Furminator for cats: An indispensable gadget for grooming and home care

What will you learn from the article?

1. How to choose a furminator for a cat
2. How to use a furminator?
3. How often should you brush your fur with a furminator?
4. My review or benefits of use:
5. Who should not use the furminator? How much does a furminator cost?

There is a known problem - an incredible amount of wool on clothes, furniture, and woolen tumbleweeds rolling around throughout the apartment. Previously, combs or brushes were used to care for the fur of cats, they have been replaced by combs and furminators for cats, designed for the size of the breed and the peculiarity of the coat. All the details are below.

Furminators are firmly established in the everyday life of cat lovers in many countries around the world and have only positive reviews. Here, in the CIS countries, only a certain part of caring owners know what a furminator is and have already been able to appreciate all its advantages.

A cat furminator is a tool that greatly facilitates the process of combing hair. This is a comb that works on the principle of a trimmer, resembling a mini rake with fine teeth. The Furminator was invented by groomers from the USA who know first-hand the problems of caring for animal hair.

What is a furminator and where can you buy it?

The Furminator for cats is a comb with a special blade made of strong steel, thanks to the special design of which, during use, all dead, falling out undercoat is combed out, but the guard hairs are not damaged.

You can buy a furminator for cats both online and at your nearest pet store. There are no problems with the assortment and offers. But how to choose a device?

Numerous reviews from professional groomers and ordinary pet owners who use this gadget to care for both long-haired and short-haired cats will help you decide on the size and its model.

You can also consult a veterinarian or pet supply retailer.

Original device model

Advantages

Manufacturers of furminators advertise their products, listing the following advantages when used for combing cats:

• there is no injury to the animal’s skin;
• do not cause pain to the cat;
• healthy guard hairs are not damaged during the combing process;
• removal occurs in the right places and only dead parts of the undercoat;
• using the device helps prevent the occurrence of tangles;
• the animal gets used to combing painlessly and quickly;
• the pet enjoys the procedure;
• due to the effective removal of loose hair, the cat swallows less hair when licking;
• the molting period is effectively reduced;
• at the same time the skin is massaged;
• The source of pollution in human housing is promptly eliminated.

We also recommend reading the article on how to comb cats.

Advantages of the Furminator

• The material from which the furminator blade is made does not become scratched over time. A one-time purchase of such a gadget replaces the use of 20 ordinary scratchers with the same result. Comparing the price of one furminator and 20 combs, it is easy to see a significant difference in favor of know-how.
• A special mode for removing hair makes the combing process easier. After all, you don’t need to pick out wool from this device like you would from a brush with your hands, constantly being distracted.
• Safety during use is a special plus in use. The Furminator for cats is able to gently pull out the dead layer of fur without damaging or cutting off the living guard hair.
• The effectiveness during use is the same for both long-haired and short-haired cats.
• Professional care. The use of this type of brush for cats helps to distribute the grease evenly, which allows the cat's coat to remain shiny and smooth.
• This type of brush helps speed up the shedding process in cats.

If your cat is losing hair and developing bald spots, we recommend that you read the article

Furminators for cats are popular among cat lovers all over the world. The furminator came to the CIS countries relatively recently.

Important! Veterinarians all over the world strongly recommend using this type of comb and its analogues for cleaning animal hair. Since the use of this device helps to monitor the health of cats and dogs, and also provides professional care for the animal right at home.

This fluffy can't do without brushing

choose a comb

Every cat owner should have at least one comb in their arsenal.
And the basic tool that you can’t do without is not the usual slicker brush sold on every corner, but a simple comb with one row of teeth. Choose a heavy tool with an ergonomic handle - light ones are more difficult to hold in your hand when combing out tangles or just dense wool. Before the ring, it is best to apply the texture spray not to the cat, but to a comb and use it to comb the fur. This way you will get the effect without unnecessary dampness.

So, combs .

Wide-tooth comb Suitable for all types and lengths of hair except very short ones. It is used to unravel tangles and matted fur, and comb the cat while washing. Make sure the teeth are well secured and have blunt ends.

Comb with medium teeth Also a universal tool. Whether the teeth are Teflon coated or not is irrelevant. I prefer open steel, since the coating wears off quite quickly, and has practically no effect on statics. Steel is more hygienic anyway.

Comb with rotating teeth Available with different tooth pitches. Helps to untangle tangles and, due to the movably fixed teeth, glides through the wool more easily. Suitable for cats with thick, long hair.

A comb with teeth of different lengths. Most often used on long hair with a thick undercoat and dense hair. Handles wool well.

Fine comb A comb with fine teeth is used for short and fine hair. Helps detect flea nits by combing. Suitable for specific areas of the body rather than for the entire cat. Helps to comb out dried dirt if washing is not yet soon.

A comb with dense, thick teeth. Mainly used for short hair. Make sure that the teeth are parallel to each other - bent teeth catch strands of wool and tear them out. It is impossible to straighten them; such a comb is unsuitable.

