Taking care of our pets is something on which people tend to spend a lot of time, energy, and resources, regardless of which pet they have and whether or not their pet’s welfare is likely to come under any kind of scrutiny; we will go to enormous lengths to make sure that our pets lack for nothing, often to a far greater degree than we worry about ourselves. This is especially true of dogs, one of the most common species to be adopted as a house pet; there are numerous varieties of pet dog, but all of them benefit from an enormous and ever-growing array of pet care products to meet their every need.
Dog food alone, for example, can be found in literally scores of different varieties, made out of better ingredients than some people are used to eating at their own table; the very best of veterinary and nutritional science is employed to ensure that your dog is eating as healthy a meal as possible, no matter what size or age they are or what lifestyle they lead.
Dog food is classified not only by common variables like breed, age, and weight, but also by such things as diabetes, overweight, anemic, and so on, with the result that no dog ever has to worry about getting something other than a food precisely formulated for their exact nutritional profile.
Another field we have developed for dogs no less than for humans is medicine, where no human medical professional is without a veterinary counterpart for dogs; the same area goes into the testing and proving of pet medicine as that to be administered for humans, and dogs have hospitals and monitoring equipment all their own as well. It is a testament to how important all of this is that these practices are only rarely empty; people are frequently willing to put out more for their dog’s care than for their own and over a far greater period of time.
Even a dog’s leisure time tends to be more varied than that of a human’s, with worlds of toys and treats invented exclusively for their enjoyment; plenty of humans will substitute their own downtime for making sure that the dog gets a chance to go out and play, or to pay someone else to make sure that that happens instead. In many countries, dogs have their own parks, jungle gyms, and climbing structures, built specifically to make sure that our favorite pet is never short of something to do.
Our concern for our dogs hardly ends there, of course; plenty of other fields see a nearly parallel degree of interest between dogs and people, and more canine care products are created every year to take advantage of every breakthrough possible for the good of our dogs. Dog hygiene and grooming is one such area, with endless ranks of products designed to ease the life of both dog and owner by keeping the one as clean as the other; dog spas and salons are a common business around the world, for when you need your dog looking its very best.
Like our own personal care, though, not every hygiene problem your dog has requires a trip to the hairdresser’s, and dog owners can expect to do a considerable amount of grooming at home to keep their dog from becoming malodorous or unsightly. This is where those shelves upon shelves of pet care products can come in handy; while you might not be a professional at dog grooming, you won’t be trying to invent the science from scratch.
Comparison Table
| PRODUCT | FEATURES | LATEST PRICE |
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1. Miracle Care Slicker Dog Brush |
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2. Vetnique Labs Furbliss Grooming, Deshedding, Massaging & Bathing Dog & Cat Brush |
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3. Frisco Deshedding Cat & Dog Brush |
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4. Wags & Wiggles Dual Sided Bristle And Wiggle Pin Brush For Short-Haired Dogs |
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5. Safari Nylon Coated Tip Short Hair Dog Brush |
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6. Bodhi Dog, Cat & Small Animal Shampoo Grooming Brush |
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7. ConairPRO Pet-It Boar Bristle Brush |
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8. Petmate FurBuster 3-In-1 Dog Grooming Glove |
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9. Mr. Peanut’s Dog & Cat Grooming & Deshedding Gloves |
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10. Dakpets FURblaster Deshedding & Light Trimming Tool For Long & Short Hair Dogs & Cats |
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Among the greatest tribulations facing someone grooming a dog at home is doubtless the problem of shedding; every pet owner knows and loathes the coatings of hair on floor and furniture, and there has long been a search for any way to, at least, quickly remove the shed hairs. Plenty of new solutions have been brought to market in recent years, but an ounce of prevention is still worth a pound of cure, and one of the best ways to minimize or eliminate shedding is by brushing your dog out thoroughly on a regular basis; after all, it can’t shed hair on your furniture if the hairs have been brushed away ahead of time.
Unfortunately, not all dogs can be brushed the same way, as not all dog hair is alike; some dogs have fairly long hair that takes the bristles of a brush easily, but others have short hair that will simply slide between them. A specialized brush, intended for dogs with shorter hair, will be necessary to properly groom such breeds; here are some of the best options you can get to help you groom a shorter-haired dog.
