Whether pet hair is driving you crazy this summer or you’re just looking for a great way to bond with your pet – brushing them regularly is both a great way to keep your home free of hair and to spend a little quality time with your furry friend. You might not know that different types of dogs require different types of brushes, so we’ve gathered a few simple tips to help you choose and use the right brush for your dog.

Slicker brushes:Typically used on medium to long, curly haired dogs like Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Yorkshire Terriers and St. Bernards, the slicker brush has fine, short wires close together on a flat surface that helps remove mats in the fur. Always be gentle when using this type of brush as too much pressure can cause discomfort for your pet.

Rakes: Shaped like a razor with one to two rows of tightly spaced pins, the rake brush should be used with minimal pressure and is designed to penetrate your pet’s thick coat and remove any dead undercoat near the skin. This GroomNinja brush sold at either Brookside Barkery locations or online is great for breeds like German Shepherds Malamutes, Chow Chows or long-haired cats.

Bristle Brushes: Usually used on short-haired, smooth coated dogs that tend to shed often. Clusters of tightly packed bristles remove loose hair and can be used on breeds like Pugs, Italian Greyhounds, and Jack Russel and Boston Terriers.

Pin Brushes:  Pin brushes areoval-shaped and have loosely-arranged flexible wires with pins on them – much like brushes that us humans use. The pin brush will even pick up loose hair before it falls off completely, but doesn’t benefit your pet much otherwise. This brush is best used when finishing off the grooming process to provide fluffiness to the coat.

While some fur types shed more than others, virtually all cats and dogs shed during the summer. While we can’t prevent shedding completely, hopefully these tips will make combating unwanted pet hair a more manageable task this summer. If you’re unsure about what type of brush to use on your pet or how to use it, please do not hesitate to contact us or chat with any Barkery employee when you stop in to either our Brookside or Lee’s Summit stores.