Best Pet Hair Removers to Deshed Your Life

Have you ever thrown on a sweater, left the house, and realized that it’s somehow become more dog or cat hair than sweater? Or felt the embarrassment when a guest notices the clumps of dog fur that are now coating their pants? Take back your house with the best pet hair removers we could find.

Most pet owners have experienced the horror of having their house overtaken by a shedding pet. We sweep and vacuum, but it just keeps coming back! Even worse, sometimes it never leaves!

Some pet hair gets stuck in clothing, furniture, and all types of fabrics. The fur manages to weave its way into the carpet and refuses to leave by traditional methods.

It can be frustrating, but we promise there is hope!

In this blog, we are going to talk about the best pet hair removal products, as well as some nifty DIY pet hair picker-uppers. We’ve chosen our favourites from both categories, and we’ll tell you why.

But first, we should address the best methods for reducing the amount of pet hair that is littering your beautiful home.

How to Reduce Dog Shedding

If you are sick of constantly cleaning up pet hair, then you need to reduce how much your pet sheds.

There are many factors that affect the skin and coat health of your pet, like diet, environment and grooming habits. Here are 5 of the simplest ways to improve your pet’s coat and reduce shedding:

1. Feed a High-Quality Diet

What you put in your dog will affect what you get out of them. Dogs fed a higher quality diet filled with real food ingredients often have healthier and shinier skin and coat and, more importantly, noticeably reduced shedding. 

Diet won't stop shedding because it's a natural part of the fur cycle of dogs, but you can limit how much and how often your dog sheds by supporting their skin and coat health from the inside out. 

Raw diets are well-known for their positive effect on skin and coat health. This is partially due to the highly available nutrients, simple digestion, and increased moisture content. 

2. Include Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids

Omega fatty acids play a role in many systems in your dog's body, but most importantly, they are powerful anti-inflammatories that help to protect your dog's skin and coat. They also help to protect the skin barrier to retain moisture and protect the hair follicles. 

Fish oils are an ideal choice because they contain DHA and EPA, two kinds of omega fatty acids that pack lots of anti-inflammatory properties, improve circulation, and support cognitive function. Hemp oil for dogs and other plant oils can still be helpful anti-inflammatories even though they do not contain significant sources of EPA and DHA.

3. Keep Your Pet Hydrated

Kibble feeders need to be especially aware of this, but all dogs can benefit from more moisture. Having a fresh, clean water source always available is helpful, but dogs are designed to get much of their moisture from their food. 

Dehydrated dogs don't use nutrients as efficiently, and this includes the nutrients needed to support skin and coat health. Try to include additional moisture, or feed a diet that is already moisture-rich, like raw dog food. 

4. Brush Regularly

Regularly brushing your pet helps to remove loose, dead hair and spread natural oils from the skin to the fur. This will help to condition the fur and prevent breakage and damage. Some pets need daily brushing while others can manage with 2-3 times per week.

Daily brushing should be done with a slicker-style brush that will not pull at the fur. You want to avoid removing healthy fur. Deshedding brushes should be used once per week and will help remove dead fur that is loosely attached and will shed itself anyway.

5. Don't Overbathe

Bathe no more than once per month (unless it’s absolutely required), as over-grooming can dry the skin and remove oils from the coat. Spot cleaning may be necessary when your dog gets dirty, but you should avoid doing a full bath with shampoo more than once per month. 

These are just some of the basic tips for reducing shedding. They are simple to try, and although you certainly don’t have to do them all, you may need to implement a couple of them to really see a difference.

Best Dog Hair Removers

These handy-dandy tools are designed to help you rid your home of annoying pet fur. Each has its own benefits and shortcomings, but they all do a pretty decent job of pet hair removal. Here are the top pet hair removal tools. We picked our favourite out of the bunch too!

The FurZapper

This funny-looking tool is the go-to pet hair removal tool for your laundry. The soft, almost tacky texture grabs pet hair and gently removes it from your clothes while you wash it. Just add it to any load of laundry and let it tumble around, collecting pet hair and leaving your clothes furless.

