Brush types

Tooth

Cats: finger brush, small dogs: finger brush and angled brushes with softer bristles for bigger dogs.​

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Body - Dog

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This really depends on your dog's coat. Some require multiple types of brushes for their healthiest coat.

Slicker brushes have fine, short wires close together on a flat surface. It is important to remember to always be gentle when using a slicker brush. The fine, tightly-spaced wires can cause your dog discomfort if too much pressure is used. They are used on medium-to-long-haired or curly-haired dogs such as Golden Retrievers, Yorkshire Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, and St. Bernards to remove mats.

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Rakes brushes are designed to penetrate into a dog’s thick coat and remove tangles and dead undercoat near the dog’s skin. They are often shaped like a shaving razor and feature one or two rows of tightly-spaced pins therefore use with minimal pressure. When looking for a rake, be sure to find one with pins that roughly match your dog’s hair length. Rakes that are too short will miss the inner layer of undercoat, while rakes that are too long could irritate the skin. Rakes should be used on thick-haired dogs including German Shepherds, Malamutes, and Chow Chows.  

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Bristle brushes are used on short-haired, smooth-coated dogs that shed frequently. Their clusters of tightly-packed natural bristles will remove loose hair and stimulate the skin. Bristle brushes can be used on breeds such as Pugs, Italian Greyhounds, Jack Russell Terriers, and Boston Terriers.

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Pin brushes are usually oval-shaped, with a loosely-arranged set of flexible wires with pins on top. They are best used to finish off the grooming process.

In addition to the brushes above, you should also buy a flea comb for your dog. Fleas can cause itching, irritation and can lead to skin infections. Flea combs are universal and can be used on any dog.If you are unsure of which brush is best to use, ask a pet care specialist or veterinarian.

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Body - Cat

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Again this really depends on the coat type of your cat.

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Slicker brushes are curved or slanted brushes with very thin teeth. They are ideal for medium- to long-coated cats and work well to remove dirt, dander and dead and loose hair. When used regularly they’ll prevent matting, but can also be used to help remove them.

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Matbreakers are made for long-coated cats that need to have mats removed. They are long, slender brushes that have long blades instead of teeth. Matbreakers are used to remove mats without damaging the rest of the coat.

Dual-Sided brushes are ideal for short- to medium-length coats. They have a fine tooth brush on one side and a soft bristle brush on the other, removing tangles and spreading natural oils, respectively. 

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Mitt brushes are rubber or vinyl gloves or mittens that go over your hand that have a toothed side to them that can be used to brush your cat. These brushes are unique in that they’re more like petting your cat than actually grooming them and your cat might not know the difference. They can be used on all coat types.

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Shedding combs come in different types, most notably the Poodle comb and Greyhound comb. The Poodle comb has thin teeth that are spread widely apart and are ideal for long-coated cats as they remove tangles and dead hair. Greyhound combs have teeth much closer together and can be used for all coat types but are ideal for short- to medium-lengths.

FURminator® and similar brands are smaller, finer toothed shedding blades that remove both the top and undercoat. They are effective and getting rid of excess dirt and dander and can be used on all coat types.

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