Grooming and coat
How do I remove loose undercoat from my dog?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
An undercoat rake, worked in sections from the skin outward, is the most effective tool for pulling out dead undercoat. A warm bath beforehand loosens the undercoat further, and following up with a slicker brush over the top coat gives a smoother finish once the bulk of loose hair is removed.
Start with a bath if the coat is very heavy
A warm bath with a deshedding shampoo, followed by a thorough towel and low heat blow dry while brushing, loosens a large amount of undercoat before you even pick up a rake. This is particularly effective at the peak of a coat blow, when the undercoat is releasing in bulk.
Working the undercoat rake correctly
Divide the coat into sections, working from the head back toward the tail, and pull the rake through each section from the skin outward rather than skimming the surface. On a medium sized double coated dog, spending two to three minutes per section, roughly fifteen to twenty minutes total, clears noticeably more undercoat than a quick five minute pass over the whole body.
Finishing touches
Once the rake stops pulling out significant amounts of hair in a section, a slicker brush smooths the remaining top coat and gives a tidier finish. Repeating this every one to two days during a coat blow, rather than saving it all for one long weekly session, keeps the process manageable for both dog and owner.
Key takeaways
- A warm bath with a deshedding shampoo loosens undercoat before brushing begins.
- An undercoat rake worked section by section from the skin outward removes the most loose hair.
- Daily short sessions during a coat blow are more manageable than one long weekly session.