Cavapoos are a delightful blend of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle, resulting in a beautiful, affectionate, and curly-coated companion. However, those lovely curls require regular grooming to keep them looking their best and to prevent tangles and mats. Whether you're a new Cavapoo parent or a seasoned pro, choosing the best brush for your Cavapoo can make all the difference.
THE TRUTH ABOUT GROOMING A CAVAPOO
The cavapoo requires the right grooming to keep its coat healthy, shiny, and fluffy. But a cavapoo’s grooming needs are often overlooked by the family that is focused on the cuteness of a fluffy puppy. Many cavapoo owners believe that because this breed is mostly low shedding, it is also low maintenance. But this could not be further from the truth.
The truth is that cavapoos do require daily grooming. This includes brushing and combing everyday or at least 3 times a week. Creating a grooming routine with your cavapoo is vital to keeping their fluffy coat mat-free! Matting is the number one grooming problem that cavapoo owners encounter.
Matted fur does not only look bad, but it is very painful for cavapoos. If not removed, it can also cause other health issues including discomfort, skin disorder, flea infestation, mites, worms, and other parasites. And severe matting usually leads to a shavedown, right to the skin. Shaving a fluffy cavapoo is actually very frustrating for a cavapoo owner because the owner may not know what they are doing wrong. So as a cavapoo parent you need to learn how to properly care for your dog’s coat.
TOP 3 BRUSHES EVERY CAVAPOO OWNER SHOULD HAVE
Before brushing and combing your cavapoo, you need the right grooming tools. These are the top three tools that will make grooming so much easier.
1. A High Quality Slicker Brush
The slicker brush is the number one dog brush recommended by grooming professionals for cavapoos or any type of doodle hybrid. It is actually the type of brush you want to start with when grooming your dog because it will help break up any knots and prevent matting. It is perfect for doodle coat maintenance at home. However, there are different types of slicker brushes. These two slicker brushes are our favorites.
BEST SLICKER BRUSH FOR BEGINNERS
We love recommending the Self Cleaning Slicker Brush because it is very easy to use, super effective, and easy to clean and maintain at the same time. It is always important to keep the bristles of a slicker brush from bending or getting damaged as this can cause skin irritation, pain, and discomfort.
What we love about this brush is that you can brush your cavapoo, and then just click and clean the brush. The bristles retract when you click so they are kept from being damaged. And your brush can be stored and ready for your next brushing session.
This is a perfect brush to begin a daily grooming routine as it is highly tolerated by dogs. This type of slicker brush is great for teaching your dog to stay calm during brushing sessions as they tend to love the massaging effect it creates.
Also, do not just brush the top of the coat, you need to get right to the skin by line brushing your cavapoo to prevent matting, especially when your pup’s hair is long.
BEST SLICKER BRUSH FOR ADVANCED USERS:
Whenever you have established a daily brushing routine with your dog, then we highly recommend introducing the long pin doodle slicker brush. This will make brushing much much faster.
The doodle slicker brush is great at working through dense and thick coats because of its larger than standard pins. It is designed for professional groomers and it’s of the highest quality out there. We do recommend you start out slow with this brush as it is of professional grade. Do short and gentle strokes, and if your pup is not used to being brushed, the self-cleaning brush above might be a better option to get him used to the new brushing routine ;)
This slicker brush smoothly works its way through your cavapoo's coat. It is one of the best slicker brushes on the market for cavapoo owners because it makes coat maintenance much easier. It is great at removing tangles and mats. It's also perfect for achieving that fluffly look effortlessly.
The Doodle slicker brush is extremely lightweight, the extra-long handle is ergonomic, and it is very comfortable and effective.
Pro-tip: clean it after every use, and keep it stored safely so the bristles won’t get damaged. Use a metal comb to remove the fur to prevent any poking.
2. A Metal Comb
A metal comb should be used after you have brushed your cavapoo thoroughly with the slicker brush. The end result should be the ability to get the comb from the root to the tip of the hair.
We like the Dual-length Dog Metal Comb. It is the perfect comb to add the finishing touch to your cavapoo’s coat. It has long and short stainless steel teeth to quickly and painlessly remove any remaining tangles or knots. Its rounded head pins keep your doodle’s skin from getting scratched. And the anti-slip handle protects your dog from any slippery accidents.
