Whether you've got kittens, dogs, cats or rabbits, chances are, at some point, you'll have to deal with fleas, and needless to say, they're unpleasant, both for pets and owners. They disrupt your daily cuddles, they can worm their way into all of your furniture, and they cause a tremendous amount of irritation to your pet. While you can use chemical products to rid your pets of these nuisances, flea combs are an excellent chemical-free approach.
From combs with single and double-layered rows of teeth to combs with handles, plenty of decisions go into choosing the right one - you should even check out the construction and materials. This buying guide will take you through everything you need to know to ensure you're buying the right one for you. We've also included a list of the 10 best flea combs in the UK that are all available from Amazon and Pets at Home.
A comb with a single row of teeth will effectively rake dead fleas, eggs and larvae from your pet's fur, but living fleas might escape before you have time to trap them. To ensure you catch them all, comb for fleas outside over a light-coloured, plain sheet. These combs are relatively easy to clean - simply dunk them vigorously in soapy water, rinse, and then towel dry between uses.
However, combs with double rows of teeth can be much more effective as the second row traps live fleas between the prongs. This will ensure that there won't be live fleas hopping all over the place while you're combing. That said, they are a little more difficult to clean as you'll need an old toothbrush to clean between the rows to remove any trapped fleas.
Fleas aren't the only unwanted visitor your pet could pick up - read up about our best dog wormers.
A comb with a long handle allows you to keep your skin away from the fleas as you comb out. This is a particularly good feature for anyone feeling squeamish! Just make sure the handle you choose is comfortable to hold, as the process requires repeated sessions to brush out all the fleas and eggs.
A palm-held comb, with a design similar to a human nit comb, is a cheaper but still effective option. You can get closer to the combing action, meaning you'll be near enough to spot any escaping fleas and unlikely to miss any areas.
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Flea combs tend to come with either plastic or metal teeth. Below, we'll go through the pros and cons of each so that you can make the best choice for you and your pet.
For those after a quick look, here is our Top 5:
This article’s chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.
Image | 1 ![]() Safari | 2 ![]() Vet's Best | 3 ![]() Just the Job | 4 ![]() ROSEWOOD | 5 ![]() Groom Room | 6 ![]() Ergo | 7 ![]() Just the Job | 8 ![]() PetPäl | 9 ![]() Masterclip | 10 ![]() Wahl |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Dog Flea Comb with Double Row of Teeth | Bamboo Flea Comb | Plastic Pet Flea Comb | Mini Salon Grooming Flea Comb | Pet Flea Comb with Handle | Flea Comb | Pet Flea Comb with Handle | Flea & Dust Comb for Cats & Dogs | Flea Removal Grooming Comb | Professional Flea Comb |
Features | Trap Fleas Securely Between the Double Rows of Rounded, Fine Teeth | Plastic-Free Flea Comb With Flexible, Durable Teeth, Perfect for Sustainably-Conscious Pet Owners | A White Plastic Flea Comb That’s Perfect for Those on a Budget | A Miniature-Sized Flea Comb Creating a Calmer Grooming Experience for Scared Pets | Professional-Grade Brush Suitable for All Pet Sizes and Fur Types | Long Teeth That Work Well on All Coat Types, Even Wiry Haired Pets | An Affordable Flea Comb With an Easy-to-Grip Handle and Rounded Teeth | Flea Comb With Softly Rounded Teeth and a Comfortable Handle | A Budget-Friendly Handled Comb With a Cute Paw Print Design | A Sturdy and Effective Flea Comb With Rounded Bristles, Suitable for All Breeds |
Price | £7.49 | £9.99 | £2.00 | £2.99 | £8.00 | £6.69 | £5.00 | £9.97 | £4.99 | £8.99 |
Rows of Teeth | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Handle | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Teeth Material | Stainless steel | Bamboo | Plastic | Plastic | Plastic | Plastic | Plastic | Plastic | Plastic | Plastic |
Handle Material | Plastic | Stainless steel | Plastic | Stainless steel | Stainless steel | Stainless steel | Stainless steel | Stainless steel | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
Dimensions | L 13.5 cm | - | L 9 x H 5.2 x D 0.1 cm | L 5 x H 5.5 cm | L 20 x W 4.5 x D 3cm | Not specified | L 15 x W 3.5 x D 1 cm | Not specified | L 15.5 cm x W 4 cm | - |
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This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
£7.49
Rows of Teeth | 2 |
---|---|
Handle | Yes |
Teeth Material | Stainless steel |
Handle Material | Plastic |
Dimensions | L 13.5 cm |
£9.99
Rows of Teeth | 1 |
---|---|
Handle | Yes |
Handle Material | Bamboo |
Teeth Material | Stainless steel |
Dimensions | - |
£2.00
Rows of Teeth | 1 |
---|---|
Handle | No |
Handle Material | Plastic |
Teeth Material | Plastic |
Dimensions | L 9 x H 5.2 x D 0.1 cm |
£2.99
Rows of Teeth | 1 |
---|---|
Handle | No |
Handle Material | Plastic |
Teeth Material | Stainless steel |
Dimensions | L 5 x H 5.5 cm |
£8.00
Rows of Teeth | 1 |
---|---|
Handle | Yes |
Handle Material | Plastic |
Teeth Material | Stainless steel |
Dimensions | L 20 x W 4.5 x D 3cm |
£6.69
Rows of Teeth | 1 |
---|---|
Handle | Yes |
Handle Material | Plastic |
Teeth Material | Stainless steel |
Dimensions | Not specified |
£5.00
Rows of Teeth | 1 |
---|---|
Handle | Yes |
Handle Material | Plastic |
Teeth Material | Stainless steel |
Dimensions | L 15 x W 3.5 x D 1 cm |
£9.97
Rows of Teeth | 1 |
---|---|
Handle | Yes |
Handle Material | Plastic |
Teeth Material | Stainless steel |
Dimensions | Not specified |
£4.99
Rows of Teeth | 1 |
---|---|
Handle | Yes |
Handle Material | Plastic |
Teeth Material | Stainless steel |
Dimensions | L 15.5 cm x W 4 cm |
£8.99
Rows of Teeth | 1 |
---|---|
Handle | Yes |
Handle Material | Plastic |
Teeth Material | Stainless steel |
Dimensions | - |
First, comb your pet for fleas outside, so you don't re-infect your soft furnishings. Then, you'll want to immediately put any live fleas that you find into a bowl of hot, soapy water which will drown them. Or, trap them on sticky tape and crush them with your fingernail once you have finished the combing-out process.
No, animal fleas do not live on humans. They might bite you if they are on your skin (check your ankles and wear white sports socks pulled up if you think this is happening), but they need a cat, dog, or other pet to thrive on.
Yes, you do need to combine combing with chemical flea treatments. Fleas pupate and can lie dormant in your carpets and other soft furnishings for up to six months. So treat your pet and your house.
Written and researched by Lucy Smith
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