10 Best Dog Shedding Brushes of 2024 (Reviews & Buyer’s Guide)

There’s no getting around it; virtually all dogs shed to some extent. And cleaning up all that loose dog hair can become quite a nuisance, especially if your dog is a heavy shedder. I have owned several medium and long hair dogs who have been heavy shedders and I have tested out many types of dog brushes over the years.

The good news is you can get control of the shedding, save yourself hours of seemingly endless cleaning, and enjoy a relatively hair-free home.

And one of the best ways to do this is by brushing your dog properly and regularly. This can improve your dog’s coat and remove the old hair before it falls off.

But which brush (or de-shedding tool) should you use?

With so many options available, knowing which brush is best for your dog and what will (actually) help reduce shedding can be a challenge. You may have been wondering, ‘Which dog brush is best for shedding?’

Fear not… we’ve researched and tested some of the popular brushes in the market to find the best of the bunch based on overall effectiveness, quality, and value for money.

Let’s take a look at which brushes made our top 10 list!

10 Best De-Shedding Brushes for Dogs (2024 Updated)

Your dog is unique, so we scoured the internet to find the best de-shedding brushes to suit virtually any breed. Whether your dog has long hair, short hair, a thick wooly coat, or fine silky hair, this top 10 list includes a de-shedder that will get the job done.

We’ve even included an alternative for dogs that don’t like being brushed.

Here’s a summary of our top 10 picks for 2024:

1. FURminator deShedding Tool for Dogs – Our Top Pick

FURminator is one of the most popular and trusted brands in the pet hair care industry. The company launched in 2002 and has since earned 10,000s of positive reviews from customers across the globe who swear by them.

And that’s because this de-shedding tool works.

I have tested the FURminator deShedding tool on my dog (along with many other brushes), and in my opinion, it is the best de-shedding brush on the market.

The stainless steel edge reaches right down to the undercoat to remove up to 90% of loose hair from your dog’s coat, and it does so without causing irritation to your dog’s skin, which is due to the gentle curve in the stainless steel blade, the edge guard that prevents digging into the skin and the various size options available that cater to different size dogs.

There are six sizes available to suit different dog sizes and coat types:

• Small breed (short and long hair)
• Medium breed (short and long hair)
• Large breed (short and long hair)

I also found that the FURminator deShedding tool is very easy to use. Which is due to how quickly it gets the job done, how comfortably it fits in your hand with its ergonomic design and the “FURejector button” that expels the dead hair you remove at the push of a button.

So, this is our #1 de-shedding brush because it works beautifully for practically any dog, the quality of the tool is high, and the company stands behind its products. If you ever do have an issue or aren’t happy with it, the company has a money-back guarantee in place.

With that said, this is not the cheapest option going. And it may not be the best option for dogs with ultra-sensitive skin or those that are prone to mats and tangles.

So if you’re looking for an alternative option, read on.

2. Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Dogs – Good All-Round Shedding Brush

The Hertzko Slicker Brush features a comfortable anti-slip handle and fine bent wires that penetrate deep into your dog’s coat to remove loose fur without scratching the skin.

Unlike tools such as the FURminator, the Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush doesn’t just remove loose hair from your dog’s undercoat. It also helps remove knots, mats, and tangles from even the thickest-haired breeds, giving you more “bang for your buck.”

Another thing I like about this brush is that it is very easy to clean. Thanks to a button that detracts the wires, you can simply wipe away the loose hair as you go.

I also like that this is just as much of a “brush” as it is a “de-shedding tool.” I like this because the brush is designed to remove the dead hair while helping spread the natural oils of your dog’s coat around. And this, in turn, can lead to a healthier, better-looking coat that sheds less.

Overall, this is the best option for dogs with thick, woolly, and medium to long hair prone to knotting. And it’s ideal if you prefer to use ONE grooming tool instead of a de-shedding tool and a dog brush for everyday grooming sessions.

The only caveat is that it’s not the best option for shorter-haired breeds or those with finer hair. So if you have a short-coated dog, there are better options.

3. DakPets Pet Deshedding Tool – Best FURminator Alternative

There’s no replacement for the FURminator, but if you’re looking for a lower-cost alternative, DakPets de-shedder is well worth a look.

This brush was developed by pet grooming experts to reduce shedding by up to 95% and uses a non-irritation 4-inch stainless steel comb to remove the loose fur from your dog’s coat.

