Healthy Paws vs Gunnis Pet Grooming Tools (2026): Undercoat Rakes, Slicker Brushes and Nail Grinders Matched to Coat Type

The question we field most often at the grooming wall sounds something like this: "My dog is leaving tumbleweeds on the floor — do I need the rake or the brush?" Customers usually arrive holding a slicker brush they already own, frustrated that it isn't reaching the fluff underneath. The short verdict: a dog deshedding tool by coat type decision comes down to coat architecture, not brand loyalty — Healthy Paws tools suit owners who want a straightforward Canadian-made kit for a single dog, while Gunnis Pet appeals to multi-pet households that want a wider spread of grooming accessories. Both lines sit side by side in our dog grooming collection, and both can be matched to a double coat, a silky coat or a wiry one.

Before you spend anything, confirm which coat you're working with. Double-coated breeds (Huskies, Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Shelties) carry a dense woolly undercoat beneath coarse guard hairs and blow that undercoat heavily twice a year — typically March–May and September–November in the GTA. Single-coated breeds (Poodles, Maltese, Yorkies) don't blow coat at all; they mat instead. Those two problems need two different tools, which is why browsing grooming supplies without a plan usually ends in a drawer of unused brushes.

Healthy Paws grooming tools: built around the seasonal coat blow

Healthy Paws is a Canadian grooming line, and the tools we stock from it are the ones owners of shedding breeds reach for first — undercoat rakes and slicker brushes sized for medium to large dogs. If you own one double-coated dog and want three tools instead of ten, this is the simplest route.

An undercoat rake works by sliding single-row (or double-row) rounded pins through the guard coat to lift dead undercoat out at the root. Pin length is the spec that matters most: rakes in the roughly 20–30 mm pin range reach through a thick Shepherd or Husky coat, while 10–15 mm pins are plenty for a shorter-coated Lab or Corgi. Too long a pin on a short coat means you're just scraping skin; too short on a deep coat means you're combing the top layer and the floor keeps filling with fur.

A slicker brush is a different job entirely. Its fine bent wires sit 5–10 mm apart and are designed for surface tangles, finishing, and breaking up early mats in single-coated or feathered dogs. Used on a dense double coat, a slicker will tidy the guard hairs and leave 80 percent of the shedding problem untouched. Used on a Poodle or Doodle, it's the tool that prevents a shave-down at the groomer.

Technique matters more than the logo on the handle. Brush in 10–15 minute sessions, 2–3 times per week during coat blow, working in small sections from skin outward rather than sweeping across the top. The American Kennel Club recommends line-brushing — parting the coat and working one line at a time — for any dog with an undercoat, and it is the single change that makes an inexpensive rake outperform an expensive one.

Who it suits: owners of one double-coated or medium-coated dog who want a Canadian-made, no-fuss kit and are happy to buy a rake and a slicker rather than one do-everything gadget. If supporting domestic manufacturers matters to you, our made in Canada pet products page lists more of the same.

Gunnis Pet grooming tools: range for mixed-pet households

Gunnis Pet is an international pet accessory brand whose appeal is breadth — if you share a home with a cat and two dogs with different coats, one brand covering several tool styles keeps your grooming basket from turning into a graveyard of mismatched handles.

That breadth earns its keep in cat households. Cats need combing, not raking: a fine-tooth comb or a soft slicker removes loose hair before it's swallowed, and the ASPCA notes that regular brushing reduces hairball frequency in long-haired cats. Our team at Ashario Pets recommends pairing whatever cat tool you choose from our cat grooming selection with short, frequent sessions — 3–5 minutes daily beats a 20-minute wrestling match on Sunday.

For dogs, the practical decision inside a broad accessory line is grooming glove versus brush. Gloves with 200-plus silicone nubs excel on short, smooth coats — Boxers, Beagles, Frenchies — where a wire slicker is too aggressive and a rake has nothing to grab. They're also the easiest tool for a dog who flinches at metal. What a glove won't do is clear a blown undercoat; no glove reaches 25 mm into a Malamute's coat.

Who it suits: households with two or more pets of different coat types, cat owners managing shedding and hairballs, and anyone whose dog tolerates grooming better with a softer-contact tool. Browse the wider dog accessories range if you're building out a full kit.

What our staff recommends

Our nutrition experts at the North York store give the same three-part answer nearly every time: match the pin length to the coat depth, buy two tools instead of one hybrid, and fix the diet if the shedding is year-round rather than seasonal. Coat quality is a nutrition output as much as a grooming one.

