7 Best Slicker Brushes for Dogs in 2024

If your adored pup has thick, dense, or curly fur, you know the trouble that can ensue without regular grooming. Matting and knots are common for these types of coats and require a special design to clear out tangles and encourage a healthy coat. Slicker brushes are grooming tools that have thin, metal bristles and long, ergonomic handles that protect your hands and wrists from fatigue. It is an everyday use option that will help keep your pup from shedding all over your couch, clothes, and carpet. The slicker brush can be used alone or in conjunction with other types of brushes, depending on your individual dog’s needs. Slicker brushes must be used with patience and gentle, short strokes to prevent hurting your pet while you work through tangles. Slicker brushes should never be used if your pup has any broken skin or irritation. Read on to discover some of the best slicker brushes for dogs!

Key Components to a Good Slicker Brush

• Fine, wire bristles – These types of bristles are thin and packed closely together to lift dirt and dead hair from even your pup’s undercoat. The size of the bristles makes it ideal for tackling the task of detangling knotted or matted fur.
• Bent bristles – The bent bristles penetrate deeply to lift out dirt, dead skin, and loose hair. The bend also prevents injury to the skin from if too much pressure is applied.
• Flexible cushion base – The cushion base provides a little bit of give as you move the brush through your pet’s coat. This ensures a gentle grooming experience for your favorite canine.
• Long handle – With daily use or with particularly difficult knots, you’ll need to employ a delicate approach that may take extra time. Ergonomic, long handles protect your wrist from aching following repetitive movements.
• Gentle on pets when used correctly – Slicker brushes can be a great tool but depend heavily on your delicate approach when using them. They have the potential to scratch your pet’s skin if used incorrectly, making the practice of brushing scary and nerve-wracking for your fur baby. Always use short strokes when detangling and brushing through fur, being sure to keep light but consistent pressure to get the most out of this type of brush.

Types of Dog Coats that Slicker Brushes work well with

• Short, thick, curly coats – These types of coats, like those seen with Jack Russell Terriers, can benefit from the use of a slicker brush if the fur is tangled or knotted.
• Medium length, dense coats – A dense coat can be difficult to penetrate and can benefit from the long, wiry bristles of a slicker brush to transform tangled hair into a fluffy, healthy coat that dogs can feel good about.
• Soft, long, graceful coats – Even dogs with long, soft coats like Golden Retrievers can benefit from a slicker brush. If tangles are present, a slicker brush will work its magic to keep your pup’s coat healthy and flowing!

Overall Best Slicker Brush in 2023

Our 2023 Picks: Best Slicker Brush for Dogs
	Andis Premium Large Firm Pet Slicker Brush Eliminates dirt and debris Appropriate for medium to large breeds Price: $	CHECK PRICE
	FURminator Firm Slicker Brush For Dogs Made with anti-microbial plastic Affordable product Price:  $	CHECK PRICE
	Hartz Groomer’s Best Slicker Brush For Dogs And Cats Designed with comfort in mind Fine, protected bristles Price:  $	CHECK PRICE
	Chris Christensen Long Pin Slicker Brush, Large, Coral Extra-long handle Gets through dense, curly coats Price:  $$$$	CHECK PRICE
	Chris Christensen A5VI Mark VI Curved Slicker, Medium Curved for your comfort Avoids coat damage Price:  $$$$	CHECK PRICE
	Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush For Dogs Retractable bristles Affordable product Price:  $	CHECK PRICE
	Hertzko Self-Cleaning Dog & Cat Slicker Brush Retractable bristle design Penetrates thick coats Price:  $$	CHECK PRICE

Andis Premium Large Firm Pet Slicker Brush

Key Features:

• Eliminates dirt and debris
• Appropriate for medium to large breeds
• Gets rid of dead hair
• Anti-slip handle

Overall Best Slicker Brush – This Andis slicker brush has a large head with firm wire bristles that rid your dog of the day’s wear and untangles matted fur. It is best suited for medium breeds and large breeds because of its large size. While it works great with dogs that have fur with a tendency to become matted, such as those with a dense texture, it is also a great option for breeds that don’t shed.

The bent bristles assist with the removal of dead hair from your pup’s coat and the anti-slip handle makes for a safe grooming experience. The soft handle also provides a comfortable grip to avoid hand weakness as you work through your dog’s coat. With daily use, you can develop a routine with your dog, making grooming a bonding experience for you and your treasured furry companion.

Pros:

• Soft handle prevents slipping
• Affordable product
• Removes matting, dirt, and dead hair

Cons:

• Not appropriate for small breeds due to its size

FURminator Firm Slicker Brush For Dogs

Key Features:

• Dual bristle style: straight and bent
• Designed for medium and long coats
• Appropriate option for curly coats
• Ergonomic handle

Runner Up – This firm slicker brush is included in the line of professional grooming tools offered by FURmintator. It is meant to provide quality results at home, for fur care between trips to the groomer. Dogs, especially those with dense, curly coats, can become uncomfortable with matted, dirty hair. With this slicker brush, you keep your pup feeling and looking his best.

The dual bristle style offers a comfortable de-tangling experience, making sure that while you remove those pesky surface mats, your dog’s coat does not get damaged. With an ergonomic handle, you can work diligently to keep your pup’s coat clean and healthy.

Pros:

• Made with anti-microbial plastic
• Affordable product
• Includes both straight and bent bristles
• Available in small or large size

Cons:

• Not suggested for short hair breeds

Hartz Groomer’s Best Slicker Brush for Dogs and Cats

Key Features:

• Extra fine bristles
• Prevents excessive shedding
• Protective coating on bristle tips
• Gentle brush appropriate for use every day

Most Affordable – This Hartz Groomer’s slicker brush can be used on a daily basis with your pet to keep shedding to a minimum. Its design allows you to remove loose hair from your dog’s coat along with offering detangling and de-matting benefits. The fine bristles are covered with a shielding coating that makes grooming comfortable for your favorite fur baby.

