GM Pets Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush Review of 2022: Pros, Cons & Verdict

GM Pets Self Cleaning Grooming Brush

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The right tools help you keep your pet’s coat looking silky, shiny, and healthy. The GM Pets Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush works beautifully on long, thick coats to remove shedding hair and keep tangles from forming.  While it might be too big for the smallest of dogs and cats, overall, it works well at removing hair from medium to large dogs and cats with long, thick hair. It gets bonus points for its self-cleaning design and budget-friendly price.

Our Score for the GM Pets Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush

4.4

Editorial Rating

What we like:
fast and easy to clean

About the GM Pets Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush

The GM Pets Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush has a simple but convenient design and measures 7.25 x 4.75 inches. By far, the best standout feature is the quick-release/lock button, which retracts the bristles and self-cleans the brush. You don’t need a second brush to pull out hair, nor do you need to frustratingly dig your fingers in between the wire bristles.

The brush is advertised as being for coats of all kinds, but the length and stiffness of the wire bristles make it a better fit for medium to large dogs with double coats or thick coats. It can also work for cats with a longer coat. The wide head and thicker handle also make it easier to use on larger animals.

It has a sturdy build and plastic body that resists moisture. Rubber grips on the handle help keep the brush steady, but you might have to get used to the handle length to get the right angles on smaller animals. Though the GM Pets Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush doesn’t have a heavy-duty build, it’s sturdy with a button that will last as long as you don’t get too heavy-handed.

Important Features

The GM Pets Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush is fairly simple, with a few features that make all the difference.

  • Release/lock button
  • Angled metal bristles
  • Easy grip handle
  • Hanging hole
  • 90-day return period
  • Lightweight plastic build

What We Like

There’s a lot to appreciate about the GM Pets Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush.

  • Release/lock button. The release button retracts the bristles, sliding hair off the bristles. This same button can be pressed to lock the bristles in place.
  • Angled bristles. The angled bristles reach in further to help release loose hair. It works well for breeds with thick coats and heavy shedders.
  • Easy grip handle. Two rubber grips on either side of the handle help you maintain directional and pressure control.
  • Self-cleaning design. The bristles easily retract, leaving all the hair behind for easy disposal.

What We Don’t Like

Every product has its downsides, and the GM Pets Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush is no exception.

  • Handle angle can make it awkward to groom small animals. The wide head and handle angle make this brush awkward when working around the delicate curves of smaller animals. It works on a large, long-haired cat but not on an average-sized short-hair cat or small dog.
  • Sharp metal bristles. The angle of the bristles does an excellent job of removing hair. However, the bristles are sharp and may irritate animals with sensitive skin or short hair. You can get around that by using a gentle hand, but some animals may still not like the brush.

Frequently Asked Questions

”Does

Slicker brushes are specifically designed to remove mats and tangles. They can gently reach deep into the hair to remove mats or knots before they have a chance to get too big and potentially painful.
”How

Slicker brushes work best on dogs with longer, thicker coats so that the wire bristles won’t irritate or damage the skin. Use short, slow strokes, starting at the neck and working your way down the body toward the tail. You can also use the slicker brush to specifically target mats or knots. Be careful and gentle so you don’t hurt the animal.
”Can

You can use a slicker brush every day in some cases. Breeds with long coats who shed heavily like Huskies and Malamutes could potentially use a slicker brush every day, especially when they’re at the peak of their shedding. However, dogs with shorter, thinner hair may only need a slicker brush once in a while or if they get a knot in their hair.
”Does

A slicker brush can hurt your dog, but if you use it correctly, it shouldn’t. Use short, (very) gentle strokes. And never use a slicker brush on a dog with a rash, broken skin, or any kind of skin infection.

Customer Reviews

Overall, when pet owners use a gentle hand, the GM Pets Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush works wonderfully.

Positive Reviews

“I have a cat with very short hair but he has a double coat. So he’s hard to brush or take care of because most things are hard on his skin. I still have to be gentle with him when I use this brush, but this brush pulls out all that undercoat of his and he doesn’t seem to mind this as long as I am very gentle with him. I would say for anybody who has an animal with a second coat or an undercoat this would be a great brush to use. You have to push the button down to get the little spikes out do use the brush but then when you release the button again all the fur is right there and it doesn’t stick to the brush itself.” – KB, Amazon Reviewer, 8/15/22

“I have a Border Collie and she sheds alot!!! This brush is so easy to use, and so, so easy to clean. This is really helpful since she can fill up the brush with just a few strokes. Just pop the button twice, and start brushing again. I highly recommend this brush, especially for long-haired dogs.” – LantanaRanch, Amazon Reviewer, 8/15/22

Negative Reviews

The cons of the GM Pets Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush aren’t many, but they could be a deal breaker for some pet owners.

“My puppy is 11 pounds and this brush covers about a third of his body when brushing. I think it scares him being so big and he doesn’t like it at all. It isn’t easy to use on a little dog even if the dog were to like it because it is so big. I could see it working well with a large dog though.
It does get the loose hair well and clean out well.” – Charlotte V., Amazon Reviewer, 7/21/22

“I like the brush is easy to clean but since it’s spiked at the end vs having rubber at end of spikes my dog will only let me brush him for small amounts of time. It does work! And easy to clean! My dog is just sensitive to spikes at the ends. He is a Golden retriever.” – Sarah, Amazon Reviewer, 6/18/22

Final Verdict

The GM Pets Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush removes shedding hair and keeps mats and knots from forming. The size and angle of the head and handle make it a better fit for medium to large-sized dogs and long-haired cats than it does for smaller dogs and short-hair cats. No matter your pet, make sure to use a gentle hand because of the sharp, wire bristles.

Be sure to check our shopping guide for long-haired breeds, including the Best Brushes for Australian Shepherds.

Pet News Daily Staff
Pet News Daily writers are experts in pet care, health and behavior. We are members of Society for Professional Journalists and practice ethical journalism.