Regular brushing removes loose hair before it ends up on your sofa, prevents tangles and mats, spreads natural skin oils and gives you a chance to check your pet's skin. It's also great bonding time.
How often should you brush?
- Short, smooth coats: about once a week.
- Medium or double coats: two to three times a week, and daily during seasonal shedding.
- Long coats: several times a week, or daily to prevent mats.
Choosing a brush
- Slicker brush: fine wire pins that lift loose undercoat and small tangles. Our self-cleaning slicker brush releases collected fur at the push of a button.
- Deshedding tool: designed to pull out loose undercoat on heavy shedders. See our deshedding brush.
Brushing technique
- Start when your pet is calm – after a walk or play session works well.
- Brush in the direction the hair grows, in short, gentle strokes.
- Work in sections from head to tail, lifting the top coat to reach underneath.
- Use light pressure. Pressing hard with a slicker can scratch the skin (“brush burn”).
- Never pull at mats. Hold the hair close to the skin and work through small sections, or ask a groomer to help with tight mats.
- Keep sessions short at first and reward with praise or a treat.
Watch for skin problems
While brushing, look for redness, scabs, lumps, flaky skin, fleas or unusual hair loss. Mention anything new to your veterinarian.
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice.