Fur on the sofa, fur on your clothes, little tumbleweeds of hair on the kitchen floor. If you share your home with a dog or cat, shedding is part of life.
You cannot stop a healthy pet from shedding, and you would not want to. But a simple weekly brushing routine can catch a lot of that loose hair before it lands on your floor. This guide covers why pets shed, how often to brush, how to use a slicker brush gently, when a glove is the better choice, cats, mats, and when to contact your vet.
Why dogs and cats shed
Hair grows, rests and then falls out so new hair can take its place. That is shedding. It happens all year in many pets, but the amount can change a lot from one pet to the next and from one season to the next.
Many pets shed more in spring and fall as their coat adjusts to warmer or cooler weather. In dogs with a double coat, this is often called "blowing coat." The soft, fluffy undercoat comes out in clumps over a few weeks, and it can feel like there is more fur on the floor than on the dog.
Breed, age and general health play a part too. If shedding suddenly changes, see the vet section below.
How often to brush, by coat type
These are starting points. Adjust to your pet and the season.
- Short, smooth coats (like a Beagle, Boxer or many short-haired cats): once a week is usually enough. A grooming glove often works well here.
- Medium coats (like a Border Collie or many mixed breeds): two or three times a week, with a slicker brush.
- Long coats (like a Shih Tzu, a long-haired cat, or a Golden Retriever's feathers): a few minutes most days, so tangles do not have time to build up.
- Double coats (like a Husky, German Shepherd or Corgi): a few times a week normally, and daily during spring and fall when the undercoat is coming out.
Short and often beats long and rare. Five calm minutes is much easier on your pet than a big session once a month.
Step by step: brushing with a slicker brush
A slicker brush has many fine pins close together. It lifts loose undercoat and works through small tangles in medium, long and double coats. The Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush has fine wire pins with rounded tips, and one click of the button releases the collected fur, so you do not have to pull hair out of the pins by hand.
- Pick a calm moment. After a walk often works well. Have a few treats ready.
- Start somewhere easy. Many pets are happy to be brushed on the back and shoulders. Save the belly, legs and tail for later, once your pet is relaxed.
- Use gentle pressure. Let the pins move through the coat, not into the skin. Try it on the back of your hand first to feel how little you need.
- Brush in the direction the hair grows. Use short, light strokes.
- Try line brushing for thick coats. With one hand, hold up a section of fur. Brush the layer underneath, close to the skin but not scraping it. Then let down a little more fur and repeat. Work in lines across the body. This reaches the undercoat that surface brushing misses.
- Clear the brush often. Press the button and drop the fur in the bin.
- Stop while it is still going well. End with praise and a treat, even if you have not finished. You can do the rest tomorrow.
One thing to avoid: going over the same spot again and again, or pressing hard to get "just a bit more" out. That can scrape the skin and make your pet dread the brush. If you see redness after brushing, use lighter strokes next time, and if it does not settle, contact your vet.
When a grooming glove works better
A brush is not always the right tool. A glove can be a better fit when:
- Your pet has a short coat. Short hair does not need deep brushing. A glove lifts loose hair from the surface well.
- Your pet is brush-shy. Many pets who back away from a brush will happily accept being petted. A glove feels like petting, so it can be a gentle way to build up to grooming.
- It is bath day. A glove used in the bath helps you work shampoo through the coat and lift loose hair while it is wet.
The 2-in-1 Bathing & Deshedding Glove is made of flexible silicone with massage nubs. You can use it wet in the bath or dry to lift loose hair between baths. Stroke your pet the way you normally would, with the direction of the hair.
Many people use both: the brush for thicker fur, the glove for short areas and bath time. Planning a bath? See how often to bathe your dog for a calm, step-by-step routine.
Brushing cats
Cats groom themselves a lot, but they still benefit from your help, especially long-haired cats and cats who are older or less flexible. A little brushing means less loose hair around the house.
- Keep sessions very short at first, even one minute.
- Follow your cat's lead. Many cats like being brushed on the cheeks, chin and back, and dislike the belly and tail.
- Watch for a swishing tail, flattened ears or skin twitching. Those mean "that's enough for now."
Mats: what to do and when to see a groomer
Mats are tight clumps of tangled fur. They often form behind the ears, under the legs, on the belly and around the collar. Regular brushing helps stop them from forming.
For a small, loose tangle, hold the fur near the skin so you are not pulling on it, then gently work through the end of the tangle with the slicker brush, a little at a time. Never try to cut a mat out with scissors. The skin can pull up into the mat, and it is very easy to nick it.
If a mat is large, tight, close to the skin, or your pet is uncomfortable when you touch it, book a professional groomer. They have the right tools to remove it safely.
Signs worth a vet visit
Brushing is everyday care, not treatment. While you brush, you get a close look at your pet's skin and coat. Please contact your vet if you notice:
- Bald patches or thin areas of fur
- Redness, scabs, bumps or flaky skin
- Constant scratching, licking or chewing
- Sudden heavy shedding that does not match the season
- Fleas or flea dirt (tiny dark specks) in the coat
Your vet can check what is going on and give advice that fits your pet. Our small signs guide has more simple checks you can fit into your week.
Your simple weekly routine
Here is an easy plan to start with:
- Two or three times a week (once is often enough for short coats): five minutes with the slicker brush, using line brushing on thick coats.
- Any day: a quick once-over with the glove while you are relaxing together.
- Bath day: use the glove wet to work the shampoo through and lift loose hair.
- Every session: a quick look at the skin, and a treat at the end.
The Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush is $17.95 and comes in Blue, Gray and Pink. The 2-in-1 Bathing & Deshedding Glove is $23.95 in Blue or Pink. Shipping is free in the US.
A few calm minutes a week, a little less fur on the sofa, and some extra time with your pet. That is a routine worth keeping.