FURminator Cat Deshedding Tool Review: Does It Really Work?

Quick verdict: The FURminator Cat Deshedding Tool is the most effective deshedding tool we’ve ever tested. It removes an astonishing amount of loose undercoat in a single session, dramatically reducing shedding around your home and hairball frequency. At 4.7 out of 5, it’s our top-rated grooming tool — with the caveat that it’s best suited for medium and long-haired cats with dense undercoats, not short-haired breeds.

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Product Overview

The FURminator is one of those rare pet products that lives up to its reputation. Originally designed by a professional groomer who was tired of inefficient deshedding tools, the FURminator Cat Deshedding Tool uses a stainless steel edge to reach through the topcoat and remove loose undercoat hair — the stuff that ends up on your furniture, clothes, and in your cat’s stomach as hairballs.

FURminator claims the tool removes up to 90% of loose hair. Based on our testing, that number is honestly not far off. The amount of fur this thing pulls out is genuinely impressive — and sometimes a little alarming, in a “did I just remove an entire second cat?” kind of way.

The tool is available in two sizes (Small for cats under 10 lbs, Large for cats over 10 lbs) and two coat-length variants (short hair and long hair). This review focuses on the long-hair version, which we tested on multiple medium and long-haired cats.

Design and Build Quality

The Deshedding Edge

The star of the show is the stainless steel deshedding edge — a precision-manufactured metal blade with fine teeth designed to catch and pull loose undercoat hairs without cutting the topcoat. The edge is sharp enough to be effective but features a built-in skin guard that prevents the teeth from digging into your cat’s skin. This is a meaningful safety feature, especially for enthusiastic groomers who might apply too much pressure.

The edge shows no signs of dulling after our 30-day test (and FURminator users commonly report years of use without needing a replacement). The stainless steel is also resistant to corrosion, which matters when you’re using it on cats who may have oils or dander in their coat.

The Handle

The ergonomic handle is one of the FURminator’s underrated strengths. It’s shaped to fit naturally in your hand, with a non-slip rubber grip that stays comfortable even during 15-20 minute grooming sessions. If you’ve ever tried to hold a basic metal comb for that long, you’ll appreciate the difference.

FURejector Button

A small but brilliant feature: pressing the rubber button on the top of the tool pushes the collected fur off the deshedding edge. No more pulling clumps of fur out of the teeth with your fingers. One press and the fur releases cleanly. It’s a small convenience that makes a real difference when you’re filling a trash can with cat fur every week.

Overall Build

The FURminator feels premium in hand. The plastic housing is solid (not flimsy), the metal edge is securely mounted, and the FURejector mechanism is responsive without being easy to trigger accidentally. It’s clearly engineered by someone who understood the ergonomics of regular grooming sessions.

Our Testing Experience

We tested the FURminator on our panel of cats over 30 days, focusing on the breeds where deshedding tools provide the most benefit.

Test Panel for This Review

• Clementine — Domestic long-hair rescue, 7 years old, chronic shedder
• Duchess — Persian, 10 years old, dense undercoat
• Oliver — Maine Coon, 4 years old, heavy seasonal shedder
• Noodle — Domestic medium-hair, 3 years old, moderate shedder

Session Results

The first session with each cat produced jaw-dropping results. From Oliver (our Maine Coon), a single 15-minute session removed enough undercoat to fill a baseball-sized clump — and this was from a cat who had been brushed with a slicker brush just two days earlier. The FURminator reached fur that a standard slicker brush simply couldn’t access.

Average fur removal per session (by cat):

• Oliver (Maine Coon): Large clump — visually estimated at 4-5 tablespoons of fur
• Duchess (Persian): Medium-large clump — approximately 3-4 tablespoons
• Clementine (domestic long-hair): Medium clump — approximately 2-3 tablespoons
• Noodle (domestic medium-hair): Small-medium clump — approximately 1-2 tablespoons

Hairball Impact

This is where the FURminator’s value becomes undeniable. Before using the FURminator, Oliver (our heaviest shedder) produced hairballs roughly 3 times per week. After two weeks of twice-weekly FURminator sessions, hairball frequency dropped to once per week. By the end of the 30-day test, he was producing hairballs about once every 10 days.

The math is simple: less loose undercoat on the cat means less fur ingested during self-grooming, which means fewer hairballs. For cats on a hairball-control diet, adding FURminator sessions amplifies the benefit significantly.

Shedding Around the Home

We asked our volunteer cat households to rate shedding on furniture and clothes before and after adding FURminator sessions to their grooming routine (scale of 1-10, with 10 being the most shedding).

• Before FURminator: Average rating of 7.5
• After 30 days of twice-weekly use: Average rating of 3.2

That’s a 57% reduction in visible shedding around the home — in line with FURminator’s marketing claims.

Cat Acceptance

Three of our four test cats tolerated the FURminator well from the first session. Oliver (Maine Coon) actually seemed to enjoy it, leaning into the strokes and purring throughout. Duchess (Persian) was initially skeptical and required short sessions with treat rewards for the first week before she relaxed into it.

The key is using gentle, even pressure and working in the direction of hair growth. The FURminator is not a tool you should press hard with — let the stainless steel edge do the work.

Durability

After 30 days of use across four cats (60+ grooming sessions total), the FURminator shows zero signs of wear. The edge is still sharp, the FURejector button works perfectly, and the handle shows no degradation. Online reviews commonly report 3-5+ years of regular use without issues, and our testing experience supports that claim.

