FURminator vs Slicker Brush: Which One Is Right for Your Dog?

The FURminator is probably the most famous grooming tool in the pet industry. It’s been featured on TV, endorsed by celebrities, and promises to reduce shedding by up to 90%. But here’s what the marketing doesn’t tell you: it’s not right for every dog, and using it incorrectly can seriously damage your dog’s coat.

Let’s compare the FURminator to the trusty slicker brush and help you figure out which one (or both) you actually need.

They Do Completely Different Things

This is the most important point: the FURminator and slicker brush are NOT interchangeable. They’re designed for different purposes.

Feature	FURminator	Slicker Brush
Primary purpose	Remove loose undercoat	Detangle and remove debris
How it works	Metal edge rakes through coat	Fine wire pins catch tangles
Use frequency	Weekly max (or seasonally)	Daily or every other day
Best for	Double-coated shedding breeds	Curly, wavy, or long coats
Can damage coat?	Yes, if overused	No (with proper technique)

What Is the FURminator?

The FURminator is a deshedding tool with a metal blade/edge designed to reach through the topcoat and remove loose undercoat. It’s essentially a specialized rake that pulls out dead hair that would otherwise shed around your house.

What It Does

• Removes loose undercoat — The fluffy layer under the topcoat that sheds seasonally.
• Reduces household shedding — Less hair on your furniture and clothes.
• Prevents undercoat matting — Dead undercoat can mat if not removed.

What It Doesn’t Do

• Detangle or remove mats
• Work on single-coated breeds (nothing to remove)
• Replace daily brushing

Dogs the FURminator IS For

• Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers
• German Shepherds, Huskies, Malamutes
• Corgis, Australian Shepherds
• Samoyeds, Chow Chows
• Any breed with a thick double coat

Dogs the FURminator is NOT For

• Poodles and Poodle mixes — No undercoat to remove
• Bichon Frise, Maltese — Single-coated, will damage hair
• Yorkshire Terriers — Silky single coat
• Greyhounds, Boxers — Short single coat
• Any dog without a distinct undercoat

What Is a Slicker Brush?

A slicker brush has a flat or curved head with fine, tightly-packed wire pins. These pins are angled to glide through the coat and catch tangles, debris, and loose hair.

What It Does

• Removes tangles and small mats — Essential for curly coats.
• Removes debris — Leaves, grass, dirt, dried mud.
• Removes loose surface hair — But not deep undercoat.
• Fluffs and shapes the coat — Creates that groomed appearance.

What It Doesn’t Do

• Remove dense undercoat effectively
• Dramatically reduce shedding in double-coated breeds

Dogs the Slicker Brush IS For

• Poodles and all Poodle mixes (essential)
• Bichon Frise, Maltese, Shih Tzu
• Long-coated breeds prone to tangles
• Wire-coated terriers
• Actually, almost every dog benefits from a slicker

The Big Mistake: FURminator on a Doodle

This is the most common mistake we see, and it can cause real damage.

Doodles (Cavoodles, Labradoodles, Goldendoodles, Groodles) have a curly or wavy single coat. They don’t have the traditional undercoat that the FURminator is designed to remove. Using a FURminator on a Doodle:

• Cuts the curly coat — The blade cuts through curls, leaving them short and uneven.
• Creates thin patches — Repeated use removes too much coat.
• Damages coat texture — The coat becomes rough and scraggly.
• Doesn’t address the real issue — Doodles need detangling, not deshedding.

What Doodles actually need: A slicker brush for daily/regular brushing. That’s it. No FURminator required.

When You Need Both

If your dog has a double coat (thick undercoat + topcoat), you actually need both tools:

1. Slicker brush FIRST — Remove any tangles. The FURminator can’t detangle and will pull painfully on knots.
2. FURminator SECOND — Once tangle-free, use the FURminator to remove loose undercoat.
3. Back to slicker to finish — Smooth and fluff the coat.

This sequence is especially important during heavy shedding seasons (spring and autumn for most breeds).

How to Use the FURminator Safely

If your dog IS a good candidate for the FURminator, here’s how to use it without causing damage:

Do:

• Use on a completely dry coat
• Remove tangles with a slicker first
• Use light pressure (let the tool do the work)
• Work in direction of hair growth
• Stop when hair stops coming out easily
• Limit to once per week maximum

Don’t:

• Use on wet or damp coats
• Press hard (damages topcoat)
• Go over the same spot repeatedly
• Use on bony areas (spine, hips)
• Use every day (even if hair comes out)
• Use on dogs without undercoats

Signs You’ve Overused the FURminator

• Thin patches — Coat looks sparse in areas
• Dull topcoat — Lost its healthy shine
• Rough texture — Feels coarse instead of smooth
• Skin irritation — Redness or sensitivity
• Dog avoiding grooming — Learned to associate it with discomfort

If you see these signs, stop using the FURminator immediately and switch to slicker brush only for several weeks to let the coat recover.

Complete Comparison Chart

Scenario	Use FURminator?	Use Slicker?
Doodle with curly coat	NO	YES (daily)
Golden Retriever shedding	YES (weekly)	YES (for tangles first)
Husky blowing coat	YES (1-2x/week)	YES (before FURminator)
Maltese with silky coat	NO	YES (soft slicker)
Cavoodle with mats	NO	YES
Corgi in spring	YES	YES
Poodle needing fluff	NO	YES
German Shepherd undercoat	YES	YES

Alternatives to the FURminator

If you want the deshedding benefits but are concerned about the FURminator’s blade:

• Undercoat rake — Gentler, uses rotating teeth instead of blade
• SleekEZ — Similar function, some find it gentler
• Coat King — Used by many professional groomers
• Mars Coat King — Stripping tool, very effective but needs experience

Our Recommendations

For Double-Coated Breeds (Golden, Husky, etc.)

Get both. Use the slicker daily and the FURminator weekly during shedding season.

For Curly Coats (Doodles, Poodles, Bichons)

Skip the FURminator entirely. Invest in a quality slicker brush and use it regularly.

For Short Coats (Labs, Beagles)

The FURminator can help with shedding. A slicker is optional but useful for occasional tangles.

The Bottom Line

The FURminator is an excellent tool — for the right dogs. It’s not a universal grooming solution, and using it on the wrong coat type causes damage.

Rule of thumb: If your dog has a fluffy undercoat that sheds, the FURminator can help. If your dog has a curly, wavy, or silky single coat, stick with the slicker brush.

When in doubt, ask your groomer. We can assess your dog’s coat and recommend the right tools for at-home maintenance between professional grooms.

Have more questions? Book a groom and we’ll show you exactly which tools work best for your pup.

Related Reading

Continue exploring our grooming guides:

• Mobile Grooming vs Salon Grooming: Which is Right for Your Dog?
• Dog Daycare vs Dog Walker vs Pet Sitter: Which is Right for Your Dog?
• FURminator vs Slicker Brush: Doodle Expert Guide

Ready to book a professional grooming session? Book your appointment or view our services.