Furminator for dogs - what is it and how to use it

Furminator for dogs - what is it and how does it work

The Furminator is an improved comb for removing undercoat on dogs, cats, rabbits, and horses. The tool was invented by American groomers Angie and David Porter. In 2000, they patented the FURminator deShedding trademark and launched production in China.

Now other companies are creating furminator combs. The FURminator brand name has evolved into the name of a tool for manually removing loose hair from pets.

Externally, the furminator resembles a razor, but instead of blades, a comb is attached to the handle. The teeth along their length are covered with excisions invisible to the eye, and are rounded at the tips. The distance between them is strictly adjusted so that the guard hair can pass freely.

When combing, the comb catches dead hair and lifts it to the surface without cutting or tugging. “Living” guard and integumentary hair slips between the teeth and remains intact.

Who is the Furminator contraindicated for?

Despite its versatility, this device can be not only beneficial, but also harmful, so it is contraindicated for some breeds.

For example, these are “hairless” cats: sphinx, peterbald, elf and others.

Breeds without undercoat also do not need a furminator: Angora, Oriental, Laperm, Burmese, etc.

Important: A serious contraindication to the use of the device is the presence of dermatitis on the animal’s skin, if it is affected by mites or fungi. In this case, you should first cure your pet and only then start getting rid of excess hair.

Advantages and disadvantages

With a regular comb it is difficult to reach the undercoat and remove it completely; the slicker scratches the skin and tears the living hair. The Furminator clearly wins over traditional instruments:

• Removes lifeless fur faster.
• Captures the undercoat deeper and completely removes already fallen hair.
• Reduces seasonal molting time by 2 times.
• Does not cause pain, does not leave scratches.
• Massages the skin.
• It does not tear the guard hair, and after treatment the coat looks healthy and neat.
• Evenly distributes fatty lubricant, which moisturizes the skin and forms a protective film on the surface.
• Prevents tangles from forming.
• During shedding, the house looks cleaner and tidier.

Furminators have only 2 drawbacks. They cost more than regular combs and brushes and are not suitable for all coat types. The price of furminators is from 900 to 3000 rubles.

Pros and cons of the device

A regular slicker brush looks like a standard comb-brush. During the process, only the accumulated fluff is removed.

The Furminator makes it possible to trim the outer undercoat, which is at the stage of dying off. As a result, shedding accelerates and healthy fur does not become tangled.

Advantages of the device

An innovative comb for dogs, compared to other devices, has a number of advantages:

• 
  helps to remove not only the surface layer of shedding hair, but also to penetrate deeper into the undercoat, which reduces the entire shedding process by almost 90%;

• with the help of a furminator, combing your pet is more efficient and faster;
• the animal's fur does not become tangled;
• Thanks to careful processing of the coat, the dog’s “fur coat” remains smooth and shiny.

Another significant advantage in favor of the furminator is the blade changeability . Thanks to this, the device lasts for many years.

The device, unlike simple combs and combs, carefully removes old hair without causing pain to the dog. The teeth pull out the dead undercoat so carefully that living guard hairs are not injured during combing.

In parallel with trimming, the dog receives a massage session, which improves blood circulation in the tissues. This contributes to the uniform distribution of fatty lubricant, strengthening the structure of the hairs, nourishing the follicles, which makes the skin and coat healthier, and the coat takes on a beautiful, well-groomed appearance.

Flaws

There are no significant negative reviews about the operation of the device.

Some owners complain about the high cost, especially when it comes to a multifunctional device. But the money pays off quickly, because the owner gets rid of the need to clean the home after the next shedding, and the dog will always have a neat appearance.

What kind of dogs is it not suitable for?

The device is not suitable for all breeds.

The furminator has a specific purpose - to remove scraps of dead strands from the body, and not just scratch the pet. Therefore, dogs without undercoat (Yorkshire terriers and the like) do not need such a comb: representatives of these breeds do not shed in the literal sense of the word, their hair changes gradually.

The Furminator is not used for curly-haired dogs (poodles) and hairless dogs (such as the Chinese Crested). In these pets, the blade will only cut the spine, which will lead to disruption of the structure of the hairs.

