Pugs may have short, fine coats that seem easy to maintain. However, do you know that they are notorious shedders? With my first pug (which was the popular fawn color), it became near impossible to wear all black without tidying up with a lint roller.
And of course, if you’re already a pug owner, you know the struggle of constantly battling pet hair on your clothes and furniture. A pug’s fur can be challenging to maintain, but fortunately, many deshedding brushes are available to help control your pug’s shedding.
But when choosing a brush, there’s a lot of things to consider:
Why Do You Need To Brush Your Pug?
Before we get into what brush you need for your pug, let us first discuss why you need to brush your pug because it will determine what type of brush you will need. We know that pugs are notorious shedders and we’ve covered many ways to help you manage your pug’s shedding, here are 4 reasons why you need to brush your pug:
Yes, brushing your pug is crucial for controlling their shedding, but it’s also essential for their overall health and well-being. Regular brushing can help to remove and prevent mats which are clumps of tangled fur. These mats can be painful for your pug and lead to skin problems if not addressed early.
Brushing regularly can also help remove dirt and debris accumulating in your pug’s coat. Doing this will reduce your pug’s risk of skin infections and other health issues (though this could also be allergy related!). Moreover, brushing regularly can help you reduce loose fur around your house.
Lastly, regular brushing can help you monitor your pug’s overall health. While grooming them, you can check for any lumps, bumps, or skin issues that may require veterinary or medical attention. This can help you catch any health issues of your pug early, making them more manageable and less expensive to treat.
Brushing Your Pug’s Double Coat
Before discussing the best brushes for your pug, let’s first talk about brushing your pug’s double coat. Pugs tend to have double coats, meaning their coat has two layers. There have a dense, short undercoat and a longer outer layer of ‘guard hairs.’ A double coat gives them more fur to shed at any time than other breeds with just a single layer of fur. A double coat basically means double the shedding of a single coat 😭
Therefore, when choosing a brush, you need something tough enough to get to both coats because if you only brush the top coat, you could miss out on harmful mats in the undercoat. So, let us now get into the best brushes for your pug in 2023!
*All images will take you directly to the product on Amazon.
The best brush for your pug is the KONG Dog ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush, a 2-in-1 brush.
I’ve tried a few different brushes and this is my favorite, and it’s best value.
This brush massages your pug during your regular brushing process and can be used for shampooing. What’s great about this brush is that it may give your pug a smoother coat when you use it while your pug bathes!
Using this brush, you can easily remove all your pug’s loose hair in minutes while stimulating their natural oil production. This will result in a shinier, healthier coat for your pug. Another great thing about this brush is that it comes in sizes suitable for pug puppies and adults and works for all fur types.
What’s great about the Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Dog Brush is that it has two sides. One side of the brush features nylon bristles. These nylon bristles were designed to stimulate the natural oils on your pug’s coat. It makes your pug’s fur nice and shiny. On the other side of the brush features stainless steel bristles designed to work through tough tangles and remove loose fur.
A lot of people swear by this type of brush, but for me, my last pug Benji, didn’t like the metal side. It should be noted that the stainless steel bristles have safety tips on this brush, so they’ll still be pretty gentle on your pug’s skin.
The cheapest, yet still highly-rated brush for your pugs is the JW Pet Gripsoft Slicker Brush Soft Pin. What’s great about this brush is that it is made for pets with sensitive skin. Thus, it contains teeth at 90 degrees, rather than straight up and down, to avoid scratching your pug’s skin. This brush is also designed for comfort with its ergonomic handle and non-slip handle grip.
How Often Do You Need To Brush Your Pug?
The frequency of brushing your pug will depend on a few factors. You should consider the length of their coat and the amount they shed. Generally, brushing your pug at least 3 times a week and as often as once a day is recommended. However, some pugs may require more frequent brushing. Personally, as I’m raising a new pug puppy, it’s not too much of a problem yet, I’m at about once a week. My last pug had allergies which caused a lot of shedding, which may require more brushing. If your pug sheds heavily, you may need to brush them more often to keep their coat healthy and prevent matting.
When To Start Brushing Your Pug
Remember, it’s never too early to start introducing your pug to brushing! Ideally, it would be best if you begin brushing your pug as soon as you bring them home. In my experience they start shedding at 12 weeks. This will help them become comfortable with the grooming process. Also, it will make it easier for you to maintain their coat as they grow older.
You can start with short and gentle grooming sessions when your pug is still a puppy. This will get them used to the sensation of being brushed. Use a soft-bristled brush and be gentle when brushing your pug’s coat. Also, you should reward them with treats to help them associate brushing with positive experiences.
As your pug grows older, you can gradually increase the length and frequency of grooming sessions. This will help keep their coat healthy and shiny. Incorporating other grooming tasks into your routine is also a good idea to ensure your pug is well cared for.
Final Thoughts on Grooming Your Pug
As a pug owner, your pug needs to have regular brushing sessions. Regular brushing helps maintain the health and well-being of your pug. Most importantly, it helps in reducing your pug’s shedding. Plus it keeps the hair off your clothes and furniture!
My recommendation is to try a few brushes and see which you like the best! Amazon and your local pet store generally have a pretty good return policy. Investing in the right brush can make grooming a more pleasant experience for you and your pug.
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