Brushing your dog’s fur regularly is an important part of the grooming process. For owners of short-haired breeds, you have it easy!
While brushing is still recommended to keep their coats healthy and glistening, fur problems aren’t nearly as prevalent as they are with long-haired breeds.
Collies, Pomeranians, Golden Retrievers, and any other long-haired dog breeds are prone to experiencing tangles and mats. These are much more than just cosmetic issues.
Tangles can become downright painful because they constantly pull at the skin.
If tangles aren’t dealt with accordingly, you’ll be dealing with thick mats of fur that can take hours to remove.
If you don’t have time to brush daily or you have a dog who doesn’t want to sit still, there are some alternatives to brushing.
Detangling sprays are a must-have for all long-haired dog breeds.
They help to keep the hair moisturized, making stubborn tangles a thing of the past! Here are some of the best detangling sprays to help Fido stay comfortable and mat-free.
7 of the Best Dog Detangler Sprays
1. TropiClean Tangle Remover Spray
This TropiClean detangler is affordable and offers a lot of great benefits. It’s designed to retain moisture and prevent knots. Additionally, the spray can help to keep dust and dirt off of your dog’s fur.
This will keep them clean longer while ensuring that their coat is always looking its best.The spray comes in an easy-to-use bottle. It makes applying a liberal coat of the solution a breeze.
The best part of this product is that it doesn’t have any soap. Thus, it won’t affect any topical flea products that you use.
2. Pet Head Dog’s BFF Detangling Spray
Pet Head is an off-shoot of a very popular human-hair brand. However, this BFF Detangling Spray is purpose-made with your furry friend’s skin in mind. It’s completely pH balanced to keep the skin in good condition. Plus, it’s made out of eco-friendly ingredients.
There are no sulfates, parabens, or other harmful stuff that your dog shouldn’t have. In fact, the solution is so safe that it won’t make your pup sick if they lick their fur.
It’s an effective product that does wonders in terms of moisturizing and conditioning.
3. BioSilk Therapy Detangling and Shine Dog Spray
BioSilk in another brand that got its start making products for human hair. This spray uses the same formula as the widely popular detangling spray for humans.
Of course, this one contains beneficial ingredients to keep your pup safe and comfortable. Plus, it’s pH balanced.
The foundation of the formula is silk proteins. They help to nourish the hair and keep it silky soft. The proteins are joined by a slew of vitamins that can enrich the fur. It leaves a natural shine that doesn’t feel oily.
4. TrueBlue Pet Products Easy Comb Detangling Dog Spray
The Easy Comb detangling spray from TrueBlue Pet Products can be used every single time you brush. It’s formulated with natural ingredients that are safe for your dog.
Yet, the solution is strong enough to tackle even the most stubborn tangles. Olive oil is the primary moisturizing ingredient. It hydrates the fur and provides a nice shine. There’s also aloe vera, jojoba, lavender, chamomile, and macadamia oil.
What you won’t find are parabens, sulfates, phosphates, or alcohol. It’s safe to use and won’t cause pain if it accidentally gets in your dog’s eyes.
5. CHI Keratin Detangling Dog Spray
From the famed beauty brand CHI is this premium detangling spray. Like the human counterpart, this product is capable of leaving your dog’s fur smooth, shiny, and very manageable.
It can be used in dogs as young as 8 weeks old. Applying a healthy amount of the spray onto your dog’s fur will detangle and loosen knots.
It has some aloe vera in it to provide some extra nourishment on the individual follicles and skin as well. For peace of mind, the product is paraben-free.
6. Lillian Ruff – Pet Dog Leave-in Conditioner & Detangler Treatment Spray
This spray from Lillian Ruff is one of the most natural options on the market. It’s completely vegan and doesn’t contain all of that harmful stuff you want to avoid.
There are no parabens, sulfates, or alcohols. It’s also free of dyes. The product acts as a leave-in conditioner. Just give your dog a good spray after bathtime to leave their fur soft and silky.
It soothes the skin and prevents knots from forming. On top of all that, the scent is light and pleasant enough for your dog not to mind.
7. Bodhi Dog New All Natural Apple Detangling Spray
The detangling spray from Bhondi Dog is chock-full of great ingredients. You’ll find things like jojoba oil, aloe vera, and mineral oil. It also has some apple extract to give your dog a light and enjoyable smell.
This is a hypoallergenic product. There are no sulfates, parabens, or detergents. Thus, it’s a great option for dogs with sensitive skin.
It manages to effectively nourish the fur and remove tangles without using any harmful ingredients. It’s safe to use and will make your pup’s coat much more manageable.