It’s non-toxic and hypo-allergenic, so it’s safe to use with pets and human laundry. Plus, it can be used in both the washer and the dryer!

The FurZapper shouldn’t be used with fabric softener or dryer sheets, as they can reduce the tacky texture that helps it attract and remove pet hair.

Simply rinse the FurZapper with warm water and dish soap to clean it, and it’s ready to use again.

Furminator

If you’ve heard the name before, then you are probably thinking, “wait isn’t that just a brush?” It turns out Furminator is not only the best dog hair remover brush, but the brand has crafted some pretty helpful pet hair removal tools as well.

Furminator Hair Collection Tool

The Furminator Hair Collection Tool is perfect for small clean-ups and furniture. It’s one of the best dog hair remover for clothes tools for the couch or carpet. This roller tool works by grabbing hair as it rolls across the surface of the fabric. It collects in a small compartment and it is easily opened and emptied.

This tool is a little more effective than the sticky roller, as the wheel is covered in a coarse fabric that easily snags any pet hair that it encounters, no matter how stubborn it is.

Furminator Home Pet Hair Sweeper

For the best pet hair remover for carpet and other flooring, try the Home Hair Sweeper. Using the same technique as the Hair Collection Tool, the pet hair sweeper is the full-size version.

The coarse roller makes it one of the best dog fur removers, and there is a squeegee bar attached to help really pull out hair that has settled right in.

It’s also very easy to clean and doesn’t require batteries or a plug-in. Just roll and empty. It’s that easy! If only it was so easy that we could train our pets to clean up their own pet hair…

Kurgo Shed Sweeper

The Shed Sweeper is a lightweight and compact best pet hair remover that works on any surface. The silicone bristles of the sweeper are soft and flexible, making it safe to use on clothing and upholstery but sturdy enough for hard surfaces.

For the best results, use the sweeper in small circular motions to help remove fur that has been embedded in hair from your clothing, or use short sweeping strokes on thicker fabrics like car seats. 

The plastic handle and silicone pet hair remover brush make it one of the easiest pet hair removers to clean. A little soap and water and a quick rinse will remove any lint, dirt, or fir that had built up on the shed sweeper. 

Safari Hair Removal Roller

The standard sticky roller, we all know it and love it. Perforated sheets of sticky paper are designed to glide across the fabric, snatch up, and loosen the hair.

It’s simple, it’s disposable, and it’s great for travelling and quick clean-ups. Keep one in the car, by the front door, in your purse, and even at work.

While this was a close contender for our favourite because it's the best pet hair roller that we found, we did consider the environmental impact of a disposable dog pet hair remover, and we preferred something a little more reusable. 

The Best Pet Hair Remover Is...

The Furminator Hair Collection Tool!

The other tools are good, but we found this one to be the best pet hair remover for furniture, clothing, and rugs and even found it to be the best dog hair remover for cars. It’s small and lightweight, so it’s easy to use and even easier to clean. It didn’t get every little bit, but it was definitely the most versatile.

Honourable Mention

We do have to give a shout-out to the Furzapper. It's the best pet hair remover for clothes, in our opinion, but its unique use made it hard to compare to other tools that work for furniture and carpet as well.

The lesson here might be that if you want the best fur remover for all fabrics, you might need to invest in more than one. One for the car, one for furniture and floors, and another for your clothes and laundry.

DIY Dog Hair Removers

All these fancy tools are well and good, but what if you are looking for something cheap and convenient? These DIY dog hair removers are things you probably already have laying around the house.

While they may not be quite as effective as the tools in our list above, they will work just fine when you are in a pinch.

*As a quick side note, none of the DIY pet hair removers should ever be used on your pet. They can easily pull at their hair and hurt them. Stick to deshedding your house and car with these handy items. 

