What is the best brush for your Shiba Inu? That gorgeous coat doesn’t take care of itself, so it’s up to you as pet parents to help them look as regal as possible.
That said, finding the right brush is not always easy. In our opinion, the Babyliss Pro Long Pin Slicker Brush is the dog’s pajamas.
All dogs are different, though, so we put together our top seven favorites for you to look at. Plus, you should check out the buyer’s guide, as well, for some bonus Shiba Inu tips.
Review Of The Best Dog Brushes For Shiba Inu
1. Best Brush For Shiba Inu (Overall Best Pick):
Babyliss Pro Pet Long Pin Slicker Pet Brush
4.5 out of 5 Star
- Removes tangles and mattes easily
- Gentle and flexible stainless steel pins
- Comfort Anti Slip Handle
- Removes excess shed
- Doesn’t pull fur
The Babyliss Pro Pet Long Pin Slicker Pet Brush is our favorite option for your Shiba Inu. It comes in three sizes with a bubble get handle that won’t slip out of your hand.
The stainless steel pins are not only flexible, they have domed heads. It makes the brush gentle on your pup while you remove tangles, mattes, and shines their coat. The only drawback is the brush is not self-cleaning.
2. Best Slicker Brush
Evolution Curved Firm Slicker Dog Brush
4.0 out of 5 Stars
- Curved brush head designed to be comfortable for your Shiba Inu
- Stainless steel pins that are strong yet gentle
- No-Slip Handle
- Removes tangles and mattes
- Removes shed
If you’re looking for a great brush to shine and detangle your pet’s coat, look no further than the Evolution Curved Firm Slicker Dog Brush. We like this brush because the pins are super strong, yet also gentle.
The curved brush head also contours to your dog’s body, so their skin doesn’t get scratched. The no-slip handle is another bonus, but it’s not as comfortable as our top pick. It’s also not self-cleaning.
3. Best Pin Brush
Boshel 2-in-1 Dog Brush & Hair Remover
4.0 out of 5 Stars
- Rounded pins are comfortable for your pet
- The reverse side is a hair remover for your clothes
- Ergonomic handle
- Removes loose fur
- Detangles and demattes fur
Sometimes slicker brushes not enough. In that case, a pin brush like the Boshel 2-in-1 Dog Brush & Hair Remover is a great option. This one removes tangles gently, and the reverse side removes loose hair from fabrics like your clothes.
This pin brush removes dead hair, creates a shiny Shiba Inu coat, and has an ergonomic handle. The handle is not padded, however. It’s also not self-cleaning.
4. Best Undercoat Rake
JW Pet Gripsoft Double Row Undercoat Rake
4.0 out of 5 Stars
- Comfort non-slip grip
- A double row of rounded teeth
- 90-degree pins to avoid scratching the skin
- Removes tangles and dead skin
- Loosens shed from your dog’s undercoat
An undercoat rake is a good option if your Shiba Inu has a lot of shed. You will need to be careful when using this type of brush, and they require some skill. If you are up for the task, we like the JW Pet Gripsoft Double Row Undercoat Rake.
The rake has a double row of rounded tip pins that are set at 90 degrees so they won’t “rake” your pet’s skin. The comfortable, non-slip handle will keep it from getting away from you, too.
You will be able to loosen knots, remove excess shed, and give your pup a shiny coat. The rake is not as great with mattes, and you do need some skill to use it, keep in mind.
5. Best Dematting Tool For A Long Coat
FURminator Long Hair Dog Deshedding Tool
3.5 out of 5 Stars
- Stainless steel edge
- Ergonomic handle
- Removes shed from the undercoat
- Does damage top coat
- Curved edge
Like the rake, the de-matting tool loosens and removes shed. Unlike the rake, however, this dog brush is only good for that purpose. If you’re having a tough time with excess fur, go with the FURminator Long Hair Dog Deshedding Tool.
The stainless steel curved edge fits your pet’s body. Plus, the ergonomic handle will keep you from losing your grip. It’s designed to remove fur from the undercoat without damaging your dog’s long outer fur. Be careful, though, you need skill for this one, as well.
6. Best Self Cleaning Brush
Four Paws Magic Coal Professional Series Self Cleaning Slicker Dog Brush
4.5 out of 5 Stars
- Spring-loaded fur eject button
- Removes loose shed
- Detangles and removes mattes
- Self cleaning slicker brush
- Ergonomic handle
No one likes to clean the fur from their pet’s brush especially if you have a fuzzier friend like a Shiba Inu. If you agree, you’ll like the Four Paws Magic Coat Professional Series Self Cleaning Slicker Dog Brush.
