Is The FURminator For Real? Quick Product Review

Ever heard of the FURminator?
It's a vaguely comb-like metal piece attached to an easy-grip handle. FURminator is actually a brand name.

What does the FURminator do for your pet?
The FURminator is a type of brushing tool that will help remove dead hair from your dog or cat. More hair removed by you means less hair on the floor or your clothing.

You'll notice a great difference on Shelties, Golden Retrievers, and any other dog that tends to get those wispy, scraggly dead hairs that look messy. 

How does it work?
The FURminator uses an old trip of dog groomers known as "carding".  Groomers typically use one of the blades for their clippers to comb through a dog's coat and remove dead hair.  The process can be time-consuming and strains the wrist. The FURminator puts that same groomer's blade on a handy stick and served the public.

Will it hurt him/her?
While proper use does not hurt your pet, brushing too firmly or too often in one spot will irritate the skin. There is a blade component to this tool, but it is a safer one. 


Does it really reduce shedding?
It won't technically make your dog shed less, but it will remove a lot of the dead coat before it drops off your dog and onto the floor.

What DOESN'T it do?
It will not remove knots or matts from your dog's coat. It will not remove the dense undercoat from thick-coated breeds like Huskies or German Shepherds.


Should I get one?
This brush is best used as part of a good grooming routine, not as a shortcut to good doggy hygiene. I also recommend regular bathing, adequate diet, and other good maintenance to help reduce shedding. Using a Zoom Groom (a type of rubber doggy/kitty brush) may also be effective for short-haired breeds.

Bottom line:
For many dogs and cats, you'll definitely remove a lot of hair with a FURminator. Just be careful and don't press too hard.

5 Things to Check After Your Dog Gets Groomed

You're on the way home from the groomer and Spunky is looking and smelling better than ever!

Now what?

Check these doggy parts to make sure your pampered little one has received the best quality of care:

1. Inside the ears to make sure they have been cleaned and (depending on breed) plucked. If your dog had a full hair-cut, check that the two ears are trimmed evenly.
   
   
2. The tips of nails, if your dog will let you, to make sure they have been clipped short. If you notice any bleeding, they may have been clipped slightly too short. It is not a health concern as long as the bleeding isn't excessive. Use cornstarch to stop the bleeding faster. Notice, too, if the groomer has missed a nail or two - including the "dew claw" which is usually higher up on the paw and often missed.
   
   
3. The danger zones: armpits, belly-button area, genital area, and ear edges for nicks, cuts, abrasions, or small red bumps (a rash known as clipper burn). These areas are especially vulnerable to injury. Most times vet treatment is not necessary and often it is not a reflection of the groomer's skill. If you notice any unusual marks, contact your groomer immediately. Groomers may not tell you (or lie) about these minor incidents. The areas should be kept clean and monitored for infection.
   
   
4. The pads, or bottoms, of your dog's paws to make sure there are no knots or tufts of hair sticking out. Highly-detailed groomers will usually shave this area, where the foot meets the floor, to keep the hair from becoming knotted. It also makes it easier to keep paws from picking up dirt outside and tracking it all over your home. Check this area, too, for hidden nicks and cuts.
   
   
5. Any places your dog usually gets knotted/matted should be checked (possibly even " noted in #3, as well as behind the ears and around the collar.
   

Contact your groomer as soon as you notice any issue so that it can be corrected or refunded right away. You should be able to convince the groomer to pay the bill if a grooming injury requires vet care.

Above all, remain calm and know that even great groomers make mistakes now and then.

Happy haircuts, everyone!