Keeping a fluffy cat requires careful grooming. The main troubles arise during the molting period, when the animal sheds a thick undercoat. A special cat scrubber, known as the furminator, allows you to avoid cleaning wool throughout the apartment.
What is a furminator?
A cat scrubber, the photo of which is presented in this material, is an invention of American developers who know firsthand how difficult it is to take care of animal hair. The device operates on the principle of a trimmer. Externally, the device looks like a miniature rake that includes a comb with frequent teeth.
During operation of the device, the thick undercoat is not cut off. The fur of the animal only rises up thanks to the metal elements sharpened in a special way. In this case, the remaining hairs remain in place, since there is sufficient distance between the teeth of the device for their free passage.
Types of Wool Coats
There are several options for furminators that vary according to the width of the ridge:
- models for kittens - 3.2 cm;
- furminators for cats of small size, weighing up to 5 kg, - 4.5 cm;
- universal combos for cats of large breeds weighing more than 5 kg and dogs weighing up to 20 kg - 6.8 cm.
In addition to the size of the crest, the furminators differ in purpose. According to this criterion, tools for combing long and short wool are distinguished. In the first case, the crest has large teeth, in the second - shorter.
Operational Features
Before proceeding directly to the care of the animal, you need to figure out how to properly use the cat's scallop:
- Before combing the undercoat, it is necessary to examine the skin of the pet for rashes, wounds and inflammations. If any, you should abandon the procedure.
- If the wool has strayed into tight tangles, it is worthwhile to carefully remove the latter with scissors or a specialized slitter cutter. Only after such preliminary preparation can a cat scratcher be used.
- It is not recommended to start combing out wet animal fur. Therefore, after bathing it is necessary to let the cat dry.
- During the combing process, the furminator should be guided in the direction according to the growth of the coat. In order not to cause discomfort to the animal, it is recommended to perform the work slowly, without the use of excessive force and sudden movements.
- Cat scrubber requires careful handling. Particular attention should be paid to the treatment of areas in the genitals, tummy and legs of the pet. It is in these places that the skin of the animal is the thinnest, therefore it is especially sensitive to external influences.
- It is recommended to comb cats of long-haired breeds, starting from the lower layers. The upper outer hair is lifted by hairdresser clips.
How often should I resort to the procedure?
A cat scrubber should be used during molting periods. During this time, combing is recommended several times a week.
It is recommended that you use the tool regularly in the summer. Thanks to the removal of excess undercoat, you can make the animal’s life more comfortable on hot days. Throughout the rest of the seasons, combing is not recommended more often than once a month.
Tool Benefits
The use of specialized coatings for wool gives the following advantages:
- approximately 95% removal of lost hair;
- the complete absence of tangles with regular animal care;
- uniform distribution of natural fatty grease on the surface of the wool, which helps to improve its appearance;
- accurate removal of dead undercoat without harming the "living" hairs;
- complete absence of discomfort for the animal during the procedure.
How to make a cat scratcher?
To care for the hair of an animal, it is not necessary to resort to the purchase of a specialized tool. Alternatively, do-it-yourself cat scratcher can be made from an old clothes brush. Preference should be given to the choice of products with natural hard bristles, which will allow to remove thick undercoat. As a means for polishing wool at the final stage, a brush with a soft bristle is suitable, with which you can delicately remove the remaining hairs.
Naturally, such an alternative is not as effective as the furminator. However, even with an ordinary brush, the spread of wool throughout the apartment can be significantly reduced.
Warnings
Not always the use of a furminator to remove wool can be beneficial. And if the scallop for British cats still looks appropriate, then for breeds that do not have a thick undercoat, the tool is not recommended. It is forbidden to care for cats of breeds such as sphinx, angora, tiffany, la perm, devon rex, and shorthair balinese with the help of a furminator.
Finally
As practice shows, a better way to care for cat's hair during molting than the furminator has not yet been invented. The device is not only easy to operate, but also does not deliver pain to the animal.
Absolutely all owners of specialized catchers for cats note a significant decrease in the amount of wool on carpets and clothes. Combing with the help of a furminator allows you to make the cat's coat more neat, and the coat shiny and healthy. Ultimately, the use of the device eliminates the need for pet owners to visit special salons, the cost of which is often unreasonably high.