Our Best Dog Brush for Short Hair Reviews and Comparisons
1. Vetnique Labs Furbliss Grooming, Deshedding, Massaging & Bathing Dog & Cat Brush
Product Highlights
This brush is made with soft, rounded bristles that prevent damage to your pet’s skin while still straightening and smoothing out the tough tangles in their fur.
Features
- Medical grade silicone
- Deshedding brush
- Water safe
- Alternating fine and round points
What We Like About Vetnique Labs Furbliss Grooming, Deshedding, Massaging & Bathing Dog & Cat Brush
This brush is made entirely of rubber to be used at bath time as well, and even includes a mesh side to hold shampoo and spread it evenly through your pet’s coat.
What We Don’t Like About Vetnique Labs Furbliss Grooming, Deshedding, Massaging & Bathing Dog & Cat Brush
With nothing harder to hold it together, this brush can bend and tear easily, removing bristles and rendering it less effective.
PROS
- Can be used wet or dry
- Silicone does not stain or mildew
- Massaging action calms the pet
- Multiple sides for different uses
- Distributes shampoo or water throughout your pet’s coat
CONS
- Not as sturdy as other models
- Does not hold hair and remove it
2. Frisco Deshedding Cat & Dog Brush
Product Highlights
This brush is the way to get rid of the many fluffballs left by shedding pets, taking off any loose hair in just a few strokes.
Features
- Stainless steel
- Silicone grip
- Finely toothed edge
- Plastic blade housing
What We Like About Frisco Deshedding Cat & Dog Brush
This brush clears dead hairs from every layer of your pet’s coat at once, using a wide blade to catch large stretches of fur at once and teeth angled so as to comb from surface to skin in one go.
What We Don’t Like About Frisco Deshedding Cat & Dog Brush
This product is less a brush than a comb, and should be treated as such; pushing too hard will cause painful scratches and can even cut into your pet’s skin, so try to reserve this only for when your pet is actually shedding as opposed to ordinary hygiene.
PROS
- Catches large amounts of hair
- Removes hair as opposed to moving it around
- Wide blade combs coat quickly
- Ergonomic handle for extended periods of grooming
- Stainless steel extends the product lifespan
CONS
- Excessive force can injure a pet
- More of a comb than a brush
3. Wags & Wiggles Dual Sided Bristle and Wiggle Pin Brush for Short-Haired Dogs
Product Highlights
Use this brush to quickly and easily sweep away hair and debris from your dog’s coat with an ergonomic handle and head designed to give you and it both the maximum possible comfort.
Features
- Plastic body
- Nylon bristles
- Curved head
- Ergonomic grip
What We Like About Wags & Wiggles Dual Sided Bristle and Wiggle Pin Brush for Short-Haired Dogs
This brush has a wide enough head that you can easily groom the bulk of your pet’s coat in short order
What We Don’t Like About Wags & Wiggles Dual Sided Bristle and Wiggle Pin Brush for Short-Haired Dogs
The curve of the brush head makes it hard to keep most of the bristles in contact with your pet, leading to less hair being removed than one might otherwise find.
PROS
- Ergonomic handle
- Water safe
- Brushes optimized for different needs
- Easily reach any part of your pet
- Curved head to fit the natural shape of the body
CONS
- Slower grooming
- Relatively brittle handle
4. Safari Nylon Coated Tip Short Hair Dog Brush
Product Highlights
Use this brush to quickly and easily sweep away hair and debris from your dog’s coat with an ergonomic handle and head designed to give you and it both the maximum possible comfort.
Features
- Plastic body
- Rubber coating
- Hand strap
- Flexible rubber bristles
What We Like About Safari Nylon Coated Tip Short Hair Dog Brush
This brush has a wide enough head that you can easily groom the bulk of your pet’s coat in short order
What We Don’t Like About Safari Nylon Coated Tip Short Hair Dog Brush
The curve of the brush head makes it hard to keep most of the bristles in contact with your pet, leading to less hair being removed than one might otherwise find.
PROS
- The large handle is easy to grip
- Nylon bristles protect pet’s skin
- Wide brush head cleans large areas quickly
- Angled pins collect and hold loose hair
- Curved head keeps bristles in contact with pet without needing to change your stroke
CONS
- Few bristles in contact at any one time
- Large margin around brush head can lead to incomplete grooming
5. Bodhi Dog, Cat & Small Animal Shampoo Grooming Brush
Product Highlights
Use this bath brush to groom your pet while wet without having to go fishing for it, thanks to a full handle seamlessly fused to the brush’s body.
