Furminator for cats: how to choose the right one

What it looks like and how it works

Furminator is a tool designed for manual combing of wool. The device combines four functions:

• trimmer;
• comb;
• trimming knife;
• slicker

Cats have slightly thicker fur than other pets. This is explained by the fact that from each follicle, in addition to the central axis, two or three additional downy hairs grow, forming an undercoat of varying degrees of density.

If you did not completely cut your pet’s hair with a clipper, but decided to maintain the length of its fur, then the furminator will become the main tool for grooming the hair.

During molting, additional hairs die off, and new ones grow in their place. These excess hairs must be removed. Otherwise, they will constantly crumble, provoke the formation of tangles, and the cat will look untidy.

Warning! Classic combs cannot remove dead undercoat. Puffer brushes cope with it, but if used ineptly, they cause injury to the skin.

Furminator - developed by professional groomers. Outwardly, it looks like a men's razor, but the blade is replaced with a comb. The principle of operation is very simple - during operation, only dead hairs of the undercoat are removed. They hook onto the serrations covering the teeth and are pulled out. In this case, the guard hair slips between the denticles and remains intact.

Varieties

There are a lot of furminator models. They may differ in the set of attached devices and functionality. But the main difference is whether they are intended for brushing which cats – long-haired or short-haired.

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For longhaired

Long hair most often has a soft and thin undercoat. Dead hairs fall off very quickly, become confused with the guard hairs and form unsightly tangles. The lumps are almost impossible to comb out, so they need to be cut out using a special tool - a tangle cutter. Because of this, the cat loses the appearance characteristic of its breed.

The appearance of a cat after brushing with a furminator

Furminators designed for combing long hair have:

• long teeth that easily reach the problem area (undercoat) do not cause injury to the skin and healthy guard hairs;
• The teeth are spaced far apart - this also helps keep the guard hairs intact.

The models offered by manufacturers take into account not only the age, but also the size of the pet. For example, you can buy a device not only designed specifically for an adult Nibelung, Ragamuffin, Ragdoll or British Chinchilla, but also for a kitten of the same breed. The necessary information can be read in the attached instructions.

Furminator models for long hair are labeled Large and are offered in two modifications. The first is used for combing cats with hair length up to 10 cm and weight up to 10 kg. The second is used when the size of the guard hair exceeds 12.5 cm.

For shorthaired

Shedding in these cat breeds comes with its own problems. Their hair is short and coarse. It is very difficult to clean and gets stuck everywhere it can: in clothes, carpet, upholstery.

Furminators for short-haired pets have short and frequent comb-trimmer teeth. Manufacturers offer models for all types of wool: hard, with virtually no undercoat, and densely padded.

The models also take into account the age and size of the cat. Available in Small, X-Small and Medium versions. The first is recommended for pets whose weight does not reach 5 kg, and the length of the guard hair is 4.5 cm. The second is used for combing kittens and small adult cats with 3.3 cm of hair. The third has teeth 6.7 cm long and is designed for pet weighing up to 10 kg.

The devices are offered in the Classic and Deluxe categories. They differ in external design and the material used for the handles. Deluxe models have an injector button. It allows you to remove hair from the comb automatically.

Well suited for cats from the Bobtail breed group. Owners, as a rule, are happy to use the Furminator for breeds such as the Karelian and Kuril Bobtail, American and Mekong Bobtail, and Pixie Bob.

For combing hair separately from the undercoat

There are no separate models for combing out the fur and the undercoat. All furminators presented on the pet products market combine both functions, i.e. Both shedding hair and dead undercoat hairs are removed.

Peculiarities

Devices have their own characteristics that need to be taken into account when purchasing. In particular, this applies to the breed of cat.

For Scottish Fold

Caring for cats of this breed is not at all difficult. Scots are much easier to comb due to the fact that their hair goes in both directions. That is why the pet can be stroked in any direction - both with the growth of the fur and against it.

You need to comb your Scottish Fold cat with a furminator with a sparse comb, pointing your hand from the tail to the head. Then the direction will need to be changed. At the end of the procedure, comb the coat with a brush with natural bristles to give it the desired smoothness and beautiful shine.

For British Shorthair

The British Shorthair also has its own Furminator model.

