Owners of almost all cat breeds are familiar with the problem of hair loss in their pets, when carpets, upholstered furniture, and even the floor are dusted with hairs.
The problem is especially acute during the molting period, although owners of long-haired cats are forced to resort to frequent brushing all year round, otherwise both the animal and the apartment will look untidy. The procedure for removing undercoat and hair is not pleasant for humans, since it is rare that a cat will sit quietly in place for a long time. Brushing also causes a lot of inconvenience for your tailed friend: accidental damage to the skin, pulling out tangled hairs, and a nervous environment.
Sometimes cats are taken to salons (or a groomer is called to your home), but there are many pitfalls here: it’s expensive (at least 500 rubles), the animal may be scared of a specialist, and for wayward purrs, the procedure is often done after anesthesia has been administered.
In order not to torment themselves and their pet, many owners purchase a furminator
- a kind of comb-trimmer with a comb-shaped blade and an ergonomic rubberized handle. How to choose a furminator for a cat will be discussed further.
How does a furminator work?
Combing cats using a furminator is carried out due to the adjusted distance between the teeth of a comb sharpened in a special way. The operating principle of the furminator is to gently lift and remove unwanted hair without cutting or pulling out.
The tool does not damage the cat's outer coat (the outer coat slips through the teeth of the device, remaining intact), but it removes dead, lifeless hairs and undercoat.
It is believed that the miracle comb removes about 90% of a cat’s unwanted hair, and also reduces the duration of seasonal shedding by half (by the way, in some individuals, without careful combing, the hair can shed not even for weeks, but for months).
In addition, the use of a cat accessory promotes the uniform distribution of fatty lubricant, which protects the pet from cold and overheating, dust and parasites.
What is a furminator
The Furminator is a device for removing dead undercoat from animals (in particular dogs and cats), which veterinarians advise to use.
You can use the Furminator when caring for dogs, cats, rabbits and even horses. This device is especially necessary during shedding, but it can also be used to regularly care for the fur of your furry pet. The furminator brush allows you to care for the pet’s fur without causing any discomfort to the pet and saving the owner’s time. Furminators for different coat lengths are slightly different in size, but their structure is the same.
The design of the furminator is somewhat reminiscent of a rake: it has a handle and blades with teeth. When grooming the fur using a furminator, the undercoat is not cut off, but simply picked up and raised to the surface, which allows you to avoid damaging the guard hair: the distance between the teeth is sufficient for the guard hair to easily pass between them. Many modern models may have additional functions, for example, a button for resetting wool. The blade of the device is replaceable, which increases its service life.
Reviews from dog owners who use a furminator confirm that the furminator has a number of advantages over a regular brush, namely:
Photo of a Furminator for large dogs.
1) Removal of old fur is quick and painless, your pet does not need to be specially trained for this, and care can be carried out using a furminator at home, without having any special skills.
2) Living guard hair is not cut off or injured due to the fact that the undercoat is picked up and pulled to the surface.
3) The Furminator can be used as a brush for short-haired dogs and for long-haired ones, it will differ only in size.
4) Natural fatty lubricant is evenly distributed throughout the coat. The ends of your hair dry out less, and fat does not accumulate at the base. Because of this, the coat becomes smoother and shiny. Fatty lubricant also protects the skin from infections.
5) The Furminator helps prevent the formation of new tangles on the fur.
6) Shedding time is reduced, and you can also spend much less time on caring for your pet.
7) The skin is massaged, blood supply is improved, which contributes to the health of the pet.
Advantages of the Furminator
Home treatment with a furminator has a number of advantages over combing with a regular comb and even over salon procedures:
- Animals do not swallow large amounts of fur when licking;
- Brushing with a furminator does not cause pain to the cat;
- The device allows you to remove hair from sensitive areas of the cat’s body (in the genital area, on the stomach, etc.);
- The tool not only combs the pet, but also massages its body, improving blood circulation;
- Most cats love the procedure of combing with a furminator (which cannot be said about ordinary slickers and combs);
- A good furminator pays for itself very quickly and lasts a long time;
- The cat device removes fur from clothes and furniture.
