We all love our pets, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we love the excess amount of fur that comes with them.
While shedding can certainly be more of a problem in longer-haired breeds, just about every dog will shed at least occasionally, and it may be worse during certain times of the year.
Constant vacuuming and sweeping up dog hair can get old fast, and although it can’t be avoided completely, investing in a good quality shedding brush is a great way to keep mess to a minimum.
Dog Hair Brush vs Shedding Brush
Dog hair brushes are exactly what they sound like — a hair brush for your dog. These tools are meant primarily for styling and detangling, and while they probably will remove some hair, this isn’t they’re primary purpose.
Pin brushes, for example, are great for helping to keep your dog’s coat in tip-top condition, promoting shine by distributing the natural oils, while also helping to remove any excess dirt that might be hiding there.
Additionally, they help you check for fleas, ticks, sunburns, and infections.
They’re usually recommended to use before using shedding brushes, because they can remove the top layer of loose fur, which allows the shedding brush to work more effectively.
Shedding brushes, on the other hand, actually extract the excess hair on your pet. While dog hair brushes only remove the loose hair on the surface layer, shedding brushes have the advantage of being able to get down into your dog’s undercoat.
As a bonus, getting rid of tangles and excess hair helps your dog’s skin “breathe”, which can keep him cooler in the summer.
The fact that these brushes collect so much excess fur means that it drastically cuts down on the amount of hair that’s actually shed. This results in far less daily cleanup for you, a healthier coat and skin for Fido, and minimum pet dander in the air for everybody.
Below is our FURminator vs ShedMonster head-to-head comparison.
FURminator vs ShedMonster Shedding Brush
FURminator Undercoat De-shedding Tool
The FURminator comes in four different sizes, ranging from extra small to giant, so no matter what size your dog is, there’s a brush that’ll be right for him.
Additionally, you can choose between short or long hair models, so you’re sure to get the one that’ll work best for de-shedding your dog’s coat.
The brush easily reaches through your dog’s top coat to get to the loose hairs in the undercoat, removing them completely without scratching or pulling on his skin.
Plus, the curved edge is a nice touch, as it naturally follows the contours of your dog’s body.
Reducing shedding up to 90%, this is a great investment for anyone who’s sick of picking up dog hair every day. When used on a weekly basis, this provides professional quality results.
Cleanup is a breeze as well with the Furejector button — all you need to do is push a button and reject all of the loose hair into your palm or directly into the garbage bin.
This product also has an ergonomic handle for easy grooming, and your hand won’t get tired or cramp up, even if you need to spend a little extra time on your dog’s coat.
There’s even a money-back guarantee available if you’re not completely satisfied.
Pros
- Comes in different sizes and coat lengths
- Curved edge
- Reduces shedding up to 90%
- Easy cleanup
- Ergonomic handle
- Money-back guarantee
Cons
- Some customers complain about lack of durability
Oster ShedMonster De-Shedding Tool
An awesome tool for most pet owners, the ShedMonster is designed to work best on dogs with medium to longer length coats, so it might not be the ideal choice if your dog has short fur.
The smooth edges protect your dog’s skin from getting irritated, and the stainless-steel curved teeth easily reach through the top coat to break up tangles and whisk away excess and/or loose fur underneath.
Similar to the FURminator, the brush reduces shedding up to 90%, so you can spend less time sweeping and vacuuming your floors and more time enjoying your dog.
Cleaning the brush afterwards is easy, too, as you can simply pull the excess hair out of the teeth with your fingers or a damp paper towel. When it stops working effectively, it means you should clean it before continuing.
The ergonomically designed handle is non-slip, so you can keep a steady grip throughout the grooming process, and likewise, it’s very comfortable to hold in your hand.
As an added benefit, this product not only tackles excess hair and mats, but it also gently massages your dog as you brush him, so he’s likely to look forward to the process and sit still rather than resisting it.
Pros
- Smooth edges
- Reduces shedding up to 90%
- Easy to clean
- Ergonomic, non-slip handle
- Massages your dog as you groom
Cons
- Not ideal for shorter-haired breeds
- You may need to clean the teeth a few times during grooming
Runner-up:
DakPets De-shedding Brush
Developed by professional pet groomers, the FURblaster will work well on any dog, whether he has a singular or double coat, and regardless of his size or the length of his fur.
