Best Dog Brushes for Heavy Shedders

If you have a husky, German shepherd, Akita, chow chow, a retriever, or any other double-coated breed, you probably struggle with heavy shedding and keeping up with grooming. Below are brushes that work great on heavy shedders to minimize the amount of hair they leave behind.

Rakes

Rakes have long metal teeth to help detangle and remove undercoat hair that is loose. These are also called dematting combs. Rakes are ideal for heavy shedders because they can reach through the dense coat easily to remove excess hair. However, be careful that the teeth are not too long and do not scrape your pal’s skin!

Wide-Toothed Combs

These combs also help to remove and prevent mats in your furry friend. Additionally, they remove excess hair, dirt, and debris. The teeth are rounded to avoid scratching and irritating your pal’s skin. These are best used to take out the last of the difficult tangles from your furry friend’s coat.

Bristle Brushes

The bristles vary in length and arrangement to effectively remove loose hair and reduce shedding. Short, tightly packed bristles are ideal for short-haired dogs. But, long, wide-spaced bristles are best for long-haird dogs. These brushes also help to remove dirt and spread their natural skin oils across their coat. This helps keep their coat healthy and shiny.

Slicker Brushes

These brushes feature fine wire bristles that are capped with protective plastic to avoid irritation or injury. Slicker brushes also remove mats, loose hair, and debris. This is the most versatile brush that works well for most breeds. As a rule of thumb, shorter teeth are better for dogs with shorter coats, and medium to long teeth are better for dogs with longer coats.

Though you may have a heavy shedder, be sure not to over brush an area. Doing so will result in skin irritation and tenderness. Additionally, you should never apply too much pressure while brushing or tug at tough tangles. Take your time and take breaks as needed. We want our companions looking their best but we want them to be happy about it too!