deshedding tool
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What's the best tool to de-shed your dog or cat?
There are popular dog and cat deshedding tools like the FURminator or FurBuster, which 'brush' the loose hair out of your pet's coat safely and easily.
Plus there are 'traditional' deshedding tools like the rake and shedding blade.
Third, there is a nutritional supplement you might consider which can improve the quality of your pet's skin and fur and therefore reduce really excessive shedding.
This lens talks about some of your options to control that dog hair that's everywhere.
Why do pets shed?
Do they all shed?
D og and cat hair grows and dies just like ours: every hair grows from a hair follicle, which has a cycle of growing, then dying and being replaced by another follicle.Some dogs shed their hair regularly or even continuously. Certain breeds shed heavily in the fall and spring, getting ready for the season change. Other dogs have the same "dead" hair, but it doesn't shed. All cats shed.
Biggest shedding dogs?
Those with double coats, who shed them throughout the year, or at certain times of the year. Think Akita or Samoyed.
Least shedding dogs?All dogs shed to some degree (so do we!) but those with non-shedding, single coats drop a lot less hair. Think Yorkshire Terrier or Poodle.
Why is my dog shedding NOW?
Think dogs shouldn't shed in the fall? Well, they do - and for good reason. They're shedding their lighter summer coat, to make way for that much heavier winter coat. All makes sense (and more fur) doesn't it?
Why deshedding - and grooming - is good
Lots of benefits that pay off
Taking the time to groom your dog or cat yourself is a good idea for a few reasons:
- You'll be able to check over your animal, and see if he has any problems like sores or insect bites.
- Deshedding and combing stimulates the animal's skin, releasing natural oils. This makes the coat healthy looking and shiny.
- A clean, well-brushed animal is less of a target for fleas and ticks.
- The removal of shed hairs helps the hair in its renewal process - it cleans the skin of dandruff, eliminates dry skin flakes and improves its insulation properties.
- Most pets enjoy grooming sessions which strengthens the bond between you.
And the #1 reason to deshed your pet:
Less Swiffering!
Deshedding tools or "brushes"
FURminator and FurBuster are the best known
These deshedding tools work thanks to the blade on the handle of the tool.This blade is the same kind used on electric clippers like Wahl, except of course, they're not actually clipping or cutting. Instead, the fine teeth on the blade catches the loosened, already-shed hair from the dog's undercoat as you smoothly run it over the pet's coat.
You use them in smooth strokes, being careful you don't overdo it.
The FURminator
This is the original deshedding tool and it has many loyal fans. The FURminator features a very sturdy, ergonomic handle and a stainless steel blade with tiny, closely-spaced teeth. It comes in different blade widths to suit the animal you're using it on -- from rabbit, to cat, to dog. And, there are two versions for dogs: for short-haired dogs and for long-haired dogs.
PROs
* very good quality
* works well; guaranteed
* wide variety of sizes (blade widths); breed types (rabbits, cats, dogs, horses) and blade type (for long-hair or short-hair animals)
CONs
* pricey - typical model runs around $60
The FurBuster
The FurBuster is newer to the market (some might call it a knockoff) and although not as widely used, it also gets rave reviews from its users. It works exactly like the FURminator to strip out dead or shed hair with the stainless steel blade. The main difference is, you can buy a 'set' of FurBuster tools - one handle and three different blades. These different blades are easily inter-changed. And, comparable models of FurBuster are considerably cheaper than the FURminator.PROs
* considerably less money
* works well; guaranteed
* has interchangeable blades, so same tool can be used on different animals for the cost of a blade attachment (around $15)
CONs
* imitator? not the original
* some users don't find the quality as good as the FURminator
With apologies to Dr. Seuss
Hair hair hair
Where to get good shedding tools, at good prices
PetSmart online is easy and convenient
Don't use a deshedding tool on a non-shedding coat
It seems obvious but....
Dogs have two types of coats:- double coat - or "fur"
- single coat - or "hair"
Both types of coats either:
- shed, or
- do not shed.
It's really important that you don't use a deshedding tool on a non-shedding dog breed. Here are the non-shedding breeds:
SINGLE COAT, non shedding dogs:- Maltese
- Poodle
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Coton De Tulear
- Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier
- Kerry Blue Terrier
- Portuguese Water Dog
DOUBLE COAT, non-shedding dogs:
- Shih Tzu
- Lhasa Apso
- Bichon Frise
- Schnauzer
- Havanese
- West Highland White Terrier
FURminator or FurBuster?
Both deshedding tools work well.
FURminator is the original, and has a higher price. And a lot of raving fans.
Furbuster is lower priced, and may not be as good quality although consumers say it works very well.
Classic Games Room (CGR) tests FURminator
On their company mascot, Stella
Where to order FURminator for dogs
Good deals online
FURminator at Amazon
Order the right size and model from Amazon - Just click the model numberToy
Small
Medium
Large
Giant
up to 10 lbs
up to 20 lbs
21-50 lbs
51-90 lbs
over 90 lbs
Short Hair
Short Hair
Short Hair
Short Hair
Short Hair
Long Hair
Long Hair
Long Hair
Long Hair
Long Hair
Above, this is the range of FURminator tools for short-hair dogs, at Amazon and PetSmart. There are also long-hair models, and models for different animals including cats, kittens, rabbits and horses.
