Which mat cutter is best for cats: straight, curved, how to use it, how much it costs

What types of webbing cutters are there?

Mats (matted hairs of wool of various lengths)
, can easily cut a matted hairball Your pet will feel virtually no pain, and if you work carefully, no wounds will appear on the skin.

The following types of tools exist:

1. Vertical.
2. Horizontal.
3. Direct.
4. Curled.
5. Teardrop-shaped.

On a note! Providing proper care for your cat is easier if you choose the right tool. When choosing, consider the purpose and type of material used in manufacturing.

Vertical and horizontal

Vertical and horizontal varieties are among the most common.

Vertical and horizontal webbing cutters

What is their difference from each other:

1. A horizontal wedge cutter resembles a knife blade. The design is often represented by a combination of several cutting edges, which are located parallel to each other. One side of the plate is sharpened, the other is rounded, which eliminates the possibility of injury during operation. The procedure will not cause pain to the animal only if the instrument is used correctly.
2. Vertical tools are combs with a long tooth. The teeth of such a tool are sharp, but they are curved in such a way that the animal’s skin is not damaged during use.

The tool is equipped with 8-12 sharp blades made of hardened steel. Such material, even with prolonged use, does not oxidize or dull, so the item lasts a long time.

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Straight, curved and teardrop-shaped

A special group includes straight or curved tangle cutters, as well as drop-shaped cutters.

Their characteristics:

1. It is possible to remove hair from hard-to-reach places (groin, paws, armpits, etc.).
2. There is only one blade. This design makes it easier to care for even touch-me-nots.

When making the main part, plastic or ceramics are usually used.

Features of powder puffers

We should also highlight such a popular tool among dog breeders as the “slicker”. It makes it possible to comb pets even with the thickest hair, since it is made of durable metal, so it can withstand working with even the thickest hair.

Despite the rather harsh name, the slicker should also be safe. The teeth of the device must be checked for dullness. If they are sharp enough, they can negatively affect your pet's skin and cause damage.

Slickers are presented in a wide range on the market; you can choose a tool with different technical characteristics for your pet. Professionals do not recommend buying the largest slicker brushes, since their use does not help reduce combing time, but using them is quite problematic.

For a medium-sized dog, slicker brushes with a side length of 60-70 mm are perfect; for larger pets, you can use tools with a slightly larger working surface. When choosing a suitable tool, it is also recommended to evaluate the strength of the teeth, which must be securely fastened.

How to choose the right wedge cutter

The wrong choice of tool will lead to the fact that it will not be possible to remove tangles.

The wrong choice of tool will lead to the fact that it will not be possible to remove tangles

The cat owner should consider the following points:

1. The breed and size of the mats matters. Combing will be effective if the tool is selected depending on the length of the coat. The longer it is, the more teeth.
2. The vertical comb is suitable for Abyssinian, Siamese and British breeds. It is recommended to select the average tooth length.
3. Horizontal webbing cutters are considered a more universal option, but they are also more expensive.
4. To remove hairs under the paws or in other problem areas, special designs with thick, small blades are suitable.
5. To make your item last longer, choose blades made only from high-quality steel.
6. The handle should be rubberized or made of practical plastic.
7. When choosing a product, try to hold it in your hand and check how convenient it is to use.

Suitable combing tools

People have come up with a large number of devices that will help the owner of a dog maintain its coat in perfect condition. These tools include: combs, tangle cutters, combs, slickers, etc.

Among all this variety, many pet owners choose combs, but this is not an ordinary human comb that can be found in any store. A comb for a dog is selected individually, in accordance with the characteristics of its coat. There are a number of important requirements for this tool.

How much does a webbing cutter cost, list of popular models

Modern braid cutters are easy to use and safe when used carefully.

The price may vary significantly depending on the following factors:

• what is the tooth made of?
• size of a specific model;
• type of material of the main part of the product.

