Best Brushes For Huskies

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Before I got my Australian Cattle Dog, I toyed with the idea of getting a Husky. Their intelligence and playfulness appeal to me, but I was also cautious about managing a snow dog in a hot climate.

With their thick, double coats, Huskies aren’t the most straightforward dogs to groom, especially not when they “blow out” their coats. This annual event sees your Husky lose his entire undercoat – and spread it liberally around your home! To get the upper hand during this six-week process, you need a good brush like the Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker brush.

Our Top Choice for Husky Brushes: Slicker Pro Dog Brush

Our TOP Choice

Slicker Pro Dog Brush for Shedding and Grooming

This slicker brush will get the most stubborn mats and tangles from your Husky’s coat without pulling at his hair or damaging his skin.

It won’t remove as much undercoat as a deshedding tool, but it will give your Husky a shiny, luscious coat.

Easy to clean, the Slicker Pro slicker brush gets rid of surface debris and massages your dog while doing it. Press a button, and the bristles retract, depositing a mound of hair. Press the button again, and you have a clean brush all ready to collect up the next pile of hair!

With its anti-slip handle and comfort grip, this brush is as comfortable in your hand as it is for your dog, so you can keep grooming for as long as it takes to get the desired result.

You can brush your furry friend for as long as they need. Affordable and durable, the Slicker Pro slicker brush isn’t only the best brush for Huskies, but it’s also versatile enough to be used on any medium to long-haired pet.

Get this perfect slicker brush here!

Slicker brushes are great for Husky owners because they remove dead hair from the dog’s undercoat without destroying its insulating capabilities. A slicker brush is aggressive enough to remove the most obstinate of mats, while being gentle enough to use on sensitive areas, like the face and stomach.

Compared to other slicker brushes, the Slicker Pro is a lot easier to clean, which is a worthwhile consideration if you’re brushing your Husky daily as you should be doing. It can be used as effectively on a wet dog as on a dry one, so it can form a part of your bathing process as well as your daily grooming routine.

The wire bristles penetrate deep into your dog’s coat without scratching his skin or causing him discomfort, making your grooming session a more pleasurable experience for all involved. Some dog owners have even reported their dogs falling asleep while being groomed with a Slicker Pro slicker brush!

This brush isn’t the cheapest brush for Huskies, but nor is it the most expensive. It will also give your Husky a more comfortable grooming experience and a healthier looking coat.

Our Runner-Ups

Let’s have a look at our specialized brush choices:

Best Dematting Rake for Huskies

2 Sided Undercoat Rake for Dogs - Safe Dematting Comb

This two-in-one grooming tool is highly recommended for Huskies. It has two sets of teeth, with nine on one side and 17 on the other. The wider-spread teeth are great for removing stubborn tangles, while the more tightly packed rake will draw out loose hair.

Instead of tugging at tight mats, this rake will cut through them with its sharp, stainless steel teeth. Not only will it leave your dog looking good, but it will also remove nasty tangles that can irritate your Husky’s skin and become a breeding ground for fleas and other parasites.

Another benefit to the Pat Your Pet dematting rake is that it means all that hair will go in the garbage or compost, rather than all over your clothes and furniture!

Check the price on this rake!

The ergonomic rubber handle makes this grooming tool both durable and easy to use. Better still, it takes out more hair than a deshedding brush and does so more smoothly. A little more expensive than Hertzko’s slicker brush, it’s still cheaper than a deshedding brush, and better for your Husky.

Best Comb for Husky Coats

Best Comb

Andis (Pet) 7-1/2-Inch Steel Comb Silver

$14.50

Tackling your Husky’s thick coat with a comb may not be high up on your to-do list, but with this steel comb from Andis, it’s a lot easier than you might expect.

Professional groomers often use a comb to break up the worst mats before completing the job with a slicker brush. Others use it after grooming with a dematting rake to find and detangle any hidden mats or knots you missed the first time around.

The Andis steel dog comb has a coarse set of teeth for removing dirt and tangles and a finer set for finishing and fluffing. There are two sizes available - a 7.5-inch and a 10-inch - either of which is small enough to use around your Husky’s face and ears. You can also get into tricky-to-reach spots, like between the legs and under the tail.

Get this comb for your Husky today!

