The Best Hair Brushes For Dogs
If you plan on brushing your dog's hair (hint: you should), you should know that it's tough to do so without the appropriate hairbrush. Although brushing your dog's hair may seem like an unnecessary chore, it's actually an important means of caring for your furry friend. Giving your dog a good, regular brushing not only prevents their hair from matting and tangling, but it can also even prevent skin infections that result from an unkempt coat. But there are many different kinds of hairbrushes for dogs, so we've rounded up some of the best options available to help you find the right one for your dog's needs.
Hertzko Soft Pet Brush
Gentle yet strong
Sometimes we want a single product to do a lot of things and to do them well. The folks at Hertzko understand this sentiment, and as such, they’ve designed this soft pet brush to be as versatile as it is effective. This brush is soft enough to use comfortably on your dog’s face and paws — even for dogs with sensitive skin. The secret behind this softness is the brush’s plastic bristles which have rounded ends and a slight slant. Thanks to this design, the brush disperses pressure rather than directly applying it to your dog’s skin. And since the bristles are roughly a half-inch long, this brush will work for dogs of all sizes and coat types.
Pros:
- Bristles have rounded ends
- Comfort-grip
- Anti-slip handle
Cons:
- Plastic bristles can be too flexible
itPlus Self-Cleaning Grooming Brush
Brushing made easy
Often the most difficult part of brushing our dogs is the ensuing cleanup. In fact, sometimes the cleanup can be so difficult and unpleasant that we simply don’t want to brush them in the first place. Good news, though: this self-cleaning grooming brush from itPlus offers a clever solution. This hairbrush features a self-cleaning design that eliminates the chore of having to pluck out the tangled mess of hair that remains after a thorough brushing. With the simple push of a button, a panel forces all of the collected hair off of the brush’s bristles, effectively retracting them and freeing any hair to be plucked away with ease. This innovative feature as well as the addition of an ergonomic and durable non-slip rubber handle make this hairbrush an excellent choice for improving the experience of brushing, both for your dog and you.
Pros:
- Self-cleaning mechanism
- Ergonomic and durable handle
- Bristles have rounded ends
Cons:
- Bristles might not trap finer hair
Glendan Dog and Cat Brush
Finesse without the stress
Brushing your dog shouldn’t leave you feeling as though you just exercised your wrists and arms at the gym. The people at Glendan understand, and that’s evidenced by the design of this brush, which prioritizes comfort. They accomplished this by implementing a comfort-grip and anti-slip handle specifically designed to prevent hand and wrist strain. Additionally, they attached that handle to a brush head capable of rotating 360 degrees with three rotation modes. The result is a hairbrush that can be adjusted for both your comfort and that of your dog.
Pros:
- Comfort-grip and anti-slip handle
- Rotating brush head
- Ventilation hole on the brush head
Cons:
- Metal bristles can be too stiff for some dogs
HOP Home of Paws Double-Sided Dog Brush
Two in one
Home of Paws’ team has set out to create a hairbrush that provides you with more options than most other brushes, and they’ve succeeded. Their dog brush consists of two different sides: a bristle boar side and a pin side. They’ve designed the bristle boar side to spread your dog’s essential oils throughout their coat while also gently exfoliating their skin. The pin side firmly yet safely removes knots and tangles from your dog’s coat. To complete the design, Home of Paws attached the double-sided brush head to a handle covered in TPR. The finished product is a comfortable, durable, elegant, and multi-functional hairbrush.
Pros:
- Boar bristles
- Stainless steel pins
- Padded, anti-static back
- Sturdy TPR-covered handle
Cons:
- Handle joint is plastic
Chris Christensen Big G Dog Slicker Brush
Long hair, don't care
If you have a dog with long or curly hair, you’ll be happy to know that this hairbrush can help you fluff, detangle, and style it. Designed for professional groomers, the Big G Dog Slicker has a cushioned pad that retracts the brush’s pins with the pressure of a stroke. The pins themselves are soft and slanted with a slight bend that enables you to comfortably and effectively brush your dog. The pins are also each longer than an inch. With an ergonomic handle and two head sizes to choose from, this hairbrush is the perfect instrument for grooming your long-haired friend.
Pros:
- Cushioned back
- Slanted and bent pins
- Long pins are great for long-haired pooches
- Ergonomic handle
Cons:
- Expensive
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of hairbrush should I purchase for my dog?
In order to determine what kind of hairbrush you should purchase for your dog, you need to understand the type of coat your dog has. While you should ask your vet or groomer for more specific instructions, there are some general rules. For long-haired breeds, you’ll want to use a pin or slicker brush depending on how curly, wooly, or long their coat is. For short-haired breeds, you’ll want to use a rubber or soft-bristle brush depending on how sensitive their skin is. Of course, individual dogs have their own personalities and temperaments which you should also consider when purchasing a brush and using it on them.
How frequently should I brush my dog?
This depends on the dog’s breed. As a general rule, however, you should brush your dog at least once a week and no less than once every two weeks.
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