Recycling Pet Fur - I do not mean just vacuuming folks
Some may think it is gross, but I say it is just going to clog the vacuum anyway - why not make it useful.
Why am I writing about Fur Balls?
It is easy - I own 9 pets - 3 dogs and 6 cats. I love them all, but what I hate is the fur they create all over the house. Now I vacuum sometimes 2 times a day - I even have the vacuum robot too. I go through vacuums like crazy - at least 2-3 a year. I would not have it any other way though - I love all my pets and the fur really does come with the territory - but I do not have to like that part.I have rules in my house for us and visitors - like NO BLACK IS ALLOWED. Regardless how much I vacuum it is still there. You move the couch and it is like you have a litter of pups hanging out under there - ewwww.
So anyway I always wondered what can you do with all that - almost seems like a waste to fill those vacuum bags with perfectly good fur. So after some research I was amazed there are places you can send it to be spun into yarn. I am so excited about this - do you know how much stuff I can make? Now it may sound kinda gross, but not really - Wool is from a sheep and we wear wool. Why not have things made from our loved ones to have forever - a piece of our Fur Babies.
What Fur can be used?
DogsCats
Rabbits
Goats
LLamas
Horses
and more...........
WoW
Did You Know:
Yarn spun from a double coated pet is up to 80% warmer than wool
What can you make from the Fur?
Well - good question. Pretty much anything you can make with yarn. Scarves, Pillows, Sweaters, Hats, mittens, blankets and more....Here are some of things you can do with it:
KNITTING & CROCHET
WEAVING
MACRAMÉ
RUG HOOKING
NEEDLE POINT-PLASTIC CANVAS
QUILTING
SCRAP BOOKING
Who would have ever thought those pesky fur balls can do so much - how cool is that?
How do I do this?
Relax - You do not need to spin your pets fur yourself into yarn. There are many companies and people out there that will do it for you, although I am thinking maybe I will learn - sounds profitable. Anyway - you can send off your fur balls to them and they will wash it, prepare it, spin it and send it back to you. So now you think - what the heck am I to do with the yarn - I am not crafty. Well a lot of these people will create the item for you. How neat is that - all you need to do is gather the fur and they send back a cool item that is made from your fur baby. That could not be a better keepsake if I do say so myself.Each Company will explain how to gather the fur and all the information needed for the process.
Links to get started
- Yarn shop: knitting dog yarn and custom spinning
- Handspun yarn from your favorite pet & yarn shop. SERVICES: Custom, hand spinning of dog hair, cat hair, rabbit fur, goat hair, alpaca fleeces, llama fleeces, and other exotic fibers.
- Hand spinning Dog & Cat Yarn
- Your pets' hair and fur (cat, dog, rabbit, horse, etc.) can be spun into a beautiful yarn that you will treasure. It can be as simple as saving your dog or cat brushings from a relaxing grooming session.
- The Fuzzy Farm Home Page
- The Fuzzy Farm Home Page
- Recycle This
- Creative ideas for reusing and recycling Pet Fur
- Dog Hair Yarn
- Dreamcatcher from your dog's fur Approx 9.5" Diameter hand wove
What a great Keepsake
For yourself or someone else
Martha Stewart's Blog on Dog Fur Spinning and How it is Done
Martha's dog Paw Paw recently passed and she had saved his fur from a grooming. She did a show on this with the owner of VIP Fibers on February 14th 2008.Read Martha's Blog Here.
Knitting With Dog Hair Book
Knitting With Dog Hair: Better A Sweater From A Dog You Know and Love Than From A Sheep You'll Never Meet
Amazon Price: $11.16 (as of 11/25/2009)
You're harvesting what would normally end up clogging your vacuum cleaner anyway.
KEEPSAKE HEARTS made from your Pet Fur - From VIP Fibers
PET-ABLE PICTURE FRAME made from your Pet Fur - From VIP Fibers
PET-ABLE PENDANT-SPOKES and PET-ABLE PENDANT-CROSS made from your Pet Fur - From VIP Fibers
Throw Blanket made from your Pet Fur - From VIP Fibers
Dog Fur - Double Coated, Undercoat, Outer Coat
What does all this mean? Ok here is a quick lesson for you with Dog fur.Double Coated Fur
Means having both a soft undercoat and a coarser topcoat. Some breeds with this type are Poms, Huskys, Samoyeds, Collies, Shelties and Akitas. The undercoat of a double coated breed can become very matted very easily. These are the heaviest shedders.
Undercoat - what does that mean?
The undercoat lies closest to the dog's skin and grows in clusters from a single follicle. The undercoat has a soft, downy appearance and works to protect the skin from cold weather.
Outercoat - what does that mean?
This is composed of long, stiff guard hairs that protect the undercoat.