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The Stuff Dog Conditioner.Ready to Use
Hundreds of happy dog owners have seen success with this conditioner from The Stuff. Despite its simple packaging, this spray has a lot to offer.
It’s a leave-in conditioner that’s designed to restore the natural beauty of your dog’s coat. Plus, it gets rid of tangles and prevents new ones from forming.
The unique thing about this spray is that it contains silicon. The silicon repels dirt to keep your dog clean for much longer. To keep your pup safe and comfortable, the formula is pH balanced and doesn’t have any potentially toxic ingredients.
What Does a Dog Detangler Spray Do?
These unique products are meant to nourish and moisturize the hair.
You see, tangles are often caused because of rough and brittle hair. Whenever your dog rolls on the carpet or mucks around in the mud, they are causing a lot of excessive friction.
The individual hairs can become entangled due to snagging. By keeping the fur soft and supple, you’re automatically decreasing the chances of that happening.
Detanglers can be used regularly to prevent knots from forming.
They can also prove to be useful if you’re trying to brush out a stubborn tangle. Just spray the detangler on the knot, work it into the fur, and brush gently.
The spray will act as a moisturizing lubricant to free that knot up in no time.
You can also use detanglers alongside a normal brushing routine. The ingredients in most formulas make it a great leave-in conditioner.
Not only will it make the fur more manageable as you brush, but the spray can also protect the fur from breakage and future damage. It’s a win-win all around!
Will Human Detanglers Work?
Detanglers for human hair are pretty common. They serve the same purpose and help to make your hair more manageable. If you’re tempted to use your own products on your pooch, we recommend that you don’t.
The needs of your dog’s skin and fur are much different from that of your own. Their skin has a completely different pH balance than your skin.
This alone is reason enough to invest in a dog-friendly product.
Applying human-grade products to dog skin can lead to allergic reactions. Furthermore, it can throw off the pH balance, making their skin dry and flaky.
Another reason why you might want to avoid using human products is the risk of allergic reactions. Just because something is safe for humans doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s safe for your pup.
Think about things like chocolate, xylitol, or grapes. All of those are things we consume regularly. However, they can be fatal for dogs.
The same principles apply for topical products like detanglers.
The last thing you want to deal with is using a beauty product that causes contact dermatitis or swelling.
The ingredients in a dog detangler are safe for dogs and address their unique needs, so stick with those instead of using human-grade beauty products.
Related: Home Remedies for Matted Dog Hair, Tips to Untangle or Shave
How to Choose the Right Detangling Spray For Your Dog
Now that you know why these products are so effective, let’s get into the fine details of what you should be looking for. Not all detanglers are made the same.
Low-quality products can lead to even more issues than you began with. Before you select a detangling spray, here are some things to look into.
High-Quality Ingredients
Always read the ingredients list of anything for your dog. Detangling sprays utilize a wide range of ingredients. Most of them are relatively harmless. The two types of ingredients you want to avoid are sulfates and parabens.
Both of these cosmetic ingredients are considered to be bad for both humans and dogs.
Parabens, in particular, have been linked to certain types of cancers. They are known to cause tumors and even create reproductive issues!
Sulfates aren’t any better. They’ll strip your dog’s fur of essential oils, leaving it dry and brittle. The goal is to nourish your dog’s hair, not make it worse.
Natural Formulas
If you want to provide the very best for your pup, stick to all-natural formulas. Natural products are completely safe for dogs and dramatically reduces the chances of irritation.
These formulas usually consist of natural oils like coconut, olive, or jojoba. Some even contain essential oils for some good skin benefits.
Pleasant Scents
Dogs are very sensitive to strong smells. Considering that the spray is going directly on their body, try to keep things light. Strong fragrances can cause allergic reactions and make your dog very uncomfortable.
Steer clear of overpowering fragrances.
Available Finishes
Finally, some brands promise specific finishes. You might see detanglers marketed towards softness or increased shine. Take those claims with a grain of salt.
Sometimes, to achieve those finishes, manufacturers will include ingredients that just make your dog’s fur feel greasy.
Feel free to try different finishes. However, be wary of your dog’s comfort and what the finish does to the texture of their fur.
Conclusion
Keeping your pup’s fur clean and tangle-free doesn’t have to be hard. Instead of spending hours brushing their coat to perfection, why not give one of these detangler sprays a shot?
You’ll be surprised at how much of a difference they can make to the overall quality of your dog’s fur.
Also Read: 7 Best Smelling Dog Shampoos for Odor Control