This handy brush has a spring-loaded button that will remove all the fur from its bristles. It has an ergonomic handle, but it’s not padded.
Beyond that, this brush removes shed, detangles, and demattes, and helps your dog’s coat shine. The only other drawback is the pins are not thought to be stainless steel.
7. Best Ergonomic Brush:
Frisco Cat & Dog Pin Brush
3.5 out of 5 Stars
- Plastic-tipped pins won’t scratch your pet’s skin
- Ergonomic handle
- Creates a shiny coat
- Detangles
If ergonomics are important to you, try the Frisco Ergonomic Brush. The curved, soft handle is comfortable to use, plus the rubber keeps it from slipping out of your hands. Not only that, the pins on the brush have plastic pins, so it will be comfortable for your pet.
This is another pin brush that works great for shining your Shiba Inu’s coat. It also helps get out any tangles. It’s not the best at deshedding or removing mattes, though. If those are big issues with your pooch, this is likely not the best brush for you. Additionally, it’s not self-cleaning like our pick above.
Shiba Inu Fur Coat Guide
Now that you know the best brushes for your Shiba Inu, we wanted to share a few other details that will come in handy. Below, we have outlined an extensive guide of your pet’s fur from when to brush them to how to brush them.
What Type Of Brush Is Best For A Shiba Inu?
The best brush for a Shiba Inu is a slicker brush. Other options include a pin brush, undercoat rake, and deshedding tool. Take a look at the details on each one below.
Slicker Brush
The strong, often stainless steel, pins are perfect for removing tangles and mattes. The denseness of the pins also allows them to shine their coat by bringing oils from root to tip. This type of brush is ideal for getting rid of excess shed, as well.
Again, the dense yet strong pins penetrate under the topcoat and pull out excess fur. These brushes often have curved faces. They also have rounded pin tips to keep from scratching their skin.
Pin Brush
A pin brush is also a good option. The long pins detangle fur, help with mattes, and create a shiny coat. They can also help with excess shed but are not as effective as a slicker brush.
Most pet parents prefer a slicker brush during the shedding season. A pin brush is better for the rest of the year.
Rakes and Deshedding Tools
Rakes and Deshedding tools remove excess shed. A rake is also designed to work as a typical pin brush, but it’s not as effective. Their overall use is for pets that have an abundance of shedding fur.
There is a definite learning curve with these brushes, so you need to be very careful.
Long Coat vs Short Coat
Many pet owners also ask what type of brush is best if they have a long-haired Shiba. The answer is still a slicker brush. If you have a longer-haired pooch, you want to find a long-pin brush like our first option the Babyliss Long Pin Slicker Brush.
The longer pins can reach the fluffy undercoat to remove shed, tangles, and mattes. It also helps to keep both the top and bottom layers healthy by distributing their natural oils. ’.
Do Shibas Need To Be Brushed At All?
Yes, the Shiba Inu needs brushing regardless of fur type. Most Shiba Inus are reddish tan with a white underbelly, but they also come in black and tan or a sesame coat.
Fur Types
There are also a few different fur types, such as:
- Short Fur: This is the most typical coat. It’s also the only one recognized by organizations such as the American Kennel Club (AKC). Length: approximately 2 inches.
- Long Hair: Less common than short-haired by not considered rare. Long-haired Shiba Inus have the recessive FGF5 gene, and their length is about 3 inches.
- Wooly Haired: This is a rare fur type. They have fewer guard hairs, and a much thicker undercoat. It gives them an extra “wooly” appearance.
- Extra Short Haired: Also very rare, and it is a sign of poor breeding practices. In this case, their fur is about 1.5 to 2 inches.
Why They Need To Be Brushed
All Shiba Inus are double coated dogs. It features a wiry topcoat that protects them from getting dirty and wet. Their soft and thick undercoat keeps them warm and cool, plus it also protects their skin.
It’s important to brush your pup periodically for the following reasons:
- Removes shed
- Removes tangles
- Keeps mattes from forming
- Distributes oils
- Helps keep your Shiba Inus coat healthy
- Removes dirt, debris, and bacteria from your dog’s skin
- Reveals skin conditions
How Often Should I Brush My Shiba Inu?
Have you ever heard that a Shibu Inu is a cat-like dog? It’s because they spend almost as much time as a cat cleaning themselves. On the whole, this breed of canine is very clean…but they still need a brushing from time to time.
They also don’t mat as often as other thick-haired dogs. You only need to brush your pup every two weeks during non-shedding times of the year. This will ensure their coat looks fantastic. Plus, doing so makes sure they’re not suffering from painful mats or excess shed.
Brushing During The Shedding Season
During the shedding season (which we will talk about more later) you will have to brush more often. You should aim for once a week, but it could be as often as every day if you have a heavy shedder on your hands.
