Dog grooming gloves
A grooming glove is a mitt lined with short rubber or silicone teeth that catches loose and dead hair as you stroke your dog, rather than a comb or brush you hold separately. It works well for dogs who find a stiff brush uncomfortable or who won't sit still for one, because to the dog it feels like being petted rather than groomed.
How a grooming glove actually works
The short rubber nubs on a glove like the Ancol Ergo Grooming Glove or a silicone pet grooming glove catch loose hair as your hand moves over the coat, the same way stroking with a bare hand picks up a few stray hairs, only far more of them. It won't get through a matted or tangled coat the way a proper de-shedding tool will, because it isn't designed to.
Where it earns its place is on a short or smooth coat, or as a gentler follow-up after brushing on a longer one — a lot of dogs who tense up at a brush relax completely for a glove, because their brain reads it as contact rather than grooming.
Choosing between a glove and a mitt
A double-sided grooming glove, like the Double-Sided Pet Grooming Glove, gives you a firmer set of teeth on one side for shedding coats and a softer side for finishing or for a coat that's already short. A single-sided mitt such as the Bb Rub Grooming Mitt is simpler and often softer, which suits a nervous dog or a first attempt at getting them used to being handled this way.
For a dog who sheds heavily — most double-coated breeds through spring and autumn — pairing a glove with a proper de-shedding comb for the undercoat gets through far more loose hair than the glove will manage alone.
Getting the most out of one
Use it dry, in the direction of hair growth, over the whole body rather than just the obviously moulting patches — a lot of loose undercoat sits places you wouldn't guess from looking. A few short sessions a week does more than one long one, especially with a dog who is still deciding whether they like it.
Clean the glove out between uses; hair packed into the teeth stops it working properly and is the most common reason someone decides it doesn't do anything a few weeks in. A quick rinse or a comb through the teeth after each session keeps it doing its job.
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
- Do grooming gloves actually remove loose hair, or is it just marketing?
- They do remove loose and dead hair, and a lot of owners are surprised how much comes away in one session — but they work on the coat's surface rather than through knots or a thick undercoat, so a heavily matted or double-coated dog still needs a proper brush or comb as well.
- Are grooming gloves suitable for cats as well as dogs?
- Yes, most are — a cat who won't tolerate a brush will often accept the same glove because it feels like being stroked. Go gently around the belly and legs, which most cats are more sensitive about than their back.
- How often should I use a grooming glove?
- A few short sessions a week suits most dogs, more often during a heavy moult in spring and autumn. There's no harm in doing it daily if your dog enjoys it — it's closer to petting than to a grooming chore for most of them.
- My dog's coat is matted — will a grooming glove sort it out?
- No, a glove works on loose surface hair rather than through tangles or matting, and pulling at a mat with one is likely to be uncomfortable for your dog. A slicker brush or a proper de-shedding comb, used carefully, is the right tool for a matted coat.
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.