Course 03 · Brushing and Combing · Lesson 11 of 12
What is a slicker brush, and what are its limits?
A slicker brush has fine angled wire pins that work through tangles and undercoat, and its limits are that it can scratch skin, break hair and cause pain if pressed hard, used on the wrong coat, or forced through mats.
A slicker brush is a flat or slightly curved brush with many fine, angled wire pins set close together on a cushioned pad, and it is designed to work through tangles, loose hair and undercoat in medium, long, curly and double coats. Its pins flex and flick through the coat, removing loose hair and separating tangles, and it is one of the most useful grooming tools when used correctly. Its limits are equally important, since the same pins that work through a dense coat can scratch skin, break hair and cause pain if the brush is pressed hard, used on the wrong coat, used on wet hair, or forced through a mat. Understanding both the use and the limits of a slicker brush is essential, because it is the tool most often misused at home.
How does a slicker brush work?
A slicker brush works by the angled pins catching loose hair and tangles and flicking them out of the coat, while the cushioned pad allows the pins to flex rather than drag rigidly through hair. Used with light pressure, in short strokes, in the direction of growth, it separates tangles gradually and removes undercoat without pulling skin. The brush should be used in sections, with the coat held above the section, and it should be cleaned frequently during a session, since pins clogged with hair lose effectiveness. The motion is a light flick, not a hard scrape, and the handler should feel the pins moving through hair rather than pressing into skin. A slicker brush that is pressed flat against the skin, or dragged in long, hard strokes, is being used wrongly, however familiar the motion may feel.
Which coats suit a slicker brush, and which do not?
A slicker brush suits double, curly, long and wiry coats, where tangles and undercoat need work, and it suits the friction points of wavy coats. It does not suit short, smooth coats, where a bristle brush or rubber tool is gentler and more effective, and it does not suit very fine, silky coats, where a pin brush is kinder. It should not be used on sore, broken or inflamed skin, on a coat that is soaking wet, or on a corded coat. It should be used with particular care on sensitive areas, such as ears, belly, groin and armpits, where a softer tool or a comb may be better. Using a slicker brush on every coat, or on every area, is a common mistake that causes scratching and distress for no benefit.
What damage can a slicker brush cause?
A slicker brush can scratch skin, leaving red lines or brush burn, break hair, create frizz, and cause pain if it is pressed hard or used repeatedly over the same area. It can also tighten a tangle if it is forced through, and it can damage guard hairs if it is used aggressively on a double coat. Dogs that have been scratched by a slicker brush may become fearful of brushing generally, and may flinch at the sight of the brush. The damage is often invisible at first, since redness may fade quickly, but the dog memory of pain lasts longer. Checking the brush on the back of a hand, using light pressure, and watching the dog for flinching are simple safeguards that prevent most slicker brush injuries.
How do you use a slicker brush safely?
Use a slicker brush with light pressure, short strokes, in sections, holding the coat above the section, and stop at any snag. Clean the pins frequently, check the skin regularly for redness, and switch to a comb or a softer tool for sensitive areas. Do not use a slicker brush on a wet coat, do not force it through a mat, and do not use it to strip a coat or to work through severe matting. If the dog flinches, pulls away or shows stress signals, pause and check the skin and technique before continuing. A slicker brush should be replaced when pins bend, break or lose their cushioning, since a damaged brush scratches more readily. Used gently and within its limits, a slicker brush is a valuable tool, and used forcefully it becomes a hazard.
What does a workable checklist look like?
- Check pins for bending, damage and scratchiness on a hand. 2. Use light pressure, short strokes, sections, skin held safe. 3. Use on double, curly, long and wiry coats, not on short or silky coats. 4. Never force through a mat, never use on wet or sore skin. 5. Clean pins often, check skin for redness, replace when damaged.
When should you stop and get help?
Stop and get groomer help if a slicker brush reveals a tight mat, if the skin is scratched, bleeding or sore, or if the dog panics. Get vet help for broken skin, pain, red or discharging ears, wounds or lumps. Do not continue with a slicker brush over damaged skin, do not attempt to demat with a slicker brush, and do not use a blade tool without hands-on training. A slicker brush that hurts is a signal to stop and reassess, not a signal to press harder.
A slicker brush earns its place in the kit through light, skilled use, and the owner who respects its limits will get the benefit of its pins without the cost of its scratches.
Further reading
- American Kennel Club, grooming guidance
- PDSA, dog care guidance
- RSPCA, pet care guidance