Best brush for a Shiba Inu
A Shiba Inu has a thick double coat — a soft, dense undercoat beneath a straighter, harsher outer layer — and the right brush for that combination is an undercoat rake or a slicker brush used regularly, rather than a basic bristle brush that only reaches the top layer. Shibas famously shed this undercoat heavily twice a year, and the brush matters most during those weeks.
Why a Shiba Inu's coat needs a specific type of brush
The Shiba's double coat is built to insulate, which is exactly why a soft-bristle brush on its own struggles to do much — it glides over the tougher outer hairs without reaching the dense undercoat underneath. An undercoat rake, with its rounded teeth set at intervals to pull through both layers, is built specifically for this kind of coat.
A slicker brush, with fine, closely spaced wire pins, is a useful second tool for finishing off and smoothing the outer coat once the rake has done the heavier work underneath. Used together, the two cover what a Shiba's coat actually needs rather than what a generic dog brush is designed for.
The twice-yearly shed
Shiba Inus are known for 'blowing' their undercoat heavily around twice a year, usually with the change of season, when what looks like handfuls of soft fluff can come out over a few days of brushing. During these weeks, brushing every day rather than weekly makes a real difference to how much hair ends up on the floor and furniture instead of in the bin.
Outside of the seasonal shed, a Shiba's coat needs less frequent attention — once or twice a week with an undercoat rake or slicker brush is usually enough to keep loose hair and early matting under control without over-brushing skin that does not need constant handling.
What to avoid
Clipping or shaving a Shiba Inu's coat short is generally discouraged, because the double coat regulates temperature in both hot and cold weather, and shaving it can disrupt how it grows back. A good brushing routine with the right tools does the job that clipping is sometimes mistakenly used to solve.
Avoid pulling hard through a matted or tangled section with any brush — work through a mat gently with your fingers first, or ask a groomer for help with anything established, rather than dragging a rake or slicker through it and causing discomfort.
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.
Ancol Ergo Wooden Handle Slicker Brush
A stainless steel slicker brush on a wooden handle, for short, long, wiry and curly coats
From£6.99
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
Ancol Ergo Double Sided Comb
Ancol Ergo Double Sided Comb: a SGL grooming comb for combing the coat
£8.79
Ancol Ergo Soft Bristle Brush
A soft bristle brush for dogs, for gentle grooming around the ears and face
£7.79
Ancol Ergo Grooming Glove
A rubber grooming glove for dogs, for removing loose hair on wet or dry coats
£9.79
Wahl Pet Grooming Scissors with Finger Rest
Stainless steel finishing scissors with ergonomic offset handles — perfect for tidying around eyes, ears, mouth, and paws.
£5.49
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
Slicker Brush for Dogs — Detangling & De-shedding
An ergonomic slicker brush with anti-scratch pins that works through tangles and removes dead hair from top and undercoat.
From£9.99
Groom Professional Curved Soft Slicker Brush
A professional-grade curved slicker brush with soft pins, designed to groom delicate and soft-coated pets without discomfort.
From£8.99
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
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
Common questions
- How often should I brush my Shiba Inu?
- Once or twice a week is usually enough outside of the seasonal shed, increasing to daily brushing for a week or two during the heavy coat blow that most Shibas go through around twice a year. Regular shorter sessions work better than an occasional long one.
- Do Shiba Inus need to be clipped or shaved?
- No, and it is generally best avoided. Their double coat insulates against both heat and cold, and shaving it can affect how it grows back afterwards. Regular brushing with the right tools manages shedding without needing to remove the coat itself.
- What is the best tool for Shiba Inu shedding season?
- An undercoat rake is the most effective single tool for the heavy seasonal shed, since it is designed to pull loose undercoat out from beneath the tougher top layer. A slicker brush afterwards helps smooth and finish the outer coat once the bulk of the loose hair is out.
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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.