10 Best Brushes for Chihuahuas in 2024 - Reviews & Top Picks

Whether your Chihuahua has short or long fur, they can benefit from regular grooming sessions with a brush that’s suitable for their fur type. Brushes that work well on short fur aren’t always the best choice for long coats. This can make finding the right tool a chore, especially if you have more than one type of Chihuahua.

Knowing which brushes are best for long or short fur can help. These reviews are for 10 of the best brushes for both types of coats that will keep your dog looking sleek, shiny, and healthy.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

The 10 Best Brushes for Chihuahuas

1. Hertzko Self-Cleaning Dog Slicker Brush — Best Overall

The Hertzko Self-Cleaning Dog Slicker Brush is designed to be easy to use and clean for both short- and long-haired pets. Suitable for both cats and dogs, it’s perfect for multi-pet households and is our best overall brush for Chihuahuas.

It can be difficult to clean clogged fur out of some brushes, but the Hertzko has retractable bristles so you can easily wipe away the collected fur. The metal pins are soft enough that the brush won’t harm your Chihuahua but sturdy enough to glide through fur and detangle knots. This brush has a rubber, non-slip grip to make it easy to hold and work with.

Some Chihuahuas with short fur or sensitive skin might dislike the prickly sensation of the metal bristles on this slicker brush.

Pros

• Anti-slip handle
• Retractable bristles
• Removes loose fur
• Detangles mats

Cons

• Some dogs dislike the feel of metal bristles

2. Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Dog Brush — Best Value

If you have several Chihuahuas at home and they all have different fur types, you’ll need several different brushes to properly tend to their coat. The Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Dog Brush is suitable for both long- and short-haired dogs with its two-in-one design. With a bristle brush on one side and a pin brush on the other, it saves space in your home and is the best brush for Chihuahuas for the money.

The pin brush is best suited for Chihuahuas with long fur. It detangles mats and reaches deep into their coat to grab loose, dead hair. For short-haired Chihuahuas, the bristle brush is perfect for removing dirt and debris and redistributing the oils in their coat.

While this combo dog brush is affordable, it’s also made from cheaper materials than some other brushes available. Some users have found that it falls apart easily.

Pros

• Suitable for long- and short-haired Chihuahuas
• Two-in-one brush
• Detangles matted fur
• Redistributes natural oils

Cons

• Cheap construction

3. Vetnique Labs Furbliss Pet Brush — Premium Choice

Designed to work on short-haired pets, be they dogs, cats, or rabbits, the Vetnique Labs Furbliss Pet Brush is one of the best brushes for multi-pet households. The curry-comb style fits securely in your hand, has a two-sided design, and is one of the best options for use during baths.

Unlike other brushes that can only be hand washed, the durable silicone that this brush is made from is dishwasher and washing machine safe for easy cleaning. It’s also recommended by professional dog groomers and veterinarians.

While most deshedding brushes collect the fur for you to dispose of, this one leaves it on the floor, so it is best used outdoors. Its design for short-haired dogs might make it difficult to use on Chihuahuas with long fur.

Pros

• Designed for short-haired pets
• Suitable for wet or dry fur
• Dishwasher and washing machine safe
• Recommended by veterinarians and groomers

Cons

• Best used outside
• Difficult to use with long-haired Chihuahuas

4. KONG Dog ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush

Chihuahuas are tiny, and Chihuahua puppies are even smaller, which is why a small brush is essential. Along with having two colors to choose from, the KONG Dog ZoomGroom is available in two sizes. The smaller, puppy-sized model is the perfect size for puppies and small dogs like Chihuahuas.

Designed to work well on all fur types — wet or dry — the KONG ZoomGroom helps promote natural oil production and reduce shedding for both long- and short-haired Chihuahuas. The size and shape of the brush fit in the palm of your hand and make it easy to use.

While the curry-comb design is perfect for ensuring a healthy coat, it isn’t designed to detangle matted fur. For long-haired Chihuahuas, you might need an additional dematting brush in your grooming kit.

