Caring for pets with undercoats poses additional challenges. Without regular grooming with a tool that can penetrate the deeper layers of fur, undercoats are prone to matting. The FURminator Grooming Rake is specifically designed for taking care of undercoats in dogs and cats. It also works well for pets with thick medium to long fur, even without undercoats.
Customers generally agree that it does a great job of working through thick coats and dense undercoats, preventing mats and removing loose hair to reduce shedding.
Our Score for the FURminator Grooming Rake
Editorial Rating
What we like:
Perfect for undercoat grooming and thick fur
In This Article
About the FURminator Grooming Rake
The FURminator Grooming Rake is a grooming tool that’s somewhere between a comb and a brush. It has a convenient non-slip handle, like you might expect to find on a pet brush, but has a single row of long teeth, somewhat like a comb. These teeth are designed to work deep into thick, dense coats, especially undercoats, which can prove difficult to brush with other tools.
Not only does the FURminator help prevent tangles and mats, it also captures loose fur. By brushing this fur out before it falls, you can drastically reduce the amount your pet sheds, which is excellent news if you’re better acquainted with your vacuum cleaner than you’d like to be. The teeth rotate to better remove hair and work through tangles, making it more effective than versions with static teeth.
While you can find cheaper grooming rakes, this one still won’t break the bank. What’s more, it’s extremely durable and therefore provides excellent value compared to cheaper models that are likely to wear out or break significantly faster.
Important Features
The FURminator Grooming Rake has some excellent features that make it stand out from other similar products.
- Rotating metal teeth that help remove loose fur
- Ergonomic non-slip handle for comfortable grooming
- Works on dogs and cats with dense medium to long fur or an undercoat
- Durable construction so it will keep going for years
What We Like
When examining the FURminator Grooming Rake, there’s a lot to like about it. Here are some of its highlights.
- Prevents tangles and mats. By regularly brushing your pet’s undercoat or thick single coat with this tool, you’ll help prevent mats and tangles from forming, keeping your pet comfortable and looking sleek.
- Effectively removes loose fur. This tool grabs loose fur from the coat, removing it before it can shed all over your home.
- Strong rotating teeth. The rotating teeth do a great job of working through fur. Plus, they’re extremely durable and highly unlikely to break or bend.
- Ergonomic design. The ergonomic grip keeps you comfortable while you’re grooming your pet, which is ideal when it takes a while to get through all their fur.
- Non-slip handle. Thanks to its non-slip design, you’ll feel like you have close control over this tool and it’s unlikely to slip through your hands and dig into your pet.
What We Don’t Like
Naturally, not everything about the FURminator Grooming Rake is perfect, so it’s worth considering these factors before you commit to purchasing.
- Difficult to use in some areas. It works well on the body, but you may struggle with using it in tighter areas, such as around the ears, face, or the inside of the legs.
- Not the best tool for removing mats. While it can help prevent matting, this isn’t the right tool for removing established mats.
- Can struggle with extremely thick coats. Some owners of dogs with extremely thick, dense coats, such as Great Pyrenees, found it didn’t work through their undercoat as well as expected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Customer Reviews
Positive Reviews
Buyers who like the FURminator Grooming Rake rave about how effectively it removes fur. Customers also love that it doesn’t seem to tug on their pet’s skin, making the grooming experience more comfortable.
“We have a long haired Cardigan corgi and he sheds like a husky, so finding a good rake was a must. We tried a few other brands that seemed to barely remove hair with each pass, so we’d spend up to an hour brushing him. Using this rake was such a relief. It pulls out so much of the loose hair in a single pass, it made grooming such a better experience. It doesn’t hurt our boy at all, and he actually seems to enjoy it at some points. Would highly recommend” – E. Strickland, Amazon, 8/21/22
“This works perfectly on my medium-haired cat. She has a double coat and is prone to mats. Regular use of this brush keeps her fur beautiful and mat free. Believe me, I’ve tried every comb or brush that claims to remove dead hair. This is the only one that works, and the others don’t even come close. The teeth are rounded so I don’t have to worry about accidentally nicking her skin. The other two short hair cats love it, too, by the way.” – Mugglemary, Amazon, 8/2/22
Negative Reviews
You’ll also find some less-than-positive reviews of the FURminator. Most focus on the fact that it isn’t right for all coat types and owners of especially dense-coated breeds can struggle. Some customers have also found durability an issue, but these complaints are so infrequent that it’s likely due to occasional manufacturing faults than overall quality.
“I now have a Newfoundland. She loves being groomed, and I have been on a learning curve regarding grooming for a Newfie. They have very heavy coats, and there is a thick undercoat. When I saw how well a rake worked on her at the groomer she goes to in the winter, I wanted one. I chose the Furminator. This was available at a great price. It does do a great job at pulling out the undercoat. I love it for that! But, it is no match for her coat. The rubber handle pulls down and makes it hard to manage a comb through.
The company very kindly sent me a replacement for the rake I purchased. Same issue. I have to assume that my girl just has too heavy a coat, and I may have to find a more heavy duty rake. Time will tell.” – Solana, Amazon, 7/15/17
Final Verdict
If you’re looking for an undercoat rake or a grooming tool to remove loose fur, the FURminator Grooming Rake is a worthwhile choice. Not only is it effective at what it does, it’s also comfortable for the user and the pet. It’s durable and should last for years before it needs replacing.
Want to learn more about other brushes and grooming tools on the market? Head to our guide to the best brushes for Australian shepherds.
Pet News Daily writers are experts in pet care, health and behavior. We are members of Society for Professional Journalists and practice ethical journalism.
