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.

How to Remove Red Tear Stains From A White Dog

Tear-stains are reddish-brown stains that develop below the eyes of white or light-colored dogs. Not just cosmetic, the area affected by tear-stains can harbor foul-smelling bacteria. The constant moisture can cause redness/irritation and pain for your dog. Most treatments take some time to have a noticeable improvement, so remember to try something new for at least a month before ditching it.

The Real Villain
Opinions vary greatly on the cause of tear-stains. They're generally caused by infection, improperly formed tear ducts, diet, water quality, poor grooming, genetics, or any combination of the above. By ruling out causes and trying different solutions, your pet can be clear-eyed and beautiful again.

Infection?
Eye or even ear infection can cause the staining. It's best to have your vet check to rule out an easily treated infection before taking steps that may worsen the condition.

Maybe she's born with it?
Most vets checking complaints of tear-stains are quick to recommend surgery to open blocked tear ducts or irrigate them. I would never suggest disregarding vet recommendations, but it is my personal belief that surgery should be a last resort and other possible causes should be first eliminated.


Erase the Evidence!
If your dog has long hair, like a maltese or bichon frise, take your dog to an experienced groomer (help in choosing a new groomer in a previous article) to have the area around the eyes trimmed very close. Old, stained hair may be hard to lighten and it's easier to start with a fresh surface. Once trimmed, keep the area clean by wiping gently with warm water and cotton gauze at the first signs of tear secretions. If you have a short-haired breed like a bulldog or a dalmation, skip the trim and just keep the area clean.

Doggy Dinner - Featuring New and Improved Tear-Stain Production!
I always stress the importance of a dog's diet because your dog is limited by the vitamins and proteins you choose for him. Try at least to switch (slowly and gradually) to a food without artificial colors and preservatives. Some dogs may also have tear-stains as an allergic reaction to something in their food. Ask your vet to check for signs of food allergy before making any definitive assumptions.

Does Drinking Kool-Aid Cause Tear Stains?

Well, no, Kool-Aid doesn't really change hair color, but the water your dog drinks might. High levels of minerals commonly found in tap water are safe and beneficial for human consumption, but often too much for dogs (especially the littlest ones). Switch your dog to bottled, distilled, or filtered water could make all the difference. This solution, along with the food change solution, may take about a month to really show a difference.
 
Over-the-Counter Cures
I've bought, sold, and heard about dozens of store-bought or even at-home remedies for tear-stains. The only product I've ever seen work was Angel Eyes. A bichon frise client had chronic tear stains covering most of his face for his entire life. After 3 weeks on Angels' Eyes, I trimmed away all the old and stained hair, and he looked like a perfect little bichon. I've heard other treatments may work, but this product is the only one I have actually witnessed to be 100% effective. This product claims to work "from the outside in".

Keeping your dog's tear-stains under control can be difficult, but there are many options and many solutions. With a little patience and time, your dog can smile into the mirror without the unsightly marking of tear-stains.

Happy hairdays, everyone!

4 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Cat's Shedding

"My cat is shedding all over the place! Please help, what do I do?"

By popular demand, I offer the best way to reduce your cat's shedding. Save your lint-roller, let the vacuum rest, and target the shedding at its source - Fluffy!

1. You Are What You Eat... And So Is Your Cat
   If your cat is eating El Cheapo's Cat Slop, he probably doesn't have the vitamins and minerals he needs to grow a healthy coat. The first 3 ingredients should NOT include "by-products" or corn. Skeptical? Dedicate yourself to trying a slightly better food for two months, then evaluate any changes.
   
   
2. Brushing
   The best brush for short-haired cats comes from the Kong company - the Zoom Groom! Gently, its soft rubber nubs massage while they pull-out dead hair. Also use a steel flea comb to brush out thick areas.
   
   
3. Kitty need a massage?
   Is your cat stressed-out? Any major changes at home? Recent vet visit? High levels of stress can cause increased shedding. Try, for one week, giving your cat 5-10 minutes of dedicated petting time after dinner. It just might reduce your cat's stress level - and maybe their owner's, too!
   
   
4. Ditch the Dirt
   Keeping your cat clean makes your brushing a lot more effective. Dirty, greasy hair also tends to stick to furniture or clothing more noticeably. If your cat isn't exactly thrilled about bathing, try a waterless bathing foam, spray, or mist. You can also try special refreshing pet powders or pet bathing cloths. Most are available at local pet retailers.

Live with your cat, but not with its shedding. Try these tricks. Just in case, look for a reusable lint-roller that can be rinsed off once full. I like to keep one in the glovebox of my car just in case.

Happy hairdays, everyone!

Home Grooming Basics for Short-Haired Dogs

In this difficult economy, more pet owners are trying to learn grooming techniques at home for their lower-maintenance short-haired-dogs. The right tools and techniques can make it easy to keep your dog beautiful and healthy at very little cost.

With short-haired dogs, the most common complaints are of excessive shedding, and body odor. These breeds include the labrador retriever (lab), beagle, bulldog, pug, boxer, chihuahua, rottweiler, vizsla, and more. Luckily, these doggy dilemmas are some of the easier ones to fix.

The Right Brush
Brushing helps supply air to the dog's skin, distributes natural oils that condition the hair, and even reduces shedding. It can also build the bond between owner and pet. The wrong brush can have no effect or sometimes even hurt your dog.

Rubber-nubbed brushes are the best choice for these breeds. The massaging, soft rubber points will feel like a special treat to your dog while you easily brush out huge piles of dead hair. You'll notice a shinier coat, sometimes after the very first use!

Groomer's Pick: Zoom Groom by Kong

Brushing Technique
Brushing should be with the direction of the coat growth, from neck toward the tail. Reversed-direction brushing may be uncomfortable for some dogs, but others prefer it.

Start slowly with your dog, working up to firmer strokes. As long as your dog is comfortable, don't be afraid to brush vigorously with this tool. There are no sharp points and very little r isk of injury.

Groomer's At-Home Tip
Use this tool outside because quite a bit of dead hair will fall with each stroke. Brushing indoors is easy to clean up if your dog stands on a plastic tablecloth. When you're done, just pick up the plastic and shake the loose hairs right into the trash!

Stinky Dog
Short-haired dogs should be bathed whenever the coat gets greasy or dull, but generally once every two months. Odor relief in-between baths comes easily with the variety of pet colognes, powders, waterless bathing foam, and wipes available at your local pet supplier or online. Use hypo-allergenic only products if your dog has sensitive skin, but these gentler formulas are often less effective.

Excessive odor can also be caused by allergy or infection, especially if you notice any discoloration or painful areas on your smelly dog. Check with your vet if the problem persists.

If He Eats Garbage, He Might Look Like It, Too
A poor diet can cause more shedding and increased body odor. Food quality is judged not by price, but by the ingredients. Look for foods without by-products, or at least make sure "by-products" are not in the top 3 ingredients. Corn or corn meal provides only minor nutritional value, but will make your dog eat more and poop more often. Dry kibble also has many benefits over moist food, even reducing bad breath!

With these tips and tricks, home grooming for short-haired breeds can be easy and even enjoyable for you and your doggy.

Happy hairdays, everyone!