What each tool actually does
They look like they solve the same problem, but they work on different layers of the coat.
| Slicker brush | Deshedding glove | |
|---|---|---|
| Works on | Undercoat, tangles, mats forming near the skin | Loose top-coat fur sitting on the surface |
| Best coat types | Medium to long, double-coated (Golden, Husky, Aussie, doodles) | Short to medium (Lab, Beagle, Pit mix, Frenchie) and most cats |
| Feels like | A firm comb-through; some dogs need a slow introduction | Being petted; nervous and senior dogs usually accept it first try |
| Weak spot | Pin tips can scratch thin skin if you press hard | Won't reach a tangle or thick undercoat |
| Cleanup | Self-cleaning button drops the fur pad in one press | Fur peels off the palm in a sheet |
Pick a slicker brush if…
- Your dog's fur is longer than about an inch, or has a soft undercoat under a coarser top coat.
- You find small tangles behind the ears, in the armpits or on the "pants" at the back of the legs.
- You want to thin out the coat during fall shedding season, when double-coated dogs drop their summer undercoat.
The trick with a slicker is pressure: let the pins glide, don't dig. Work in sections, from the skin outward, and stop when the brush comes through clean. A self-cleaning slicker such as the Furly Duck Brush keeps the session moving because you press one button to drop the collected fur instead of picking it out of the pins. The ASPCA's general dog care guide puts regular brushing at the top of the routine for exactly this reason: it catches tangles before they become mats that need cutting out.
Pick a deshedding glove if…
- Your dog is short-haired and the problem is fur on the couch, not tangles on the dog.
- Your dog leaves the room when a brush comes out. A glove is petting with benefits.
- You want a tool that also works on the cat. Most cats tolerate a glove far better than a brush; see how to deshed a cat without the drama.
The Furly Deshedding Glove has soft silicone tips that create just enough grip to lift loose hair as you stroke. Long, slow strokes in the direction of growth, then peel the fur sheet off the palm. Five minutes on a Lab during shedding season fills a small trash can. It will not fix a tangle, and it isn't meant to; that's the slicker's job. If you're wondering whether these gloves are a gimmick, we tested the claim in do deshedding gloves work?
Using both: the 10-minute routine
- Slicker first, 5 minutes. Sections, light pressure, focus on the thick spots: neck ruff, hindquarters, tail base.
- Glove second, 5 minutes. Whole-body strokes to collect everything the slicker loosened but didn't catch. This is also the "reward" half for dogs who tolerate the brush but don't love it.
- Twice a week normally, every other day in spring and fall. Cornell's Riney Canine Health Center is a good reference for how coat cycles and skin health change across the year.
How often is enough for your breed? Our guide to how often you should brush your dog breaks it down by coat type.
Self-cleaning slicker for tangles — Furly Duck Brush ($19.99) →
Fur that peels off in a sheet — Furly Deshedding Glove ($24.99) →
Slicker vs. glove FAQs
Can a slicker brush hurt my dog?
Only if you press hard or brush the same spot for too long. The pins are fine wires, so on thin-skinned areas (belly, inner thighs) use light pressure or switch to the glove. A dog that flinches is telling you to ease up.
Does a deshedding glove work on long-haired dogs?
It collects surface fur on any coat, but it can't reach the undercoat or work through tangles on a long coat. For a Golden or a Husky, use it as the finishing step after a slicker, not as the only tool.
Which one is better for a cat?
The glove, for most cats: it feels like petting and doesn't pull. Long-haired cats that mat still benefit from a gentle slicker pass on the trouble spots, done in short sessions.
How do I clean a slicker brush?
A self-cleaning slicker retracts its pins at the press of a button so the fur pad lifts off in one piece. For a standard slicker, run a comb through the pins after each use and wash it in warm soapy water every couple of weeks.