Is your mutt’s mane a total mess? Luckily, detangler sprays can be helpful for easing the knots and mats out of your dog’s hair without causing her any pain or stress.
Below, we’ll explain what to look for in a dog detangler spray and share a few of our favorite options. We’ll also point out two kinds of detanglers you should always avoid to keep Fido feeling his best.
Best Dog Detangler Sprays: Quick Picks
- #1 Lillian Ruff Leave-In Conditioner [Best Overall Dog Detangler Spray]: Effective, pleasant-smelling, and made in the USA, this conditioner is the best choice for most matted mutts!
- #2 Burt’s Bees Detangling Spray [Most Affordable Dog Detangler Spray]: An affordable, US-made detangler spray from a brand you know and trust.
- #3 Bodhi Dog Detangling Spray [Gentlest Dog Detangler Spray]: A gentle dog detangler spray that’s perfect for pooches with sensitive skin.
What Is a Dog Detangler Spray? Why Use a Detangler Spray for Your Pet?
Detangling spray isn’t necessary for all pups, but it can be a helpful component of your dog-grooming toolbox if your pooch has long, thick, or easily tangled hair.
Dog detangler spray acts as a sort of leave-in conditioner. They help to soften your dog’s hair, loosen knots, and make the hair a little slicker. This makes it much easier to brush through your dog’s hair.
The best dog detangler sprays can also reduce the amount of pressure you need to apply to comb through your canine’s hair, and they generally make the grooming process easier for your furry friend.
So, while they’re not especially helpful for dogs with short hair, dog detangler sprays are certainly worth considering if you have a canine with an impressive coat.
In fact, your groomer probably already uses one when making Fido look his best!
If you’re in the market for a detangler spray, chances are your pooch could also benefit from a good dog hair dematting comb. When used together, a dematting comb and detangler spray will make the entire grooming process much easier!
And while you’re at it, be sure to check out our comprehensive dog hair dematting guide to learn some useful tips and tricks!
The 4 Best Dog Detangler Sprays
Are you ready to comb through your canine’s coat? Check out our four of the best dog detangler sprays on the market!
1. Lillian Ruff Leave-In Conditioner
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Lillian Ruff Leave-In Conditioner
US-made, leave-in detangler spray that’s safe to use with dogs and cats.
About: This leave-in conditioner from Lillian Ruff is made in the USA and has a light, fresh scent. It’s also safe for both cats and dogs, making it a great pick for multi-pet households.
Features:
- US-made, leave-in conditioner and detangler
- Moisturizing spray has a subtle, fresh scent
- Safe for dogs and cats
- Can be purchased in bulk quantities
- Vegan and tear-free formula
Pros
- It was a hit with dog owners who wanted a relatively subtle scent
- Owners reported that the detangler helped soften knots without leaving behind a greasy coat
- Detangler was easy to use for both dogs and cats
Cons
- Some owners didn’t like the baby powder scent
2. Burt’s Bees Detangling Spray
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Burt’s Bees Detangling Spray
Affordable, US-made, lemon-scented detangler spray for dogs.
About: This lemon-scented detangling spray from Burt’s Bees is easy to use and won’t empty out your wallet. But despite being super-affordable, this spray is still made in the USA, paraben-free, and is safe for dogs of all ages.
Features:
- Gentle detangling spray has a light lemon scent
- Can be used with topical flea and tick medication
- Made with linseed oil to coat and protect hair
- No sulfates or added fragrance
- Nourishing honey leaves canine coats soft and supple
Pros
- Owners appreciated the lightweight feel of this detangler
- Dogs didn’t seem to mind the light lemon scent
- Spray makes it easier to comb through pooch hair and leaves coats feeling soft
Cons
- This spray cannot be purchased in bulk gallon quantities
3. Bodhi Dog Detangling Spray
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Bodhi Dog Detangling Spray
Gentle, moisturizing, apple-scented detangling spray that’s made in the USA.
About: Need something especially gentle for your sensitive-skinned pooch? Bodhi Dog Detangling Spray may be just what you need! Made with soothing Aloe vera and jojoba oil for your four-footer, this US-made spray has a light, fresh apple scent and comes in a convenient spray bottle that’s perfect for pups with massive manes.
Features:
- Gentle formula is crafted without parabens or detergent
- Moisturizing detangler utilizes Aloe vera, jojoba oil, and mineral oil
- Detangling spray is made in the USA
- Spray can be purchased in gallon quantities for bulk use
- Light apple scent
Pros
- Owners were impressed with the moisturizing power of this spray
- Most dogs and owners liked the light fresh apple scent
- Detangling spray made fur easy to comb through and was great for freshening up Fido in between baths
Cons
- Some owners found that the spray was too thick for their fur baby’s coat
4. Pet Head Detangling Spray
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Pet Head Detangling Spray
Strawberry-scented, pH-balanced, US-made dog detangling spray.