On tools, the default kit for a double-coated dog is a long-pin undercoat rake plus a slicker for the feathering behind the ears, trousers and tail — the three places mats actually form. For single-coated dogs, skip the rake entirely and spend on a quality slicker and a steel comb to check your work. For short smooth coats, a rubber curry or glove and a monthly bath is the whole program.

On nails, the grinder-versus-clipper debate comes up weekly. Dog nails grow roughly 1–2 mm per week, so most dogs need attention every 3–4 weeks. Grinders using 60–120 grit sanding bands remove a small amount at a time and round the edge, which suits dark nails where the quick isn't visible. The technique rule: touch the nail for 2–3 seconds at a time, then lift, because friction heat builds fast on a continuously running barrel. If you've ever quicked a dog with clippers, a grinder is usually the confidence fix.

On diet, year-round shedding and a dull coat often trace back to fat and protein in the bowl. The AAFCO Dog and Cat Food Nutrient Profiles — still the reference standard going into 2026 — set 18% minimum crude protein for adult maintenance and 22.5% for growth, with a minimum for linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid tied directly to skin barrier function. Check the guaranteed analysis on your bag: many premium dry foods run 28–38% protein content and 15–20% fat content. Veterinary dermatology literature indexed by the National Center for Biotechnology Information through 2024 continues to associate omega-3 supplementation with improved coat condition in dogs with dry skin. Fish-oil style additions from our dog health and wellness range are a common companion purchase to a deshedding tool — and if the shedding is sudden, patchy or accompanied by itching, see your veterinarian before you buy anything.

We're at 1111A Finch Ave W, Unit 2, North York, ON M3J 2P7, open 7 AM to 11 PM daily, and we deliver around the GTA via Instacart and other services. Bring a photo of your dog's coat if you're unsure which tool fits — it's faster than describing it.

Common questions about deshedding tools and nail care

What is the difference between a slicker brush and an undercoat rake?

A slicker brush has fine bent wires set 5–10 mm apart that work the coat surface, removing tangles, debris and light mats. An undercoat rake has longer rounded pins, often 20–30 mm, set in one or two rows to pull dead undercoat from the root. Slickers finish; rakes deshed. Double-coated dogs need both.

Order matters too. Rake first to clear the bulk, then slicker the feathered areas, then finish with a steel comb to confirm nothing is left hiding behind the ears or in the armpits.

What is the best brush for double coated dogs in Canada?

For double-coated breeds, a long-pin undercoat rake is the primary tool, supported by a slicker brush for feathering. Pin length should roughly match coat depth — around 20–30 mm for Huskies, Shepherds and Malamutes, 10–15 mm for Corgis and Labs. Canadian winters make this a twice-yearly priority, since indoor heating accelerates the spring coat blow.

Anyone who walks a Shepherd through G. Ross Lord Park in late March knows exactly when that window opens. Brushing 2–3 times weekly for six weeks clears far more coat than one marathon session.

Is a nail grinder better than clippers for dogs?

Grinders remove nail gradually with a 60–120 grit band and leave a rounded edge, which lowers the risk of cutting the quick on dark nails — a clear advantage for nervous owners. Clippers are faster, silent and better for thick nails on large breeds. Many households keep both: clippers for bulk, grinder for shaping.

Introduce a grinder over 5–7 short sessions, rewarding with a few pieces from our dog treats collection while the tool is simply running nearby, before you ever touch it to a nail.

How often should I use a deshedding tool?

During seasonal coat blow, use an undercoat rake 2–3 times per week in 10–15 minute sessions. Outside shedding season, once weekly maintains the coat. Over-raking the same spot can cause skin irritation, so stop when the tool stops filling. Short smooth coats need a rubber curry only once every 7–10 days.

If you're building a broader care routine, our dog wellness needs guide covers how grooming, diet and supplements fit together, and the pet store FAQ answers the logistics questions we get most.

At a glance: Match the tool to the coat, not the brand — undercoat rakes with roughly 20–30 mm pins for double coats, slicker brushes for single and feathered coats, and rubber gloves or curries for short smooth coats. Healthy Paws suits a straightforward single-dog kit; Gunnis Pet suits mixed cat-and-dog homes needing wider accessory coverage. Nail grinders beat clippers on dark nails, with trims due every 3–4 weeks.