Best Dog Brushes 2025

Written by Ralph Jones

Veterinary reviewed by:

Published: 06/14/2024, edited: 01/30/2025

The Wag! team conducts independent research and consults pet experts to curate our recommendations. This content is supported by our affiliate pet partners and we may receive a commission on the links provided.

Pretty much every pup needs its hair brushed once in a while. Some will need it multiple times a week; others will be able to get away with just the one brush at the weekend. Dogs need to be brushed because the matting and tangling that occurs in unbrushed hair is unpleasant and can become a serious problem, even affecting a dog’s health in worst-case scenarios.

Brushing is great at cooling your dog down, sending fleas packing, and keeping your pup’s coat soft by moving the natural oils around.

And brushing your dog’s hair shouldn’t feel like a chore. Every few days you can take some time out to gently brush your dog’s fur, calming the pair of you down and giving you time to convey your love for your furry friend.

However often your dog needs grooming, you can’t just use a human hairbrush of course; you need a brush that is designed for the task at hand. You need a dog brush. But if you’re looking for a great dog brush, what are the best examples out there?

Here, we’ve made a list of five, for pet parents in different scenarios and with different dogs, to give you a snapshot of the best dog brush products available to you.

Overview

FURminator Long Hair Dog Deshedding Tool
Li’l Pals Coated Tips Dog Slicker Brush
Well & Good ProStyle Dog Deshedding Tool for Large to X-Large Breeds
KONG Dog ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush
Ruff ‘N Ruffus Self-Cleaning Pet Slicker Brush and Nail Clippers
FAQ

FURminator Long Hair Dog Deshedding Tool

The FURminator Long Hair Dog Deshedding Tool a) has a fantastic name; and b) is particularly good at brushing away hairs that have already been shed.

It could therefore be one of the best dog brushes for shedding.

With an ergonomic handle, this is a comfortable brush for both you and your dog to use.

Oh, and it has something called a ‘furjector’ button, which conveniently expels all the accumulated hair in one go, so that you can easily clean it up.

It’s also, as the name would suggest, one of the best brushes for long-haired dogs.

FURminator Long Hair Dog Deshedder

Editor's Choice

Up to 35% off with Chewy Autoship Shop on Petco

Why Wag! loves the FURminator Long Hair Dog Deshedding Tool

It’s very easy to clean
Its furjector function is a masterstroke
It’s able to reach beneath a pup’s topcoat in order to move loose hair on the undercoat

Considerations & concerns

Sensitive dogs might find this can irritate their skin
Some pet parents have complained that the dog brush may be a bit flimsy and prone to breaking
It’s a little bit on the pricier side (but many pet parents might find the price justified)

What pet parents say about the FURminator Long Hair Dog Deshedding Tool

“Our girl is afraid of several brushes but we gently used this on her and she stood still for us to use it. Seems to do a good job getting hair out!”

“So easy to use and clean. Does the job of a pin brush and slicker brush at once. Great for getting a smooth coat.”

“I was surprised at the sturdiness of this product. Works well, easy to remove the fur with a press of the button which also acts as a lock to cover the times.”

Read more reviews on Chewy.

Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Spectrum Brands, Inc.

Li’l Pals Coated Tips Dog Slicker Brush

4.5

Reaching the parts that a regular brush might not reach, this Li’l Pals brush and its gentle wire pins are particularly good for little dogs and for puppies.

It’s a slicker brush, which means that with a gentle touch it untangles tangled hair.

While avoiding irritation, it keeps your pup’s skin healthier by making sure the natural oils are spread around evenly.