Features
- Plastic body
- Rubber coating
- Hand strap
- Flexible rubber bristles
What We Like About Bodhi Dog, Cat & Small Animal Shampoo Grooming Brush
Every bristle on this brush is split into four smaller pins, making it a far more effective cleaning than one might think at first glance.
What We Don’t Like About Bodhi Dog, Cat & Small Animal Shampoo Grooming Brush
The thicker and rounder upper bristles do not offer the cleaning action a standard brush would, and having one’s hand over the brush can make it difficult to see what you’re doing as you groom.
PROS
- Optimized for use in the water
- Secure handle
- Rubber tips prevent damage from heavy-handed brushing
- Split pins grip and remove loose hair
- Flexible enough to move with your hand and the pet’s body
CONS
- Does not reach all layers of fur
- Blocks view while in use
6. ConairPRO Pet-It Boar Bristle Brush
Product Highlights
Made from genuine boar hair, this brush still delivers an effective and enjoyable cleaning that will get our dog looking great in no time.
Features
- Solid plastic grip
- Partial over-hand handle
- Natural boar bristles
- Synthetic brush pad
What We Like About ConairPRO Pet-It Boar Bristle Brush
By using genuine boar hair, this brush allows the natural oils from your pet’s skin to cling to the bristles and be more evenly distributed through the coat to give a glossy, waterproof appearance.
What We Don’t Like About ConairPRO Pet-It Boar Bristle Brush
Using animal hair as bristles can make this brush more allergenic than others and quicker to wear out in regular use.
PROS
- Palm-grip design mimics petting to make grooming more pleasant for the pet
- Genuine boar bristles
- Palm hook is easy to keep in hand yet quick to drop away
- Stiff bristles work through tougher coats
- Sturdy plastic backing
CONS
- Boar hair can irritate allergies
- Natural hair wears out faster than synthetic
7. Miracle Care Slicker Dog Brush
Product Highlights
Sometimes, an ordinary brushing won’t cut through the tangles in your pet’s coat. This brush uses fine wire tines to pick apart even the most resilient of knots and matting.
Features
- Metal pins
- Plastic handle
- Angled brush pad
- Rubber coated grip
What We Like About Miracle Care Slicker Dog Brush
By using angled wire tines, this device bridges the gap between comb and brush to bring the best of both of them into play for particularly thick and gnarled pet hair.
What We Don’t Like About Miracle Care Slicker Dog Brush
The wire in the brush head is extremely thin and easily bends or breaks, making this brush more delicate than pet care products should be.
PROS
- Doubles as a de-shedding brush
- Nonslip handle
- Brushes both over and undercoat
- Thin pins easily work through tangles
- Flexible wires bend against the pet’s skin instead of puncturing it
CONS
- Relatively small head brushes less hair
- Wires are fragile and easily damaged
8. Petmate FurBuster 3-in-1 Dog Grooming Glove
Product Highlights
This product may not look like the brush you’re used to, but will bring a new level of intuitive motion and bonding to grooming time.
Features
- Full glove design
- Velcro wrist strap
- Rubber bristles
- Waterproof synthetic fabric liner
What We Like About Petmate FurBuster 3-in-1 Dog Grooming Glove
No need to worry about brushing technique or damage with this item; simply put it on and spend some quality time stroking your pet, and the bristled side will do the rest of the work.
What We Don’t Like About Petmate FurBuster 3-in-1 Dog Grooming Glove
Although the glove is adjustable to a certain degree, it will still be restricted to the larger user and cannot simply be lifted or deposited as a normal brush would be.
PROS
- Exceptionally difficult to let go of accidentally
- Highly intuitive use
- Sturdy wrist closure
- Moisture-wicking mesh
- Adjustable for smaller users
CONS
- Hampers the user’s movement and dexterity
- Larger individuals will find it unusable
9. Mr. Peanut’s Dog & Cat Grooming & Deshedding Gloves
Product Highlights
Another glove model, this pair of gloves lets you work ambidextrously to keep your pet’s coat sleek and your furniture free of dirt or shed hairs.
Features
- Dry fit mesh glove
- Velcro wrist closure
- Silicone rubber tips
- Matching pair of gloves
What We Like About Mr. Peanut’s Dog & Cat Grooming & Deshedding Gloves
These gloves are a great solution for anyone who’s pets may be afraid of an actual brush, letting you clear their coat without needing to fight them or try to hold them in place.