How Do You Brush A Shiba Inu?
If you keep up with their grooming, brushing your Shiba Inu should not be difficult. Use either a slicker brush or pin brush and work in sections. Also, don’t forget their belly, chest, legs, butt, and tail.
You want to be as gentle as possible, especially with the tail. If you encounter tangles or mattes, hold the section by the root so it won’t pull. Start at the bottom, and as gently as possible, work your way up.
Take a look at this brushing video to get a better idea of the best way to brush your Shiba Inu. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40uM5eV9Jmg
Are Shiba Inus Heavy Shedders?
Brushing your Shiba regularly is important. It cuts down on the amount of excess fur you find on your clothes and coach. That said, this breed has a moderate amount of shed, especially during the shedding season.
During the Fall and Spring, your dog will shed their coat. It’s called coat blowing. It almost doubles the amount of fur falling off them. You will need to pay extra attention to their grooming during this time.
An additional bath and more frequent brushings usually help. If the coat blowing is particularly bad, you can use a rake or deshedding tool. We recommend having a professional do this for you if you are not familiar with it, however.
How To Take Care Of Shiba Inu’s Coat?
As we have mentioned above, brushing is important maintenance for your Shiba Inu fur. There is more to it than just that, however. Take a look at the grooming requirements for your pup’s fur care.
Diet
Although many pet parents don’t realize it, their dog’s diet is an important aspect of their coat care. Canines need food that is full of nutrients so they will have a strong and healthy coat.
Diet will also determine how healthy your dog’s skin is under their fur. The Shiba Inu’s skin is prone to irritation and allergies. You want to look for red spots and hot spots while brushing.
To get back to their diet, you should feel your pup recipes that contain:
- Quality proteins
- Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids
- Polyphenols
- Fresh or filtered water
- Biotin
- Fish Oil
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin E
- Zinc
- Vitamin D
We have found home-cooked dog food is the best, but not everyone can do so with a busy schedule. Make sure you are buying quality dog food this has these ingredients.
Bathing
This cat-like pooch is happy to bathe themselves regularly. It means bath time is not necessary every week. Instead, you want to shoot for monthly or every six weeks. The time frame is largely dependent on your lifestyle with your pet.
It’s also important to note that bathing your pet is not bad for their skin. Many people are under this false assumption. The idea comes from the harsh, chemical-laced dog shampoos that once dominated the pet market.
This is no longer the case. In fact, you want to make sure you are using a mild, organic shampoo and conditioner for your Shiba Inu.
How To Give Your Shiba Inu A Bath
Baths are important for more reasons than making their coat look as fabulous as it can. The purpose of a scheduled bath time is as follows:
- Loosens and reduces excess shed
- Removes bacteria, dirt, and other debris
- Washes away excess oil that causes odors
- Cleans their skin
- Helps them be comfortable
When bathing your pooch, you want to give them a quick brush beforehand to loosen any knots. Use lukewarm water to completely wet their fur. Use a mild and organic shampoo to lather their fur. Rinse thoroughly to ensure you wash away any shampoo residue.
You also have the option of using a canine conditioner. Do the same steps with the conditioner as you did with the shampoo.
If your dog has an aversion to bath time, check out this video on how to get a reluctant pup in the tub.
Once they are clean, dry them as much as possible with a clean towel. If possible, also use a hairdryer (or dog dryer if you have one) to dry their coat completely. If you’re using your blower, make sure it is set to low heat.
Once they are completely dry, you want to give them a full brushing. The bath will have loosened a lot of shed, but not all of it will have come out it the tub. Use a slicker brush to remove the rest, detangle any fur, and smooth their coat.
Make sure they are completely dry before their final brushing. If your pet is not a fan of blow dryers, wait for them to dry naturally. Be sure you’re not letting them outside if the weather is cold, as their wet fur can leave your fur-buddy shivering.
Final Thoughts: Best Brushes for shiba inus
Your Shiba Inu has a gorgeous coat that they love to show off. Brushing them regularly will ensure their coat stays fluffy, beautiful, and has the regal look they’re proud to have.
Half the battle of brushing is finding the right brush, however.
In our opinion, the Babyliss Pro Pet Slicker Brush is the way to go. It’s comfortable to use, gentle on your pup’s fur, and tackles all their fur needs.
If a comfortable handle is not an issue, we also like the Evolution Curved Firm Slicker Brush. It has all the bells and whistles of our top pick minus a gel handle.
Prefer a pin brush? You won’t go wrong with the Boshel 2-in-1 Dog Brush & Hair Remover. It detangles and shines your canine coats, and it removes said fur from your shirt.
