Siberian Huskies make amazing pets but do come with somewhat of a high-maintenance reputation (MORE FUR THAN CHEWBACCA)!!!
But luckily, choosing the best brush for your Husky can change all of that, leaving your Husky with tame and maintained fur.
When you look at your Husky, or at pictures of the Husky you’ve always wanted to own, you think of the frozen tundra. You dream about teams of adorable sled dogs. You see your athletic, friendly, dignified canine companion. You see your best friend.
This adorable furry friend is the dog of your dreams! Playful, soft, fluffy, sparkling eyes. And…SO MUCH FUR!
You can picture it now. All that soft, fluffy fur, shedding all over your house. The one tiny drawback of cohabitation with this distinguished animal. People mentioned the shedding, but they probably didn’t mention how to keep up with it, let alone how to find the best dog brush for your Husky! So let’s help you with that.
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Do I Really Need To Brush My Husky?
Yes! To own a Husky dog is to make a commitment to a bit of grooming. Everyone knows Siberian Huskies shed, like all long-haired dog breeds.
But don’t let that stop you! As long as you find the best brush for your Husky early on and establish a routine for some basic grooming, those fluffy mountains of Husky hair covering your floor will become a thing of the past.
There are so many different choices when it comes down to dog brush types. And you thought picking out your dog was the hard part! In general, there are four types of dog brushes. That being said, picking the best brush for your Husky is the key to managing your shedding dilemma.
The Basic Bristle Brush & The Pin Brush
So let’s start by taking a look at the four different dog brush types.
First and second are the basic bristle brush and the pin brush. These look similar to human hairbrushes and are best for dogs with short, smooth hair that sheds easily.
These types of brushes are familiar to us and it is all too easy to fall into the trap of buying what we recognize. We can find them at any pet store; you might even have one lying around the house! All the same, however, the bristle and pin dog brush types will not be the best brush for your Husky. Just keep that in mind.
If you decide to use these brushes to try to manage your Siberian Husky’s shedding, you will be disappointed and might start to think that your Husky really is hard to take care of. Don’t worry, though, he really isn’t! You just haven’t found the best brush for a Husky- yet! So what’s next?
The Rake Brush
Next up we start to move into the real muscle of the dog brush world. The third type of dog brush is the rake brush.
- Good for cats or dogs
- Sturdy, well-made tool
- Helps remove the dry undercoat
These heavy-duty metal brushes are meant for use on dogs with thick, double coats (just like your Husky, but you’ll learn more about that awesome double coat later on!) to effortlessly move through the dense fur and remove dead and shedded coat. This brush is meant to turn your rugged-looking Siberian Husky into a clean cut Husky.
The Slicker Brush
The last option in your search for the best brush for your Husky is the slicker brush.
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These come in many varieties but they all work in the same way. Soft, short wires are placed close together on a flat brush head and work quickly to easily eliminate the shedding undercoat and any matted fur.
So Which Brush For Husky Is Best?
Well, this one is kind of up to you. As you can likely tell, the last two choices are the best for your Husky but the difference between the rake and the slicker depend on both your and your Husky’s preferences. Either one of these two brushes will help you easily manage your Siberian Husky’s shedded hair, keeping his or her coat in prime condition (and your house clean).
Now before you go out and buy yourself the best brush for a Husky, you have to understand a bit about what makes your Husky’s coat so special, and why he’ll need a different dog brush type.
My Husky Has A Special Coat Of Fur?
Well, yeah! Your Husky is a marvel of nature! So are Malamutes. They have similar fur, which both breeds would require the same type of grooming care. This adorable fur baby has two layers of fur that actually serve two very different functions for him/her. First is the guard coat. It’s the longer, colored coat that we see and pet. The Husky’s second coat is known as the undercoat.
The guard coat works to keep Huskies dry in wet weather by repelling rain and allowing the undercoat to remain properly piled. In warm weather, that guard coat works almost like sunscreen, reflecting the sun’s rays and protecting your dog’s unpigmented skin from burning.
The undercoat (you know, the one that sheds everywhere and makes allllll those fluffy mountains) grows underneath. It is made up of shorter hairs and tends to shed in cycles about twice a year.
How Does Weather Affect My Husky’s Fur?
In hot weather, your Husky dog’s undercoat actually works with his guard coat. Together, they combine to trap a layer of cool air next to his skin. Remember, dogs can’t sweat like we can and they cool their bodies primarily by panting. By keeping a nice cool pocket of air beside their skin, their undercoat is actually helping regulate his/her temperature.
It’s not hard to guess what that bushy undercoat does for old Husky in the winter! As it grows thicker and denser during the fall and winter months, the undercoat works to insulate the dog. It holds warm air beside your dog’s skin like a blanket, protecting him/her from the dangers of the cold weather.
So as you can see, the design of your Siberian Husky’s coat is unique and important. Sure, shedding can be a nuisance, especially during those summer months, but it is a problem you can easily manage by finding the best brush for Husky!
Can I Just Take My Husky To A Groomer?
Well, many people will advise you to do away with your shedding problems completely by scheduling routine trips to the groomer. This is a costly and time-consuming solution, however. And unfortunately for your dog, it is a “solution” that will ultimately cause you both more harm than good!
Not only will shaving your Husky’s coat off at the groomer’s shop disrupt the balance of hairs designed by Mother Nature to work for your dog in all seasons, but it also opens the door to new problems. Without the plush coat to keep him/her safe, the Husky can fall victim to skin problems, allergies, flea and tick infestation and more. And in the long run, it is likely to throw off your Husky’s natural shedding cycle, leading to even more shedding!