Pros

• Can be used on wet and dry fur
• Suitable for all fur types
• Two sizes available
• Promotes natural oil production

Cons

• Doesn’t detangle matted fur

5. Mr. Peanut’s Hand Gloves Grooming & Deshedding Aid

For dogs that are warier about brushes or dislike the feel of hard bristles against their fur, Mr. Peanut’s Hand Gloves Grooming & Deshedding Aid makes grooming as easy as petting your dog. The rubber pads have soft pins that collect your dog’s fur as you run your hands over their long or short coat.

While made to fit most people’s hands, the gloves also have an adjustable strap. They can be used with wet or dry fur.

Despite being affordable and suitable for multi-pet homes, some dog owners have found that these gloves fall apart easily. The fabric mesh also collects dog fur and is difficult to clean, unlike the rubber pads that you groom your dog with.

Pros

• Adjustable strap
• Suitable for timid dogs
• Can be used on wet or dry fur
• Designed for both short and long hair

Cons

• Cheap construction
• Gloves are difficult to clean

6. Hartz Groomer’s Best Slicker Brush

The Hartz Groomer’s Best Slicker Brush has fine metal bristles to collect dead fur and detangle knots. All the metal pins are rounded to prevent discomfort for your dog while you’re brushing them. It’s designed for both long and short coats, making it suitable for multi-pet homes.

With the ergonomic handle and gentle bristles, it’s designed to be used every day, if necessary, without hurting your wrist or your dog’s skin.

Although this brush does a good job of detangling fur, it can sometimes get caught in long hair, especially if it snags on a stubborn tangle. Some of the metal bristles lack their protective coating and can be uncomfortable if your Chihuahua has sensitive skin.

Pros

• Extra-fine bristles
• Reduces shedding
• Detangles matted fur
• Suitable for short- or long-haired dogs

Cons

• Metal bristles can be sharp
• Sometimes gets stuck in long fur

7. Frisco Deshedding Brush

Made with stainless steel for extra durability and a wide blade to make grooming easy, the Frisco Deshedding Brush helps reduce shedding and remove stubborn tangles. It’s designed to collect loose hair from your dog’s coat to prevent dead hair from ending up on your floor and enables easy cleanup.

Although the main handle of the brush is primarily made from plastic, it has a rubber, non-slip handle that’s ergonomically designed to be easy to hold and gentle on your hand and wrist.

While the metal comb is durable, the tines can be sharp, and some Chihuahuas with sensitive skin may dislike the prickly sensation. A few people have also had difficulty removing fur from short coats.

Pros

• Made with durable stainless steel
• Non-slip, ergonomic handle
• Reduces shedding

Cons

• Metal tines can be sharp
• Doesn’t collect much fur

8. Ozark Pet Brush

The Ozark Pet Brush might look intimidating, but it’s an effective way to detangle long fur and excess hair from your Chihuahua’s coat. It has rounded dematting blades for detangling fur and cutting out tangled mats with the interior blades without hurting your dog by cutting them or pulling their fur. As a two-in-one brush, it includes a deshedder for collecting loose hair.

Available in two colors and sizes, the small will be good for your Chihuahua, other small breeds, and cats, if you have them.

This dematter works best on Chihuahuas with long fur, and the stainless-steel construction makes it a bit heavier and more cumbersome than most other brush designs.

Pros

• Reduces shedding
• Rounded blades are gentle on sensitive skin
• Two-in-one dematter and deshedder
• Interior blade cuts through matted fur

Cons

• Works best on long hair
• Heavy

9. Soft Bristle Dog Brush for Short Haired Dogs with Elastic Band

Bristle brushes are a good choice for gentle semi-weekly brushes, so the Soft Bristle Dog Brush is a great choice. This brush spreads the natural oils through your dog’s coat while removing loose hair and dirt. The brush has an adjustable hand strap to make it easier for you to hold during long grooming sessions.

Natural bristles can feel rougher than some other brushes, and Chihuahuas with sensitive skin might not enjoy the stiffness of this brush. Long hair can also get tangled up in the dense bristles. The strap is not a universal fit for all hands.

10. PetBrush by WetBrush

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Affordable and made with both IntelliFlex and natural boar bristles, the PetBrush by WetBrush is a unique way to groom your Chihuahua. Each of the flexible bristles is designed to detangle matted fur and is surrounded by natural boar bristles to better remove dirt and loose hair.

