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A dog being combed with a comb

Our buyer's guide is here to help you choose the best flea comb for your dog.

© Shutterstock - Gorlov Alexander

The best flea combs for dogs in 2024

By Joseph Chance Content Writer

Published on the

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Effective and easy to use, flea combs are an excellent accessory to combat flea infestations. They are an essential purchase for all dog owners, regardless of breed.

Flea combs for dogs have very fine teeth and can easily remove the vast majority of fleas and eggs from your pet's fur. They are lightweight and easy to use and usually have a non-slip handle. It is important to select a comb adapted to your dog's coat type. If the teeth are too short or too long, you may fail to remove the parasites or hurt your dog's skin. Do you think that your dog might be scratching a lot? They may have fleas!

To find out for sure, make a few strokes of the comb on his back. If there are any fleas in your pet’s coat, you will probably get some stuck in the teeth of the comb. You may also see flea droppings. To help you choose the best flea comb for your dog, we have prepared this buyer's guide.

Why should I buy a flea comb?

Flea combs are a vital tool for removing fleas from your dog. With their thin, fine teeth, they can eliminate not only adult fleas but also larvae and eggs encrusted in your dog's fur. If you see your pet scratching, a comb is a good way to check if they are infested with parasites.

Flea combs for dogs are easy to use and usually have an ergonomic handle which makes them very comfortable to hold. They do not slip out of your hand or strain the wrist while you’re brushing the dog’s coat.

While this is not their main function, dog flea combs are also highly effective in eliminating dead hair. They massage the skin and stimulate the blood flow.

Do flea combs for dogs work?

With their thin and fine teeth, flea combs are very efficient in eliminating all parasites. It is important to choose a comb that is appropriate for your dog's coat type, to ensure optimal efficiency. If the teeth are too long, you will hurt the skin, while if they are too short, you will not be able to reach the flea eggs at the root of the hair.

It is an all-natural solution to rid the dog of unwanted guests. In addition, you can see for yourself how many fleas are removed and how the number of fleas decreases with each pass of the comb.

Of course, using the comb does not mean that you should not treat your dog regularly with an anti-parasite product. They go hand in hand!

How do I use a flea comb?

To thoroughly comb your dog with a flea comb, first, prepare a large container of soapy water. You will use it to rinse the comb and remove fleas and dirt caught between the teeth. Fill it halfway, so that the fleas can't jump out. Then, comb your pet's head and move down to the neck and chest. After that, work your way down the sides to the tail.

The best way to brush the belly is to have your pet lie down. Be gentle, in order not to hurt your dog and catch as many fleas as you can. Make sure not to miss any spots and do not hesitate to start over until there are no more fleas on the comb.

What different types of flea combs for dogs are available?

Flea combs for dogs are available in many different models. The more traditional ones have a non-slip handle and small tight teeth with rounded tips.

There are also double-sided combs, with two rows of teeth that are more or less tightly packed, to suit all hair types, including short, long, frizzy and curly hair.

There are also electric flea combs, which use a battery to send small shocks to stun or kill the insects.

Why should I use a flea comb for dogs to treat flea infestations?

A flea comb is a truly radical solution for small parasites. While you’re waiting for the anti-flea treatment you just applied to take effect, the flea comb is the only way to quickly get rid of those fleas that can cause irritation and allergies.

Fleas lay dozens of eggs per day in dogs' hair! They reproduce very quickly and a flea comb for dogs is very effective in stopping this colonisation.

To find out if your dog has fleas, pet them on the back and look carefully at the hairline. If you see fine black dust that turns red when it comes into contact with water, it is flea droppings, which means your dog’s hair is indeed infested.

Which type of flea comb for dogs is suitable for which hair length?

The thicker your dog's fur and the longer the hair, the longer the flea comb teeth need to be. This is necessary to access the parasites deep in the dog’s hair and close to the skin.

If you have a dog with short hair, it is extremely important to choose a comb with rounded teeth. As the teeth will be in direct contact with the skin, they can quickly irritate and scratch it if they are too sharp.

Choose a very fine flea comb, so you can brush sensitive or hard-to-reach areas, like the back of your dog's ears. Some pets don't like to be brushed under their belly or armpits either.

This article is a selection made independently by the Wamiz team. If you click on a link called "affiliate link", the merchant pays us a commission. But that doesn't change anything for you and your pet! Affiliate links are identified as such, for the sake of transparency.
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