It’s quite versatile, too. This de-shedding tool is suitable for small or large dogs and short or long fur, and it will get the job done whether your dog is single or double-coated.

This brush also features an ergonomic, non-slip rubber handle that is comfortable and sturdy. Not to mention practical. There’s an eyelet at the end of the handle for easy storage and a plastic safety blade cover that clips onto the end of the brush.

However, unlike the FURminator, one thing this de-shedder doesn’t have is a fur ejector button. There is a button on the top of the brush that, once pressed, detaches the stainless steel comb on the end. However, all that does is remove the blade; it doesn’t “eject” the fur.

So, it’s a little less easy to clean as you go along, but nothing major. And the good thing about this setup is that you can use the stainless steel comb on its own, which can come in handy if you want to brush hard-to-reach places.

As I explain in this article that compares the FURminator to other brushes, there are several reasons I prefer the FURminator overall, but the DakPets de-shedder is a great alternative, especially if you’re looking to save money.

4. GoPets 2-Sided Dematting Comb – Best for Thicker, Longer Coats

The GoPets Dematting Comb is especially suited for thick and/or longer-haired breeds. For example, the German Shepherd, Alaskan Malamute, or Chow Chow. And the reason is that it’s designed to cut through stubborn mats and tangles that other dog brushes struggle with.

This comb features a quality double-sided stainless steel comb and a silicone gel handle that is comfortable and easy to grip. One side of the comb has 12 teeth for cutting through knots, while the other has 23 teeth to remove finer hairs from the undercoat.

The idea of “cutting through knots” may concern you, but this tool is safe when used properly. The parts of the “teeth” that contact your dog’s skin are smooth and rounded on the ends, so the brush is designed to not cause irritation. And the inside of the teeth (the part that does the work) are sharp, so they easily cut through problem mats, knots, and tangles.

You can also start with the wider (12 teeth) end first, then use the more narrowly spaced (23 teeth) end to finish the job. That way, you won’t be pulling at your dog’s coat while removing the mats.

In any case, this is a very well-made de-matting tool, and it’s ideal for dogs with thick, wooly coats. It’s also suited to double-coated dogs, meaning dogs with a topcoat and undercoat.

That said, it’s not exactly a brush or purpose-built de-shedding tool, so you will typically see better results by using it in conjunction with a tool like the FURminator or a slicker brush.

Alternatively, if you’re not too concerned about mats, you could try the de-shedding and undercoat rake combo in the next section.

5. MalsiPree Dog Grooming Brush for Shedding – De-Shedding Tool and Rake Combo

The MalsiPree dog grooming brush is similar to the GoPets de-matting comb because it can safely cut through stubborn mats, knots, and tangles. However, it also features a de-shedding comb on the other side, which makes this the ideal 2-in-1 de-shedding tool.

On one side, there’s a stainless steel undercoat rake for the mats, which consists of 22 teeth. And on the other side, there’s a 90-tooth comb for brushing and removing your dog’s loose fur.

With this combination, the MalsiPree is almost a cross between the FURminator and GoPets brush, and it’s a great solution for anyone with a larger, thicker-coated dog that’s prone to matting.

Another good thing about this de-shedder is that it was designed with safety in mind. The stainless steel teeth are rounded, so the rake will gently cut through mats in even the wooliest fur without pulling at your dog’s fur and without cutting or scratching the skin.

The brush also features a comfortable, non-slip handle, comes in two sizes (small or large), and is available in three colors; blue, black, and orange.

All in all, this is a great de-shedding tool for dogs with thick, wooly coats, and it’s very affordable, especially since it’s essentially two de-shedding tools in one.

6. SleekEZ Original Deshedding Tool for Dogs – Simple and Effective for Shorter-Haired Dogs

SleekEZ is a simple de-shedding tool that removes dead hair from your dog. That’s it. There are no fancy bells and whistles, just a dog hair remover in its simplest form. Think of it like a “no-frills” version of a FURminator that is better suited to short-haired dogs.

The tool features an ergonomic timber handle with a patented wave pattern blade that removes up to 95% of loose hair. And it comes in three sizes: 2.5 inches, 5 inches, and 10 inches.

This is a worthy contender to any other de-shedding brush in the market because it works well and is very durable, given the simple design and quality craftsmanship. Also, depending on where you buy it, this tool is more cost-effective than most other dog shedding brushes.