04/23/2024 11:55 am GMT

On the downside, its small size may make it uncomfortable for the groomer if used for long periods.

You do need to be careful when using a steel comb as it can be painful for your dog if you’re tugging on knots and tangles. Used correctly, however, this comb can remove enough hair that you may not have to groom again for several days.

At the time of writing, the Andis Pet Steel Comb was not available on Amazon and if you do find it’s out of stock, we suggest trying the Pettom Pet Steel Grooming Tool instead.

Best Brush for Husky Puppies

Best for Husky Puppies

WAHL Premium Pet Double Sided Brush

Husky puppies have a different type of coat to mature dogs and only grow their two-layered coats when they’re around 12 to 14 months old.

Before they reach that age, Husky puppies have a soft and fuzzy undercoat with no real guard hairs, so a softer brush is preferable.

This dual-action nature makes it ideal for Husky puppies.

You can get your puppy used to a daily grooming routine using this soft and gentle brush.

Check the price here!

The bristle brush is gentle on the skin and massages your dog as you groom, stimulating the hair follicles and distributing oils throughout the coat.

This dual-action brush is versatile and affordable and can be used equally effectively for a “quick buffing” as it can for a full-on grooming session. It won’t get rid of the trickiest tangles like the Hertzko slicker brush will, but it can remove snarls and small knots without tugging at your Husky’s fur.

Best for Anxious Pups

Pet Grooming Glove - Gentle Deshedding Glove

I’m a big fan of grooming gloves for horses and now I’ve tried this one, I’m becoming a big fan of them for long-haired dogs as well. One reason I like them is that I don’t have to grip them as I would a brush, which makes it more comfortable for my small hands. For the dog, a grooming glove can turn a cleaning session into a pleasurable petting experience.

Grooming gloves are particularly suitable for Huskies that don’t like traditional brushes or who are anxious about the grooming experience as a whole. This one has 255 silicone grooming tips that mimic the touch of your hand, giving the dog a relaxing massage while removing surface dirt and loose hair.

Check the price here!

The Delomo pet grooming glove is just as effective as a bathing brush as it is for daily grooming sessions. It’s also made from recyclable materials, making it 100% environmentally friendly. Grooming gloves work better on long-haired dogs than short-haired ones, making them ideal for the fluffiest and the dirtiest of Huskies.

Grooming gloves “can be easily used over the whole body – including legs, soft belly, tail, and even the head,” massaging the dog as it goes and leaving behind a softer, glossier coat.

These gloves won’t remove stubborn tangles or thick mats of hair, but they will improve the quality of a Husky’s coat and take the stress out of your daily grooming session.

How Do You Groom A Husky and What Brush Is Best?

Huskies have two coats – a top layer for protection and an undercoat that”acts as an insulator regulator to keep the dog warm in the winter and cool in the summer.”

Twice a year, a Husky will shed its undercoat in a six-week process known as “blowing the coat.”

During this period, your Husky will shed a lot and will have you reaching for a deshedding tool just for the sake of your carpets and furniture. While a deshedding brush is a highly effective way of removing the undercoat, on a Husky it “can be extremely destructive,” leaving your Husky with a lack-luster coat that appears rough and “choppy-looking.”

Different brushes are suitable for different purposes and, to get your Husky’s top coat in perfect condition, a wide-toothed comb is probably the best. For the undercoat, especially when your Husky’s shedding, a rake is better as it penetrates the outer layer more effectively.

Can I Clip My Husky In Summer?

With his thick, fluffy coat, the Husky looks ill-prepared for the hot, summer months, which may tempt some owners to clip or shave their dogs. Neither clipping or shaving is recommended for Huskies and can be detrimental to your dog’s health and comfort.

Double-coated breeds, like Huskies, need both coats to moderate their body temperature. Shaving your dog will compromise this, making him more vulnerable to overheating.

Should I Use a Deshedding Brush on My Husky?

Deshedding brushes remove loose hair and thin out the undercoat. With sharp teeth, they cut through your dog’s coat as if you’re “shearing a sheep.”

Using this type of brush on a Husky’s double coat can cause discomfort for the dog as the teeth tug at the coat, and scratch the skin.

A good dematting rake like the one from Pat You Pet is a better and more comfortable way to remove loose hair and leaves the coat looking shiny and smooth.

