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Huskies are quite the high-maintenance dog when it comes to brushing and grooming. While they may not need baths every week, they definitely need a good brush out every week!
I know how much work it is to keep a husky in tip-top shape, so I’d like to share all of the things that I have in my own dog’s grooming kit that can make life with a husky a little bit easier, at least where grooming is concerned!
Here are the best husky grooming tools, in my professional opinion.
5 Best Husky Grooming Tools
1. Metal comb – Andis 7 ½ in. Metal Comb
If you could only have one item in your entire grooming kit, this would be it! A metal comb is essential for combing down through those thick layers of fur and getting all the way down to the skin. This helps ensure that there are no tangles or clumps, even in the areas you can’t see. It is as effective of a grooming tool as any specially designed de-shedding brush.
My favorite way to use this tool is to check my work at the beginning and at the end of a grooming session. In the beginning, I likely won’t be able to get the comb all the way down to the skin with little resistance, but the goal is to be able to do so by the end. The comb also works great at loosening tight, compacted fur in problem areas on huskies like their chest and on their rear end.
✅ Pros:
- It helps remove tangles and mats
- It helps distribute natural oils through the skin and coat
- It can be used to help distribute conditioner throughout the coat during bath time
❌ Cons:
- Not super comfortable to hold, so it can make your hand tired after a while
2. Slicker brush – Kenchi Slicker Brush
The next must-have product for your grooming kit is a slicker brush. This Kenchii slicker brush has fine wire bristles that are designed to penetrate deep into your pet’s coat and remove tangles and mats that can cause discomfort or pain. However, some slicker brushes, pins, or bristles are actually quite sharp. What I like about this one is that the pins are rounded and polished, so you aren’t scratching your dog’s skin with the brush.
Additionally, regular brushing with a slicker brush can help to remove loose fur from your pet’s coat, which can reduce shedding and keep your home clean and fur-free. It also helps break up compacted fur that is clumped together. It is also great for everyday maintenance brushing, and most dogs actually really enjoy being brushed with it!
✅ Pros:
- Has rounded and polished pins
- Non-slip and comfortable to hold
- It also has a soft back pad to reduce the risk of brush burn
- Designed with pulling out undercoat in mind
❌ Cons:
- It may be difficult to get all the way to the skin for huskies with extremely dense coats
- It may be too soft for extremely coarse coats
3. Undercoat Rake – Master Grooming Tools Undercoat Rake
An undercoat rake is undoubtedly one of the absolute best tools anyone can have when it comes to brushing huskies. This one, in particular from Master Grooming Tools, is my all-time favorite. Even for the most matted coats, this rake makes it so much easier to get through.
I also love the shape of the handle and the comfortable grip that was designed with groomers in mind. When using a tool as good as this one, you want to be comfortable while you’re using it and not have your hand start aching. I can honestly say that my hand has never started to hurt, even after brushing my dog out for over an hour with this rake!
✅ Pros:
- Has a comfortable non-slip grip
- It can glide through stubborn coats
- It can easily remove undercoat
❌ Cons:
- Not designed for puppies or dogs with thin coats
4. Nail Clipper – Safari Professional Nail Trimmer
A nail clipper will be your best friend in terms of keeping your dog’s nails in good shape, but your dog will probably think the nail clipper is his worst enemy! That’s why it is important to pick a nail clipper that is effective and safe. My favorite is this green nail clipper from Coastal Pet Safari. It’s just the right size for my hands, and it can handle thick overgrown nails easily. It also isn’t so big and bulky that it can’t manage smaller, more maintained nails either.
I also love that it has a safety stop built in, which helps beginners. This safety stop will only let you clip so much nail at a time, which significantly helps reduce the chances of nicking your dog’s paws. It also stays sharp practically forever. I’ve had mine for well over a year, and even with frequent use, it is still just as sharp as the day I got it.
✅ Pros:
- Is long-lasting
- Has a comfortable grip
- Includes a safety-stop
❌ Cons:
- Well suited for huskies, but not larger breeders like Great Danes or Mastiffs
5. Ear Cleaner – Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleaner
Ear cleaner is another important thing to have in your grooming kit. I think a lot of times, ears get forgotten about during the bathing process, which may be contributing to why ear infections are so common in dogs. I like to clean my dog’s ears every one to two weeks, but some dogs may need it more often, and some dogs may not need cleaning as frequently.
I like this ear cleaner in particular because it doesn’t have a strong odor associated with it. This ear cleaner is non-irritating, soothing, and has a neutral pH, so it is less likely to interfere with other solutions like ear infection medications. It is still always best to double-check with your vet on this, though.