Rubber Gloves

Most of us probably have a pair of rubber dish gloves sitting underneath our sink. It sounds too easy, but pop those gloves on and use your hand in a sweeping motion to collect pet hair into a clump for easy disposal.

Tape

Good old-fashioned packing tape will do the trick. This isn’t the most eco-friendly option, but the tape is fairly effective. Tear off a strip of tape and make a circle with the sticky side facing out.

Put your hand through the middle, the non-sticky side, and start patting the area that you wish to de-fur. It works pretty good for furniture and carpet, but it is best used on clothing. It's perfect for a last-minute de-furring before you head out the door.

Dryer Sheets

This method uses the power of static electricity to collect the hair. Simply wipe down the surface that is covered in hair and dispose of the sheet.

We recommend this system for clothing and softer fabrics. It’s gentle but won’t be as effective on hair that is really stuck into the fabrics like carpet.

Squeegee

A simple shower squeegee is a pretty effective tool for removing pet hair. It works best on the carpet and sturdier fabrics like furniture, as the rigidity of the squeegee may damage clothing.

Just use it the same way a squeegee is intended to be used. Short strokes across the fabric will help to clump the pet hair together and make it easy to pick up and toss in the garbage.

Your Dog’s Brush

Believe it or not, the brush that you use to remove loose hair from your pet will have the same effect on other surfaces.

A rubber brush, meant for bathing and short-haired breeds, will work most effectively. Slicker brushes or stiff metal brushes can damage fabric, so use them at your own risk.

Winner!

Rubber Gloves!!

It seems too simple to be effective, but we were surprised. While it does still require you to pick up the clumps, the rubber glove technique is perfect for collecting all the hair into one spot.

Does Fur Type Matter?

Some types of fur are harder to get rid of than others. Many short & thick-coated dogs shed fur that sticks into fabrics and is very difficult to remove. Oftentimes, you'll need to go over the area multiple times with a pet hair remover, and even then, there may be a few stragglers. 

Pets with lighter, fluffier hair, like Pomeranians, may shed a lot, but their fur is usually a bit easier to pick up. 

It's not just the fur type that matters too. The fabric that you are cleaning could tell you how difficult it might be to de-fur. Furniture like couches tend to collect a lot of fur but are often fairly simple to clean.

Clothing and carpets can be tougher. There are more spaces for the fur to weave its way in, nestling so securely that it can be a real struggle getting them back to their original fur-free state. 

Say No to Fur!

At some point, we need to admit that being a pet family means accepting some amount of pet hair in our lives. It's almost assuredly unavoidable. Sometimes it's even a great conversation starter when meeting new friends!

"What kind of dog do you have?"

"How did you know I have a dog?"

"Your shirt is covered in fur!"

We choose to live with pets, but with a little patience and the right tools, you can limit the amount of pet hair that circulates your home, your car, your clothes, and everything else in your life. Shop top pet hair removers and deshedding supplies in Canada at Homes Alive Pets!

Frequently Asked Questions 

What are pet hair removers? 

Pet hair removers are tools designed to effectively remove pet hair from various surfaces, including furniture, clothing, and carpets. 

How do pet hair removers work? 

Pet hair removers use various mechanisms, such as sticky surfaces, bristles, or static electricity, to lift pet hair from surfaces. 

What are the benefits of using pet hair removers? 

Pet hair removers help keep your home clean by reducing pet hair buildup on furniture and fabrics. 

Are there different types of pet hair removers? 

Yes, there are different types of pet hair removers, such as lint rollers with adhesive sheets, rubber or silicone brushes, fabric combs, and even vacuum attachments. 

Can pet hair removers be used on all surfaces? 

Most pet hair removers are versatile and can be used on various surfaces like clothing, upholstery, carpets, and car interiors.

Are all pet hair removers equally effective?

The effectiveness of pet hair removers can vary depending on factors like the type of material, the thickness of the pet's coat, and the specific design of the remover. Read user reviews and try different models until you find one that works best for your needs.