Furminator?

[carla1183]

We have two short haired domestics. One is a little fluffier than the other, but they both have pretty average thin short-haired coats.

I've read conflicting things about furminators. Some seem to say it's God's gift to grooming, some seem to say it takes too much and damages their coat. What do you think?

We currently have a zoom groom and I like it okay, but sometimes it seems to make shedding worse (it pulls up a lot of hair but then doesn't always get it all off of them. So they have a lot of loose hair on them when I'm done brushing!) Am I doing it wrong?

My other idea is just to get a fine toothed comb (like a flea comb?) and try that before spending $30 on a furminator. (But if the furminator will be awesome, it's worth it!)

It's getting warmer outside in TX and our babies who never shed a hair before are now losing it like crazy. Help!

[Pami]

Thats what I use on my both my long hair and short haired kitties, I love it! I have no complaints whatsoever. You can do a search on Furminator on here and see other good reviews, too.

[darlili]

I have two DSH and I'm on the God's gift side - however, I always finish off with a little brush with a soft, almost baby brush, to pick up any loose hair and because my babies seem to enjoy both brushes. My little girl actually turns over to have her tummy done with the furminator. I know Petsmart will take the furminator back if you don't like it - just hang on to the receipt. Good luck!

[GoldyCat]

I use the furminator and it's great. I also use a lint roller to pick up the few loose hairs it leave behind. The first time I did that my kitty freaked out. I think it was because I was zipping the roller over her too fast and she didn't like the noise. Now she turns over so I can get her belly too.

[Rang_27]

Originally Posted by Pami

Thats what I use on my both my long hair and short haired kitties, I love it! I have no complaints whatsoever. You can do a search on Furminator on here and see other good reviews, too.

Do you think it would work for a long hair cat that HATES to be combed? My Isaac just will not let me comb/brush him. I hve tried so many differnt combs & brushes, he hates them all. This time of year is the time he gets mats because he is shedding more.

[carla1183]

Thanks everyone! I just ordered one on amazon, only $15 with free shipping, so it's no great loss if we hate it. Hoping it helps out some with my furballs!

[Pami]

Originally Posted by Rang_27

Do you think it would work for a long hair cat that HATES to be combed? My Isaac just will not let me comb/brush him. I hve tried so many differnt combs & brushes, he hates them all. This time of year is the time he gets mats because he is shedding more.

You know I would think he would hate the furminator, too.

Have you tried giving him treats, doing a tiny bit of combing at a time, trying to get a little bit while he sleeps?

[mschauer]

Originally Posted by carla1183

We currently have a zoom groom and I like it okay, but sometimes it seems to make shedding worse (it pulls up a lot of hair but then doesn't always get it all off of them. So they have a lot of loose hair on them when I'm done brushing!) Am I doing it wrong?

I have both a Furminator and a Zoom Groom and in my opinion the Zoom Groom works *almost* as well as the Furminator. After using either of them I finish with a slicker brush to pick up any fur loosened left behind.

[GoldyCat]

Originally Posted by Rang_27

Do you think it would work for a long hair cat that HATES to be combed? My Isaac just will not let me comb/brush him. I hve tried so many differnt combs & brushes, he hates them all. This time of year is the time he gets mats because he is shedding more.

I like the furminator better than a regular brush or comb because it does reduce shedding and I don't have to brush the kitties as often.

Does Isaac have any spots where he especially likes scritches? Under his chin, at the base of his tail? You might try just a couple of quick strokes with the furminator in those spots, repeat two or three times a day. If he tolerates that, gradually increase the number of strokes and expand the area you're brushing. It will take time, but you may eventually be able to brush out all the mats.

[Pami]

I would actually just cut the mats out and start over from there, trying to get him used to the brush. Combing the mats out are going to make him never ever ever want to be brushed.

[Rang_27]

Originally Posted by Pami

I would actually just cut the mats out and start over from there, trying to get him used to the brush. Combing the mats out are going to make him never ever ever want to be brushed.

I have started cutting out the mats, but even this upsets him. I try to make sure & run my hands over him regularly so that if any mats start I can stop them, but he gets them bad under his front legs & that seems to be the most sensitive spot on his body. He has that very soft, very fine whispy under coat & it mats so quickly in the spring. I cut a big mat off his neck the other day & found the start of another small one on his neck again last night. That one I was able to pull out with my fingers, but he was not happy about it. He's very sensitive about being touched & he always has been. I suspect he did not have a lot of handling as a young kitten. (I've had him since he was 3 months old) He lets me pet him, but I have to be very gentle or it scares him.

Of coarse the 3 short hair cats always fight over who is going to get combed/brushed & they never mat.

[GoldyCat]

My cats are all shorthaired, so no matting, but they seem to like the furminator better than a regular comb. Even though it pulls out the undercoat it doesn't seem to tug on the hair as much. It couldn't hurt to try it. If he tolerates the furminator you should be able to prevent at least some of the mats instead of trying to deal with them after the fact.