To use, you can pour the solution directly into the ear canal and massage the base of the ear to help loosen the wax and other build-ups on the inside of the ear. When you release the base of your dog’s ear, I’d suggest you lean or jump back because they will definitely shake! Then you can take a cotton ball or cotton pad and wipe out the loose debris and build-up from inside the ear. You can also apply the solution directly onto the cotton ball as well.
✅ Pros:
- Non-irritating
- No fragrance
- Reduces odor
- Reduces chances of ear infection
❌ Cons:
- You may get wet if your husky shakes after you pour the solution!
Guide To Grooming Your Husky
The importance of grooming a husky
Grooming a Husky is truly essential for maintaining their health, appearance, and overall well-being.
First, it is important to groom your husky because it helps with keeping their shedding under control. Huskies are known for their heavy shedding, especially during the spring and fall seasons. Regular grooming can help control shedding by removing loose fur.
Additionally, regular grooming can help prevent skin problems. Unfortunately, huskies are prone to skin problems, such as:
- Hot spots
- Dermatitis
- Allergies
Regular grooming can help prevent these issues by keeping the coat clean.
And finally, regularly grooming your husky can help you detect common husky health issues early on. During grooming, you can easily check your dog’s skin and coat for any lumps, bumps, sore spots, or other causes for concerns. Especially as dogs get older, early detection is key in many treatments for different ailments.
Regular grooming can help you be proactive in preventing serious health issues.
Husky coat types
Huskies have some variations in the types of coats that they can have. These include the standard coat, the short coat, and the long or wooly coat.
Standard coat:
The standard coat type is the one we see and think of most often. It is the traditional thick, double-coat huskies are so famous for. The undercoat is usually thick and soft, while the outer coat is longer and more coarse. The fur is typically longest on the dog’s back and sides and short on the dog’s head and legs.
Short coat:
A short haired husky is typically a mix of a husky and another short-haired breed. Their coats often have the look of a husky but the length of the short-haired breed parent. Short-coated huskies tend to do better in hot climates and may shed somewhat less than other huskies.
Wooly/Long coat:
Some huskies have a long coat and are referred to as wooly huskies. These huskies have fur that is similar to the standard coat, but their undercoat is often much denser and even softer. This gives the coat a wooly look. The fur often is longer on the dog’s chest and neck, and feathering is more noticeable on the dog’s tail and legs.
Comfort and safety
When considering what goes into a husky grooming kit, comfort, and safety are two things that must be considered, both for the groomer and for the dog. Using a brush that has bristles or blades that are too sharp can cause harm to the dog’s coat and skin. Similarly, for the groomer, the brush needs to be comfortable to hold in order to prevent wrist strain.
Quality and Budget
There is a wide variety of tools and products that exist in the grooming world, which provides us with plenty of options to find budget-friendly and good-quality products. Keeping comfort and safety in mind, it is important not to sacrifice quality for budget. But also know that you don’t need to spend an arm and a leg to get the grooming tools you need to successfully groom your husky.
Bathing your Husky
If you are going to bathe your husky at home, I highly recommend reading the below articles.
Must-reads:
Conclusion
A well-stocked grooming kit is essential for any husky groomer or husky owner. But really, it doesn’t have to be made up of expensive professional grooming products or a dozen different tools.
Really all you need is two to three good brushes to tackle different concerns like matting, shedding, and maintenance, as well as some nail clippers and dog-safe ear cleaner! With these things, you’ll have your husky in tip-top shape.
Oh, and I almost forgot! Be sure to include some treats in your grooming kit. Your husky will be sure to appreciate it!
What is the most useful tool in your husky grooming kit?
Let me know in the comments below.
Must own: 👉 Best Robot Vacuum for Husky Hair
FAQ
What do I need to groom a husky?
In order to groom a husky, you’ll need some staple grooming items. These include a metal comb, a slicker brush, and an undercoat rake if your husky is heavily shedding. Other things you’ll need include a nail clipper, ear cleaning solution, and cotton balls, and if you’re giving your husky a bath, you’ll need shampoo and conditioner.
What brushes are needed to groom a husky?
There are a wide variety of brushes that can be used to groom a husky. The key ones needed for husky grooming are a metal comb, a slicker brush, and an undercoat rake.
Other brushes that may also be beneficial include a de-matting comb and a 9 or 13-blade undercoat rake which are all great at breaking up mats and getting rid of heavy undercoats.
Some people also like to use bristle brushes as a finishing touch. Bristle brushes help remove any loose fur sitting on the coat and help add a healthy shine to the dog’s coat.
Should you comb your husky’s hair wet or dry?
Generally speaking, it is best to comb or brush your husky’s hair when it is dry. It is actually easier for the fur to become matted when it is wet.
However, that being said, it can be really beneficial to comb through your dog’s fur with a metal comb during bath time. My favorite time to do this is when the conditioner is soaking. Combing through the conditioner helps really work the conditioner deep into the coat and helps loosen any mats or tangles.