A very small comb A pocket option for travel, but not for exhibitions - you won’t be able to comb the cat properly and style the fur with it alone. It is convenient to comb sticky “icicles” behind the ears, after sprinkling them with powder.

A rake comb with fixed or rotating teeth. Due to its shape, it is convenient for long fluffy hair, but completely unsuitable for short hair. My most capricious cat only recognizes this comb; she only arches her back and exposes her muzzle to it. The rotating teeth also move back and forth, which allows you to touch the cat's skin without excessive pressure, and the tips are neatly rounded. The tool is virtually violence-free.

The next class of our tools is brushes . They are suitable for massaging and styling hair, combing out powder and applying texture products. Brushes can be bought not only at the pet store, but also where they sell products for hairdressers. Round brushes and metal brushes are not suitable for cats. Natural bristles are preferred.

A rubber brush with metal teeth is good for massage, combing the “dewlaps” and pants of long-haired cats. Check that the teeth are blunt. If you buy a brush with balls at the ends of the teeth, make sure that everything remains in place: the balls cover the sharp edges of the wire teeth; when they wear out, it’s time to change the brush.

Natural bristle brush with a rubber pad. Suitable for any coat, but mainly for the collar, dewlap and pants of long-haired cats. A good way to “comb” a bushy ponytail is to comb it against the grain with a brush in a circular direction, starting from the base to the tip.

Natural bristle brush with nylon Nylon gives the bristle tufts rigidity, and this brush can comb hair deeper than a regular bristle brush. Suitable for combing out dry shampoo powder.

A brush made of soft bristles on a plastic base does not comb through wool, but is good for polishing short fur coats. Makes the coat silky and shiny.

Nylon brush Honestly, almost the most useless tool for cats. Provokes static, the bristles are too dense to comb the fur. Can only be used for massage and adding shine using texture products, but for very short, close-lying coats, with virtually no undercoat.

Slicker, aka slicker The most common and cruel tool for cats. In fact, the bent teeth of a slicker have a strictly limited use: to lift the fur on the collar, pants and tail. Not suitable for short-haired dogs, because the sharp teeth injure the skin. If you are used to using a slicker, choose a tool with blunt or ball-protected teeth, although most have sharp teeth. You can’t use it constantly, as it tears out the undercoat, but does not comb through the fur, much less tangles.

Massage tools For good hair growth, massage is needed. It is even more necessary if you use supplements for hair growth - without massage it is more difficult to grow thick and dense hair.

Types of furminators

Like all interesting, new and popular ideas, the Furminator, or rather its original model, was subject to plagiarism. Accordingly, the prices of the products are different.

Anyone who wants to have a much-needed gadget at home should consider their capabilities when purchasing. And it’s worth remembering that cheap doesn’t always mean bad.

Furminators for cats come in two models:

• Classic;
• Deluxe.

Both models, classic and deluxe, are of high quality. The only difference is in the materials used for manufacturing and the ergonomics of the handle.

The classic model is much older; six of it have to be removed by hand.

The deluxe model has an injector button, with the help of which the six itself flies off the ridge.

The models also differ in the width of their ridge.

Since the furminator was originally the brainchild of a brand that produces animal care products, sometimes manufacturers of other brands use the word trimmer to name a similar gadget.

There are such device models:

• For small kittens, with a comb width of 3.2 cm.
• For animals weighing from three to five kilograms, with a comb width of 4.5 cm.
• For breeds weighing more than five kilograms, with a comb width of 6.8 cm. This model is perfect for the largest breeds of pets.

If you are interested in checking out the list of the smallest cat breeds, we recommend reading the following article:

Furminators come in different blade widths (for big cats, for smaller breeds, for kittens)

Each type of device is designed in two forms. The first is for long-haired breeds, in which the teeth are longer than in the second model, intended for short-haired breeds.

Important! Before use, be sure to read the instructions for use on the package and carefully examine the animal.

Principle of operation

It is not difficult to understand how a regular furminator for cats works; you just need to imagine a human trimmer. Only now he does not shave the cat, but only lifts the top layer of fur so that he can get to the undercoat. In this case, the wool is not cut or pulled out.

The special position of the teeth allows you to remove up to 90% of hair. But for this it will be necessary to carry out at least 3-4 procedures during the animal’s molting period.

Combing procedure

Technique for using the furminator

The basic rules, the observance of which when using this gadget will protect the animal and the owner from unpleasant consequences, are as follows:

• You need to carefully check your cat's body for wounds or various rashes. They shouldn't exist.
• Feel and remove all tangles on your pet's fur. This can be done with a special webbing cutter.
• Wash and dry the animal's fur. The use of such a comb on wet wool is strictly prohibited.
• Comb the fur only according to its growth. Do not rush or put pressure on the instrument.
• Carefully remove hair from the animal's belly, paws and near the genitals. Haste and inattention can cause harm.

You need to use the furminator carefully, moving it along the growth, and not against the grain.