Should I Brush My Husky During Winter?

After your Husky has finally finished shedding and the cooler winter weather approaches, it can be tempting to think he doesn’t need regular grooming. This is a mistake, however, as his fluffy coat is more likely to mat in cooler, wetter weather. If not regularly brushed, these mats can destroy the insulating properties of your Husky’s undercoat, making it difficult for him to stay warm.

How Often Should I Groom My Husky?

Opinions vary when it comes to how often a Husky needs grooming, with some saying it should be daily and others who believe that once a week is enough.

From what I’ve gleaned from the research I’ve done, a Siberian Husky should be brushed at least twice a week. When your dog is blowing his coat out and shedding heavily, daily grooming sessions are advisable.

Should I Bathe My Husky?

Huskies are surprisingly good at self-cleaning and, when in their natural habitat, will take any opportunity they get to“snow bathe”. A good roll in the snow “helps to keep their fur nice and clean.”

Even if you live somewhere where there’s little chance of snow, your Husky will secrete oils that help to protect his coat and keep it clean, making bathing him regularly unnecessary.

“A bath once or twice a year is fine,” as Huskies don’t have particularly oily coats and therefore don’t tend to have that unpleasant doggy odor.

Overwashing your Husky is more harmful than not bathing him enough as it will “strip away too many of their natural oils found on the skin and coat”, making him more susceptible to skin infections and allergies.

The Bottom Line

Although Huskies are clean and relatively odor-free dogs, they do shed their undercoats twice a year, and when they do, it tends to go everywhere. Regular grooming can help keep your dog looking good and feeling comfortable. It will also mean you don’t have to follow your Husky around with a vacuum cleaner all day.

Because Huskies are double-coated, using deshedding brushes can damage the guard hairs of the outer, protective coat and cut through the undercoat that is essential for insulation and temperature control. As a result, the best brushes for Huskies aren’t the famous FURminators, but slicker brushes that can penetrate their deep fur without damaging it.

If you’re on the market for a new brush for your Husky, the Hertzko slicker brush is your best option. Its self-cleaning function means you won’t have hair flying in all directions while removing tangles and loose hair from your Husky’s coat. Its bent wire teeth won’t irritate your dog’s skin, and the ergonomic handle makes for a more comfortable grooming experience for you as well.

To get deeper into your Husky’s undercoat to remove more stubborn knots and mats, the Pat Your Pet dematting rake is your best option. A rake will gently remove loose hair and cut through tangles without tugging on the coat.

Pet combs are inexpensive and surprisingly effective when it comes to removing debris and snarls from your Husky’s coat. They are also small enough to get into sensitive areas, like around the face and eyes, and some that are difficult to reach, like between the front legs.

The Andis steel pet comb is durable and designed to last. Used in combination with either a slicker brush or a pin-and-bristle grooming tool, it will leave your dog tangle-free and show-ready.

A steel comb could prove uncomfortable for a Husky puppy, however, given that he only has a single coat comprised of soft fluff. A pin-and-bristle brush like the Hartz Grooming Combo is a better option as it has soft nylon bristles that will gently remove dirt and debris while distributing natural oils throughout the coat.

If your puppy’s not so keen on the idea of a daily grooming session, you might find using a grooming glove easier. Mimicking the feel of your hand, the Delomo grooming glove smooths away loose hair and dirt while gently massaging your dog. It’s a great way to get your puppy used to being brushed, giving him enjoyable experiences that will make him easier to groom when he first starts to shed.

Huskies are clean dogs but, with all that hair, they do need a helping hand from time to time, which is why having a good grooming tool on-hand is essential.Let’s find the best brush for your Husky and take control of those “magical fibers and joy and love” he insists on shedding twice a year.

Author: Nicky Hoseck

Nicky lives on a small-holding on South Africa’s Wild Coast with a selection of animals, a husband, and five dogs. She spends all her waking hours with her Australian Cattle Dog, Koala, either walking, horse-riding, running, or just hanging out.

Originally from the UK, Nicky been living with dogs for over 40 years and is a passionate dog-owner.

With a Masters Degree from the University of London under her belt, Nicky has had a diverse career, training and riding horses, running safari lodges, and hosting volunteers. She’s now a full-time writer.