How to use
Combing and cutting are not the most favorite procedures for a dog. So that the very sight of the furminator does not cause fear or anxiety in the animal, it is very important to carry out the first combing without injury or pain. Even if at the time of the first treatment the animal’s fur is full of tangles, it is better to simply make a few stroking movements with the brush. This way the dog will remember that if the owner picks up the FURminator, no unpleasant sensations will follow.
The instructions for using the furminator are quite simple. First of all, you need to make sure that there are no scratches, cuts or other injuries on the animal’s skin. If the animal has been previously bathed, you need to make sure that both the coat and undercoat are completely dry. It is better to carefully cut off old felt tangles with scissors.
Place the comb at the level of the undercoat, but so that the blade does not touch the skin. Smoothly move along the growth of the coat (from the withers to the tail; from the center of the back to the belly). It is allowed to use when treating ears and tail, but for this purpose it is better to purchase special mini-models. It is advisable to make as long, uninterrupted movements as possible. The blades are sharp enough to painlessly remove small tangles. But still, if you feel any obstacle to the normal movement of the brush, you need to stop and inspect the animal’s fur. During the combing process, approximately once every 30 seconds, you need to press the cleaning button. Otherwise, the effectiveness of the device will be reduced to a minimum.
Advice! While brushing, be sure to talk to the dog. Affectionate notes in the owner’s voice will calm the animal.
After completing the procedure, you need to clean the FURminator with warm water and mild soap, wipe dry and close with a special cap. If for some reason it is not possible to properly treat the animal, you can additionally watch a video on how to use a furminator for dogs.
How to choose a furminator for a cat
Firstly, before purchasing a device for removing undercoat from cats, you need to weigh your pet and evaluate its dimensions. When purchasing a grooming tool, you should pay attention to the width of its blade and the size of the cat:
- Small
– a furminator with a blade width of 4.5 cm for cats weighing less than 5 kg, as well as small dogs; - Medium
– a device with a blade width of 6.7 cm. It can be used to comb animals with a body weight of no more than 8-10 kg; - Large
– a brush for removing undercoat and dead hair with a wide blade 10 cm long. Suitable for large, heavy cats (for example, Maine Coons).
There are other sizes of furminators: X-small (3.3 cm) - for a very young cat no older than 4-6 months; X-large (12.5 cm) – for dogs weighing over 40 kg and horses.
Secondly, you should consider the length of the cat's fur. For long-haired friends, they produce tools with long teeth, denoting o (long hair) on the packaging. Owners of short-haired cats should look for furminators with short comb teeth with the inscription “Short hair” on the package.
Thirdly, you need to decide on a convenient way to remove combed wool. Furminators with an ejector (FURejector button) allow you to remove cat hairs with one click. Classic-type tools do not have such a button, so the wool will have to be removed manually.
Fourthly, it is important to pay attention to the convenience of the furminator handle. It would seem that this element is not so important, but if the handle is too short (thin, wide, etc.), the process of removing hair and undercoat will turn into an unattractive task for the cat owner.
Fifthly, those owners who simultaneously keep individuals of different breeds (for example, short-haired British cats and long-haired Persian cats) can purchase a tool with removable blades. By the way, such a furminator can also be useful for those who plan to remove hair not only from cats, but also from other pets (dogs, guinea pigs, ferrets).
How to choose
Furminator is produced by German, French, and Chinese companies. Each manufacturer is trying to improve a simple tool. On sale you can find furminators with two working surfaces or with a self-cleaning button. Often, buyers purchase an unreliable fake that can harm their pet. Therefore, you should carefully inspect the instrument before purchasing. Three signs will help you choose a quality Furminator for dogs.
- Material. The blade must be made of durable steel. The material resists impacts, does not rust and does not electrify wool. A comb with a metal body lasts longer than its plastic counterpart.
- Teeth. The frequent teeth are located at the same level and have no gaps, roughness or nicks. They hold firmly, and after long use the teeth do not break or bend. At the ends, the teeth are necessarily rounded.
- Pen. It should fit well in the palm, be quite voluminous and rubberized. Choose models with a light handle so as not to get tired during the procedure.
