Even though long-haired cats look extra adorable with all that fluff, these types of cat breeds also mean that you must invest more time and money into their grooming. Long-haired cats are much more likely to have their fur tangle and mat to the point where you can’t untangle it. To keep their coat mat-free, regular brushing is crucial for their grooming routine.
Brushing your cats regularly not only keeps tangles from forming, but it spreads their natural oils through their strands and prevents hairballs. Regardless of how much you brush, there are still times when matting occurs, and you need the right tool to handle the job. De-matting tools are your best bet in removing the mess without hurting your fur babies. After combing through dozens of reviews, we have found some of the top de-matting tools sold in today’s market.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
FURminator Pet De-Matter
Adjustable
Locking slide tab
Non-slip grip
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Best Value
Safari De-Matting Comb
Affordable
Comfort grip
Rounded blade edges
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Premium Choice
Hertzko Double-Sided Dematting Tool
Double-sided
Rust-resistant
Comfortable
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Andis De-Matting Tool
Lightweight
Reduces shedding
Comfort grip
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Pet Life Gyrater Pet Swivel
Travel size
Contoured fit
Easy to reposition for any angle
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The 8 Best Dematting Tools for Cats
When looking for the best overall dem-matting tool for cats, you want something that will work well and feel comfortable in your hand. The FURminator Adjustable De-Matter Pet Tool is ergonomically designed for your comfort. It is also adjustable and has a curved edge to help remove mats as efficiently as possible. The brush doesn’t hurt your cats and has an adjustable slide tab that locks in place to keep your pets safe. The stainless-steel blades are ideal for almost all hair types, although there are some reports that the size of the blades isn’t suitable for super tight matting.
Weight: 8.74 ounces
Dimensions: 5 x 2 x 8.875 inches
Material: Stainless Steel
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Pros
Adjustable
Locking slide tab
Non-slip grip
Comfortable
Suitable for most hair types
Cons
Large blade not ideal for tight knots
Even though this comb was designed for dogs, it is also a great tool for your long-haired cats. The Safari De-Matting Cat & Dog Comb is affordable and works on even the longest and thickest coat types. The comb is high-quality, and the steel blades are rust resistant. We like that the blades are serrated and sharp enough to cut through even the thickest knots while still having a rounded edge to protect their skin. The comfort grip also makes this product convenient to use. If we have to critique one thing, it would be that it isn’t the greatest for kittens or small cat breeds. Still, it is one of the best de-matting tools for cats for the money.
Adjustable
Locking slide tab
Non-slip grip
Comfortable
Suitable for most hair types
- Adjustable
- Locking slide tab
- Non-slip grip
- Comfortable
- Suitable for most hair types
Large blade not ideal for tight knots
- Large blade not ideal for tight knots
Weight: N/A
Dimensions: N/A
Material: Plastic
Pros
Affordable
Rust-resistant
Comfort grip
Rounded blade edges
Cons
Not ideal for kittens
The Hertzko Double-Sided Dog & Cat De-Knotting Comb is perfect for those of you looking for a premium de-matting tool for your cats. Designers made the comb double-sided to help remove even the toughest mats. The comb blades are made from rust-resistant stainless steel, and the rounded teeth make sensitive cats feel comfortable. This cat brush is also comfortable to hold and has a non-slip handle and thumb rest. The biggest downfall of this brush is that it is a little more expensive than other similar models, but we still think it is worth the price.
Affordable
Rust-resistant
Comfort grip
Rounded blade edges
- Affordable
- Rust-resistant
- Comfort grip
- Rounded blade edges
Not ideal for kittens
- Not ideal for kittens
Weight: 2.4 ounces
Dimensions: 10 x 4.8 x 1 inches
Material: Plastic
Pros
Double-sided
Rust-resistant
Comfortable
Cons
Expensive
You don’t want to use a large de-matter with smaller kittens because it could be rough on their skin and fur. Instead, try using the small lightweight Andis Pet De-Matting Tool. The tool easily removes mats and dead hair while reducing shedding overall. The small size lets you efficiently work around the knots while still being gentle on your cat. This brush has a comfort grip, but you may have to use it more since the blades are duller for the kitten’s safety.
Double-sided
Rust-resistant
Comfortable
- Double-sided
- Rust-resistant
- Comfortable
Expensive
- Expensive
Weight: 3.2 ounces
Dimensions: 9.88 x 3.5 x 9.813 inches
Material: Plastic
Pros
Small
Lightweight
Comfort grip
Reduces shedding
Cons
Duller blades
- Pet Life Gyrater Swivel De-Matting Comb
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Weight: 5 ounces
Dimensions: 37 x 2.8 x 1.89 inches
Material: Plastic
While this de-matting comb is the perfect size if you’re on the go, it is also an excellent option if you want to use it as your daily comb as well. The Pet Life Gyrater Swivel De-Matting Comb is small and round, making it one of the few combs that you can reposition at any angle. There is also a button that locks the blades into your desired position. The grip is contoured to fit your hand, and the blades have rounded edges so that they won’t harm your cat. Unfortunately, this option is more expensive despite the plastic material giving it an overall cheaper feel.
