Regular brushing is essential for keeping your dog’s coat clean, comfortable and free from tangles. However, brushing a completely dry coat can create unnecessary friction, static and pulling, making the hair more prone to snapping and breakage.

Using a brushing spray adds light moisture and slip to the coat, allowing the brush or comb to move through the hair more comfortably. It can also help loosen small tangles, reduce static and refresh the coat between baths.

Why Brushing Spray Works Best After Bathing

One of the best times to apply Fraser Essentials Brushing Spray is immediately after your dog has been shampooed, conditioned and thoroughly rinsed.

When the coat is freshly bathed, the hair remains hydrated and slightly swollen from the water. This allows the brushing spray to be distributed more evenly across each strand and helps it sit along the hair’s outer cuticle.

Post-bath hair is also more flexible and less prone to breakage than completely dry hair. Applying the spray at this stage helps support a smoother drying and brushing process while improving manageability.

Lightly mist the spray over the damp coat, paying extra attention to areas that are more likely to tangle, including:

• Behind the ears

• Under the legs

• Around the collar area

• The chest and furnishings

• The tail

• Areas where the coat rubs against a harness/ collar / snood

Distribute the product through the coat with your hands before drying and brushing as normal.

Avoid over-saturating the coat. A light, even mist is usually sufficient.

The Best Time to Detangle

The best time to deal with tangles is before the bath.

Water can cause an existing knot or mat to tighten, making it more difficult to remove after bathing. A complete pre-bath brush-out helps ensure the shampoo and conditioner can reach the coat and skin more evenly.

Before placing your dog in the bath, brush through the entire coat carefully, working all the way down to the skin.

Do not only brush across the surface. Divide longer or denser coats into small sections and work methodically through each layer.

How to Remove Small Tangles

For small, pesky tangles, apply Fraser Essentials Brushing Spray directly to the affected area.

Gently rub or massage the spray into the tangle to help distribute the product through the hair. Allow it to sit briefly before brushing.

Hold the hair close to the skin to reduce pulling, then begin working from the outer edge of the tangle. Gradually brush or comb through the knot in small sections, moving closer to the centre as the hair begins to loosen.

Avoid pulling from the root or trying to force the brush straight through the entire tangle. This may cause discomfort and unnecessary coat breakage.

A patient, section-by-section approach is always kinder to both the dog and the coat.

For Serious Mats

Brushing Spray is ideal for regular coat maintenance, light tangles and small knots. However, it is not intended to replace a stronger detangling product when dealing with serious or compacted mats.

For more stubborn matting, use Fraser Essentials Melt Matt Away Detangler.

Apply it directly to the affected area and work it carefully through the mat before attempting to separate and brush out the hair.

Severe matting close to the skin may be painful and can conceal skin irritation. In these situations, seek help from a professional groomer rather than attempting to pull or cut the mat out at home.

Brushing Between Baths

Fraser Essentials Brushing Spray can also be used between baths to refresh the coat and make routine brushing easier.

Lightly mist the coat before brushing, particularly on longer, double, curly or draping coats. This helps reduce static and friction while giving the brush additional slip.

It is especially useful after walks when the coat has collected dust, loose debris or light tangles.

Remove any twigs, seeds or larger pieces of debris by hand before brushing. Then mist the coat lightly and brush through in sections.

Line Brushing for a Thorough Brush-Out

For longer or denser coats, line brushing helps ensure that you are brushing through the entire coat rather than only smoothing the surface.

Begin near the lowest part of the body and lift a small section of hair. Lightly mist the exposed layer, then brush from the skin towards the ends of the coat.

Continue working upwards one section at a time.

After brushing, follow with a comb to check your work. The comb should move smoothly from the skin to the end of the hair without catching.

Pay additional attention to high-friction areas, such as behind the ears, under the legs and around the collar or harness.

How Much Brushing Spray Should You Use?

More product does not necessarily produce a better result.

For routine brushing, apply a fine mist over the section you are working on. The coat should feel lightly conditioned and manageable, not wet, heavy or sticky.

For an individual tangle, apply the spray directly to the affected hair rather than soaking the surrounding coat.

As with the rest of the Fraser Essentials range, a little goes a long way.

Make Brushing Part of Your Dog’s Routine

Regular coat care is easier and more comfortable when tangles are addressed early.

Using brushing spray during post-bath grooming and between baths can help:

• Reduce friction and static

• Improve brush and comb glide

• Loosen light tangles

• Refresh the coat

• Reduce unnecessary pulling

• Support softer, more manageable hair

• Minimise breakage during brushing

The goal is not simply to make the coat look smooth on the surface. A proper brush-out should reach all the way through the coat to the skin.

With the right products, tools and technique, brushing can become a comfortable and enjoyable part of your dog’s regular grooming routine.

Ready for an easier brush-out?

Shop Fraser Essentials Brushing Spray for everyday brushing, coat refreshing and light detangling.

For stubborn or compacted mats, use Fraser Essentials Melt Matt Away Detangler or consult a professional groomer.