An ideally selected furminator does not scratch your pet’s skin, does not cause pain or discomfort, and at the same time removes all excess, dead hair. Healthy, renewed hairs remain on the animal.
A furminator dog comb will help get rid of hair and save time. After use, rinse the instrument and dry it. Do not wipe the blade with a towel or napkin to avoid dulling the teeth. Keep sealed. Avoid hitting or dropping the tool.
Video on the topic Furminator - combing the dog
How to use a furminator comb
So, we found out that the furminator for cats works as a kind of trimmer, removing excess undercoat and dead fur. Now let's look at how to use this tool correctly:
- According to the rules, before using the furminator, you should wash your pet with a special shampoo and then dry it thoroughly;
- If the cat's coat is relatively clean, you can do without washing. Then you will need to remove all accidentally attached twigs or other objects that may get tangled in the long hair;
- If you are going to treat a long-haired cat, you should carefully examine its coat for tangles. If there are any, they will be removed using a hair cutter (otherwise the furminator will capture hairballs, causing discomfort to the animal);
- If there is damage to the cat’s skin (abrasions, unhealed stitches, etc.), combing will have to be postponed;
- The owner must be calm during treatment: screams and chaotic movements can cause anxiety in the cat;
- Before using a furminator for cats, you should think about the animal’s posture during the procedure. The best option is to lay your pet on its side. Although you can comb it while standing or sitting. The main thing is not to irritate your mustachioed comrade;
- The process is always carried out in the direction of cat hair growth. If you act differently, you could hurt your pet. The muzzle, belly and tail are areas of special attention where you should not be too zealous.
There is no single answer regarding how often you can use a furminator for cats. During shedding, long-haired individuals can be subjected to the procedure daily. Short-haired - twice a week. In addition, it is advisable to use a furminator in late spring or early summer to save your pet from the heat. The rest of the time, the tool is used for those with long hair no more than 1-2 times a month, and for their counterparts with short “hair” even less often.
By the way, the Furminator is not a lifesaver for all cats. So, for obvious reasons, it is not worth buying an accessory for hairless cats (Don Sphynx, Peterbald, etc.). Owners of cats without undercoat (Balinese, Angora, Chantilly Tiffany) and with short, thin and rarely shedding hair (Singapore, Oriental cats) should also give preference to a regular comb. Also, the furminator is not useful for animals with a small amount of guard hair and unusual vegetation on the body (La Perm, Cornish Rex).
How to use a furminator for dogs
To use the device correctly, just follow a few simple steps:
- It is recommended to wash the dog first and let the coat dry.
- There should be no tangles on the coat.
- We need to prepare the place. It is recommended to comb your pet while wearing a diaper, since there will be a lot of hair around that will need to be removed.
- The Furminator needs to be moved in the direction of hair growth.
How to properly use a furminator for dogs
Where to buy a furminator
Owners, exhausted by the need for regular brushing with a regular comb, will probably wonder where to buy a furminator for cats? Let's consider several options:
- At a pet store or veterinary pharmacy.
Here you can purchase a high-quality furminator with a guarantee (usually 30 days), having received a sales and cash receipt in your hands. True, the price of goods in a pet store (or pharmacy) is almost always slightly overpriced (at least 800-900 rubles); - In the online store.
There are many offers on the Internet for the sale of grooming accessories at prices ranging from 400 to 2500 rubles. In addition, virtual stores often offer discounts; the seller offers to deliver goods directly to your home. In addition to Russian online stores focused only on the sale of pet supplies, you can also search for the furminator on large foreign Internet sites, for example, you can buy it really inexpensively on Aliexpress or Amazon. But delivery from afar can be quite long, and there is no certainty that the goods will arrive undeformed; - In hypermarkets (like Auchan or Lenta).
The only drawback of buying in such a place is the modest range of furminators.
How to choose furminators for different dogs
To choose the right furminator, you first need to decide on the size and model. The size of the Furminator depends on the length of the dog’s coat and its size, and different companies provide products that differ slightly in price and quality. Judging by the reviews of the owners, it is also important to pay attention to the choice of a comfortable handle - after all, you will have to comb the dog for quite a long time, so the device should lie comfortably in the hand.