Kinds

Furminators differ from each other only in the size and length of the teeth. The choice depends on how big the cat is and how fluffy it is. The optimal device for cats is a mini tool, the width of the working surface of which does not exceed 6 cm. The medium and maximum sizes are suitable for especially large breed cats and dogs.

The length of the furminator teeth is determined by the type of cat - long-haired, medium-haired or short-haired. The shorter the pet's coat, the shorter the teeth are required.

© shutterstock

How often should you use the Furminator?

Veterinarians and groomers recommend using cutting and combing tools two to three times a month, in autumn and spring. This is explained by the fact that at these times of the year shedding intensifies and it is necessary to remove fur as much as possible.

In summer, it is recommended to use scratchers no more than once every month and a half. The aggravated period of molting subsides, but the pet still needs prevention and removal of remaining fur - this will make the hottest summer days easier.

In winter, this can be a one-time preventive action at the beginning of winter. If you have a short-haired pet without obvious signs of shedding, then veterinarians do not recommend using the Furminator more than 8 times a year.

Grooming rules

In “peacetime,” when the Scotsman does not shed, his coat causes minimal inconvenience. It is enough to comb it 1-2 times a week for short-haired cats, 2-3 times a week for semi-longhaired cats. You can do this to a minimum, that is, 1 and 2 times, respectively, but the coat still looks more beautiful with regular care. The ideal option for semi-longhaired dogs is once every 2-3 days. You need to start caring for your pet’s fur as early as possible so that he gets used to this process. At first, you can do this even daily so that the cat remembers the procedure and is not afraid of it.

What is the importance of using a furminator: Reviews and statistics

Cats' lives and your home comfort will improve with the addition of a brushing tool. Studies have shown that it helps:

• Reduce pet hair loss by up to 94%
• Improve the appearance of the coat
• Do not injure living hairs in the animal’s fur, gently removing dead ones
• Provide salon care for your cat at home.

Now let's talk about examples of using the device on specific breeds.

The Furminator for British cats is as necessary to maintain a beautiful appearance as the tea ceremony for the residents of the country of the same name.

The British are considered the cleanest breed of cats. They spend much more time cleaning their fur than other domestic felines. But all the same, these “plush cats” cannot do without the help of their owner.

Using a Furminator will make their life much easier and will bring a lot of pleasure, as the British simply adore these procedures.

Representative of the British Shorthair breed

Another fan of “scratching your back” are the Scots . Varieties of such combs for Scottish cats will become an indispensable assistant in combing and playing, and spending time with them will no longer burden the owners with the presence of their hair on their clothes.

Scottish Fold kitten

Do Scottish cats have a lot of hair? What kind of hair do Scottish cats have?

If you purchased a shorthaired Scottish cat, then most likely one of the arguments will be that it produces less hair. This is true, but the hairs are shorter and therefore fly more in the air than long hairs. Don't expect that there will be very little wool. Scottish cats also shed in winter and summer, sometimes they experience problems with excessive hair loss, and it even happens that there is simply nowhere to hide the hairs in the apartment if the shedding is excessive. Owners of shorthaired Scots also complain that during shedding, all the furniture is covered with a layer of hair. There are few of them during the periods between molts. Although there are cats that shed all year round.

If you make a choice in favor of semi-longhaired Scottish cats - Highland Straights and Highland Folds, then you must understand that they have no more or less hair, but the hair is longer, and therefore its volume is greater. At the same time, it does not bother the family as much as the wool of the same Persians or even Scottish cats, because... Scottish hairs are short and light, so their volatility is higher.

What cat breeds are not suitable for the Furminator?

This comb cannot be used for some cat breeds, as they do not have undercoat. These include:

• La Permian rocks;
• Devon rex;
• Turkish Angoras;
• Peterbald and the Don Sphynx ;
• Singapore cats;
• Oriental;
• Burmese cats;
• Cornish Rex and Tiffany.

Cornish Rex, the use of a furminator is prohibited for this breed

Arch-comb

For sale on the Internet you can find such a device as an arch for combing wool. This is something like a curved brush that is placed on the floor on a special stand. An animal, eager to scratch itself, begins to rub against this arch, thereby putting itself in order.

But whether your cat wants to use such a device is purely individual. To attract the animal to the unit, it is recommended to use catnip.

However, in any case, the arch is only an additional, and not the main tool when combing cats. She cannot comb it properly.

Vitamins and supplements for wool

Caring for the coat of a Scottish cat also involves periodically taking vitamins and minerals. Vitamins can be purchased at a pet store or veterinary pharmacy. Or, instead, purchase regular brewer's yeast from a human pharmacy. It is especially good to drink this course during molting. However, cats consuming fortified factory food cannot additionally take such complexes.

In addition, do not forget about special pastes and food for removing hair that gets into the stomach, which inevitably happens during licking. Also plant grass on the windowsill so that the cat can periodically regurgitate this fur: the grass is not digested, irritating the digestive tract, as a result of which lumps come out with it during vomiting. Cats, intuitively feeling that grass will help, eat it with pleasure.