The tedious part of slicker brushing is not the fur on the dog, it is the wad of it left in the pins, which has to be picked out by hand every few passes. A retractable head removes that step entirely. Press the button, the pins withdraw below the pad, and the collected coat lifts away in one piece and goes straight in the bin without any pulling or picking.

The pins are fine and bent at the tip, which is the design that lets them reach through the topcoat and draw out loose undercoat rather than skating over the surface. That same shape is why a slicker needs a light hand. Each bent pin does more work, so pressure is what causes brush burn on thin-skinned dogs and on cats. Light repeated strokes clear far more coat than leaning on it ever will.

• Fine bent wire pins
• One-click retractable head for mess-free cleaning
• Three colours: grey, blue or pink
• Lifts loose undercoat, tangles and small mats
• Suits dogs and cats
• Comfortable moulded grip handle

On mats, and on pressure. A slicker breaks up tangles and thin mats, but a mat felted tight against the skin will not come out with any brush, and pulling at it hurts. That is a job for clippers or a groomer. Work in short light strokes and stop as soon as the skin pinks up.

Who it's for: Owners of double-coated or long-haired dogs and cats who groom often and are tired of picking fur out of the pins.