Make a list of cutest dogs on the planet, and there’s a good chance a Chihuahua will be on that list.
The Chihuahuas’ short little legs and stout bodies make them instantly recognizable, and their personalities are quite entertaining. One thing they’re known for, however, is their soft, fluffy coats and that may change how you approach caring for this breed.
Chihuahuas are great family dogs. They’re loyal, affectionate, and love spending time with their people. Unfortunately for you, this love and affection comes with some unexpected “gifts.” Their fur is going to be everywhere. They’re lovable puffballs, and that cuteness is due in part to their thick fur, but of course, that means you’ll have to be more diligent in your grooming.
Chihuahuas have a double coat. Underneath their top coat, a layer with a separate texture helps insulate them from wet and cold while also helping encourage the type of circulation that keeps them cooler in the summer. The result? So much hair on your stuff. Chihuahuas don’t blow their coats twice a year like some double coated breeds either, so you’re guaranteed a constant, high level of shed year round.
Controlling shedding is something best done as a daily habit, so having the right tools can make that a whole lot easier. A good undercoat brush helps prevent hair from getting trapped underneath the top coat and over time, consistent brushing can help reduce the amount of hair in your house. There’s nothing you can do to prevent shedding altogether, but that doesn’t mean you’re doomed to live in a constant state of fur tumbleweeds.
Caring for your Chihuahuas coat is a vital part of their health and well-being. Shaving damages the undercoat and leaving it to shed on its own can cause irritation. Brushing removes that loose hair and gently redistributes oils across the top coat for better conditioning and healthier skin. Along with regular bathing and a healthy diet, you can keep your Chihuahua’s coat in top shape.
We’ve put together a list of brushes that can handle the heavy shedding of your double-coated Chihuahua and help you keep all that hair under control. Plus, we’ve answered a few questions you may have about how to care for your Chihuahuas coat health and how to approach brushing. Let’s take a look.
Chihuahuas have a particular type of coat that doesn’t lend itself to traditional brushes. You’ll need something that can handle the undercoat and can get down below the top layer in the first place. Basic bristle brushes may not be enough to keep the shedding under control. Let’s take a look at the most common types of grooming brushes so that you can see what could be the best option for keeping the hair under control.
Bristle brushes are going to be mostly useless for controlling your Chihuahuas shedding. The bristles aren’t concentrated enough to grab onto the loose undercoat, and those with concentrated bristles are often made from a material that’s too flexible to get below the top coat.
These brushes are great for finishing the coat, however. Once you’ve bathed and brushed your Chihuahua, a bristle brush can adjust the top coat and help redistribute any lingering oil across the surface for a polished look.
A rake is made for thick undercoats. The single row of tines works below the surface of the top coat to gently loosen hair and bring it to the surface. They’re excellent for controlling that shed, but make sure you use a gentle hand when using them. They can irritate the surface of your Chihuahua’s skin if your brush stroke is too heavy-handed.
The best plan is to find a rake with tines that match the length of your Chi’s fur. The tines won’t be too long and could be less of a risk for scraping or damaging the skin. The rake can get that undercoat up really well and help keep shedding to a minimum, or as much of a minimum for a Chihuahua as it can.
Slicker brushes are similar to bristle brushes, but they’re made with stiffer “bristles” designed to get down beneath the top coat and remove unwanted hair. The bristles are typically metal and have curved ends to loosen the undercoat and bring it to the surface gently. If you decide on one of these, get one with an easy release button to make cleaning the brush out easier.
These types of brushes aren’t going to do much for your Chihuahuas undercoat, but it can help with bonding with your Chihuahua. These probably won’t be able to penetrate the top coat to get to your Chihuahuas undercoat, but after a bath or as a general finishing tool, it can be soothing and help distribute oils throughout the top coat. It’s best used in conjunction with a de-shedding tool.
Here’s our favorite brush to use on a Chihuahua. We’re confident you’ll like this one, too.
The Furminator is one of the most famous de-shedding tools and is designed to move the undercoat out from underneath the top coat gently. It has a single row of metal tines that are curved on the ends to help prevent scraping your Chihuahua’s skin.
The Furminator is easy to clean with a button that helps shift hair out from between the teeth of the comb. The handle is ergonomic, and rubber gripped for better control. It comes in a few different sizes and tine lengths to account for the specific hair of your Chihuahua, but we recommend the medium, long hair option.
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This slicker brush is a medium size and uses bristles with protective tips to help ease the feeling on your Chihuahua’s skin. The tines capture loose hair and help smooth the top coat back over the undercoat, so your Chihuahua is more comfortable.
The medium head size is perfect for the size of your Chihuahua, and the rubber grip handle is comfortable to hold. It could be a little difficult to clean out completely, but it’s an affordable, gentle option for everyday use. Plus, it has a hole in the bottom to make storing it much easier. And at less than $10, you could keep one in your house, car, and everywhere else you might want a quick brushing session.
Hertzko’s convenient slicker brush uses gently curved bristles designed to reach the undercoat and pull up any loose hair easily. It has an ergonomic design with a comfortable grip handle for the best control. Plus, it uses a single button for cleaning. When you push the button, the tines retract, leaving a smooth surface to wipe the hair away.
The bright purple is easy to spot, and the brush is a durable material designed to withstand daily use. Make sure you use a gentle hand with this one because the tines are metal, but it should really attack that shedding hair and keep it under control.
For those of you at your wit’s end with shedding, the two-sided rake can help finally get that shedding under control. One side has nine teeth, and the other has nearly double that many so you can work out any mats or knots you come across. The teeth are curved and rounded on the ends to help make it more comfortable for your Chihuahua’s skin.
The handle is heavy duty with rubber grips for excellent control. The feeling of the brush is the same regardless of which head you’re using and is really easy to clean. It’s affordable as well and will last through a long time of daily use.
For Chihuahuas who get lots of quality time outside, mats and debris can be a serious problem. This brush is specifically for removing those mats and dislodging dirt and debris that can make your Chihuahua uncomfortable. The teeth are gentle on the skin, and the design makes it easy to address mats without causing a serious amount of discomfort.
The small head can get into hard to reach places such as the groin area while the handle is an easy to grip, ergonomic design. It not only dislodges mats, but also massages the skin and helps redistribute oils across the surface of the coat for a healthier look and feel.
Safari’s slicker brush is a simple design intended to dislodge the undercoat while smoothing the top coat gently. It helps redistribute the oils from the skin across the length of the fur to help recondition the coat. The tines are gently curved to help prevent scratching the skin, and they’re an excellent length to capture loose hair without causing a lot of discomfort.
The head of the brush may be challenging to get into harder to reach places, but it’s excellent for daily brushing when you’re concentrating on the back and hind legs. It’s highly affordable yet durable enough for everyday use.
This soft bristle brush isn’t designed to get down to the undercoat, but it does a great job of removing dirt and grime from the top coat. It’s best to use in conjunction with a shedding brush, but it is excellent for finishing the top coat.
A brush like this can gently redistribute oils from the skin across the top coat for a more polished look. It also helps improve the overall texture and feel of your Chihuahua’s fur. It’s excellent as the final piece of your Chihuahua’s grooming routine.
Related: Best Dog Crates For Chihuahuas
Remember that using the best brush for a Chihuahua is going to make this process a whole lot easier in the long run.