So really, the only answer to the problem is finding the best brush for that Husky, and then using it!
How Often Do I Need To Groom My Husky?
Despite their plush hair and its vast quantities, your Husky needs less grooming than you might think. In general, you should plan to brush using the best brush for your Husky about once a week.
Once the weather starts to warm up in the Spring and your Husky’s natural shedding cycle begins to pick up, you will need to increase the frequency of your brushing sessions. Every other day or even every day is a safe bet once the real shedding begins!
Turn Grooming Time Into Best Friend Time!
The time you spend brushing your Husky is a great opportunity to bond with your dog! In the wild, members of a pack groom each other all the time. It will become an enjoyable part of your routine together, and something your dog can really look forward to.
If you start grooming your Siberian Husky while their young, it will quickly become another pleasant activity you can do with your dog. Beginning when your Husky is about four months old, try to establish a regimen you both can stick to.
But don’t worry, even if you’re just getting started with a mature dog. It is still easy to get into a sustainable grooming groove. Once you find the best brush for your Husky, making sure he is comfortable throughout the process, you can easily eliminate the stress grooming might bring an older dog who isn’t used to it yet.
How To Brush Your Husky Properly!
Once you’re armed with the best brush for Husky in hand, you’ll want to find a comfortable place to groom. Often sitting outdoors in a shady area works well. Make sure both you and Husky are comfortable and free from distractions.
Starting at your Husky’s head, work your way through downward over his back and toward his tail. Make sure to take your time, using careful brush strokes. You don’t want to hurry along too much and risk scratching his skin or pulling a mat!
Each time you brush your dog, pay special attention to areas most prone to matting. These are the spots on his body that don’t shed as easily on their own, like around the legs, under the belly, and around the tail.
After that, you’ll want to clip his nails with doggy nail clippers. And if his coat is looking dry, lavish him with some coat conditioner or oil. Once you apply the coat conditioner, use that best dog brush for Husky to work it all the way through his/her coat.
Does My Husky Need A Bath After Brushing?
According to the American Kennel Club, Huskies are known as a “natural” breed whose coats tend to self-clean. As long as you keep up with his regular brushing to keep shedded fur from building up, your Husky’s coats will stay remarkably tidy! They don’t overproduce oil and don’t need all-too-frequent baths.
However, about once every other month, you will want to give you Husky a bath after a thorough brushing. Make sure to do your research and choose the best shampoo for shedding dogs before you start!
Then you can wash your Husky, taking care to rinse that thick coat well. Leftover shampoo and conditioner can lead to matting and skin problems so be careful.
Do You Recommend Any Specific Husky Brushes?
Now that you’ve gathered all the know-how for grooming your Husky and you’re keeping up with all that shedding fur, you need some brushes! So here are our top choices, the tried and true, the best brush for your Husky:
1. The Husky Undercoat Rake
- Good for cats or dogs
- Sturdy, well-made tool
- Helps remove the dry undercoat
The 2 Sided Undercoat Rake AKA “Husky shedding brush” is a prime contender for the best brush for a Husky dog. It is a safe and effective way to remove his shedding undercoat. This brush uses an innovative dual-head structure to remove mats and thin undercoat at the same time. And as a nice bonus for you, the soft handle is also anti-slip, making brushing even more comfortable.
2. The FURminator!
- For Large dogs with long hair: designed especially...
- Removes loose hair: reaches through the topcoat to...
- FURejector button: just push the button to release...
This brush features a stainless steel shedding edge that will easily brush that shedding undercoat from your Husky. Another feature that adds this great brush to our list for best brushes for your Husky is the “FURejector” button that quickly releases hair from the brush!
This fantastic option works so well, we recommend making it a part of your weekly grooming. More frequent than that might be too much for an old Husky, though!
3. FURminator Grooming Rake
Next up on the list of best brushes for Husky is the Grooming Rake also by FURminator! The streamlined and effective all-purpose brush will help make regular grooming a breeze.
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The rounded pins carefully move across your Husky’s body, rotating to ensure that his skin isn’t scraped or pulled. Its ergonomic handle also keeps you comfortable enough to use this brush every day when peak shedding season hits!
4. Self Cleaning Slicker Brush
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- SUPER EFFECTIVE - This dog and cat hair brush for...
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The slicker brush rounds out the list of offerings for best brushes for your Husky. This innovative restyling from Herzko is even self-cleaning! With the click of a button, the fine wire bristles retract into the brush head, leaving the fur shed to fall away in a neat pile. Its comfort-grip handle would make this brush a fantastic offering for regular use.
What Else Do I Need To Know About Husky Care?
So now you’re basically a professional dog groomer. At least, you’re a professional Husky groomer. Or maybe, you’re a dedicated, passionate and eager apprentice. But no matter what you are, you are definitely a committed Husky lover. And you are now highly qualified to pick the best brush for your Husky to keep his/her fur at bay!
Moreover, if you are as careful about your dog shampoo as you are about your dog brushes, check out our article on the best dog shampoo for shedding dogs! It will help you make sure all that brushing doesn’t go to waste and help keep you Husky looking (and feeling) his/her best!
Excellent review! Another great tool you should definitely check out is the paws pamper undercoat rake on Amazon. I always took my husky to the groomer twice a month to control the shedding but I can do it at home now better than the groomers! She enjoys the feel, it cuts her shedding down at least 60 percent, and I don’t have to go anywhere or stress my furbaby out. Excellent brand with great customer service too ?