It is also made in the U.S. and comes with a lifetime replacement warranty for peace of mind. So, while it may not be as “fancy” as some alternatives, this is a great option to consider.

With that said, there are a couple of drawbacks to the SleekEZ shedding tool to consider.

First, it doesn’t work as well on longer-haired breeds. Before creating the SleekEZ, the product creator (Jennifer Tipton) was an equine dentist, so this brush was probably designed with horses in mind (which have short, smooth coats). The teeth may not be long enough to reach the undercoat on some dogs, and this is its biggest drawback, in my opinion.

Second, it doesn’t have edge guards, so it could potentially dig into your dog’s skin around the edges as you brush if you’re not careful. This won’t likely be an issue, but it’s something to consider before brushing if you do decide to go with it.

7. Coastal Pet Safari Dual-Sided Dog Shedding Blade – Dual-Sided Shedding Blade

The Coastal Pet Safari Dual-Sided Dog Shedding Blade is a simple, affordable, and versatile de-shedder. It’s similar to the SleekEZ in that it features a blade rather than a multi-tooth comb. However, other than the overall design, a couple of things make it unique.

First, the blade is double-sided; one side of the ridged stainless steel blade features finer edges, and the other has coarser edges. This allows you to use the side of the tool that’s best suited to your dog’s coat and level of shedding.

Second, you can use the de-shedding blade with the handles together for smaller areas, which is how it’s shown in the image above. Or you can unlatch the handles and cover a much larger surface area, which makes this tool extremely versatile.

Having said that, it is more suited to medium-to-large breeds. And, like the SleekEZ, it’s not the best option for getting rid of mats and tangles in thick-coated breeds.

However, this Safari de-shedder is an excellent tool for removing loose fur, and it’s easy to keep clean because there are no teeth for the fur to get stuck in when you’re brushing.

8. crbn Short Hair Dog Brush – Rubber and Bristle Brush Combo

The crbn Short Hair Dog Brush is ideal for short-haired dogs, general brushing, and finishing grooming sessions. It features a sturdy bamboo handle and a combination of two brushes.

One side of the brush features soft rubber nubs that attract the loose fur and effectively remove it from your dog’s coat, and these can help massage your dog’s skin during bath time (although you’ll need to be gentle as you don’t want to pull your dog’s hair).

The other side of the brush is a bristle brush. This side of the brush isn’t as effective at removing dead fur compared to the rubber side. And because the bristles don’t reach down into thicker, longer coats, it’s not as effective as a de-shedding tool.

However, bristle brushes are great for finishing off a grooming session and can work wonders for your dog’s coat overall. This is because brushing with a good bristle brush massages your dog’s skin and helps spread the natural coat oils, which in turn can improve the coat and reduce the overall shedding.

So, while this isn’t the heaviest-duty de-shedder on the list, it’s a great brush for short-haired dogs and dogs with a single coat. It’s also good for regular brushing sessions.

9. Delomo Pet Grooming Gloves – Best Dog Brush Alternative

These gloves are similar to a curry comb and are definitely not the best de-shedding option on the list.

However, they are ideal for SOME dogs. That is to say, dogs that will not tolerate regular de-shedding brushes and tools.

I once had a Fox Terrier cross, and he had trust issues, to say the least. Literally anything other than my hand, and he was freaking out. And since using your hand to remove loose undercoat hair isn’t very effective, I decided to try a rubber brush, which worked beautifully.

He didn’t freak out, and I was able to remove a lot of dead hair from his coat. What’s more, he actually looked forward to it as (I imagine) it would feel like getting a nice massage.

So my point is that these can be a great option to consider.

And there are several great things about Delomo’s glove, in particular. First, it features 255 silicone grooming tips that gently massage your dog’s coat to remove unwanted hair. Second, it’s easier to clean than a regular brush, given its design. Third, one glove size fits all. And lastly, there are two color options (blue and red) to choose from.

If your dog doesn’t mind being brushed, this is probably not the way to go. But it’s the ideal solution for dogs with sensitive skin or who can’t stand being brushed, either because of anxiety or tenderness that a regular brush might aggravate.

10. Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Dog Brush – Pin and Bristle Brush Combo for Everyday Grooming

The Hartz Groomer’s Best combo brush is not the most effective de-shedding tool on the list. Instead, it’s more of an everyday grooming brush. However, having a good pin and bristle brush combo handy is well worth it for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, if your dog isn’t a heavy shedder and you just need a good quality brush to keep your dog’s coat in good order while removing some loose hairs in the process, this is ideal.

