Quick answer: Dematting and deshedding are two different jobs. Dematting breaks up existing knots and tangles; deshedding lifts out the loose undercoat before it lands on your couch. Our best-selling grooming tool — 107 sold this year — puts both on one handle: a 9-tooth dematting side and a 17-tooth deshedding side, with rounded stainless steel teeth. Two or three short sessions a week beats one long monthly battle.
The single most-ordered product in our store isn't a harness or a bed — it's a $12.99 grooming brush. That's not an accident: shedding and matting are the most universal problems dog and cat owners face. Here's how the two-sided design works and how to use it properly.
Dematting vs deshedding: know which job you're doing
Mats are knots — clumps of tangled fur that tighten over time, pull on the skin, and trap moisture and debris. They're most common behind ears, under legs, and anywhere friction happens. Shedding is the loose undercoat working its way out — normal year-round, heavy in spring and fall coat changes. A slicker brush smooths the surface but doesn't do either job well on thick coats. That's why this tool has two dedicated sides.
How the two sides work
- The 9-tooth side (dematting): fewer, wider-spaced teeth that work through knots with controlled passes. Curved rake rows with rounded tips glide against the skin instead of scratching it.
- The 17-tooth side (deshedding): closer teeth that lift loose undercoat and stray fibers out of the topcoat. This is the side that visibly reduces fur on floors, seats, and fabric.
- The handle: non-slip rubber, balanced and light — matters more than it sounds by minute ten of a double-coat session.
It's made for long, wiry, and double coats, on both dogs and cats, in two head sizes (S for smaller pets and tight areas, L for wide coverage) and 8 colors. See the double-sided brush → ($12.99)
The right technique (from the tool's own manual)
- Start with the dematting side. Hold a small section of coat, and make short, gentle strokes through the knot. Don't rush — let the teeth do the work, not your wrist.
- When the knot loosens, lengthen your strokes until the section combs through cleanly.
- Flip to the deshedding side. Work with the direction of coat growth, light pressure, steady passes.
- Clear the head often. A packed rake stops gripping; empty it every few passes.
- Go section by section until the loose fiber you're pulling out visibly reduces.
How often?
Two to three short sessions per week suits most coats — short and regular beats long and exhausting, for you and the pet. During spring and fall shedding season, add one extra session. Consistency is also what keeps mats from forming in the first place, which turns grooming from damage control into maintenance.
Signs you should stop and reassess
- A mat sits tight against the skin and won't loosen with gentle passes — forcing it hurts. Severe felted mats are a groomer-or-vet job, sometimes a clipper job. Don't tug.
- The skin under a mat looks red or irritated — get it checked rather than brushed.
- Your pet has bald spots or shedding seems extreme beyond seasonal coat-blow — that's a vet conversation, not a brush problem.
Tool care
Remove collected fur after each use, and store it dry (a drawer, caddy, or travel kit — it's compact). The stainless teeth don't ask for much; keeping them clean is what preserves the smooth glide.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between the two sides?
The 9-tooth side is for dematting - breaking up knots and tangles with short controlled strokes. The 17-tooth side is for deshedding - lifting loose undercoat out of the topcoat. Start with dematting, finish with deshedding.
Does it work on cats?
Yes - it's designed for both dogs and cats with long, wiry, or double coats. The S size head suits smaller pets and tight areas like behind the ears.
Will the metal teeth scratch my pet's skin?
The stainless steel teeth have rounded tips designed to glide along the skin. Use light pressure and let the teeth do the work - if your pet flinches, you're pressing too hard or working a mat that's too tight.
How often should I brush?
Two to three short sessions a week for most coats, plus an extra session during heavy spring and fall shedding. Short, regular sessions beat long marathons.
Can it fix severe matting?
It handles ordinary knots and tangles well, but felted mats sitting tight against the skin shouldn't be forced with any brush - those are a case for a professional groomer, sometimes with clippers.
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- Shop brushes & deshedding tools
Prices and specifications are current as of publication and may change. See the product page for the latest details. For skin conditions or extreme shedding, consult your veterinarian.