Even though long-haired cats look adorable with all their fluff, you must invest more time and money in 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. Regular brushing is crucial for their grooming routine to keep their coat mat-free.
Brushing your cat regularly prevents tangles from forming, spreads natural oils, 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 for removing the mess without hurting your kitty. After combing through dozens of reviews, we have found some of the top de-matting tools sold today.
Click to Skip Ahead
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2025
Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall
![]() |
![]() |
FURminator Pet De-Matter |
|
CHECK PRICE |
Best Value
![]() |
![]() |
Safari De-Matting Comb |
|
CHECK PRICE |
Premium Choice
![]() |
![]() |
Hertzko Double-Sided Dematting Tool |
|
CHECK PRICE |
|
![]() |
Andis De-Matting Tool |
|
CHECK PRICE |
|
![]() |
Pet Life 'Conversion' 5-in-1 |
|
CHECK PRICE |
The 8 Best Dematting Tools for Cats
1. FURminator Adjustable De-Matter Pet Tool — Best Overall
Weight: | 8.74 ounces |
Dimensions: | 5″ L x 2″ W x 8.875″ H |
Material: | Stainless Steel |
When looking for the best overall de-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 cat and has an adjustable slide tab that locks in place to keep them 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 tight matting.
- Adjustable
- Locking slide tab
- Non-slip grip
- Comfortable
- Suitable for most hair types
- Large blade not ideal for tight knots
2. Safari De-Matting Cat & Dog Comb – Best Value
Weight: | N/A |
Dimensions: | N/A |
Material: | Plastic |
Even though this comb was designed for dogs, it is also a great tool for 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 comfortable grip also makes the Safari comb 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.
- Affordable
- Rust-resistant
- Comfort grip
- Rounded blade edges
- Not ideal for kittens
3. Hertzko Double-Sided De-Knotting Comb — Premium Choice
Weight: | 2.4 ounces |
Dimensions: | 10″ L x 4.8″ W x 1″ H |
Material: | Plastic |
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. The Hertzko 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 similar models, but we still think it is worth the price.
- Double-sided
- Rust-resistant
- Comfortable
- Expensive
4. Andis Pet De-Matting Tool – Best for Kittens
Weight: | 3.2 ounces |
Dimensions: | 9.88″ L x 3.5″ W x 9.813″ H |
Material: | Plastic |
You don’t want to use a large de-matter with smaller kittens because it’s too 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 comfortable grip, but you may have to use it more since the blades are duller for the kitten’s safety.
- Small
- Lightweight
- Comfort grip
- Reduces shedding
- Duller blades
5. Pet Life ‘Conversion’ 5-in-1 Interchangeable Dematting and Deshedding Bristle Pin and Massage Grooming Pet Com
Weight: | 14.72 ounces |
Dimensions: | 9.05″ L x 2.72″ W x 1.97″ H |
Material: | Rubber, metal, silicone |
The Pet Life Conversion 5-in-1 Grooming Tool includes a bristle brush, pin brush, dematter, deshedder, and silicone massage comb. The removable brush heads are simple to attach and remove, and the ergonomic handle provides a comfortable grip. The Pet Life tool is suitable for dogs and cats of all breeds.
Most users were happy they only needed one tool to groom their cats, but a few mentioned that the tabs on the brush handle break easily. If they break, you can still brush your cat with the attachments, but it’s not as comfortable.
- Includes 5 brush attachments
- Ergonomic handle
- Affordable
- Tabs on handle break easily
- Bristle brush irritates some cats
6. Babyliss Pro Pet De-Matting Pet Rake
Weight: | N/A |
Dimensions: | 9.625″ L x 5.75″ W x 1.25″ H |
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 it takes more time to work through a knot.
- Small
- Ergonomic handle
- Anti-slip grip
- Rake only moves in one direction
- More time to remove knots
7. Master Grooming Tools Dog & Cat De-Matting Comb
Weight: | 4 ounces |
Dimensions: | 10.5″ L x 4″ W x 0.75″ H |
Material: | Rubber |
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, the blades easily work through matting without putting you or your cat in danger of being injured. The comb feels durable 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 larger matting and knots.
- High-quality feel
- Two blade choices
- Affordable
- Duller blades
- Not great for larger matting areas
8. Hertzko 2-in-1 Pet Grooming Tool
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.
- Two brush heads
- Padded handle
- Better for smaller knots
- Expensive
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best De-matting Tool for Cats
We buy de-matting combs to keep our pet’s coats soft and tangle-free. The tools aren’t too complicated to use, but it still helps to know a few key characteristics that most combs should have. In the end, make sure that the one you choose is gentle on your cat yet effective on the matting.
Grip
Daily grooming isn’t something that all cat owners participate in, although long-haired cats benefit from frequent brushing sessions. If you have a long-haired feline, you’ll appreciate having a tool that is also comfortable for you to use.
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.

Quality
When you invest in a tool you will use frequently, spending a little more on a higher-quality brand pays off in the long run. De-matting tools should last you 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. 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 will 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. The combs come in various sizes; for some cat owners, a smaller tool is a much better option.
Grooming Advice
Consider yourself lucky if you’ve never had to deal with matted fur. 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 prevent matting. We recommend keeping your cats on a healthy, well-balanced diet to keep their fur silky smooth and less likely to knot. When you have to remove the mats, always be gentle and pay attention to what is or isn’t working for your fur baby.
If you would like to talk to someone about the best ways to keep your cat healthy, one of our vets would be happy to help!
How We Determined This List of Best Dematting Tools for Cats
All the dematting tools reviewed in this article were chosen by our writers, editors, and team of experienced veterinary professionals to ensure that they are safe and meet the care needs of your pet. When choosing which dematting tools to feature, we took into account brand reputation, personal and hands-on experience, reviews from other customers, and of course, feedback from our beloved pets, to make sure to bring you only the best of the best. We at PangoVet want to give you only the best products to choose from in our reviews, to ensure that they meet your pets’ needs for optimal health and well-being.
Why Trust PangoVet?
We are a team of experienced veterinarians, writers, and editors who are pet owners ourselves, so we understand how important your pets and the products they use and consume are to you. Whether you are caring for a furry, scaly, or feathered friend, we make sure that you have honest and unbiased reviews of the top dematting tools on the market, so you can make an informed decision.
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