The width of the device brush depends on the size and weight:

• For kittens. You need to choose a comb 3 cm wide. The weight of the pet is no more than three kilograms;
• Small cats. Width – 4.5 cm. Weight – 3…10 kg;
• Big cats. Crest width – 6.5 m. Weight up to 10 kg.

For your information! Most often, British owners buy Furminators with large combs, because shedding and hair loss begins already in an adult pet.

For Abyssinian

For Abyssinian cats, 4 cm wide combs are suitable. They sink deeply into the coat and carefully remove all dead hair. But at the same time they do not injure the skin.

The best furminator for cats

Based on the reviews left and the demand for a unique device in stores, we have prepared a review of the best furminator models for cats to help you make your choice.

1. Furminator Short Hair Small Cat is designed to care for the hair of small, smooth-haired cats. This model will be convenient to use for owners of, for example, an Abyssinian cat. The blade of this device is 4 cm wide, and therefore is able to penetrate deep into the fur and clean out excess hairs without touching or injuring the animal’s skin.

If you are the owner of a Persian or Siberian cat, then another model will be preferable for you - Long Hair Small or Long Hair Large Cat. Both types are similar to each other, they are distinguished only by the color of the ejectors and the different lengths of the comb teeth.

1. Furminator 42065M (Taiwan), often offered by online stores. The blade is up to 4.5 cm wide for best combing of the hair of medium breed cats. The device itself is made of plastic, but its teeth are metal. The Furminator is easy to use due to the presence of an ergonomic handle equipped with rubberized inserts and a thumb rest.
2. Furminator. Very popular among cat lovers. Cat owners highlight it for its distinctive ease of use, low cost and the ability to replace the knife.

This was the TOP of the best furminators for cats, recognized by furry owners. But this does not mean that you need to stop at a specific brand. Choose a product that meets your criteria, because in principle, all furminators cope well with the problem of hair in cats.

Popular brands and prices for their models

Models from the brands TRIXIE and FURminator received good recommendations from cat owners.

Trixie

The Furminator from this company has good technical characteristics. The overall dimensions of the product are 7 x 15 cm. The handle is made of rubberized material and does not slip in the palm of your hand during operation. The price is in the average range of 1200 - 1500 rubles.

The device is suitable for cats of all breeds. It gently removes dead undercoat hairs without damaging the skin. During the procedure, the pet does not experience any discomfort.

But it is precisely the versatility of the furminator that is also its disadvantage. This brand does not have a line of models designed for cats of different breeds. Therefore, it is recommended to use it for combing cats with medium thick fur.

How to use a furminator correctly

FURminator

This is the most popular and high-quality professional tool with the highest price. The cost of furminators from this manufacturer starts from 3,000 rubles.

Only high-quality steel is used to make teeth. Eco-rubber with anti-slip properties is used to produce the handle. Professional groomers tend to prefer this brand.

Advantages of the device:

1. Versatility. FURminator offers models for grooming cats with both long hair and thick undercoat, as well as short-haired cats.
2. Reducing the molting period. The result is the prevention of the formation of tangles and the ingestion of large amounts of hair by pets.
3. The cat does not feel any discomfort. The average duration of the procedure is no more than 10 minutes.
4. To maintain the coat in proper condition, it is enough to use the tool once or twice a week.

How to use a furminator?

Before using the Furminator, you should thoroughly examine your cat and read the following instructions.

1. There should be no inflammation, rash or wounds on the animal’s body. If there are tangles, they must first be removed using a tangle cutter and only then use a brush.

2. It is advisable to wash the animal’s fur and dry it thoroughly. The Furminator should not be used on wet or damp wool.

3. You need to comb the fur with a furminator strictly according to its growth. Light movements, without using pressure or force. Be careful when brushing the fur on the animal's tummy, paws, and near the genitals.

Video on how to use a furminator

Existing analogues and how much they cost

There are a huge number of analogues of the original Furminator. Structurally they are the same. They have a handle and a head with a comb. The only difference is the length and frequency of the teeth and the width of the comb. The following analogues of the original instrument have proven themselves to be effective:

PTS

A brand in demand among cat owners. The cost of the furminator is quite affordable, and at the same time it also efficiently removes dead hair. Its cost is in the range of 1100 - 1200 rubles.

