How often should I brush my cocker spaniel?

Two to three times a week is a reasonable routine for most cocker spaniels, increasing after wet or muddy walks when the coat is more prone to tangling. The feathering on the ears and legs usually needs the most frequent attention.

Do cocker spaniels need a dematting comb as well as a brush?

Yes, generally. A slicker brush suits the main body coat well, but the longer feathering on the ears, legs and belly mats more easily and often needs a separate wide-toothed or dematting comb to work through properly without pulling.

Why do cocker spaniels get ear infections so often?

Their long, low-hanging ears trap moisture and hair against the head more than a shorter-eared breed's do, which creates conditions that ear infections thrive in. Regular brushing around the ears and keeping them clean and dry helps, but a recurring or smelly ear problem is worth having a vet look at.

What type of brush is best for feathering?

A wide-toothed comb or a dedicated dematting tool with rounded teeth generally works better on feathering than a slicker brush alone, since it can work through tangles without simply smoothing over the top of a developing mat.

Best brush for a cocker spaniel

A cocker spaniel's coat needs two tools working together, not one — a slicker brush for the everyday coat and a dematting or wide-toothed comb for the longer feathering on the ears, legs and belly, where mats form fastest. Skipping the second tool is the most common reason a cocker spaniel's coat gets away from an owner.

Why a cocker spaniel's coat needs more than one tool

The main body coat on a cocker spaniel is manageable with a good slicker brush used regularly, but the longer 'feathering' on the ears, legs, chest and belly is a different problem entirely — it tangles and mats far more easily, especially after a wet walk or time spent in long grass.

A slicker brush alone tends to smooth over the top of a mat rather than working through it, which is exactly why a separate dematting comb, with wider teeth, earns its place in a cocker spaniel owner's kit rather than being an optional extra.

The ears deserve particular attention

A cocker spaniel's long, low-hanging ears trap moisture and hair against the head more than a shorter-eared breed's do, and matted or damp fur around the ear opening is a genuine contributor to ear problems in the breed. Regular brushing around and just inside the ear flap, rather than only the visible coat, is worth building into a routine.

Pairing brushing with an occasional ear check and clean, using a product designed for the job rather than cotton buds pushed too far in, keeps this area from being the part of grooming that gets overlooked.

How often, and what to look for in a brush

Two to three times a week is a reasonable baseline for a cocker spaniel's coat, more often if they have been out in wet or muddy conditions, since matting starts fastest when fur is damp and left to dry tangled. A slicker brush with fine, slightly bent pins works well for the body coat, while a dematting tool with rounded, widely-spaced teeth is better suited to the feathering without pulling on the skin.

A good conditioning shampoo used at bath time also makes the coat easier to brush through afterwards, which matters more for a cocker spaniel's longer coat than it does for a short-haired breed.

What we stock for this breed

Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.

Electric Pet Grooming Clipper

A quiet, rechargeable electric clipper for trimming dogs, cats, rabbits and other pets at home. Low-noise and low-vibration with an adjustable blade for tidy, stress-free grooming around the body and paws.

From£11.99

Large Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Mats and Tangles

A self-cleaning slicker brush with fine, bead-tipped wire pins that gently lift loose undercoat, mats and tangles from short or long-haired pets. A one-click button releases the collected fur for fuss-free cleaning. Cat-ear shaped design.

£18.99

Round-Tipped Deshedding Rake Comb

A double-sided undercoat rake with rounded stainless-steel blades that gently cut through mats and remove loose hair. The non-slip ergonomic handle makes deshedding dogs and cats quick and comfortable.

From£8.99

Pet Deshedding Grooming Mitt

A soft mesh grooming mitt you wear on one hand to lift loose fur while stroking your pet, turning shedding control into a soothing massage. Suits dogs and cats with any coat length.

From£7.99

Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush

A skin-friendly slicker brush that gently lifts loose fur and undercoat from dogs, cats and rabbits. The angled pins glide through the coat while a one-click button releases the collected hair for easy cleaning. Soft non-slip handle.

£9.99

Double-Sided Deshedding & Flea Comb

A two-sided steel comb with coarse deshedding teeth on one side and fine flea-comb teeth on the other. Lifts loose fur and catches fleas to keep your cat or dog's coat clean and healthy.

£13.99

Steam Spray Detangling Grooming Brush

A rechargeable steam grooming brush with a fine mist that lifts loose fur and eases tangles while you brush. Gentle on the skin and cuts down flyaway hair, no bath needed. Chick design.

£12.99

Fast UK delivery

Wahl Competition Series Clipper Blades

High-precision, chrome-plated clipper blades with a rust-resistant finish, available in 17 sizes for every coat type and clipping style.

From£37.99

Double-Sided Undercoat Rake

A twin-bladed rake that removes mats and tangles on one side and reduces shedding on the other. The non-slip ergonomic handle suits cats and dogs with thick or long coats.

£23.99

Silicone Pet Bath & Massage Brush

Soft silicone bristles work shampoo into a rich lather while gently massaging your pet and lifting loose hair at bath time. A handy strap keeps the brush secure across the back of your hand.

£7.99

Self-Cleaning Deshedding Slicker Brush

A deshedding grooming tool for dogs and cats that lifts loose undercoat and eases out tangles, with a self-cleaning button that releases the trapped fur in one press.

£25.99

Wooden Pet Deshedding Grooming Brush

An ergonomic wooden grooming brush with a fine-toothed edge that loosens and lifts away dead and shedding fur. The smooth contoured handle sits comfortably in the hand for quick, gentle daily de-shedding.

£14.99

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Common questions

How often should I brush my cocker spaniel?: Two to three times a week is a reasonable routine for most cocker spaniels, increasing after wet or muddy walks when the coat is more prone to tangling. The feathering on the ears and legs usually needs the most frequent attention.
Do cocker spaniels need a dematting comb as well as a brush?: Yes, generally. A slicker brush suits the main body coat well, but the longer feathering on the ears, legs and belly mats more easily and often needs a separate wide-toothed or dematting comb to work through properly without pulling.
Why do cocker spaniels get ear infections so often?: Their long, low-hanging ears trap moisture and hair against the head more than a shorter-eared breed's do, which creates conditions that ear infections thrive in. Regular brushing around the ears and keeping them clean and dry helps, but a recurring or smelly ear problem is worth having a vet look at.
What type of brush is best for feathering?: A wide-toothed comb or a dedicated dematting tool with rounded teeth generally works better on feathering than a slicker brush alone, since it can work through tangles without simply smoothing over the top of a developing mat.

Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.