With regular use, you can keep your pup’s coat looking healthy and you will be preventing difficult and oftentimes painful tangles and knots. The handle of this brush is ergonomic so you can protect your hands as you work through your dog’s coat.

Pros:

• Designed with comfort in mind
• Fine, protected bristles
• Extremely affordable product

Cons: 

• Not suggested for medium to large dogs due to its size

4 More Top Rated Dog Slicker Brushes:

Chris Christensen Long Pin Slicker Brush, Large, Coral

Key Features:

• Long, bent bristles
• Good for fluffing curly coats
• Gets through dense coats
• Coral-colored product with an ergonomic handle

This Chris Christensen brush comes in two sizes: medium and large. The large size is suggested for use on the body while the medium size is suggested for use on the legs. If your dog sports a wooly, curly coat, this slicker brush will get through to reveal a fluffy, cleaned-up style.

Dense coats won’t stand a chance with this brush! This product’s long, bent bristle design allows it to penetrate through to the root, removing dead hair and detangling along the way. The ergonomic handle is extra long to ensure your comfort when brushing through your pup’s coat.

Pros:

• Extra-long handle
• Gets through dense, curly coats
• Unique design

Cons:

• Not suggested for short hair breeds
• More expensive compared to other products

Chris Christensen A5VI Mark VI Curved Slicker, Medium

Key Features:

• High-grade steel bristles prevent damage to your pet’s coat
• Made of handcrafted Beech wood
• Curved head for optimal control

The Chris Christensen curved slicker brush is not only a beautiful design, it is functional as well. The curved head prevents wrist strain while it works to get through your dog’s coat to release matted and loose hair. The bristles are gentle, providing even the most stubborn pups with a comfortable grooming experience.

This slicker brush can be used with a wide range of dogs, from poodles with curly hair to dogs with long, wavy coats. The flexible cushion base has ¼ inch foam to keep the brush gentle and forgiving on your pet’s coat as you comb through it.

Pros:

• Curved for your comfort
• Avoids coat damage
• Versatile for different, unruly coats

Cons: 

• More expensive compared to other products

Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Dogs

Key Features:

• Retractable bristles for easy cleaning
• Made with gentle, steel bristles
• Handle allows for a comfortable grip

The Safari self-cleaning slicker brush has a unique design that allows you to retract the bristles, leaving all removed fur available on the cushion base for easy wiping. With the quick press of a button, the bristles return to their original position so you can keep grooming your dog.

The stainless steel bristles make brushing a comfortable, non-irritating practice. The handle is soft, allowing you to keep a good grip throughout brushing. This product is available in small, medium, and large sizes with moderate price points.

Pros:

• Retractable bristles
• Affordable product
• Available in different sizes
• Can be used on all coat types

Cons: 

• Bristle tips are not coated for added protection

Hertzko Self-Cleaning Dog & Cat Slicker Brush

Key Features: 

• Appropriate for use with all coat types
• Retractable bristles for easy cleaning
• Avoids skin irritation with gentle bristles
• Anti-slip handle for your comfort

This Hertzko self-cleaning slicker brush is suggested for removing knots and tangles from your pup’s coat. The retractable bristles have a slight curve that allows for deeper penetration into thick coats. Long brushing sessions are made comfortable for you with an anti-slip handle. Clean-up is a breeze with a button that automatically pulls the bristles back so you can quickly and easily clean off the removed fur.

You will notice your dog’s coat develops a healthier appearance as you introduce daily brushing. The design of the bristles prevents aching skin irritation and the gentle massage action will promote circulation, offering multiple benefits for your pup’s skin and coat.

Pros:

• Retractable bristle design
• Penetrates thick coats
• Available in small and regular sizes

Cons:

• Bristle tips are not coated for added protection

FAQ:

• What is a Slicker Brush used for? Slicker brushes are used to groom pets by removing any collected dirt or debris, loose, dead hair, and for untangling painful matted fur and knots in your dog’s coat. The bristles are specially designed to gently penetrate different types of coats for a brushing experience free of discomfort.
• Are Slicker Brushes a good Deshedding brush? Yes, slicker brushes can be an excellent brushing tool to limit shedding. Primarily used with dogs that have unruly, dense coats, slicker brushes penetrate deep and lift out loose fur and knots to reveal a healthy, shiny coat.
• How do you brush a dog with a slicker brush? Slicker brushes are best used immediately following the application of a leave-in conditioner to soften the fur. Using intentional and short strokes, brush in the direction of fur growth. When you come upon a knot or tangle, focus the brushing directly onto the area. A slow, careful brushing method will prevent discomfort for your pup.

Conclusion

Slicker brushes serve an important purpose in the ongoing care of your pup’s skin and coat. With gentle, consistent use, you can keep your dog looking and feeling healthy and resilient. Although slicker brushes are designed with safety in mind, taking extra precautions to ensure a comfortable grooming experience should be at the top of your priorities! If you run a slicker brush across your arm and feel pain or irritation, you may want to reconsider that product. Your pet will feel what you feel and if it hurts, it is best to avoid it. Short brush strokes must always be employed to keep your pup from feeling any pain or distress. Be sure to clean your slicker brush after every use! Since it is designed to remove not only hair but also dirt and other debris, to avoid reintroducing what has been removed, make cleaning after use a part of your regular grooming regimen. It’s no surprise that slicker brushes are popular with pet parents; they are versatile tools that free your pup of the discomfort associated with extra loose hair, tangles, and knots. Now that you have informed yourself about the ins and outs of this type of brush, you can get out there and choose the best slicker brush for your pup!