Ideal for British cats, easily dealing with thick undercoat. The disadvantage is the regular - at least once a year - replacement of the comb.

Foolee

The tool has many positive reviews, including from professional groomers and breeders. Not only does it have a convenient handle curve for working. The Furminator removes 95% of shedding hair. The cost of the tool starts from 1900 rubles and reaches 2700 rubles for some models of this brand.

Hellopet

Tool made in Taiwan. Recommended for long-haired cat breeds. Its feature is a modified comb. The price is low, starts from 1000 rubles. If you wish, you can buy a classic straight comb (this is a universal option) or take a curved one (it provides better combing).

Ozone

Where can I buy an original furminator or its equivalent? You can purchase the instrument “on the ground”, i.e. at any pet store. If you wish, you can search for the desired model in the online store. The choice of devices is huge. Prices start from 1500 rubles. Sometimes you can get good discounts and buy a tool much cheaper. Quite often it is sold as part of some kind of set, for example with shampoo.

Furminator for cats

Pros and cons of combs

The main advantage of the furminator is durability. Strong steel is used to make the teeth, so they do not become dull. Regular combs need to be changed once a year.

Positive qualities include:

• faster and easier combing process;
• in one session you can remove about 90 - 95% of dead hairs;
• the furminator is safe for cat fur, since it does not affect the outer hair and only removes hairs from the dead undercoat;
• the tips of the teeth of the device are blunt, so it cannot injure the pet’s skin;
• Thanks to the special structure of the teeth, the furminator can penetrate deep into the undercoat.

The downside is the high cost of the original tool.

Who is this type of scratcher contraindicated for?

The Furminator is not suitable for all cats. This applies, first of all, to hairless breeds of representatives of the cat world. These include:

• Canadian Sphynx;
• Don Sphynx;
• Peterbald;
• Ukrainian Levkoy;
• Elf;
• Dwelf;
• Bambino.

You should not use a Furminator if your pet belongs to the following breeds:

• Bengal;
• Toyger;
• Abyssinian;
• Burmanskaya;
• Laperm;
• Devon Rex;
• Cornish Rex;
• Singaporean;
• Oriental;
• Balinese.

They either have a very short coat with no undercoat at all, or a coat that lies close to the body and has a small amount of guard hair.

Carefully! The use of Furminator in cats of these breeds is not prohibited, but the number of procedures should be halved.

Do not use the device if your pet has dermatitis, fungal infections or subcutaneous mites. Scratching will cause discomfort to the cat and contribute to the spread of the disease.

How to use a furminator correctly

Before using the tool, you should carefully study the operating instructions. Then proceed as follows:

1. If there are tangles on the animal, they must be cut off with scissors or a tangle cutter.
2. Bathe and dry your pet.
3. Using gentle and leisurely movements, begin combing your pet according to the hair growth, without pressing the furminator.
4. Brush the tummy, paws, and tail in turn, starting from the head and ending with the tail and panties under it.

Video: how to use a furminator

Precautionary measures

When using the Furminator, observe the following precautions:

• Its use is prohibited if the cat has skin diseases, wounds, rashes, inflammation, scratches and cuts.
• You cannot use a furminator on tangles - it will be very unpleasant and painful for the cat.
• Do not use the tool on damp or wet wool; it must be perfectly dry.
• If you have never used a furminator, then first learn the principle of operation, small nuances (how to hold the tool correctly, with what force to comb the fur), so as not to cause unpleasant sensations to your animal.
• After use, the instrument must be cleaned, capped and put away until next time.

You cannot use a Furminator if your cat does not have an undercoat or has special coat features. These include the following cat breeds:

• sphinx;
• Devon Rex;
• Cornish Rex;
• Burmese;
• tiffany;
• oriental;
• la perm;
• Singaporean;
• shorthaired balinese.

How often can I use it?

The frequency of use of the furminator depends on the time of year, the length of the animal’s fur and its individual characteristics:

• During heavy shedding (autumn and spring), it is best to brush your pet twice a week.
• In summer, you can use the furminator once a week, even if there is no shedding. This will help your cat feel comfortable in the heat.
• During the winter, it is best to comb your cat with a furminator once. The undercoat warms the cat, and this animal loves warmth.
• If you have a short-haired animal, then using the Furminator should not exceed 6-7 times a year.