3. A Dematting Tool
A dematting tool should be your last resource when grooming your cavapoo as it is specifically designed to remove mats. That said, if you are keeping up with your grooming routine by brushing and combing your doodle at least 3 times per week, you should not need to use the dematting tool. But if for some reason you do forget to brush your dog, the dematting tool can come in very handy before having to take your pup to the groomer for a shavedown.
The 2-in1 Dematting Tool can be a great option. It is effective at removing mats and getting deep into the dog’s coat.
Other Must-Have Cavapoo Grooming Tool
One grooming tool we highly recommend to make each brushing routine much easier and smooth is a detangling spray. The detangling spray will help loosen all the tangles and give your dog a fresh smell between baths.
HOW TO PROPERLY BRUSH A CAVAPOO AND PREVENT MATTING
1. HAIR + WATER = MATS:
ALWAYS brush a completely dry coat. If you bathe your dog, make sure you brush your dog's hair before the actual bath and use a high quality shampoo and conditioner. We love the 5-in-1 Pet Shampoo, it is great for cavapoo hair.
If you bathe your dog's matted hair without detangling it, it will just get worse! Wait for the fur to dry after the bath, and then brush it again. Do not brush a soaked coat.
2. LINE BRUSH YOUR DOG:
Grab your slicker brush to brush your dog’s hair. Do not just brush the top of the coat as this does not really do anything to prevent matting. Start at the bottom of the coat, grab a handful of hair, and brush a line of fur away. You should be able to see the skin. As you go, brush the hair down making sure that with each line you get right to the skin. Do not drag the brush across the dog’s skin, but do a pull-away type of stroke. Move up as you go along, and make sure you brush your dog’s entire coat. Don’t forget about the tail and armpits.
If you have the self-cleaning slicker brush, just click, clean, and store when finished. Otherwise, make sure the bristles are thoroughly cleaned.
3. FINISH WITH A METAL COMB:
After brushing with the slicker brush, take your metal comb, and comb your dog’s coat thoroughly until the comb moves easily through the hair. If the comb gets stuck in any particular section, go back and brush out the tangle with the slicker brush.
4. EXTRA STEP:
If there are more tangles and matting after brushing and combing, you may want to use the dematting tool. Use the 9-rounded-teeth side. Hold the matted fur closest to the skin with your fingers before brushing or pulling at the mat. Start at the end of the mat and work your way up. Always do small strokes when combing through a matted area.
5. CONSISTENCY:
Create a positive grooming routine and make sure you brush and comb your cavapoo at least 3 times per week.
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CAVAPOO FAQ'S
What kind of brush is best for a Cavapoo?
The best brush for a Cavapoo typically depends on their coat type, which can range from wavy to curly. For Cavapoos, a slicker brush is highly recommended as it effectively removes loose hair, prevents tangles, and smooths the coat. A dual-length metal comb can also be useful for reaching deeper into the coat and dealing with any remaining knots. The Freshly Bailey dual-length metal comb is a great tool for Cavapoo grooming, ensuring both surface and deep layers are well-maintained.
How often should you brush a Cavapoo?
Cavapoos should be brushed at least 2-3 times per week, though daily brushing is ideal to prevent mats and tangles, especially if they have a curly or wavy coat. Regular brushing not only keeps their coat healthy and free of tangles but also distributes natural oils, promoting a shiny and soft coat.
How to brush a Cavapoo's hair?
To brush a Cavapoo:
- Start by using a slicker brush to gently work through the coat, starting from the base of the tail and moving toward the head.
- For tougher mats, use a dematting tool or comb to carefully detangle without pulling too hard.
- Finish with a metal comb to ensure you’ve reached all the layers of the coat, paying special attention to areas prone to matting like behind the ears and around the legs.
What brushes are best for Cavoodles?
For Cavoodles (which are very similar to Cavapoos), the same brushes are recommended:
- A slicker brush for regular brushing.
- A dual-length metal comb for deeper grooming and detangling.
- A deshedding tool if your Cavoodle has a thicker coat and tends to shed more during certain seasons.