Li'l Pals Dog Slicker Brush

Up to 35% off with Chewy Autoship

Why Wag! loves the Li’l Pals Coated Tips Dog Slicker Brush

It’s easy to afford, which will be great for any pet parents feeling the pinch
There are plastic tips on each and every one of the brush’s bristles, helping to minimize irritation for your pup
It detangles your dog’s fur nice and gently

Considerations & concerns

Be warned: some pet parents say that this brush is simply too small and may only be appropriate for tiny puppies
Some pet parents have also complained that the dog brush bristles are too flimsy

What pet parents say about the Li’l Pals Coated Tips Dog Slicker Brush

“Works great for my little Chihuahua. This brush has the coated tips [so] as to not hurt her. She enjoys being brushed now.”

“We just got our puppy and before she got groomed I brushed her out with this amazing brush. It didn’t pull or hurt her skin. She’s so soft and fluffy now.”

“This is a small puppy size brush but I’m using it on my adult cavapoo’s ears. The metal bristles are long and very flexible so they’re gentle on tangles.”

Read more reviews on Chewy.

Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Coastal Pet Products.

Well & Good ProStyle Dog Deshedding Tool for Large to X-Large Breeds

4.5

Specially designed for large and extra large dog breeds — as the title of this product clearly states — this Well & Good ProStyle Dog Deshedding Tool does a terrific job of getting rid of loose hair.

It works on coats and undercoats, so if your dog is a breed with a double coat that needs a thorough deshedding once or twice a year, this is a contender for the best dog brush for shedding. It’s also suitable for weekly use, and works on all types of dog fur.

The brush has an easy function, allowing pet parents to adjust the setting for long or short hair, while the central button provides a simple way of ejecting any loose hair that builds up inside the comb.

Well & Good ProStyle Dog Deshedder

Shop on Petco

Why Wag! loves the Well & Good ProStyle Dog Deshedding Tool

Sturdy design with an easy-to-grip handle
Doesn’t contain any metal, so kinder to a dog’s skin and coat
More affordable than some other deshedding dog brushes
Adjustment option for long and short hair

Considerations and concerns

Some reviewers have noted it doesn’t work so well on longer undercoats
More effective on short hair

What pet parents say about the Well & Good ProStyle Dog Deshedding Tool

“This is the most amazing dog shedder I’ve used. It’s so easy to use and my dog loves (it) when I use it (on) him. It’s so easy to remove the hair, all you need to do is retract the claws and the hair falls out. So much easier than having to use your hands and removing the hair from the tool.”

“Super awesome deshedding brush! I love the option for different fur types, helps with the different layers of my pup's coat. I can use the thick head for her denser areas and the thin for the rest of her coat.”

Read more reviews on Petco.

Image sourced from Petco. Copyright Well & Good.

KONG Dog ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush

Grooming your dog regularly can feel like a chore, so why not make it a fun activity instead?

The KONG Dog ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush looks more like a toy than a brush and while your dog might not appreciate the bright colors, the eye-catching Raspberry or Boysenberry designs are certainly appealing to pet parents.

This brush fits snugly into the palm of your hand. Made of rubber, it has multiple rubber fingers that can penetrate past long fur and reach your dog’s coat — not only brushing through hair but also providing a pleasant massage-like experience, too.

It’s also designed to work with wet fur too, so it’s great to take into the bath while shampooing your dog.

KONG Dog ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush

Editor's Choice

Up to 35% off with Chewy Autoship Shop on Petco

Why Wag! loves the KONG Dog ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush

Fun, colorful design
Made with rubber, so gentle on your dog’s coat
Gives your dog a nice massage as well as a thorough brush

Considerations & concerns

Some reviewers have reported disappointing results, with low hair removal after brushing
Because the brush is made of rubber, it’s tempting to chewers

What pet parents say about the KONG Dog ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush

“The amount of fur that came off my dogs!! I have 2 Pitties, a black Lab/Hound mix, and a Lemon Walker Hound. I bought this with low expectations and figured it would at least work well to massage the shampoo into their fur.

This worked amazingly on my pitties! I quickly pulled giant clumps of tiny little hairs off of them. I was blown away. The rubber “bristles” are soft enough that it’s very gentle and the dogs love it. This will be amazing for grooming, baths, and helping (to) keep my hounds skin healthy. Great product!”

