We all know that grooming is an integral part of your dog’s health and wellness, and can be extremely beneficial to your dog’s comfort and health. Brushing your dog is not only good for them, but it is good for you as the owner. Cleaning the brushes you use to brush your dog can help prevent the distribution of dirt and dead hair. So, let’s take a look at how to get dog hair out of brush quickly and easily.
Removing Dog Hair
Dog hair can quickly accumulate in and on the bristles of your dog brush, which can make grooming quite challenging. This is especially common among owners of dogs with long coats of hair. Hair buildup in brushes can cause some complications when trying to groom your dog. The brush will not pick up any hair you brush from your dog, and will instead distribute it to other parts of your dog’s body.
The quickest way to remove dog hair from your brushes is to pull it out by hand. This works the majority of the time and is relatively easy to do. Once the hair is out, you can toss it in the nearest trash can. If you don’t feel like using your hands, you could opt to use a toothbrush or comb instead.
If you find that the hair still persists, you could try wetting the brush before pulling the hair out. Try not to do this when there is a lot of hair on the brush, but instead after you have pulled some out by hand. The hair can be more easily manipulated once it’s wet, meaning it can be removed from the brush with relative ease.
Cleaning Your Brushes
While removing hair from your brushes is good and all, it does not completely clean the brush. There are a few extra things you need to do to ensure that your brushes are as clean as they can be.
Start by removing hair from the brush using the steps we mentioned previously. Next, soak your brushes in a water and vinegar solution. Submerge your brushes in a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar. You can also use shampoo for this if you’d like, just make sure that the shampoo you use does not include tar, glycol, perfumes, or any other substances that are harmful to animals.
After your brushes have soaked for about thirty minutes, rinse them carefully and thoroughly. Remove any excess dirt from the bristles and pads. Do this by rinsing the brush in water and then gently shaking it to get rid of any extra moisture. You can always rinse your brushes in a bucket of water if you don’t want to rinse them in your sink.
Now it’s time to disinfect your brushes. Although the vinegar and water solution, as well as the shampoo, have antibacterial properties, this is an essential step for dog owners who are concerned with germs and bacterial buildup. Disinfectant is not hard to come by and can be found in most wholesale and grocery stores. All you need to do is spray the disinfectant on your clean brush, and you’re good to go.
Finally, dry the brush completely. Use a clean towel to do this, and make sure that the brush is dry before you use it on your dog again, or you’ll probably pick up unnecessary hairs the next time you brush.
Storing and Maintaining Your Brushes
Storing your brushes is just as crucial as using and cleaning them. You should always inspect your brushes for signs of damage every few weeks. Brushes will become damaged over time with repeated use, which can make them detrimental to your dog’s health. This can happen regardless of whether or not you use and clean them diligently.
Storing your brushes in the right place can make them last a lot longer than they would if you stored them carelessly. Try keeping them out of reach of your dogs, and store them in a warm and dry place to prevent bacterial growth and the buildup of mold and mildew.
It is vital that you make cleaning your dog brushes part of your routine. Habitual dog brush cleaning can make them last extremely long. If you are not able to clean them after each use, try and clean them at least weekly, or every two weeks.
Which Brush Is Right For Your Dog?
For most, it probably goes without saying that different dogs require different brushes for grooming, but it’s worth mentioning anyway. Your dog can learn to enjoy being groomed if you use the brush most suited to their coat.
Rakes
These brushes are specifically designed to penetrate a dog’s dense coat to remove mats and tangles from the undercoat near their skin. They are usually shaped similarly to a razor blade and have one or two rows of closely-spaced pins.
Slicker Brushes
Slicker brushes consist of fine wires that are packed closely together. They are best suited for use on dogs with long coats or curly hair and are used to remove tangles and mats. Always be gentle when using a slicker brush, as the wires can cause discomfort if used with too much pressure.
Bristle Brushes
These brushes are made for use on short-haired dogs that regularly shed. They feature clusters of closely packed bristles that stimulate skin and remove loose hairs.
Final Thoughts
In closing, cleaning and maintaining your dog brushes is just as important as using them regularly, if not more. With the information you’ve learned here, grooming your dogs will be more accessible than ever.