13.96 |
| Dematting Comb | Dematting comb | The toughest knots and mats in thick coats | Sharp reversible blade for left or right-handed use, rounded edges gentle on the skin | $14.96 |
| Double Sided Dematting Rake | Dematting tool | Cutting and thinning mats in thick coats from both directions | Double-sided blades for 360 degree cutting and thinning, textured rubber handle, rounded edges | $12.96 |
| Matt Remover Comb | Dematting comb | Curly and matted hair | Six angled blades to untangle long fur, sharp edges, textured rubber handle | $11.96 |
| Deshedding Brush | Deshedding tool | Pulling loose undercoat on most breeds | Self-cleaning one-button design, curved blades that follow any body type, short and long pins for different coat depths | $15.96 |
What is an undercoat rake?
An undercoat rake is a single-row grooming tool with long, widely spaced teeth or blades that reach past the topcoat to lift dead undercoat and gentle tangles out of thick, double-coated dogs. It clears the soft layer near the skin without cutting the guard coat, which keeps a double coat healthy and reduces shedding around the house.
What is a dematting comb?
A dematting comb is a sharp-bladed tool built to cut through mats and tight knots that a regular brush or rake cannot move. The blades slice the mat apart so you can ease it off the skin instead of pulling. Unlike an undercoat rake, it is made to break up packed tangles, not to thin a healthy coat.
Do you have a matting problem or a shedding problem?
Look and feel the coat first. If you can feel firm clumps that pull when you tug them, that is matting, and you want a sharp-bladed dematting comb. If the coat looks healthy but hair comes away in your hand and floats everywhere, that is loose undercoat, and you want an undercoat rake or a deshedding tool. Thick double coats often have both at once.
How does an undercoat rake work?
An undercoat rake works by sliding its long teeth down through the topcoat to the soft undercoat below, then pulling free the dead hair that has already shed from the follicle but is trapped in the coat. The Undercoat Dematting Rake uses a long, reversible blade that reaches deep into thick, dense coats while rounded edges stay gentle on the skin during heavy shedding.
How to use an undercoat rake
Start with a dry, brushed-out coat. Work in the direction the hair grows, in small sections, using light strokes so the blade glides rather than digs. Lift out the loose undercoat the rake pulls free, then move to the next section. Stop if the skin pinks up. On a double coat, finish with a deshedding tool to clear surface hair.
How to use a dematting comb
Hold the mat at its base, close to the skin, so you do not drag the skin while you work. Saw the dematting comb through the outer edge of the mat in short strokes, splitting it into smaller pieces rather than forcing the whole thing at once. The Dematting Comb has a sharp reversible blade for left or right-handed grooming and rounded edges to protect the skin. Take breaks so the session stays calm.
Undercoat rake vs Furminator: what is the difference?
Furminator is a brand name people use for a deshedding tool with a fine-toothed blade that grabs loose undercoat at the surface. A true undercoat rake has longer, wider teeth that reach deeper and are gentler on the guard coat, so it suits thick double coats better. For most shedding dogs the Deshedding Brush covers the same job a Furminator does.
What is the best deshedding tool for dogs?
The best deshedding tool for most dogs is one that clears loose undercoat fast without scratching the skin. The Deshedding Brush is a self-cleaning slicker that pulls loose undercoat and clears itself with one button. Its curved blades follow any body type and short and long pins reach different coat depths, so it works across most breeds.
The dematting tools: cutting through knots and mats
These are sharp-bladed tools. Their job is to break apart and cut through mats and knots that a regular brush cannot move. All three keep rounded edges to stay gentle on the skin while the blade does the work.
Dematting Comb
The Dematting Comb is built for the toughest knots and mats in a thick coat. It uses a sharp, reversible blade, so it works the same whether you groom left or right-handed, and the rounded edges stay gentle on your dog's skin while the blade clears tangles and hair mats. Reach for it when you have a few stubborn mats to break apart rather than a whole coat to thin out. At $14.96, it is the dedicated mat cutter in the lineup.
