Dog combs: which one for which coat
A comb does a different job to a brush: it gets into the undercoat and finds tangles a brush glides straight past, which is why most thorough grooming routines use both rather than one or the other. The short answer: a wide-tooth comb suits long or curly coats, a fine-tooth comb suits short, dense coats and flea-checking, and either should be used gently, working from the ends of the fur rather than dragging straight through a knot from the skin.
Wide teeth for long or curly coats
Breeds with long, silky or curly coats — spaniels, poodles, and poodle crosses among them — tend to mat close to the skin behind the ears, under the legs and around the collar, areas a brush often cannot reach properly. A wide-tooth comb gets down to that layer without simply skimming the top coat.
Working through a mat with a comb takes patience rather than force. Hold the fur below the tangle to stop pulling on the skin, and work the comb through from the tip of the mat inward in small sections, rather than trying to drag it out in one go.
Fine teeth for short coats and fleas
A fine-tooth metal comb is the standard tool for checking a short-coated dog for fleas, since flea dirt and the fleas themselves get caught between the close-set teeth in a way a brush will miss entirely. Running one through after a walk in long grass is a quick habit worth building.
The same fine comb also lifts loose, dead undercoat on double-coated breeds during a heavy shed, working well alongside a slicker brush rather than instead of one. Short, gentle strokes in the direction of hair growth are more effective than long, hard pulls.
In this section
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
MPS Head Cover — Breathable Dog Head & Ear Protector
A comfortable, breathable alternative to the cone of shame — protects head and ear wounds or bandages while letting your dog move freely.
From£30.99
Leucillin Antiseptic Skincare Spray for Cats & Dogs
A versatile, alcohol-free antiseptic spray that cleans, soothes, and helps protect your pet's skin from bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
From£16.49
Absorbent Cotton Gauze Swabs for Pets – Pack of 100
Highly absorbent, low-lint cotton gauze swabs produced in clean conditions — a practical first-aid essential available in three size and ply combinations.
From£4.49
MPS Medical PetS Boot – Waterproof Paw Protector
A vet-recommended waterproof boot that keeps bandages, dressings, and casts dry during walks and wet weather.
£30.49
Suitical Recovery Sleeve for Dog Front Legs — Vet Recommended
A cotton-Lycra sleeve that protects a dog's front leg wound or skin condition without restricting movement or needing a cone.
£32.99
Microfibre Pet Drying Robe
A super-absorbent microfibre drying robe that soaks up the wet fast after baths, swims and walks.
From£10.99
PAWZ Rubber Dog Paw Protectors — Waterproof Disposable Boots
Lightweight rubber dog boots that protect paws from injury and the elements — easy to fit, water resistant, and available in seven sizes from Tiny to X Large.
From£15.99
AniWrap Cohesive Bandages for Dogs & Cats
Stretchy, self-adhesive cohesive bandages that stick to themselves — not to fur — so removal is completely pain-free.
From£4.99
Suitical Dog Recovery Suit — Vet-Approved Post-Op Bodysuit
A vet-approved organic cotton and Lycra onesie that protects wounds after surgery — a gentler, less stressful alternative to a cone collar.
£30.99
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
Absorbent Microfibre Dog Drying Robe
A super-absorbent microfibre drying robe with a handy front pocket to dry your dog off fast.
From£13.99
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
Common questions
- What's the difference between a comb and a brush for dogs?
- A brush is generally faster for everyday smoothing and lifting loose hair from the top coat, while a comb reaches closer to the skin and through the undercoat, which is where mats and flea dirt actually sit. Most thorough grooming routines use a brush first and a comb to finish or check problem areas.
- How do I get a mat out without hurting my dog?
- Hold the fur firmly just below the mat so you are not pulling directly on the skin, then work the comb through from the outer tip of the tangle inward in small sections. If a mat is tight to the skin and will not budge gently, it is safer to have it clipped out than to keep pulling.
- Which dogs need combing most often?
- Breeds with long, silky, curly or double coats — spaniels, poodles and poodle crosses, and thick-coated breeds during a seasonal shed — benefit from combing several times a week. Short, smooth-coated dogs need it far less often, mainly for flea-checking after walks in long grass.
- Can I use a human comb on my dog?
- It is better not to. Dog combs are spaced and shaped for fur density and skin sensitivity that differ from human hair, and a human comb's teeth are often too fine or too sharp-edged to work through a mat without catching or scratching the skin underneath.
Related
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.