What We Don’t Like About Mr. Peanut’s Dog & Cat Grooming & Deshedding Gloves
These gloves will be fairly cumbersome to wear, as they affect both hands instead of just one, and have widely spaced bristles that do not always remove enough hair for a thorough grooming.
PROS
- Intuitive petting motion
- Work with both hands
- Soft silicone bristles prevent damage to your pet
- Useable on pets wet or dry
- Tough bonding to the palm keeps the glove from tearing during use
CONS
- Removes relatively low quantities of hair
- Impedes both hands while in use
10. Dakpets FURblaster Deshedding & Light Trimming Tool for Long & Short Hair Dogs & Cats
Product Highlights
When it comes to shedding, sometimes one can’t tell whether one is brushing the dog or giving it a haircut. This tool blurs the line even further, using a stiff metal brush and a wide edge to quickly and completely remove any loose fur or dirt from your pet’s coat.
Features
- Stainless steel edge
- Plastic handle
- Rubber-coated grip
- Quick-release blade safety
What We Like About Dakpets FURblaster Deshedding & Light Trimming Tool for Long & Short Hair Dogs & Cats
With its wide sweep and long, fine teeth, this tool can reduce shedding or sheddable hair by nearly 90 percent in just a few passes over your pet’s fur, making it both efficient and effective as a grooming tool.
What We Don’t Like About Dakpets FURblaster Deshedding & Light Trimming Tool for Long & Short Hair Dogs & Cats
There are numerous aspects to this tool that make it uncomfortable for the dog, including the sharp metal teeth, the long, straight edge that does not conform to the natural lines of an animal, and the rigidity of the blade against its skin.
PROS
- Highly effective de-shedding action
- Comfortable grip with nonslip coating and contouring
- The blade removes quickly and easily for cleaning
- Wide edge can clean large swathes of fur at once
- Can substitute for a light trim or even removing larger ticks and lice
CONS
- Can injure the pet if too much pressure is applied
- Difficult to maneuver around smaller areas of the pet’s anatomy
Final Verdict: Miracle Care Slicker Dog Brush
This brush takes first for being the one that can most effectively get through the toughest of tangles without causing your pet any undue stress or pain. Although there are other brushes that can do the same thing, they tend to lack the rounded surface that is found in most planes of your dog’s body; this brush conforms to those natural curves, making grooming easier for you and more pleasant for your dog as well.
Although there are some downsides, most particularly the danger of a wire poking into your pet’s skin, these can be mitigated by a careful and attentive owner taking necessary precautions to avoid injuring their pet during grooming. Using light to moderate pressure and tackling tougher tangles or clods of dirt with shampoo and perhaps scissors can be great steps to keep your dog safe from harm during an overzealous brushing.
See Related Article: Best Dog Shampoo For Itchy Skin
Buyer’s Guide
It’s worth mentioning that all of these are useful for de-shedding or grooming your dog, even though some stick out as better than others; if you can’t find the best model, the other brushes listed here remain exceptional options that will keep your pet looking clean and feeling great. Additionally, many pet brushes are made along the same lines, so if one particular model isn’t available, you may want to seek out a similar brush that shares the same features you approved of in your original choice.
Another thing you may want to take into account is that these brushes are intended for breeds with short hair only; such breeds are unlikely to develop large accumulations of dirt or severe matting or tangles in their coats simply because their fur is too short and stiff for it. If you happen to keep a breed with longer, more flexible hair, you may need to have your dog trimmed regularly to keep it lean, or else seek out a brush more suitable for the breed of dog in question.
It is the unfortunate reality that like most purchases, brushes don’t last forever, and you will need to service or replace your brush on occasion to make sure that it is still cleaning and grooming your pet properly. If you notice mold or mildew growing on the brush, or that the bristles are beginning to fall off, it is likely time to replace it; the same is true if the pad has parted with the backing or the head is rotating on the handle.
Servicing a brush is a more common occurrence and consists of cleaning away all hairs trapped in the pins so as to make room for new hairs to be dislodged from the dog’s coat and removed; one of the most common ways to do this is by running the brush underwater, which tends to wash away the trapped hairs in short order.
Another strategy used by some pet owners involves taking two brushes face to face, one of which is used to groom the pet before being lined up and scraped clear by the pins in the other brush.
