Shedding season

For the weeks when the fur wins. The right tool depends on the coat, and using the wrong one is why brushing feels pointless.

Match the tool to the coat. A rake or deshedding brush reaches the loose undercoat on a thick double coat. A slicker brush suits medium coats and finishing. A fine comb finds the knots behind the ears and under the legs, where mats start. A rubber glove or mitt works on short single coats, where a rake does nothing.

Technique matters more than the tool. Short strokes, work from the ends of the coat inward, and hold the fur at the root when you meet a tangle — dragging a comb through a mat pulls the skin, and a pet that has been hurt once remembers it.

For the fur already on the sofa: reusable rollers and static gloves. Those are for fabric, not for the pet.

Also see: Dog grooming & care, Cat grooming & care, and Cats and Dogs Grooming & Care.