Horizontal tools can be purchased at a price of 390-700 rubles. The cost of vertical models varies in the range of 200-500 rubles.

Incorrect movement during use may cause damage to the animal's skin.

List of popular models:

• Hello Pet "Drop". A compact device that you can take with you on the road. Cuts a minimum of hair, the blade is made of high quality stainless steel.
• Artero. Particularly convenient for working with long hair. Suitable for removing tangles and knots of any complexity.
• ZOLUX. Made from high quality steel. It has a comfortable rubberized handle that does not slip out of your hands during the procedure.

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Which comb is suitable?

A good tool is:

1) The presence of blunt teeth. Choose a comb with very blunt teeth so as not to inadvertently damage your pet’s delicate skin. It is very easy to check the safety of the tool; you just need to rub it firmly over your own palm. If this causes discomfort, or the teeth strongly catch the skin, it is best to refuse to purchase the device, as it is dangerous.

2) The length of the teeth is shorter than the dog's coat. Thanks to this feature, even with strong pressure, the teeth will not reach your pet’s skin, and therefore will not be able to harm its skin.

Professionals recommend using at least 2 combs to groom your dog. The first of them will be used for primary combing, to remove tangles, untangling matted wool, etc. The second comb is used for final combing - the final processing of wool.

Owners can buy special combs with private teeth with a distance between them of only 0.5 mm. This makes it suitable for effective control of parasites. The tool is suitable for its intended use only if the dog has thick fur. This device is also suitable for removing old fur during a dog’s shedding process.

For dogs with silky and long hair, massage brushes are perfect, and for pets with short hair, brushes with bristles, which look similar to clothing brushes.

How to use a cat hair cutter

Incorrect movement during use can cause damage to the animal's skin.

The main recommendations are the following:

1. Provide a calm environment. If the cat is aggressive, the procedure will not work. Immediately after active play, the pet will also not be able to sit still for the required amount of time.
2. You can moisten the hairs with a special substance or water , but then the hair becomes more vulnerable, and sudden movements with your hand can injure it.
3. There is a special product on sale that resembles the consistency of powder or spray. It will simplify the process.
4. The tangle cutter must be moved in the direction in which the lump is collected. In order not to create discomfort, you need to move the tool in the same way as when combing.
5. The problem area should be thinned until the tangle disappears completely.

The tool is quite easy to use. There is a risk of injuring the fur only with sudden movements of the hand.

Features of combing different types of wool

Experts usually divide dog hair into several main types:

1) Normal. Standard coat, not characterized by increased length or density. It is typical for many dog ​​breeds, including Labradors and even Spitz dogs. Their coat is characterized by a high roughness on the outside, but the inside is much softer and shorter (that is, the coat and undercoat). These breeds

They shed twice a year, so they require careful brushing during these periods. The rest of the time, it will be enough to comb it no more than once every few days.

2) Non-fading. In the process of evolution, some breeds have lost their original ability to shed. These include terriers, schnauzers and others. However, the old wool gradually falls out and is replaced with new ones; to simplify this procedure, many owners use plucking means.

3) Smooth. Many short-haired breeds have this coat, including Dobermans, Dalmatians, dachshunds and others. Although the coat is quite sparse, dogs can shed heavily, and their hair is quite problematic to remove from carpets, so it is advisable to comb them out more often using rubber brushes and slicker brushes.

4) Curly. Characteristic of poodles and some terriers. For them, the best means of care is timely haircut. However, during shedding, the dog may also need to be combed using a slicker or brush.

5) Long. Characteristic of very aesthetic and spectacular breeds, including setters, spaniels, etc. However, this beauty requires very careful care from dog owners. It is best to use wide-toothed combs for grooming.

IMPORTANT! Some exotic dog breeds have hair that cannot be classified as one of the named types. In this case, owners should definitely consult with professionals who will help them choose the best products for caring for the hair of their beloved pet.

Is there a danger from mats for a cat?