Choice depending on the size and length of your pet’s fur
There are furminators for long-haired and short-haired animals. The teeth of the device for long-haired animals are longer, they easily penetrate the animal’s fur. Furminators for smooth-haired dog breeds have short teeth and remove even the smallest hairs of the undercoat.
The width of the comb depends on the size of the animal. The sizes of original furminators are:
- X-small – 3.2 cm
- Small – 3.3 – 4.4 cm – for cats and small dogs weighing up to 10 kg (lapdog, Spitz).
- Medium – 4.5 cm – 7 cm, for large cats, dogs from 10 to 20 kg (sheltie, cocker spaniel)
- Large – 10 cm, for dogs weighing up to 40 kg (shepherd, collie, husky)
- X-Large – 12-13 cm, for large dog breeds
Be sure to consider the size of the furminator when purchasing it. So, for small dogs like a Chihuahua, the Small furminator is suitable, but for a husky you should choose Large .
There is also a third parameter by which furminators differ – the “Classic” or “Deluxe” model. The first, regular option, is cheaper. This model lacks a button to quickly release hair from the blade, and the handle is less comfortable. However, the quality of wool combing is the same in both cases.
In some cases, you cannot use a furminator at all, because it can injure your pet’s skin. This is possible if:
- The dog has some kind of skin disease, rash, irritation, wounds, cuts, and so on. In this case, you should stop using the furminator altogether. If your dog has an infectious or fungal skin disease, the device should not be used.
- If the dog is hairless (“Peruvian hairless” and similar breeds).
- If the dog has no undercoat or has curly fur. In this case, the furminator can severely cut the hair. For a list of the breeds we have in mind, see below.
The Furminator is not suitable for the following dog breeds:
- Poodle
- Schnauzer
- Terrier
- American Water Spaniel
- Bichon Frize
- Curly coated retriever
- Maltese
- Portuguese water dog
- Shih Tsu
Manufacturers
You can find furminators from different companies on the market. It is recommended to choose products only from trusted companies, as otherwise there is a high chance of getting a low-quality product. The most famous company producing furminators is FURminator Ink, the original manufacturer.
The German analogue of such furminators, Trixie, has a wider blade, as well as the ability to change it by pressing a button, whereas on American furminators the blades are bolted.
French devices from Foolee have a bolted blade, a comfortable handle, and various color variations. Vivog furminators are also created in France; some models have two functional sides - “rake” and “comb”.
Chinese devices from Kudi are quite classic; they can have four blades of different lengths in a set, although the blades are also attached with bolts.
Choosing the right furminator is the key to your pet’s health and not wasted money.
The average cost of the device is no less than 1000-2500 rubles, so if they offer to buy a furminator for 300, it is most likely a fake. You can order a Furminator on the Internet (for example, on the Aliexpress website), or you can purchase it in person at some pet stores. When purchasing a furminator, remember that it must be packaged in a box. If the device is just in a bag, there is no need to buy such a furminator.
Feedback from cat owners about the furminator comb
Based on numerous responses from people who bought a tool for their pets, we can safely classify the Furminator as a useful cat fur care item. The following are some reviews from grateful owners:
- Review #1:
“My friend and I have been running a Scottish cattery for 5 years. Therefore, I can safely say that no slicker will remove the undercoat as well as a furminator. We comb our pets with American FURminator combs; there are no balls of wool anywhere, although the seals’ coats are very thick and they shed a lot...”;
- Review #2:
“Previously, when Barsik was molting, fur was everywhere. Particularly annoying were the red hairs that had settled on dark clothes. And it was unpleasant to see the cat’s hair on the kitchen table. The furminator helped me a lot, although I didn’t have high hopes for it. I was even surprised when I combed out a whole mountain of wool for the first time using this device...”;
- Review #3:
“I was forced to buy a furminator by misfortune: the cat swallowed hair to such an extent that intestinal obstruction developed. My cat, named Molly, by the way, loves it when I brush her: she purrs and caresses her. The hairs separate quickly, it takes me no more than 15 minutes to do everything…”.
