Tue, Apr 29th 2008

FURminator, Inc. The FURminator

Deshedding tool removes excess hair

FURminator: There’s a messy little secret about dogs. They shed . . . a lot. Long-haired or short-haired, they shed. One of the secrets to controlling all that hair is to brush your dog regularly. A quick brushing daily or a thorough brushing weekly can work wonders when it comes to keeping dead hair off your clothes and furniture. A good shedding tool helps, too.

I approached the FURminator with a jaundiced eye. I already had a shedding tool that worked very well on my black and tan Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Twyla, who has the coat of a woolly little bear. But it was comfortable in my hand and the stainless steel edge took off two or three large handfuls of hair in just a few minutes, without removing so much that it left her coat flaky and thin, something that’s happened before. To prevent static electricity, I spritzed her coat with conditioner before brushing. Whether you’re at home or on the road, it’s a good way to help keep the fur from flying.

Isn’t there an easier way to prevent shedding? Special shampoos or conditioners? Supplements? Warm-water baths and thorough blow-drying during heavy shedding periods can help loosen the coat, but Peter J. Irhke, VMD, a board-certified veterinary dermatologist at University of California, Davis, says supplements aren’t likely to decrease the amount of shedding by a dog that’s already eating high-quality food.

But if you want to try other methods, FURminator has them covered: in addition to the tool itself, the company makes a line of products that include a shampoo with omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, a conditioner with oatmeal, vitamins and aloe vera, and treats that contain essential fatty acids and antioxidants.

The Furminator retails for between $34.95-$69.95 and is available at many retail pet-supply outlets. Contact Furminator at 636-680-9387.