Having discovered abrasions, cuts and other skin injuries in the animal, combing is carried out carefully, trying not to touch the area around the damage with the tool.

If a pet suffers from dermatitis, has allergies or another skin problem, trimming is not performed so as not to complicate the situation.

How to choose a Furminator for a dog

Before purchasing, consider the details of the tool:

• The size of the teeth, the distance between them. The Furminator will comb out the undercoat well if the length and frequency of the teeth correspond to the animal’s coat. Too many short teeth will not reach the undercoat of long-haired, fluffy dogs. Rare long ones will not capture dead hair in short-haired animals.

• Quality of the working surface. In good quality instruments, the comb is made of durable stainless alloy. Upon examination, the teeth are even, shiny, smooth, without scratches, gaps or irregularities. To check, run the comb over your head. A good comb allows the hair to slide freely, leaving only traces of dust on the teeth.
• Ridge width. Estimate the size of the dog, weigh the pet. Mentally imagine which comb will remove the undercoat faster and more thoroughly. A miniature comb 3.5 cm wide will take more than an hour to treat a large dog. Wide combs 10–12 cm are inconvenient for combing small animals. For giant and large dogs, it is better to use two combs: a wide one for processing the body, a medium one for bends, paws, and head.

• Ergonomic handle. The comb with a textured rubber insert and a convex end on the handle does not slip out of the palm. For the rest, look at how you feel: how comfortable the instrument fits in your palm. The hand will quickly get tired if the length or width is not suitable, the tool is too heavy or constantly pops out.
• Fur reset button. This addition speeds up combing, but weakens the structure. Simple models are more durable, and hair is not difficult to remove with your hands.
• Additional functions. Manufacturers are constantly improving tools. They produce models with removable combs and sets of attachments of different widths, lengths and frequencies of teeth. Such tools are convenient to use when there are several animals of different sizes in the house. However, classic monolithic combs with bolted combs work longer.

New models have a vibration massage system built into them and are battery-powered. The animal may not like this at all. The moving and buzzing sounds are frightening and unnerving. The recommendations listed will be useful in a regular pet store, when you can pick up the comb and examine it. Order online from websites with a detailed description of what size and coat length dogs the furminator comb is suitable for. Read reviews on forums.

What it is

To make grooming a dog easier, the pet industry offers various tools - combs, brushes, rakes, slickers.

A new “word” in pet care is the furminator, which can easily replace all other devices.

If you use the device regularly during periods of shedding, then very soon you can forget about such an unpleasant factor as tufts of fur all over the house.

Design and principle of operation of the device

The Furminator, even before it went on sale, immediately became indispensable in animal care. The device is easy to use and completely harmless to pets.

If we talk about design features, then these are the same rakes, but more advanced in design and outwardly similar to a cutting machine. The knife, mounted on a comfortable handle, has well-sharpened teeth, which allows you to smoothly remove hair rather than pull it out.

The working surface of the device has different sizes (standard 3-13 cm), which makes it possible to choose a tool for the type of your pet.

As for the principle of operation, everything is simple here too: the teeth of the knife capture only dead undercoat, without affecting the healthy coat (as if passing through it). In this case, there is no contact with the skin completely.

This action is ensured by design features. In a metal comb system, the teeth on one side of the blade are longer than the other.

How to use a furminator

Before treatment, inspect your dog's skin. The procedure will have to be postponed if you see inflammation or rashes. For single scratches and small wounds, you can comb out, but do not touch the damaged areas.