Important Usage Guidelines

The FURminator is highly effective, but it can be misused. Here are the guidelines we recommend based on our testing and the manufacturer’s instructions:

Do:

• Use once or twice per week (2-3 times during heavy shedding seasons)
• Keep sessions to 10-20 minutes
• Use gentle, even strokes in the direction of hair growth
• Start with the back and sides, where most cats are comfortable
• Use the FURejector button regularly during sessions to keep the edge clear
• Check for mats or tangles first and remove them with a comb before using the FURminator

Don’t:

• Use on cats without an undercoat (Siamese, Bengal, Burmese, etc.)
• Press hard — let the teeth do the work
• Go over the same small area repeatedly — this can thin the coat and irritate skin
• Use on areas with skin irritation, sores, or hot spots
• Use daily — over-deshedding is a real risk with this tool

Value Assessment

The FURminator Cat Deshedding Tool retails for approximately $25-35 (check current price on Amazon), which is 2-3 times the price of a basic slicker brush. Is it worth the premium?

For medium and long-haired cats: absolutely yes. No other grooming tool we’ve tested comes close to its deshedding effectiveness. A basic slicker brush removes surface loose fur. The FURminator reaches the dense undercoat that causes the majority of shedding and hairball problems. If your cat is a heavy shedder, the FURminator will save you time, reduce lint roller costs, and likely reduce veterinary visits for hairball-related digestive issues.

For short-haired cats without a dense undercoat: skip it. A $10 rubber grooming glove or soft-bristle brush is more appropriate and less likely to cause irritation. See our cat grooming guide for coat-specific tool recommendations.

Who Should Buy the FURminator

Great for:

• Maine Coon, Persian, Ragdoll, Norwegian Forest Cat, Himalayan, and other long-haired breeds
• Medium-haired cats with dense undercoats
• Cats who produce frequent hairballs
• Cat owners tired of finding fur on every surface in their home
• Households where someone has cat allergies (less airborne fur = fewer triggers)

Skip if:

• Your cat is a short-haired breed with minimal undercoat (Siamese, Burmese, Bengal, etc.)
• Your cat has sensitive skin or active skin conditions
• Your cat absolutely will not tolerate grooming tools (try a rubber glove first)
• You’re looking for a daily grooming tool (the FURminator is a 1-2x/week tool, not a daily brush)

How We Tested

1. 30-day real-world trial with 4 cats representing different coat types and shedding levels
2. Quantified results — visual fur removal assessment, hairball frequency tracking, household shedding rating
3. Ergonomic evaluation — comfort during 15-20 minute sessions over 30 days
4. Durability check — edge sharpness, handle integrity, and mechanism function at day 30
5. Cat acceptance monitoring — behavioral response, stress indicators, voluntary participation

Final Verdict

The FURminator Cat Deshedding Tool earns a 4.7 out of 5 from Meowing Goods — our highest rating for any grooming product. It delivers on its core promise of dramatically reducing loose undercoat, and the downstream benefits (fewer hairballs, less fur on furniture, healthier-looking coat) are real and measurable.

The only reason it doesn’t earn a perfect 5 is the limited applicability — it’s not appropriate for all coat types, and it requires some care to avoid over-grooming. But for the cats it’s designed for — medium and long-haired breeds with dense undercoats — there’s simply nothing better on the market.

Check Price on Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I use the FURminator on my cat?

FURminator recommends using the deshedding tool once or twice a week for 10-20 minutes per session. During heavy shedding seasons (spring and fall), you can increase to 2-3 times per week. Over-use can irritate the skin and thin the coat, so don’t use it daily and stop each session when the tool is pulling out significantly less fur.

Can I use the FURminator on a short-haired cat?

FURminator does make a short-hair version, but we recommend caution. The deshedding edge works best on cats with a dense undercoat. Short-haired breeds without much undercoat (like Siamese, Burmese, or Bengals) can experience skin irritation from the metal edge. For short-haired cats, a rubber grooming glove or soft-bristle brush is usually a better choice.

Does the FURminator cut or damage the topcoat?

When used correctly, the FURminator is designed to reach through the topcoat and remove loose undercoat without cutting the guard hairs. The key is using gentle, even strokes in the direction of hair growth without applying heavy pressure. Pressing too hard or going over the same area repeatedly can damage the topcoat. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and watch for signs of irritation.

What size FURminator should I get for my cat?

FURminator offers two sizes for cats: Small (1.75-inch edge for cats up to 10 lbs) and Large (2.65-inch edge for cats over 10 lbs). For most domestic cats, the Small size works well. For large breeds like Maine Coons, Ragdolls, and Norwegian Forest Cats, the Large size covers more surface area per stroke and is more efficient.

Is the FURminator worth the higher price?

Yes, in our experience. The FURminator costs more than a basic slicker brush ($25-35 vs $5-15), but it removes dramatically more loose fur per session. It also lasts for years — we’ve seen FURminators hold their edge through 3+ years of regular use. If your cat is a heavy shedder, the FURminator pays for itself in reduced lint rolling, less cat hair on furniture, and fewer hairballs.

My cat hates the FURminator. What should I do?

Some cats find the sensation of the deshedding edge uncomfortable, especially on their first experience. Start with very short sessions (30 seconds) using gentle pressure and reward with treats immediately after. Focus on areas where cats typically enjoy being petted — along the back and sides — and avoid sensitive areas like the belly, legs, and tail until your cat is comfortable. If your cat never accepts it, switch to a softer grooming tool. See our grooming tips guide for alternatives.

Sources

1. Cornell Feline Health Center — Cats That Lick Too Much
2. AVMA — Pet Grooming
3. CFA — Cat Care: Grooming