You can also buy FURminator online from PetSmart
You can order FURminator online from PetSmart and save. They have the full line of FURminator products including:- the de-shedding tool or brush - for dogs, cats & rabbits
- a version for puppies, FURminator My FURst Groomer for Puppies
- FURminator Deshedding Shampoo and Conditioner
- very cool 'nubby' brushes to use when bathing your dog
- FURminator Deodorizing Waterless Spray
- ...and more!
Where to order FurBuster online
Great deals from Amazon.com
BAMBOO FURBUSTER DE-SHEDDING TOOLS
U nique FurBuster De-Shedding System reduces shedding with minimal effort from you. It's easy to use and very effective.
- A stainless steel blade removes loose hair and undercoat.
- Replaceable, interchangeable blades snap securely into the universal handle.
- Sleek, angled design is easy on your wrists.
ALSO AVAILABLE:
Furbuster Dog Deshedding Tool, Medium $14.14Bamboo Fat Cat 810263 Large Dog Furbuster De-shedding Tool 4" $36.99
Don't overdo the FURminator or FurBuster
No matter which deshedding tool you use, please follow these safety precautions:- Before grooming your dog with the deshedding tool, give him or her a once-over - any sores, lesions or insect bites? Better hold off on the deshedding.
- These tools are NOT designer to cut through tangles or matts - your dog's hair should be free of these.
- The deshedding process will work better is the dog has just been washed, and thoroughly dried.
- Don't overdo the deshedding sessions - you can take too much hair off and start cutting off attached top coat hair.
Traditional deshedding tools
'Traditional' deshedding tools
Old school ways to strip out shed hair
L ong before the FURminator, FurBuster and other versions of the deshedding tool hit the scene, animal owners were using other tools to take loose, shed hair out of the coats of dogs and horses especially.Today, purists will insist that these tools are still superior, and another bonus - they are very inexpensive.
On the downside however, they take considerable skill to use effectively. The three main old school deshedding tools are:
The Rake - just like it sounds, a mini "rake" with wide-apart teeth to get undercoat hair out without pulling. The rake has single or double rows of stainless steel teeth to remove dead or shedding hair from the innermost layer while leaving outercoat undisturbed. Available online from PetSmart: Shedding Rakes
The Slicker Brush - stainless steel "pins" that are cushioned to ensure that pets are brushed comfortably, the Slicker Brush features very thin, bent wire teeth to remove hair at the surface without damaging the coat or pulling & tugging. Available online at PetSmart
The Blade -a wire loop on a handle with zigzag edges, which strips out shed hair. The shedding blade has serrated edges to pull dead hair from the undercoat. Available online from PetSmart Shedding Tools
What to do with all that shed pet hair?
Make a sweater from your dog or cat??
What if you could USE that dog or cat hair for something really interesting.... like, say....
MAKING A SWEATER!
Sounds crazy but people do it! BellaOnline Author Pegg Thomas has a great article on Making a Sweater from Dog Hair. Plus you can find several books with full directions. It's basically a 6 step process:
There is one book called Knitting With Dog Hair: Better A Sweater From A Dog You Know and Love Than From A Sheep You'll Never Meet but it's very, very pricey - must be out of print. However there are a number of books on basic handspinning wool that include all the directions you really need! Here's just one example: Supplements to reduce shedding
Really excessive shedding & nutrition
Is your pet missing important nutrients?
A healthy shiny coat is the result of good nutrition - dogs and cats need Amino Acids, fatty Acids and minerals like zinc to maintain healthy skin and coat . Without them, you can see signs like:
- dull or brittle coat (not enough zinc)
- weight loss and hair loss (Amino Acid deficiency)
- coarse dry hair and flaky, scaly skin (Fatty Acid deficiency)
Many dog and cat owners swear by a supplement product called Dinovite which you can find online. They call themselves the one-a-day for pets - well balanced nutrients in an easy-to-feed formula.Read more about Divonite online at the company's site.
Please add your pawprint!
Have you ever used a deshedding tool? Did it work?
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Ellen N.
Jan 27, 2011 @ 4:04 pm | delete
- Used the furminator on my yorkie and her hair looked really good. Not broken or anything. But I was really careful.
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BettyLynn Froates
Jan 27, 2011 @ 3:48 pm | delete
- That shedding blade - the stupid loop thing - is crap!
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Janice H.
Jan 21, 2011 @ 9:02 am | delete
- I love Dinovite. After a couple of months, it did actually stop my dog's shedding. He's on a good dog food already but this put him over the top. Highly recommended! But make sure to be consistent and give it time. My neighbor's dog took longer but I think its because they were feeding him a grocery store dog food for a long time. They switched his food and added Dinovite and it took about 3 or 4 months but he doesn't shed (or stink or itch) anymore either!
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Learn more about reducing pet hair around your home
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