About: If you are looking for a detangling spray with a really great scent, Dog BFF is a fantastic choice. This pH-balanced detangling spray has a delightful strawberry scent that’ll have your four-footer smelling sweet, clean, and a bit fruity.
Features:
- pH balanced detangling spray has a sweet strawberry scent
- Spray is made in the USA without sulfates or parabens
- Helps condition coast as it detangles
- Suitable for dogs of all ages
- Formula utilizes Aloe vera to help moisturize your mutt
Pros
- Detangler helped owners brush through coats easier and left dogs with a sweet scent
- Owners loved using this spray to freshen up Fido in between baths
- Spray leaves canine coats smooth and soft
Cons
- Though most owners liked this product’s scent, some found it a bit strong
- Spray cannot be purchased in bulk quantities
The Three Kinds of Dog Detangler Spray You Shouldn’t Use
Note that not all types of detangler are appropriate for our furry family members. You shouldn’t use the following types of detangler to keep your furry friend safe:
- Don’t use human detanglers on your dog. While they may seem similar, human detanglers are different from those made for your dog, and they aren’t balanced to your dog’s skin pH. This could irritate your dog’s skin and make it more difficult to brush your pooch. Human detanglers may also contain unsafe ingredients for your four-footer, so make sure you’re using something that’s specifically crafted for dogs.
- Avoid cheap, Asian-made detanglers. Many Asian-made products are perfectly acceptable to use with your dog, but detanglers don’t fall into this category. Asian-made detanglers may contain harmful or irritating ingredients and are regulated less than products made in the USA or Europe. Though these detanglers may seem like a better bargain up front, they’re going to cost more in the long run for your wallet and your pooch should they cause irritation.
- Don’t use a detangler your dog doesn’t like. If your dog dislikes a particular detangler (most likely due to the scent), it’s best to try out a different product. You want to make sure the grooming experience is as pawsitive as possible, so make sure your dog tolerates your detangler of choice.
Which Dogs Need Detangler Sprays? Which Ones Don’t?
Essentially, any long-haired dog could benefit from detangling spray. Here are some of the best canine candidates for detangling sprays:
- Bernese Mountain dog
- Afghan hound
- Chow Chow
- Great Pyrenees
- Havanese
- Old English sheepdog
- Pomeranian
- Shetland sheepdog
- Border collie
- Australian shepherd
- Golden retriever
- Newfoundland
- Maltese
There are countless others, so don’t hesitate to try a doggo detangler spray if you don’t see your pooch listed above.
However, dogs with super short coats probably don’t need a detangling spray to effectively comb through their coats. For example, a beagle, Doberman pinscher, or greyhound wouldn’t benefit from using one of these specialized sprays.
Buying Considerations: How Do You Pick a Dog Detangler Spray?
Not all dog dentaglers are created equally! It’s important to keep the following factors in mind when selecting the perfect dog detangler for your four-footer:
- The detangler should use dog-safe ingredients. Make sure that your detangler of choice is truly safe for four-footers, especially if your pooch has sensitive skin. In fact, it’s a good idea to patch test the detangler on a small part of your dog’s fur before committing to using the spray all over his body. This way, you can proactively check for any adverse reactions to the spray.
- The scent of the detangler is agreeable. Make sure that both you and your dog like the scent of the detangler before using it liberally. Some dogs are averse to citrus scents, for example, and may create a negative association with grooming if they know they’ll smell like a fresh orange once the process is completed. Also, if you’re using detangling spray primarily for the scent factor, it may be worth looking into dog deodorant instead.
- The price is reasonable. Most long-haired dogs need to be groomed a couple of times a week, if not daily, so it’s wise to find a detangler that’s as affordable as it is effective. Of course, if money isn’t an issue, you can go ahead and buy the fanciest product you can find.
- The detangler does its job. It can be difficult to determine the efficacy of a detangler in advance, but make sure your product of choice is working the way you intended. Detanglers all have different formulas, so it’s possible that one brand may work better than another for your dog’s individual coat type.
- Make sure it’s compatible with any topical flea or tick medication. If your dog takes topical flea or tick treatments, you’ll want to make sure that your detangler of choice does not interfere with the efficacy of your pup’s medication. Just check with your vet if you’re unsure.
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Doggie detangler can be an excellent tool for keeping your canine’s coat feeling its best. A high quality detangler makes it easier to brush your best buddy and work through nasty knots with ease.
Does your dog use a detangler? How often do you brush your furry friend? We’d love to hear all about it in the comments below!
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