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If you live with a shedding cat or dog, you know the fur gets everywhere. You can’t stop shedding, it’s normal, but the right tools and a regular routine dramatically cut how much ends up on your sofa, and keep your pet’s coat healthy. Here’s what to use.

The main tools

Deshedding tools

The heavy hitters. A deshedder reaches through the topcoat to pull out loose undercoat, the stuff that sheds most. Used weekly, they remove astonishing amounts of loose fur before it lands on your floor.

👉 Browse deshedding tools

Slicker brushes

Fine, angled wires that remove loose hair, tackle small tangles and smooth the coat. A great everyday brush for most coat types.

👉 Browse slicker brushes

Undercoat rakes

For thick double coats (Huskies, Maine Coons, German Shepherds). The rake gets deep into the dense undercoat to clear loose hair and prevent matting.

👉 Browse undercoat rakes

Grooming gloves

A brush-glove that removes loose hair as you stroke. Perfect for pets who dislike brushes, it feels like petting.

👉 Browse pet grooming gloves

Matching the tool to the coat

  • Short coats: a grooming glove or rubber brush + occasional slicker.
  • Medium coats: slicker brush + a deshedder during shedding season.
  • Long / double coats: undercoat rake + slicker + deshedder, brushed several times a week to prevent mats.
  • Curly / non-shedding coats (Poodles, Bichons): these need regular clipping and combing rather than deshedding, or the coat mats.

What to look for

  • The right tool for your pet’s coat (above), the biggest factor.
  • A comfortable, non-slip handle for the amount of brushing you’ll do.
  • Gentle on skin, brush firmly but never scrape the skin, which causes “brush burn.”
  • Easy hair removal (button-release deshedders are handy).

Cut shedding at home

  • Brush regularly, the single most effective step. Little and often beats occasional marathons.
  • Feed a good-quality diet, coat health starts from the inside; omega-3s support skin and coat.
  • Bathe occasionally (not too often) with a suitable shampoo to loosen dead hair.
  • Keep them hydrated and manage stress, both of which affect coat condition.

Excessive shedding, bald patches, or itchy, sore skin aren’t just grooming issues, they can signal allergies, parasites or other health problems. If the shedding seems abnormal, see your vet.

The bottom line

Match the tool to the coat, a deshedder + slicker for most pets, an undercoat rake for thick double coats, and brush regularly rather than occasionally. Do that, add a good diet, and you’ll slash the fur on your furniture while keeping your pet’s coat healthy and mat-free.

A note from Meow Howl: This article is for general information and is not a substitute for advice from your own veterinarian. If you are worried about your pet, please contact your vet.

By Meow Howl Editorial Team

18 July 2026

Our editorial team researches and writes Meow Howl’s lifestyle, product and trends guides. Unlike our vet-written health articles, these pieces are general information rather than veterinary advice, always speak to your own vet about your pet’s health.

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