“We have a medium size lab/Pitbull/Pointer mix with white fur that is constantly shedding everywhere. We joke that the dog goes with us no matter where we are because we are guaranteed to find her hair with us. THIS BRUSH - wow. I was hesitant, but it has made a world of difference.

I bathe her with the shed shampoo (2x per the instructions) and rub the brush all over her. The amount of hair that comes off of her is amazing. I have cleaned handfuls out of the tub when we are done. I follow it with the shed conditioner and a rinse. This routine has reduced the shedding SO MUCH. I wish I had tried this sooner. Highly (recommend) if your dog sheds all the time!”

Read more reviews on Chewy.

Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright KONG Company.

Ruff ‘N Ruffus Self-Cleaning Pet Slicker Brush and Nail Clippers

Another slicker brush, another wonderful product name. The Ruff ‘N Ruffus is perhaps the very best dog brush for those looking to save money.

Easy-to-use and fairly stylish to boot, this brush comes with a handle that is designed to be both extra-comfortable and particularly unlikely to slip out of your hand as you’re grooming your furriest friend.

Ruff 'N Ruffus Self-Cleaning Pet Slicker

Up to 35% off with Chewy Autoship

Why Wag! loves the Ruff ‘N Ruffus Self-Cleaning Pet Slicker Brush and Nail Clippers

This is a fantastically affordable option — especially given that it includes not just a brush but nail clippers as well
Multiple pet parents say that the products also work brilliantly on cats
There is a mechanism that easily gets rid of the hairs you have collected during your grooming session

Considerations & concerns

The bristles may not last as long as on other brushes
If you don’t need nail clippers and are particularly sensitive about wasted materials, you may find it too extravagant that they come with the brush as standard

What pet parents say about the Ruff ‘N Ruffus Self-Cleaning Pet Slicker Brush and Nail Clippers

“I love this brush, so easy to clean the hair off. One click of a button and the hair sweeps off. The nail clipper is great, just like the vet uses.”

“Great products, would recommend to dog parents. Sharp nail trimmers, easy to use. Brush is also good for my short-haired dog and easy to clean up.”

“Removes hair in an instant and gets the job done. Very easy to grip.”

Read more reviews on Chewy.

Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Ruff 'N Ruffus.

FAQ

Why is brushing important for your dog?

There are so many important, valid reasons for brushing your dog’s fur. One benefit is that it gets rid of — or, at the very least, helps identify — any unwanted visitors like fleas.

Another is that it removes loose fur — great both for your house, which will be spared the sheddings that occur if hair is left ungroomed, and for your dog, whose hair will be much less likely to tangle and become mattered.

Another benefit is skin-related: when you brush your dog’s fur, it helps the animal’s natural oils be distributed around the skin, keeping it soft and healthy. Finally, of course, your dog will thank you because it will simply look more beautiful with regularly brushed hair.

How often should you brush your dog?

The answer depends entirely on your pup and the length of its hair. As a general rule, the longer the dog’s hair, the more often it should be brushed. A dog with long hair should, ideally, be getting a brushing from its pet parent every day.

Because life can get in the way, however, multiple times a week may be more feasible for some. By contrast, a short-haired dog may only need two — or even one — brushing sessions every week. If you know that your furry friend has a thick undercoat, the advice is that you should be brushing it every day if at all possible.

How do you brush your dog properly?

Use a wide-toothed brush to begin with, brushing in the direction in which your dog’s hair grows. Once you’ve got rid of any knots or dirt that was lurking in the fur, move onto a brush with finer teeth. If you have a dog with a thick undercoat you should start with that, again brushing — with a slicker brush, perhaps — towards the hair growth.

If you have a pup with an undercoat that is particularly long, you may need a product like an undercoat rake. Use a bristle brush or something similar on the top coat at the end, brushing once again in the direction in which the hair is growing. Simple.