Guide · Brushes and deshedding
Undercoat rake vs deshedding tool
Both remove loose undercoat. How a rake and a bladed deshedder differ, which coats suit each, the maker's limits on use, and which coats need neither.
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Picks that fit
- FURminator Grooming Rake for dogs and cats with thick coats (P‑92930)Check price on Amazon
- Andis 68550 stainless steel pet dematting comb, 7.5 inCheck price on Amazon
Short answer
Both tools remove loose undercoat from double-coated dogs, and AKC names both as options after a slicker.[1] An undercoat rake uses long, separate teeth that reach down into a deep coat. A deshedding tool uses a short, fine-toothed edge and comes with limits from its maker: FURminator says its tool should not be used on non-shedding breeds or on pets with particularly sensitive skin.[2] Smooth coats and non-shedding coats need neither. Whichever you use, brush out tangles first.
Picks that fitAll picks and how to choose
- FURminator Grooming Rake for dogs and cats with thick coats (P‑92930)Check price on Amazon
- Andis 68550 stainless steel pet dematting comb, 7.5 inCheck price on Amazon
How they differ
An undercoat rake looks like a small garden rake: one or two rows of long metal teeth set in a handle. The teeth sink into the coat and catch undercoat that has already come loose. A deshedding tool has a short metal edge lined with fine, closely spaced teeth, often behind a guard. FURminator's undercoat deShedding tool is one example.
| Undercoat rake | Deshedding tool | |
|---|---|---|
| Working part | Long, separate teeth | A short, fine-toothed edge |
| What AKC says | A coat rake or de-shedding tool can remove large amounts of loose undercoat.[3] | Same AKC advice: either tool, pulled in the direction of hair growth.[1] |
| Maker limits | Vary by brand; read the instructions | FURminator: 1 to 2 times a week, 10 to 20 minutes per session, more often in heavy shedding seasons; not for non-shedding breeds or particularly sensitive skin.[2] |
| Never use on | Mats and tangles | Mats and tangles: FURminator says they can bend or break the teeth and feel uncomfortable for the pet.[2] |
| Breed pages that name it | AKC names a rake for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Australian Shepherd in shedding season.[4][5] | AKC's Basset Hound page suggests a soft brush or a shedding tool.[6] |
Professional groomers use raking too. AKC's education standards for groomers include removing undercoat by carding and undercoat raking, especially on double coats.[7]
Which to choose
There is no study we found that compares the two head to head, so choose by your dog's coat and by what each maker allows.
- A deep, dense undercoat (a Bernese Mountain Dog, Siberian Husky or Shetland Sheepdog): you need teeth long enough to reach the base of the coat, which points to a rake or a long-toothed comb. AKC's Husky page says the undercoat, shed twice a year, should be raked out with a pin brush and metal comb.[8]
- A short or medium double coat (a Labrador Retriever, Pembroke Welsh Corgi or Australian Shepherd): either can work. AKC names a rake for the Corgi and the Aussie in shedding season, and FURminator says its tool suits most animals that shed and have an undercoat.[4][5][2]
- Sensitive skin: start with a slicker and a comb, and skip the bladed tool, which its maker excludes for pets with particularly sensitive skin.[2]
A sensible split for a heavy shedder is a slicker all year and a rake for shedding season. That matches AKC's advice to use a slicker first and switch to a rake or shedding tool for the undercoat.[1]
Coats that need neither
Smooth coats. AKC's advice for the French Bulldog, Boxer and Boston Terrier names soft- or medium-bristle brushes, rubber mitts, curry brushes and hound gloves; it does not mention rakes or deshedders.[9][10][11] A rubber curry or hound glove does the job.
Non-shedding and curly coats. FURminator says its tool should not be used on non-shedding breeds.[2] For a Poodle, AKC's advice is to brush and comb completely to the skin.[12]
Long silky coats. AKC's advice for the Shih Tzu and Maltese is a pin brush or a brush and comb, worked down to the skin; it does not mention undercoat tools.[13][14]
How to use either tool
- Brush out tangles first. Use a slicker; FURminator says to remove mats and tangles before its tool touches the coat.[2]
- Go with the hair. Pull the tool along the coat in the direction of hair growth.[1]
- Use light, short strokes. Let the teeth catch loose hair; do not press them into the skin.
- Stop at the maker's limit. For the FURminator that is 10 to 20 minutes, once or twice a week, outside heavy shedding.[2] We found no controlled study on how much is too much, so treat these limits as the ceiling.
- Check the skin and finish with a comb. Part the coat and look. Pink, red or scraped skin means stop for the day.
What to look for when you buy
We list one rake and one comb, and no deshedding tool yet:
- The FURminator Grooming Rake (P-92930). It is a plain rake with rotating metal teeth, which FURminator makes for thick fur and dense double coats.[17] It is not FURminator's bladed deShedding tool. We have no maker figure for its tooth length, so check it against your dog's coat depth.
- The Andis 68550 7.5 in stainless steel dematting comb, for checking your work at the end of each session. AKC's Husky page pairs a metal comb with a pin brush for raking out the shedding undercoat.[8] Andis does not state the comb's tooth spacing on a page we read.
Picks that fit2 products
Rake: choose the FURminator Grooming Rake (P-92930), the plain rake with rotating metal teeth, not the FURminator deShedding tool.
More on choosing
Comb: choose the Andis 68550 7.5 in stainless steel dematting comb. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or the brand (FURminator or Andis) before you buy.
FURminator Grooming Rake for dogs and cats with thick coats (P‑92930)
Andis 68550 stainless steel pet dematting comb, 7.5 in
We don't list a deshedding tool, because none we found met our bar. On any rake or deshedding listing, check:
- Tooth length against your dog's coat depth. A rake for a Corgi and a rake for a Bernese are different tools.
- Rounded tooth ends on a rake, and a guard or cover on a deshedding edge.
- The coat types the maker names, and whether it excludes any. A listing that claims a bladed tool is safe for every breed is promising more than FURminator promises for its own tool.[2]
- Who stands behind it. AliExpress's terms say the platform does not control and is not responsible for the quality or safety of products its sellers list.[18] More checks are in our AliExpress buyer's checklist.
Next
Questions
Is a FURminator the same as an undercoat rake?
No. A FURminator is a deshedding tool with a short, fine-toothed edge; a rake has longer, separate teeth. AKC mentions both a coat rake and a de-shedding tool as ways to remove large amounts of loose undercoat.[3]
How often can I use a deshedding tool?
Follow the maker's limits for your tool. FURminator says 1 to 2 times a week for 10 to 20 minutes per session, more often in heavy shedding seasons, and not on non-shedding breeds or pets with particularly sensitive skin.[2]
Can I use an undercoat rake on a Labrador?
AKC's Labrador page gives no tool list, but its page for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, another short double coat, names a rake for shedding season. Use light strokes in the direction of hair growth and stop if the skin reddens.[19][4][1]
Should I use a deshedding tool on a Poodle or doodle?
No. FURminator says its deshedding tool should not be used on non-shedding breeds. AKC's advice for the Poodle is to brush and comb the coat completely to the skin.[2][12]
Can a deshedding tool remove too much coat?
We found no controlled study that measures this. FURminator limits session length and excludes non-shedding breeds and sensitive skin, so stay within the maker's limits, and see your vet if you notice thinning fur or bald spots, which AAHA lists as signs that need a veterinarian.[2][15]