And second, it’s often worth finishing off a de-shedding session by brushing your dog with a bristle brush because it can help keep his coat in optimal condition.

For those two reasons, the Hartz combo brush is similar to the CRBN combo brush we discussed earlier. However, the pin brush side makes this brush more suitable for dogs with long hair and can help remove small mats, knots, and tangles.

The bristle brush side features dense nylon bristles, and the other side of the brush comprises stainless steel pins with safety tips on the end. Together with a comfortable, ergonomically designed handle, this is a great everyday brush.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best De-Shedding Brush For Your Dog

When it comes to selecting the best de-shedding brush, the most important factor to consider is your dog’s coat. Understanding what sort of coat your dog has will help you choose the ideal brush for your dog and give you the best chance of reducing shedding.

You don’t have to get too technical about this, either. There are really only two main things you need to consider when matching up a brush with your dog’s coat:

• The length of your dog’s coat (long or short)
• How much fur your dog is dropping (moderate or heavy)

The coat length matters because some brushes are better for short-haired dogs, while others are better suited to dogs with longer hair.

The other main factor to consider is how much your dog sheds because the heavier the shedding, the more likely you’ll need a de-shedding tool versus a regular grooming brush.

You can get more technical than this by factoring in things like the thickness of your dog’s coat and whether it has a single or double coat. And, as a side note, we’ve published a comprehensive guide to the different types of dog coats, so you might find that helpful if you want a more in-depth explanation of how dog coats differ.

However, simply keeping the coat length and shedding level in mind will give you a much better idea of what brush will be ideal for your dog.

For example, the Miniature Pinscher is a short-coated, low-shedding dog, so a rubber brush or bristle brush combo would be best. Whereas the Dalmatian, also a short-coated breed, is a heavy shedder. So a FURminator or SleekEZ (or similar) would be more suitable.

What about long-haired dogs?

Most dogs with long hair require more coat maintenance than short-haired dogs, regardless of how much they shed. For example, the Lhasa Apso is a low-shedding breed with long hair, and for this breed, you could use a comb or pin and bristle brush combo. You could also use a slicker brush, which is great for removing mats and knots in long-haired dogs.

On the other hand, if you have a heavy-shedding dog with long, thick hair like the German Shepherd or Saint Bernard, you may need to bring out the heavy artillery (lol)!

For dogs with this type of coat, a de-shedding comb (like the FURminator) or a slicker brush is most suitable. And if their coat is prone to mats, knots, or tangles, it may also be worth getting a de-matting comb or undercoat rake (like the GoPets comb) to help remove these.

One last thing I want to mention is that if your dog has sensitive or irritated skin, you may want to avoid using a de-shedding tool and consult a veterinarian. Because if you brush your dog and there’s irritation, you could worsen the situation and cause further shedding.

My goal is to help you select the best shedding brush for your dog, so: start by considering your dog’s coat length and level of shedding. From there, all you need to do is select the most appropriate brush or de-shedding tool for your dog, and hopefully, what I’ve shared here will help you with that.

Bottom Line

There you have it, our top 10 de-shedding tools and buyer’s guide!

We’ve tried and researched many different tools, combs, rakes, and brushes over the years to help reduce shedding, and these are the ones we consider to be the best of the bunch.

And remember, it’s not always about which shedding brush is the “best,” but which one is best for your dog. This is why we included options to suit virtually any coat type and a buyer’s guide to help you make a more informed buying decision.

Brushing is one of the most effective ways to reduce shedding because it removes the dead fur from your dog’s coat and can help spread the natural coat oils. And this, in turn, can help your dog maintain healthy, moisture-rich skin and hair.

You don’t have to brush every day, but maintaining a regular brushing schedule is a great way to stop your home from filling with loose fur. You can also do other things to manage excessive shedding, like bathing your dog and ensuring his diet is optimal.

Shedding is normal, so it’s not possible to stop it completely, but there is a lot you can do to reduce it. And if you want to learn more, see our complete shedding guide. In it, I explain how to reduce shedding and keep your home as hair and fur-free as possible. I have owned many dogs over the years with all sorts of coat lengths and shedding types, so I am happy to be passing on some of my real-world experience on to my readers.

Anyway, I hope you found this helpful. And thanks for reading!