The Best Slicker Brushes
The slicker brush is a great grooming tool. Whether your dog has a long and curly mane or short and fine hair, these brushes are great for maintenance so that your pet and home stay clean. The wire bristles on a slicker brush are perfect for removing matting and dirt from your dog's coat. The brush also helps to massage your pet's skin, promoting blood circulation for a healthy pet with shiny fur. We've explored all the options and found our favorite on the market.
What to Look For
When shopping for a new slicker brush, there are features to consider that will help support the specific needs of you and your dog. The size of the brush, length of the wire bristles, and comfort of the handle are all important in your review of the best slicker brushes on the market. Need something affordable and ergonomic? Check out Hertzko’s self-cleaning slicker brush. As you consider your options, you may determine it’s worthwhile for you to invest in a higher-quality self-cleaning brush, like the one from GoPets. No matter the needs of you and your pet, we’ve sifted through the market of slicker brushes for the groomer’s favorites. Keep reading to see which slicker brushes made our list.
Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
Grooming made simple
If you are looking for an affordable slicker brush that offers some great features, we recommend Hertzko’s self-cleaning model. With retractable bristles, this brush is easy to clean. This is especially helpful since the brush does an excellent job of reaching the undercoat to remove matting. The ergonomic handle is easy to grip while making your way through a grooming session with your pet.
Pros:
- This brush has smooth bristles, which are more comfortable for your dog during grooming.
- The anti-slip handle is comfortable as well as ergonomic.
Cons:
- The tines of the bristles are a bit sharp. We recommend gentle use for short-haired pets.
Hartz Small Slicker Brush
A healthy coat for all
We love Hartz’s small slicker brush. At a little over three inches across, the head of the brush is perfect for smaller dogs. The handle is comfortable and easy to grip. Part of a whole line of similar grooming products, this slicker brush is a favorite for both owners and pets.
Pros:
- Effective and safe, the tips of the tines are coated to help protect your dog’s skin.
- Though it may be small, this brush works just as well on thick fur as larger models.
Cons:
- If you have a bigger dog, we would still recommend one of the larger options on our list.
Ryan’s Pet Supplies Extra Long Pin Flat Slicker Brush
Getting to the roots
This slicker brush from Ryan’s Pet Supplies is great for medium to large dogs. Unlike your average slicker brush, this model has extra-long stainless steel pins and a large head. If your dog has a lengthier coat or double coat, the pin length and bend work very well. If you frequently find yourself grooming out tough tangles, we recommend this brush.
Pros:
- While this slicker brush can groom all your furry friends, we found it to be especially effective for long-haired coats.
- There is a hole in the handle, which is helpful if you like to hang your brushes.
Cons:
- The handle is good, but it’s not the most ergonomic choice on our list.
Claw Claws Pet Slicker Brush with Wooden Handle
Eco-friendly grooming
When possible, we try to find opportunities to use less plastic — even when it comes to dog grooming supplies. Luckily, the Claw Claws slicker brush has a wooden handle, which makes it more eco-friendly than others on this list — and also makes it just look great. With soft pins, this model is gentle on dogs. It’s effective, too. The bristles have a slight bend and are a good length, making it easy to remove tangles and loosen up the undercoat. If you are looking for a simple, classic slicker brush, check this one out.
Pros:
- We like the elastic rubber pad, which offers protection when brushing.
- The head is four and a half inches long, making it a great medium-sized brush.
Cons:
- The handle is not anti-slip, which might impact the grip for some people.
GoPets Professional Slicker Brush
Bring the pet spa home
If you are looking to level up the quality of your slicker brush for pet grooming, the GoPets brush is a professional-grade winner. The thick handle is extremely comfortable for pet owners who need ergonomic support, as the gel surface contours to your hand. The button on the back of the brush retracts the tines, emptying the bristles of all hair and loose dirt. The bristle quality is great for ensuring a shiny and fluffy coat every time.
Pros:
- This is a durable brush. We’re very impressed with the quality of this model.
- With six hundred and seventy-two tines, this brush is denser than others on the market.
- This brand offers a bonus: GoPets donates a portion of its proceeds to animal charities.
Cons:
- The tines are not coated on the tips. With this brush, it is important to be gentle on dogs with sensitive skin or with shorter coats.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do you use a slicker brush in grooming?
Slicker brushes are great for removing dirt, creating volume on the coat, and grooming details. A good rule of thumb is to use longer bristled brushes on the parts of your dog with longer fur. Avoid flicking the brush when grooming, as this will help prevent breakage of the fur.
How often should you use a slicker brush?
The frequency with which you will use a slicker brush depends on the time of year, how much your dog sheds, and your dog’s coat. Especially during shedding season, we recommend using a slicker brush once a day.
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