The stainless-steel teeth measure 100mm-4inches, which means it can easily go through the top layer of the fur to remove excess hair lying underneath without causing irritation or snagging on the delicate skin beneath.
Furthermore, the brush reduces shedding up to 95% percent, so you can finally say goodbye to excess fur all over your floors, furniture, and clothing.
The quick-release button on top allows you to remove the comb for easy cleaning after each use. Additionally, it comes with a safe blade cover that can help dramatically extend the life of the product.
It also has a rubber handle that prevents your hand from slipping during the grooming process, which is quite durable as well, so you don’t have to worry about it breaking over time.
Available in three vibrant colors, this product has the added advantage of coming with an unconditional, no questions asked money-back guarantee for 60 days after purchase.
This means that if you aren’t completely happy for any reason, you can return it without any hassle.
Pros
- Comes in three different sizes
- Reduces shedding up to 95% percent
- Won’t damage the top coat
- Easy cleaning
- Safe blade cover
- Durable, non-slip handle
- 60-day money-back guarantee
- Available in vibrant colors
Cons
- Can snag your dog’s coat if you’re not careful
- Not the best for shorter-haired dogs
What Should You Look for in a Dog Shedding Brush?
Adaptability: You want to look for a shedding brush that’s appropriate for your dog’s size and coat length. Of course, dogs with longer hair will need a different tool length than dogs with shorter hair.
Ease of Use: Remember that the shedding brush should get the undercoat without pulling, and as there will be a lot of hair, you need to be able to remove the collected fur quickly and easily.
Comfort and Durability: You also want to make sure your shedding brush is durable and comfortable enough to use for long periods of time without breaking, slipping, or hurting your hand.
Other F.A.Qs
Why do dogs shed?
All dogs shed to at least some degree and dealing with hair is just part of pet ownership.
When dog hair reaches its full length, it falls out and a new hair grows in its place. That’s why most short-haired dog breeds shed more than their long-haired counterparts.
Is shedding a sign of a problem?
You may notice that your dog sheds more in certain conditions, such as in the spring or fall. The change in season and temperature causes dogs, especially double-coated dogs, to shed more than usual.
Dogs will also shed as a stress response. If a dog’s environment has changed drastically, such as a new addition to the family or moving to a new house, he may shed more until he has adjusted.
Food allergies, skin disorders, parasites, cancer, and other illnesses can cause excessive shedding as well.
If your pup is shedding more than usual and the reason doesn’t appear to be associated with a change in weather or his environment, have him checked by the vet to rule out any health conditions.
How to use a dog shedding brush?
First, make sure your dog is completely dry and tangle-free, then gently brush him with the grain of his coat, starting at the top of his body and working your way to his tail. Stay away from the skin, and remove clumps of hair from the comb as you go.
Some shedding brushes are built into gloves, so you can just pet your dog while wearing it to remove loose fur.
Which dogs need a shedding brush?
A shedding brush can be used on any dog, since all dogs shed to some extent. That said, pets that have an undercoat will benefit the most from a de-shedding tool, as they shed a whole lot more compared to single-coated breeds like Poodles and Yorkies.
Many brands, such as FURminator, label their products according to which type of hair the brushes work best on. For example, there are versions for short or long hair, and the size varies based on the size of your dog.
How to reduce shedding?
To limit shedding and keep your dog’s coat glossy and manageable, the rule of thumb is to brush your dog before bathing him with a shampoo formulated specially for dogs, then when he’s dry, brush him again
You’ll be amazed how much hair comes out during the second brushing!
Be sure to use the correct brush for your dog’s coat, though, and don’t wash him too often as this can deplete his skin and coat of the oils they need to stay healthy and hydrated.
In Conclusion
The FURminator may be a bit more expensive vs ShedMonster, but in our opinion, it’s well worth the money. Not only is it simple to use and clean, but it produces incredible results without damaging your dog’s top coat or snagging on his skin.
It’s also available in many different sizes, meaning you’re sure to find the right one for your dog. In addition, the money-back guarantee means you have nothing to lose by giving it a try.