Here is Fur that was put in a Hanging Pot and the birds came and used it for a nest
Great Brushes for your Dog
FURminator deShedding Tool with 1-3/4-Inch Edge for Cats
Amazon Price: $12.49 (as of 11/25/2009)
Bamboo Dog Undercoat and Dematting Rakes (Colors Vary)
Amazon Price: $13.90 (as of 11/25/2009)
Dual Action Undercoat Rake with Rotating Pins
Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 11/25/2009)
Evolution W6109 Grooming Undercoat Rake with Rotating Teeth, Single Row
Amazon Price: $10.49 (as of 11/25/2009)
Dog Grooming Books
Cat Fur - What about it?
Cat have 2 fur coatsMost cats have two layers of fur. On top is the hair that is responsible for the color and pattern. The bottom layer is responsible for the insulation.
Angora cats have longer Gaurd hairs, the Cornish Rex has no gaurd hairs at all, and the Persians have longer Gaurd hairs and under hairs.
Self washing fur coat
Each piece of fur is covered with overlapping scales, each about 0.0005 mm thick. The edges that don't have these scales work like teeth. If one hair out or is pushed out of place then other hairs will tilt over until that hair falls back into place. One lick with their tongue will help this process. Bet some men wish that worked for them huh?
My Furry Cat Experience - My Maine Coon has long silky fur he cleans himself with no problem - although sometimes I find things stuck on him (worst was Fly Tape)- lol.
My newest kitten is a Persian mix - his fur is more coarse and requires grooming to avoid mats.
Great Brushes for your Cat
FURminator deShedding Tool with 1-3/4-Inch Edge for Cats
Amazon Price: $12.49 (as of 11/25/2009)
Simple Solution Grooming Glove for Cats, 1 Pair
Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 11/25/2009)
HARTZ MOUNTAIN #32700-90261 Cat Slicker Brush
Amazon Price: $3.50 (as of 11/25/2009)
Everholder FURemover Brush and Mitt Combo (Colors Vary)
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 11/25/2009)
Everholder FURemover Brush, Mini Brush, FURemover Mitt combo
Amazon Price: $12.49 (as of 11/25/2009)
Cat Grooming Books
Pet Care Related Items
Take care of those pets!!!
WE DO NOT SUPPORT
The Cat and Dog Fur Trade
In making this site I did find a sad side
When I made this site I had no idea that there is a horrible thing that goes on with people torturing dogs and cats for their fur. My intentions with this is to tell people they can take their pets fur and make it into a memorable item for themselves as a keep sake. In no way do I support the use of pets fur in a way that is cruel to the pet. What I am telling you is for personal use, when you groom your pet nicely and not to skin your pet for their fur. I know the pet lovers understand, but I just do not want anyone to think I am promoting anything bad here. I hate to have to end this in a sad note, but some people in the world are sick. Some of The Party Animal's Animal Lover Pages
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Low Cost Veterinary Care
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Is there really such a thing as Low Cost Veterinary Care? I have made this site to help pet lovers and pet owners maybe find some resources to some low cost veterinary care for their pets. I am sure I will be educated to some great things out there t...
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DNA Testing for your Dog
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Have you ever wondered what breed your dog is? I know I do. I have 3 dogs all who were adopted from shelters and I always truly wonder what breed they are. Do you know there is now a way you can find out with a simple mail in DNA test. That's right -...
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Low Cost Spay and Neuter Programs for your pets
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I feel I needed to make this page to help people find resources to low cost or free spay and neuter programs for their pets. Being the owner of 9 pets myself - 6 cats and 3 dogs - oh and a 100 gallon fish tank of fish - we all know that pet care can...
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The Best Cat Litter Box
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Stop and check this out if you are a cat owner. I never thought I would be writing about cat litter boxes. An odd subject to speak of, but I have to share my find with all. I am an owner of 6 Furry Kitties and hated to change the litter till now - we...
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Tough Dog Toys for Power Chewers
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I am making this page for those looking for toys for their dog who chews everything, including most dog toys. I have 3 dogs and one of them can chew through almost any toy. There are some out there for those dogs who need toys that are made Tough. So...
Leave us some feedback please
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Reply
- JohannTheDog JohannTheDog Oct 20, 2009 @ 8:06 am
- I think spinning my fur is a super idea!!! Very green, and warm! Woofs, Johann
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Reply
- sunnysideup sunnysideup Sep 18, 2009 @ 10:49 pm
- Wow! I never would have thought of this. How unique! I'm going to lensroll this with my cat brush lens... they both go hand in hand. Thanks!
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Reply
- happynutritionist happynutritionist Aug 14, 2009 @ 7:30 pm
- Oh my, I JUST finished grooming Aspen, my Yorkie's hair, and sat down, and saw this lens, wish I had seen this sooner:-) I usually put her hair outside so that the birds etc. can use it for nesting material, but will have to remember this for the future.
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Reply
- lakern26 lakern26 Jul 2, 2009 @ 1:50 pm
- I love this lens! I had no idea this was going on, but it makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the info!
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Reply
- Suzie-Shine Suzie-Shine Jun 8, 2009 @ 10:39 am
- Never thought of such a thing. What an interesting lens.
Suzie
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