Double Sided Dematting Rake
The Double Sided Dematting Rake uses double-sided blades for 360 degree cutting and thinning. The sharp edges lift mats, knots, and tangles out of thick coats, and because both sides cut, you can work a mat from either direction. Rounded blade edges keep it gentle on the skin, and the textured rubber handle gives you a secure grip for the extra pressure a stubborn mat sometimes needs. It is $12.96.
Matt Remover Comb
The Matt Remover Comb is the pick for curly and matted hair. Its six angled blades are shaped to untangle long fur, and the sharp edges tackle matting and knots. The textured rubber handle keeps your grip comfortable and controlled, which matters when you are working through a curly coat that mats close to the skin. At $11.96, it is the lowest priced tool here.
The undercoat rake: for deep, dense coats
Undercoat Dematting Rake
The Undercoat Dematting Rake sits between dematting and deshedding. It is made for thick, dense coats, and its long, reversible blade reaches deep to lift out mats, tangles, and loose undercoat. The rounded edges keep it gentle on the skin during heavy shedding, so it is a strong choice for double-coated dogs that both mat and blow their coat. The reversible blade suits left and right-handed users. It is $13.96.
The deshedding tool: for loose undercoat
Deshedding Brush
The Deshedding Brush is the tool for routine shedding rather than mats. This self-cleaning brush pulls loose undercoat fast and clears itself with one button, so you are not picking hair out of the bristles between strokes. The curved blades follow any body type, and the short and long pins reach different depths of the coat, which is why it works on most breeds without scratching the skin. Use it as your regular deshedding tool to stay ahead of loose hair. It is $15.96.
Which tool fits your dog's breed and coat?
Coat type matters more than breed name, but a few examples make it concrete. A Husky, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, or other double-coated breed blows undercoat in clumps, so the Undercoat Dematting Rake and the Deshedding Brush are the core pair. A Poodle, Doodle, or other curly coat mats close to the skin, so the Matt Remover Comb earns its place. Short, single coats that shed lightly rarely need a rake at all.
Which one should you buy?
Match the tool to your dog's most frequent problem, then add a second one as the coat changes through the seasons. Matted coat that pulls when you touch it means a dematting comb. Dense undercoat and heavy shedding means an undercoat rake or a deshedding tool. A double-coated dog that does both wants a rake plus a deshedding brush. A mat cutter and a deshedding tool together cover most coats.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an undercoat rake and a deshedding tool?
An undercoat rake has long, widely spaced teeth that reach deep into a double coat to pull dead undercoat free. A deshedding tool, like the Deshedding Brush, works closer to the surface with a fine blade to clear loose shedding hair fast. On thick coats, many owners use both together.
What is the difference between a dematting tool and a deshedding tool?
A dematting tool uses sharp blades to cut through knots and mats, while a deshedding tool pulls out loose undercoat. The Dematting Comb has a sharp reversible blade for tough mats, and the Deshedding Brush has a self-cleaning design that pulls loose undercoat from most breeds without scratching the skin.
Is an undercoat rake better than a Furminator?
It depends on the coat. A Furminator-style deshedding tool grabs loose hair at the surface, while an undercoat rake reaches deeper with longer teeth and is gentler on a thick guard coat. For dense double coats, a rake handles more. For routine shedding, the Deshedding Brush does the same job.
Which tool is best for a thick, dense coat?
The Undercoat Dematting Rake is made for thick, dense coats. Its long reversible blade reaches deep to lift out mats, tangles, and loose undercoat, with rounded edges that stay gentle during heavy shedding. Pair it with the Deshedding Brush to clear the loose surface hair the rake leaves behind.
What should I use on a curly coat?
The Matt Remover Comb is built for curly and matted hair. Its six angled blades untangle long fur, and the sharp edges tackle matting and knots that form close to the skin on Poodles and Doodles. The textured rubber handle keeps your grip steady through tighter tangles.
Are these tools safe on my dog's skin?
The dematting tools have rounded blade edges to stay gentle on the skin, and the Deshedding Brush works on most breeds without scratching. Work slowly through one section at a time, hold mats at the base, and stop if the skin reddens, so you are never pulling at the coat.