Chris Christensen Ice on Ice Detangling Spray

Ice on Ice is one of those products that professional groomers use daily and most pet owners have never heard of. It is a detangling and finishing spray that makes brushing dramatically easier on a Golden Retriever’s coat, and dramatically more pleasant for your dog.

Here is what it does: you mist it lightly over a section of coat before brushing, and the brush glides through tangles instead of pulling through them. The difference is immediate and obvious. Tangles that would normally require working through slowly with a slicker just separate. Behind the ears, the chest feathering, the pants, all the places Golden coats mat first become easier to maintain.

Why Not Just Use Water

Water wets the coat and adds weight, which can actually tighten tangles. Ice on Ice is silicone-based, which means it coats the hair shaft and reduces friction between individual hairs. Tangles are caused by friction. Hairs catch on each other, loop around each other, and tighten. Reduce friction and tangles come apart instead of tightening when you brush.

It also conditions as it detangles. The coat stays soft and does not dry out the way water-based sprays can. No residue, no buildup, no greasy feel. The coat looks and feels clean after you brush it out.

When to Use It

• Before brushing sessions. A light mist over the area you are about to work through. Not soaking wet, just a fine mist. Too much makes the coat slippery and hard to grip with the brush.
• On stubborn tangles. Spray directly on the tangle, let it sit for 30 seconds, then work through with a slicker brush. Most tangles that would normally require scissors will come apart.
• As a finishing spray. After a full grooming session, a light mist adds sheen and makes the coat lay smoothly. This is what show dogs get before the ring.

Do You Need This

If your Golden’s coat is short and tangle-free, no. A pin brush and slicker handle daily maintenance without any spray. But if your Golden has developed a thicker adult coat with feathering that mats between baths, which describes most Goldens over 18 months. This makes grooming faster and more comfortable for both of you.

We started using it on Rowan, who has the thickest coat of our three and mats behind her ears if you look away for a week. The difference in brushing time was noticeable enough that we now use it on all of them.

One bottle lasts months with regular use. At $24 for a product that makes every grooming session easier, the math works.