The Best Deshedding Routine for Dogs (And Why the Right Comb Matters)

If your couch is more fur than fabric, you're not alone. Shedding is natural, but with the right routine it's manageable.

The key is consistency and the right tool. A good deshedding comb reaches the undercoat where loose fur accumulates, before it ends up on your floors and furniture. Here's a simple routine that works:

Step 1: Brush before bathing

Always deshed before a bath, not after. Wet fur mats more easily, making it harder to work through. A quick pass with a deshedding comb before the bath loosens the bulk of dead fur.

Step 2: Work in sections

Start at the neck and work toward the tail, combing in the direction of hair growth. Use short, gentle strokes. You're not raking, you're lifting.

Step 3: Pay attention to high-shed zones

Behind the ears, around the collar area, the haunches, and the base of the tail tend to hold the most loose fur. Spend extra time here.

Step 4: Finish with a smooth brush

After deshedding, a soft bristle brush removes any remaining loose hairs and leaves the coat looking polished. You'll find combs, brushes, and coat care in our pet grooming collection.

How often should you deshed?

For heavy shedders, 2 to 3 times a week during shedding season. For lighter coats, once a week is usually enough.

The right comb makes a real difference. Look for one with rounded teeth that won't scratch the skin, and a comfortable grip for longer grooming sessions. The Wagbase Deshedding Comb is built for exactly that, and it works on cats too.

Keep the Fur Out of Your Car

A quick brush before car trips saves you a lot of vacuuming later. We cover the rest in our guide to keeping your car clean when you have a dog. While you're at it, a post-walk paw routine keeps mud off your floors as well as your seats.