The resulting tangles are unsightly, but they do not pose a danger to the pet’s life.

The disadvantages include the following factors:

1. Hairballs bring discomfort to the animal and there is a possibility of painful sensations.
2. When there are a large number of balls, they adhere to the body and over time disappear, which becomes the cause of various diseases.
3. Hairballs are considered a favorable environment for the appearance of ectoparasites.

Therefore, removing tangles is rather a necessity. The possibility of painless removal allows you to solve the problem quickly; the frequency of cutting depends on the breed and type of coat.

Self-removal

You can eliminate cat tangles yourself at home if the situation is not advanced. An inexperienced owner is advised not to deal with tangles, but to entrust the procedure to a professional. A frightened cat often breaks out, but may not be able to do so.

You can trim the tangles with nail scissors or a hair clipper. Small and loose hairballs can be easily untangled using a comb and special veterinary products to make combing easier. A dense ball of wool will have to be broken up with a tangle cutter.

How to use a cat hair cutter

A modern and popular device for breaking hairballs in long-haired pets is called a mat cutter.

Precautionary measures

The Furminator is not intended for removing tangles or detangling fur. It is needed to remove old and dead hairs. Therefore, you should not try to clean the fur using a furminator; there is a tangle cutter for this.

Do not use this tool on wet wool. This is completely useless, and wet wool can become very tangled. You should not comb your cat against the direction of the hair growth: the teeth may get stuck and cause pain to the pet.

There are breeds that cannot be combed with a furminator:

• Devon Rex;
• sphinx;
• Turkish Angora;
• laperm;
• Cornish Rex;
• tiffany;
• oriental;
• Burmese.

Just because a cat isn't completely hairless doesn't mean it can be brushed. There are breeds without undercoat (second layer of hairs). You should absolutely not use this accessory if your cat has skin or fur problems.

Expert advice

It is advisable to use the mat cutter only as an emergency aid for your pet, when the fur is very matted and it is no longer possible to sort it out with a comb. When cutting the clumped areas with blades, serious damage to the structure of the coat can be caused. And subsequently it will take a long time to restore it.

Warning! Cats have very thin skin, so it is easily injured. If you have little experience working with a tangle cutter, then it is advisable to choose models with blades in the form of hooks. This will reduce the risk of skin injury.

Terms of use

And lastly, let’s figure out how to use the webbing cutter. The technology for its use is quite simple:

• try to catch the animal in a good mood; it’s good if the cat is half asleep;
• take the animal in your arms, caress it and carefully feel where the tangles accumulate;
• if there is such a possibility, then it is advisable to treat matted wool with a special spray or powder, which facilitates the combing process;
• Using a mat cutter, carefully begin to comb the wool, moving along the mat itself, while the blades should “look” down;
• comb the tangle several times until the matted bun is completely straightened.

Try to pay more attention to the condition of your pet’s coat and the problem of mats will go away. Even the most expensive accessory will cause a slight, but still noticeable feeling of discomfort to your cat. Remember this!

Harm to the health of the animal from downed, matted wool

To make tangles easier to sort out, dissolve the dirt. To do this, use a spray - this special product is sold at the pet store. Soak the tangles in it and leave for a while. When the wool dries, they can be taken apart by hand.

In addition to the fact that balled fur spoils the appearance of the animal, it poses a threat to the pet’s health. The harm from tangles lies in the development of a number of adverse consequences.

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These include:

• the occurrence of dermatological rashes on the skin due to dysfunction of thermoregulation;
• the appearance of various parasites, including fleas, ticks, lichen due to contamination of the skin, bacterial growth;
• the formation of wounds and ulcers as a result of the animal’s attempts to independently free itself from tangles using claws and teeth;
• pain due to excessive skin tension;
• feeling of discomfort and stress in the animal.

The appearance of any of the listed complications due to the formation of balls of matted wool requires immediate elimination of the defect.