Course 03 · Brushing and Combing · Lesson 10 of 12
How do you brush a wet coat, and when should you not?
A wet coat should generally not be brushed, since wet hair stretches, breaks and tangles more easily, and brushing should wait until the coat is damp-dry or dry, except for gentle combing during drying as a groomer directs.
A wet coat should generally not be brushed in the usual way, because wet hair stretches, breaks and tangles more easily than dry hair, and brushing a soaking coat can damage it and hurt the dog. The exception is gentle work during drying, when the coat is damp rather than wet, and when a groomer has shown how to do it for a particular coat. As a general rule, brushing should happen before bathing, to remove tangles that would tighten when wet, and again when the coat is dry, to check that drying has not created new tangles. Brushing a wet coat vigorously, with a slicker brush or a fine comb, is one of the most common causes of breakage and frizz, and it should be avoided unless there is a specific, professional reason to do otherwise.
Why does wet hair behave differently?
Wet hair absorbs water, swells, stretches and becomes more elastic, which means it can be pulled further before it breaks, but it breaks more readily and loses its normal texture. Wet hair also clings together, so tangles that were loose when dry can tighten as the coat dries, and brushing wet hair can push tangles closer to the skin. For curly coats, brushing wet can disrupt curl pattern and create frizz. For long coats, brushing wet can stretch and snap fine hairs. For double coats, brushing wet can push loose undercoat into dense clumps. The coat should therefore be handled gently when wet, with towels and airflow doing most of the work, and brushing reserved for the stages when the coat can withstand it.
What should happen before a bath?
Before a bath, the coat should be brushed and combed thoroughly, in sections, to remove tangles, loose hair and debris. A tangle that goes into a bath will usually come out tighter, and a mat that goes into a bath can become harder to remove professionally. The pre-bath brush should include friction points and a comb check, so the coat enters the water as tangle free as possible. If a tangle or mat is found before bathing, it should be worked gently if it is small and loose, or left for a groomer if it is tight, since bathing over a mat is worse than delaying the bath. The pre-bath brush is not optional for curly, long and double coats, and it is good practice for every coat.
What gentle work is safe during drying?
During drying, gentle combing with a wide-toothed comb can help separate the coat and guide it as it dries, provided the coat is damp rather than soaking, the comb moves in the direction of growth, and pressure is light. For long coats, light brushing during drying can help keep the coat straight, but it should be done in sections, with the coat held above the section, and stopped if the hair snags. For curly coats, drying should usually avoid vigorous brushing, since that creates frizz and mats, and a comb or fingers may be better. For double coats, drying should focus on airflow reaching the undercoat, with brushing reserved for when the coat is dry. In each case, the handler should watch for snagging and stop if the coat resists, since resistance means the coat is not ready for that tool yet.
When should a wet coat not be brushed at all?
A wet coat should not be brushed when it is soaking wet, when it contains tangles or mats, when the skin is sore or broken, when the dog is distressed, or when the coat type is one that frizzes or breaks readily when brushed wet. A coat that has just been washed with shampoo still in it should not be brushed, since residue and wet hair together increase breakage. A coat that is matted should not be brushed wet at all, since wet matting tightens and needs professional assessment. If in doubt, towel dry, allow the coat to become damp-dry, and then comb gently, or wait until the coat is dry and brush then. Patience during drying prevents damage that brushing cannot undo.
How do you decide what to do?
| Coat state | Brush? | Action | | Dry, tangle free | Yes | Brush in sections, comb check | | Damp, during drying | Gentle only | Wide comb, light, sections | | Soaking wet | No | Towel dry, then airflow | | Wet and tangled or matted | No | Do not brush, seek groomer help |
When should you stop and get help?
Stop and get groomer help if a wet coat is tangled or matted, if drying reveals mats, or if the coat needs shaping after bathing. Get vet help for pain, broken skin, red or discharging ears, wounds or lumps found during bathing or drying. Do not brush a wet, matted coat, do not cut out a wet mat, and do not use heat or forceful airflow to dry a distressed dog. A wet coat that cannot be dried fully, or a dog that panics during drying, needs professional help in person, with the right equipment and handling.
Brush before the bath, dry with patience, and brush again when dry, and the coat will usually emerge from bathing in better condition than it entered it, without the breakage that wet brushing so often causes.
Further reading
- American Kennel Club, grooming guidance
- PDSA, dog care guidance
- RSPCA, pet care guidance