After examination, treat your pet in order:

1. Straighten tangled hair with a regular comb. For long-haired animals, separate the tangles with your hands or remove them with a tangle cutter. The Furminator can't handle them.
2. Bathe your dog with pet shampoo and dry thoroughly. The comb tears the wet hair. Do not treat unwashed wool either; particles of dirt and dust clog the notches on the teeth, making them dull faster.
3. Sit, stand or lay the dog down, as the animal prefers. Move during processing.
4. Brush only according to the growth of the fur with confident movements without pressure. Go through one place no more than 2 - 3 times, every 40 - 60 seconds remove the hair from the teeth.
5. For dogs with short to medium hair, first go along the back from head to tail, then move to the sides, moving from the spine to the paws.
6. Treat long-haired dogs in sections. First, lift the fur from one side and comb out the undercoat below the belly. Then release some of the hair and repeat the treatment on the area above. Gradually work your way up to your back, finally walking along the spine from neck to tail. After processing one side, move on to the other.
7. Gently brush areas that dogs don't like to touch: areas on the head, belly, tail, paws, back of the thighs.
8. After treatment, rinse the instrument with warm soapy water and dry. Do not wipe the comb with napkins, so as not to disturb the sharpening. Combing takes from 15 minutes to 1 hour depending on the size of the dog and the thickness of the undercoat.

During shedding, the old undercoat is usually removed after 4 to 5 treatments. The rest of the time, comb long-haired dogs once every 10-14 days, remove excess hair at the beginning of summer so that the animal does not suffer from the heat. Treat short-haired dogs once a month. “Apartment” dogs often shed all year round and are brushed every week.

Benefits of the new tool

Perhaps the most important advantage of the furminator is its durability. The blades are made of durable steel that does not become dull over time. Conventional combs will have to be changed at least once a year. Therefore, it is better to spend a little money initially, but buy a reliable tool.

The Furminator helps make the combing process easier and faster:

• The device removes about 90% of dead hair in one session.

  It’s amazing how much dead undercoat the Furminator removes in one session

• You constantly need to remove the wool from the comb with your hands, but with a furminator you won’t have to do this.
• The Furminator is safer to use than a comb. It removes only dead undercoat without harming the main hairs. An ordinary powder brush can also catch living hairs.
• The sharp tips of the comb can scratch the animal, and in cheap options, the wire teeth can come off and remain in the cat's fur. This cannot happen with a furminator.
• The special structure of the teeth allows the Furminator to penetrate deep into the fur without causing any impact on the skin.

For my ordinary non-pedigreed cat, I used to use a simple slicker brush. The undercoat was combed out, but there was no less hair flying around the house. It got to the point that she combed the poor animal almost twice a day. Then a friend told me about the furminator, praising its effect. I hesitated to buy for a long time, but still bought it. She sighed calmly, in just a few times the fur practically disappeared. Nothing flew or accumulated in the corners, the carpet and clothes were clean. Combing now occurs 1-2 times a week.

What breeds of dogs need a Furminator and 4 types of fur that it will harm?

The Furminator is approved for dogs with long, moderate, short hair of medium hardness and thick undercoat:

• German, Belgian shepherds;
• labradors;
• husky;
• Rottweilers;
• pugs;
• dachshunds;
• likes;
• Newfoundland;
• beagles;
• spaniels;
• malamute;
• Spitz;
• chow-chow;
• setters;
• griffins;
• fox terriers;
• pinschers;
• St. Bernards;
• bobtails;
• collie;
• alabayam;
• English and French bulldogs.

The list goes on. The furminator harms certain types of wool:

• Long silky without undercoat - Maltese, Yorkshire terriers, Shih Tzu, Papillons, Phalenes, Lhasa Apso.
• Hard, dense, wavy: Irish and American water spaniel, schnauzers, terriers. The teeth trim the hard guard hair.
• Soft: Bichon Frize, Poodles, Bedlington Terrier, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. The comb combs out the guard hair that is too thin along with the undercoat.
• Twisted into dreadlocks: bullets, commander, Spanish water dog, havanese.

A furminator is not required for hairless dogs or dogs with short, fine hair: Peruvian and Mexican Hairless, Chinese Crested, Pharaoh, Italian Greyhounds, and American Hairless Terriers.