Small
Lightweight
Comfort grip
Reduces shedding
- Small
- Lightweight
- Comfort grip
- Reduces shedding
Duller blades
- Duller blades
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Weight: 5 ounces
Dimensions: 37 x 2.8 x 1.89 inches
Material: Plastic
Pros
Travel size
Easy to reposition for any angle
Contoured fit
Cons
Expensive
Plastic feels cheaper
- Babyliss Pro Pet De-Matting Pet Rake
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Weight: N/A
Dimensions: 9.625 x 5.75 x 1.25 inches
Material: Silicone
The Babyliss Pro Pet De-Matting Pet Rake is small, lightweight, and perfect to use at home or while traveling. The stainless-steel blades are heat treated and effectively remove mats without taking any length off the coat. The ergonomic handle has an anti-slip grip as well. If your cat doesn’t like getting groomed as much, you might have difficulty because the rake only moves in one direction. The blades also seem duller and take more time to work through a knot.
Travel size
Easy to reposition for any angle
Contoured fit
- Travel size
- Easy to reposition for any angle
- Contoured fit
Expensive
Plastic feels cheaper
- Expensive
- Plastic feels cheaper
Weight: N/A
Dimensions: 9.625 x 5.75 x 1.25 inches
Material: Silicone
Pros
Small
Ergonomic handle
Anti-slip grip
Cons
Rake only moves in one direction
More time to remove knots
Some stand-out features of the Master Grooming Tools Dog & Cat De-Matting Comb are the unique grip shape and different blade sizes. Depending on which you choose, these blades easily work through matting without putting you or your cat in danger of being injured. The overall comb feels high quality in your hand and has a great price. The blades are a little duller than others on this list. On top of that, they might not be sharp enough for some of the larger matting and knots.
Small
Ergonomic handle
Anti-slip grip
- Small
- Ergonomic handle
- Anti-slip grip
Rake only moves in one direction
More time to remove knots
- Rake only moves in one direction
- More time to remove knots
Weight: 4 ounces
Dimensions: 10.5 x 4 x 0.75 inches
Material: Rubber
Pros
High-quality feel
Two blade choices
Affordable
Cons
Duller blades
Not great for larger matting areas
- Hertzko 2-in-1 Pet Grooming Tool
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Weight: N/A
Dimensions: N/A
Material: Plastic
The Hertzko 2-in-1 Pet Grooming Tool is best for cats with a few small areas of knots and matting. While this brush is more expensive, the two brush heads give pet owners options for minor and major knots. The grip isn’t as comfortable as other brushes, but there is still padding to keep your hands from aching.
High-quality feel
Two blade choices
Affordable
- High-quality feel
- Two blade choices
- Affordable
Duller blades
Not great for larger matting areas
- Duller blades
- Not great for larger matting areas
Pros
Two brush heads
Padded handle
Cons
Better for smaller knots
Expensive
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Dematting Tool for Cats
We buy de-matting combs to keep our pet’s coats soft and tangle-free. These tools aren’t too complicated to use, but it still helps to know a few key characteristics that most of these combs should have. In the end, make sure that the one you choose is gentle on your cat yet effective on the matting.
Two brush heads
Padded handle
- Two brush heads
- Padded handle
Better for smaller knots
Expensive
- Better for smaller knots
- Expensive
Grip
Daily grooming isn’t something that all cat owners participate in, although long-haired cats do benefit from frequent brushing sessions. Having a long-haired feline means that you’ll appreciate having a tool that is comfortable for you to use as well.
To safely groom a cat, you must have a good grip on the brush and know that it won’t slip if they wiggle a bunch. Whenever possible, buy a tool with an ergonomically designed handle and a non-slip surface. If there is extra padding, ensure that it isn’t so much that you’ll easily drop it.
Quality
When you invest in something you are going to use frequently, it pays off in the long run to spend a little more if that brush is made from higher-quality materials. De-matting tools should last you’re a few years. Try to find a brush with rust-resistant and stainless-steel blades. They should also be attached to a sturdy handle made from materials that won’t break down over time.
Safety
Safety should be high on your priority list when purchasing a de-matting tool for your pets. The safest blades have a curved edge on one side that won’t rip at the knots or cut your cat’s skin when they move. The ideal comb is going to cause as little discomfort as possible.
Size
Size doesn’t seem like it would play a significant role in your decision, but it is still something you’ll have to consider. Some de-matting tools are way too big for smaller cats. These combs come in various sizes, and, for some scenarios, the smaller tool will be a much better option.
Grooming Advice
Consider yourself lucky if you’ve never had to get rid of fur matting. Brushing your cat regularly is one of the only ways to prevent these challenging knots from forming in the first place. Whenever you notice that a knot is starting to form, try to work on it earlier rather than later. If you allow the mats to sit for too long, they only grow larger and get closer to the skin.
Other than prevention, there isn’t much you can do to keep matting from happening. We do recommend keeping your cats on a healthy, well-balanced diet to keep their fur silky smooth and less likely to knot. When you do end up having to remove the matting, always be gentle and pay attention to what is or isn’t working for your fur baby.
Conclusion
Of all the reviews of de-matting tools, we have put together some of the best you can find in today’s market. Remember that while all of them are similar, there are benefits and disadvantages to each one. After plenty of research, we have decided that the best overall de-matting tool for cats is the FURminator adjustable de-matting tool. For a premium choice, we recommend the Hertzko double-sided de-matting tool. No matter which comb you purchase, it should only be used if it is gentle on your cat and effective at removing tough knots.
Featured Image Credit: DimaBerlin, Shutterstock