The cat is combed with a furminator according to hair growth

Operating instructions and how to use correctly

In order to properly comb a cat and not cause it any discomfort, you need to know how to use a furminator. Simple recommendations:

1. Select a location for the procedure. It should be easy to clean because there will be a lot of hair. Alternatively, a hallway or kitchen. But first you need to remove the covering from the floor. This will make it easier to clean it of cat fluff.
2. The cat needs to be examined. There should be no foreign objects in the wool - twigs, sticks. The skin should be completely healthy. If there are wounds, rashes, or any crusts, then grooming should be abandoned. It is necessary to examine your pet even if it looks and behaves like a completely healthy cat. Damage may be hidden by fur.
3. It is necessary to remove all tangles or existing nodules. The Furminator is not used as a comb or scissors. Its task is to comb out dead hairs, and not to sort out tangles. If the blades get stuck, it will cause pain to your pet due to stretching of the skin. The cat will begin to worry and will not let you finish the session.
4. Then the cat must be washed and the fur thoroughly dried. Using the device on wet hair will not have any effect.
5. When brushing, the cat should be laid on its side. In this case, she will take a position that is comfortable for herself and will allow her to complete the procedure.
6. The wool is combed strictly in the direction of its growth. If you do this incorrectly, you can damage the guard hairs and pull out still living hairs. You need to be especially careful when processing the paws, tail and belly. A cat may react inappropriately if it doesn’t like something and scratch or bite.

The cheska is carried out in layers, in the direction from the abdomen to the spine. Movements should be smooth. No jerking is allowed. You can’t rush, because the furminator may get stuck.

For your information! Combing is a rather lengthy procedure, especially if it is the first time in your practice. On average, its duration is about 30 minutes. But the duration depends on the quality of the cat’s fur and the degree of grooming.

Once completed, the instrument must be cleaned and covered with a protective cap. If you do not use the case, the teeth will become dull and the furminator can be thrown away because it will become useless.

Brushing an angry Persian cat

What is a furminator

This is a hand-held tool for combing out the undercoat of dogs, cats and rabbits. It combines a comb with a trimmer, similar to a massage brush. It has special teeth that catch dead hairs and pull them to the surface. In fact, it works like a rake. In this case, the animal does not feel any discomfort, because the tool does not cut or pull out hair.

Not knowing how the furminator works, many owners of mustachioed pets believe that they can get by with a comb or brush. In fact, this is not true, because a cat's hair does not need to be combed. All that is required is the removal of the undercoat that has already died off.

The use of a furminator has a beneficial effect on the health and condition of the cat’s coat, namely:

1. Shedding accelerates.
2. Living guard hairs are not damaged.
3. The structure of the hairs, as well as the appearance of the coat, improves.
4. The skin is massaged, which improves blood circulation.
5. The functioning of the sebaceous glands improves.

Instrument care

The Furminator needs to be looked after, otherwise the pet’s fur will smell unpleasant after combing. The fact is that dirt accumulates between the teeth of the comb over time. These are compressed particles of fat, lard, dead skin, etc.

If these deposits are not removed, then over time the combing process becomes ineffective. When in contact with dirt, the hairs will begin to emit an unpleasant odor, lose their shine and become greasy.

The spaces between the teeth of the furminator comb are small. They are easy to clean by hand with a regular sewing needle. Use a sharp tip to carefully remove any accumulated dirt. After the comb is cleaned, it can be additionally wiped with alcohol or vodka for better disinfection.

How to choose and what criteria to consider

To buy a quality device, you need to know what characteristics to look for. This:

1. Length of teeth. The quality of grooming depends on the length of the comb teeth. It should match the cat's fur. Short and dense teeth will not be able to reach the undercoat of long-haired breeds, and long and sparse teeth will not be able to capture hairs of short-haired breeds.
2. Ridge width. A small comb will take a very long time to process a large cat, while a wide comb will be inconvenient to comb a small one.
3. Quality of teeth. In a high-quality furminator they are even, smooth and shiny. Any irregularities, other than those provided for by the design, gaps will cause rupture of the guard hair and injury to the skin.
4. Handle ergonomics. It is more convenient to work with a tool whose handle has a rubberized textured surface and a convex end. You also need to focus on your own feelings. If the device lies comfortably in the palm of your hand, your hand will not get tired during the process.
5. Injection button. It starts a mechanism that automatically removes hairs from the comb. But such furminators break quickly, unlike monolithic models. For the latter, cleaning the comb from fluff must be done manually.