The most popular furminator models

The sales leaders are rightfully considered:

1. FURminator deShedding. One of the most expensive and high-quality manufacturers. The tool is made of high quality steel and eco-rubber.
2. TRIXIE. Excellent value for money trimmer comb. The comfortable handle, lightness of the device and small dimensions will make it an excellent purchase.
3. HelloPet. The handle and blade of this sample are made of impact-resistant materials. The cost depends on the size and frequency of the teeth.
4. Dele. This model is the cheapest of those presented; it can be purchased on Aliexpress or in similar online stores. Of course, this model will last less than the original furminators, but its advantage is ease of use and price.

Original FURminator

The company produces furminators from durable stainless alloy, so the combs have been used for years. The handles do not deform, do not break, the teeth do not bend, the sharpness remains sharp for a long time, and the comb does not fall off. Manufacturers provide a 10-year warranty.

There is the right size for an animal of any size:

Combs marked Short hair are used for short-haired dogs with hair length less than 5 cm, and those marked Long hair are used for long-haired animals. In the first version, the teeth are slightly shorter. All FURminator models have a button to reset the combed hair.

Classic instruments with manual hair removal are no longer produced. In the new models, only the design has changed: the body has become more streamlined, the working surface remains the same.

Types of Dog Brushes

If you need to choose a tool for a specific breed, then you should additionally consider other comb options.

Models for dog type

The offered comb models are affordable. But the low price does not reduce the quality characteristics of furminators. They are also reliable in operation and give high cutting results, just like professional tools.

Rating of furminators of other brands

Dog owners often buy original FURminator combs, but other manufacturers also create good tools. Here are examples in descending order of popularity:

Trixie brush for dogs

Trixie. A German company produces comb-trimmers similar to furminators. Models differ in the width of the working surface: 3.5 cm, 6, 7, 8 and 11 cm. Steel ridges are removed at the touch of a button. Plastic handles are covered with anti-slip inserts. The mounts are the same for all models. One handle fits combs of any width. The total length of the handle with comb is 14 or 15 cm.

Hello Pet. The Taiwanese company creates furminators with a steel comb and a plastic body. On sale there are simple classic models with a wool cleansing button and double-sided models with a two-row comb and a comb for removing undercoat. The Hello Pet company produces 4 sizes - small, medium, large, super large. The combs differ in frequency, length, and number of teeth: from 25 to 97.

Hello Pet double-sided furminator for dogs.

Foolee. The French company produces combs in two categories: One and Easee. They work the same way, but Foolee Easee has additional features. The wool is shed by pressing a button, the switch adjusts the height of the teeth to the length of the wool. The set includes 2 combs: black for intensive combing, white for gentle care.

Furminators FoOlee.

The company produces combs in 10 shades, 5 sizes:

Vivog. The French company produces classic furminators and rotary ones with two working surfaces. In the second option, one wide-toothed comb straightens tangled hair and removes small tangles. Another working surface with fine teeth is used directly for combing out the undercoat.

Furminator Vivog.

Kudi. Furminators from Chinese manufacturers are cheaper than others, but are not much inferior in quality. In classic models, the comb is screwed on, the handles are covered with rubber grooved inserts. 2 in 1 combs are available with two working surfaces: one with sparse teeth, the other with frequent teeth. They change by turning the roller.

Furminator Kudi with two working surfaces.

Instrument care rules

The main thing in a furminator is its blade, so it is necessary to properly care for it. After each combing, the tool is washed in warm water without using detergents and wiped dry with a towel, it is better if it is not terry, but waffle or linen.

The washed and dried blade must be closed with a special plastic cap included in the kit. This will prevent damage to the teeth.

IMPORTANT! The furminator must not be allowed to fall. This will lead to bending of the teeth and failure of the tool.

The Furminator is an excellent device for regular pet care. It is affordable and very easy to operate. Thanks to this comb, your cat's fur will look well-groomed, and the house will become noticeably cleaner.

Video “Furminator for cats”

This video demonstrates what features the original furminator for combing wool has, and how to distinguish it from a fake.

Was this article helpful?

Thank you for your opinion!

The article was useful. Please share the information with your friends.

Yes

No

X

Please write what is wrong and leave recommendations on the article

Cancel reply

Rate the benefit of the article: Rate the author ( 3 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)

Discuss the article: