Jeffers Dematting Comb and Rake

Mats happen, especially behind the ears, under the legs, and on the britches of long-coated dogs. A dematting tool has sharp, serrated blades that cut through a mat instead of dragging it, which is far kinder than yanking at it with a brush. Jeffers has sold these for years, and they pair with the undercoat rake and slicker brush we already carry.

They're about 7" long, work in either hand, and are made in Taiwan for Jeffers.

• Comb, 9 blades, or Rake, 10 blades: all-purpose, for most coats
• Comb, 11 blades: for hard-to-reach spots
• Comb or Rake, 12 blades: for tight, dense mats
• Serrated blades; the combs have a thumb rest

These blades are sharp, so go gently. Hold the mat at its base, between the tool and your dog's skin, and work from the outer edge of the mat inward in short strokes, keeping the blades off the skin. Never pull. If a mat sits tight against the skin, or the coat has matted into a sheet, that's a job for a groomer.