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.
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.
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 do not list a rake or deshedding tool yet, because none we found met our bar. On any 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.[17] 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.[18][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]