Manufacturers also offer models with removable combs. They differ in the length of the teeth and the width of the comb. This tool is well suited for caring for pets of different sizes, weights and even breeds. But it has a significant drawback - the head becomes loose due to frequent changes. The furminator becomes inconvenient to operate and requires replacement.

How is it different from its counterpart for dogs?

Veterinary stores have furminators for combing dogs and cats. What is the difference between these tools? In fact, it doesn't exist. In this case, it is more correct to talk about the differences between models for different types of wool. It is this parameter that determines the frequency of location and length of the teeth.

The similarity of the coat is more important than the species. Therefore, the same furminator can be used to care for cat hair, to care for dog hair, and even for a home decorative rabbit or hamster.

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How to choose a furminator for a cat

The most popular are the original FURminator deShedding furminators. Products from this manufacturer are for cats, dogs, small animals and even horses. Since we are interested in caring for cat fur, we will consider the types of furminators specifically for cats. There are two types of furminators:

• classic;
• deluxe

The quality of furminator combs (combs) in both types is equally high. The difference lies in the material and ergonomics of the handles, and the presence of the FURejector button in the furminators of the deluxe line, which helps to easily and quickly remove hair from the comb. In products from the classic line, you need to remove hair from the comb with your hands.

In addition to the design, furminators for cats differ in the width of the combs. In this regard, there are several types of trimmer:

• furminator brush for kittens and small animals (comb width 3.2 cm);
• furminator for small cats weighing up to 5 kg (comb width 4.5 cm);
• Furminator for large breed cats, weighing more than 5 kg (comb 6.8 cm wide) - this is the most popular model, distinguished by its versatility, as it is suitable for both cats and dogs of the medium weight category (from 10 to 20 kg).

And, of course, each size of furminator is presented in two types - for short and long hair. For short-haired cat breeds, the comb has shorter teeth than for long-haired cat breeds and vice versa.

Since it is believed that a furminator is not just the name of a comb, but a trademark, “furminators” from other companies are often called comb-trimmers. Such combs are produced by TRIXIE, HelloPet and others. These combs are in greater demand than the original furminators, as they are much cheaper. But the quality of the blade itself of cheaper analogues is worse and over time it will need to be changed or a new trimmer comb must be purchased, while furminator manufacturers give a guarantee for their products as long as the average life expectancy of a pet.

Expert advice

How often can you use the tool? Every day, but there is no real need for this. Cats can be combed once or twice a week for 15-20 minutes. This is quite enough to shorten the molting period.

Does the Furminator cut hair? The original tool does not cause any damage. It only removes dead undercoat hairs.

Does the use of a tool prevent the formation of tangles? Yes, regular brushing of the undercoat shortens the shedding period and reduces the number of dead hairs that become tangled and form clumps of matted fur.

Is combing done in winter? Yes. The Furminator removes only dead hairs from the undercoat. It completely retains its original thickness. Don't worry - your pet won't freeze because of this.

Is a furminator used to remove tangles? No, for this there is a special device called a tangle cutter. Before starting the combing procedure, you need to make sure that all clumps of matted hair have been removed.

Furminator for cats - what is it?

A professional grooming tool is already familiar to many cat lovers. The simple design makes it easy to use at home. Resembling in appearance a small metal rake on a comfortable handle, the device operates on the principle of a trimmer. During use, the sharpened teeth lift the undercoat without cutting it. Due to the sufficient distance between the teeth, the main hair remains intact. At the same time, the fatty lubricant, distributed evenly, gives the coat a beautiful shine.

Using the device up to three times a week can remove 90% of all dead hair. Gaining more and more popularity, furminators for cats and cats have only positive reviews among owners of pets. Everyone notes that the animals began to look much more well-groomed, and there was almost no hair in the house.