Made with sturdy plastic, it’s lightweight and gentle on your dog’s skin. It helps massage and promote healthy oil development to keep the coat sleek and shiny.

While it’s best suited for long-haired Chihuahuas, the bristles aren’t sturdy enough to tackle stubborn tangles. It’s also known to fall apart easily if your dog’s fur is too thick or matted.

Pros

• Two types of bristles
• Natural boar bristles remove dirt and hair
• IntelliFlex bristles detangle matted fur
• Promotes healthy oil production

Cons

• Unsuitable for stubborn tangles
• Cheap construction
• Works best on long hair

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Brush for Your Chihuahua

What Kind of Brush Should You Use for a Chihuahua?

There are many different brushes that you can choose for your grooming kit. The type that you use for your Chihuahua depends on their fur. Long- and short-haired Chihuahuas have the same temperament, but their grooming needs vary.

Short-Haired Chihuahuas

Curry and bristle brushes are the best choices for Chihuahuas with short hair. You don’t need long bristles to reach deep into their coat, so the short bristles of curry and bristle brushes will be more effective at dislodging dirt. Grooming gloves are also a good alternative if your dog is wary about brushes.

Whichever brush you choose, make sure you get one that is good at removing shed hair. Short-haired Chihuahuas might have shorter fur than long-haired Chihuahuas, but they shed just as much.

Long-Haired Chihuahuas

As you might expect, the longer your Chihuahua’s fur is, the more maintenance it requires. Not only will you need to brush them more often to prevent matted tangles, but they’ll also need different brushes.

Brushes with short bristles won’t reach deep enough into your long-haired Chihuahua’s coat, so you’ll need a brush with a long reach. Pin brushes, dematters, deshedders, and slicker brushes are a few of the best options when it comes to long fur. They’ll make it much easier to reach into your Chihuahua’s coat and collect all the loose hair and dirt embedded close to the skin.

Why Brush Your Chihuahua?

Grooming your dog doesn’t just ensure that they look nice, it also keeps them healthy. There are many reasons that brushing your Chihuahua is a habit that you should get into.

Bonding

Most of us are so busy that it can be difficult to find time to spare for our dogs. Developing a routine grooming schedule gives you time to unwind and spend quality time with your Chihuahua. The more often you brush your dog, the more they’ll enjoy the routine too.

Health Check

While you’ve got your Chihuahua close by for a grooming session, it’s the perfect opportunity to give them a wellness check. Grooming tells you about the health of not only their fur but also their skin. When you’re brushing their fur, keep an eye out for signs of dry skin or pests like fleas and ticks.

A proper grooming session includes tending to your dog’s teeth, ears, and claws. It’s the perfect time to make sure your Chihuahua is healthy all over.

Natural Oils

The natural oil that your dog’s skin produces helps keep their skin healthy and promotes hair growth. Brushing helps evenly distribute these oils through their coat. Regular grooming can help dogs with dry skin too. The massaging touch of the brush helps encourage your dog’s body to create the oils necessary to keep the skin and coat healthy.

Reduce Shedding

All dogs shed, and there’s no way to stop them from doing so. You can, however, minimize the amount of fur that ends up on your carpet, furniture, and your clothing by regularly brushing your dog.

A good brush will remove the loose fur from your Chihuahua’s coat and enable you to dispose of it before it ends up all over your home. Also, by keeping your dog’s fur clear of loose and dead hair, their coat will look healthier.

Remove Matted Fur

While your short-haired Chihuahua might not suffer from matted fur as much as their long-haired counterparts, their coat can still get clogged with dirt and debris. Brushing them after they’ve played outside will remove the dirt matting from their fur or any other tangled knots that they might have.

Final Thoughts

The overall best brush for Chihuahuas from these reviews is the Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush, which detangles knots and is easy to clean with retractable bristles. If you have more than one Chihuahua and they have different fur types, the Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Brush is both a pin and bristle brush, so it can handle short and long fur. If you need a brush that can be used during a bath to clean your pet, the Vetnique Labs Furbliss Pet Brush is a good choice for both wet and dry fur.

Featured Image Credit: LFO62, Shutterstock

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