Double-coated breeds do not shed evenly, they blow their undercoat in clumps, and an ordinary pin comb slides over the top of that without ever reaching it. An undercoat rake works down through the guard hairs to the dense layer beneath and pulls it out, which is the only thing that makes a real difference in spring and autumn. This one is double-sided, giving you two working edges on a single handle.

The blades are stainless steel with rounded edges, and the rounding is what separates a dematting rake from something that scores the skin, since you are drawing a blade through hair knotted tight against the body. They cut through mats rather than dragging them, so the mat comes apart instead of the skin being tugged. The handle is ergonomic with a non-slip grip, which you appreciate on a long-coated dog where a session runs past twenty minutes.

• Double-sided undercoat rake with rounded stainless-steel blades
• Cuts through mats rather than dragging them out
• Non-slip ergonomic handle
• Two sizes: small at 16.5 x 4.5 cm and large at 18 x 7.5 cm
• Sold singly or in two- and three-piece sets
• Suits dogs and cats, short coats through to long

On matted coats. A rake will open up a mat, but a coat that has felted flat against the skin is a job for clippers and a groomer, and working at it with a rake will hurt. Take small sections, hold the hair at its base so you are not pulling from the roots, and stop if your pet objects. The blades stay sharp, so store it away from children.

Who it's for: Owners of double-coated or long-haired dogs and cats facing a heavy seasonal shed, who want one tool covering both loose undercoat and early tangles.