I Tested 4 Furminator Tools… Worth the Money?
I bought three different Furminator brand grooming tools for my rough coat border collie, Betty, a few months ago and tested the tools. I liked them so well that I added a fourth tool for my chihuahua. This is what I think of the tools.
But first, let me share a little about my dogs and how I tested the tools. I have two personal dogs. Betty is my border collie, and Eddie is my chihuahua. Betty was the test subject for this review. She has a rough coat with medium to long silky hair with an undercoat. Her silky hair is prone to tangles and will mat if not groomed regularly — especially behind her ears and the backs of her hind legs. She sheds profusely. Regular grooming is required for her pretty, soft fur. At a minimum, I would suggest weekly grooming. Betty needs, in certain seasons, daily grooming to keep the mats out. I can brush her every day, and she’ll still have little mats behind her ears. I think Eddie jumping at her head when they play contributes to this issue. Regular grooming helps reduce the shedding as well. Without regular grooming, my house would be covered in dog hair. Border Collie dogs are not low-shed dogs.
The three tools that I’ve recently purchased have made the task of keeping Betty tangle-free much easier. They are the FURminator tools. The main de-shedding tool is my favorite to remove much of the excess undercoat. If I only had the budget to purchase one of these tools, the de-shedding tool would be my choice, so that is the tool that I will discuss first.
The teeth on this are not sharp on the edges. They’re grippy, but they’re not sharp. I can run my finger over from it. It won’t hurt me. They’re sharp in between the teeth. And that’s what grabs the undercoat and pulls it out. And like I said, I use this on Betty every night. Regularly grooming is important with a dog that has a thick coat. Betty didn’t enjoy brushing when I first adopted her. She was afraid of the brush and she would tremble and try to run away, she’d growl at me, and she’d snap at me. It took time and patience to teach her that brushing wasn’t scary and I went slowly. Being consistent and starting with short grooming sessions helped.
Basic description from the manufacturer for the deShedding tool that I tested:
- deShedding tool made for medium (25–50 lbs.) dogs with long hair
- The stainless steel deShedding edge reaches through the topcoat to safely and easily remove loose hair and undercoat without damaging the topcoat or cutting skin when used as directed.
- The ergonomic handle provides you with comfort, while the curved edge conforms to your pet’s natural build and shape for their comfort.
- Reduces loose hair from shedding up to 90% with regular use
The second tool that I picked up is the Furminator mat remover.
This one is great for behind the ears on the backs of the legs, where even with daily grooming, she’ll get little mats there. This one is a great tool for fur mats that have gotten too big for the deShedding tool. You don’t need to push hard or tug at their fur. The teeth do the work. Be gentle with the claw-shaped head of this tool. There are two types of coats with Border Collie dogs: smooth or rough coats. The smooth coat is shorter. Betty is a rough coat border, Collie. With a rough coat, the fur is longer and very fine, and silky. She tends to get mats behind her legs, the backs of her legs, and behind her ears, even with regular grooming. And the nice thing about these tools is that it is shaped to grab those mats, catch them and trim them without tugging or pulling on their fur. So you don’t have to cut them out with clippers or scissors that cause bare spots. Another danger with scissors is that you can clip the pet’s skin. Due to the design of this tool, it is much safer. This tool clips the mat out, leaving the rest of the fur intact. Betty doesn’t like power clippers or noises around her ears. This one is perfect for matted fur because it gets in there, and the claw separates the matted fur and removes it
Basic description from the manufacturer:
- Safely and easily remove matted hair.
- The furextender button to adjust the edges to work on all coat types and lengths
- Curved edges ensure safe and efficient removal of mats.
- The ergonomic non-slip handle gives you maximum control.
- Always use on a dry pet, So mats are loose.
- Age Range Description: All Life Stages
And then to finish off, there is the soft flexible finishing slicker.
This one also helps with shedding, but Betty doesn’t like this one as much. So I use this one to finish off the job. This tool is not good for matted fur. It isn’t the best at removing excess undercoat either. It is fine for clean tangle free fur that needs a little smoothing.
Basic description from the manufacturer:
- A simple, comfortable solution for clean, healthy coats
- Removes surface mats and detangles and smooths fur without pulling
- Brush design reduces pressure on the pet’s skin
- Finishes coats, creating a natural shine
- Intended for pets with wiry or silky coats
I did end up buying a fourth Furminator curry comb with rubber teeth style brush for Eddie, my chihuahua, that is smaller and fits in the palm of my hand. Eddie has short, smooth fur with a little bit of undercoat. He enjoys being brushed, but he barely sheds, and his fur is not long enough to become matted. He will sit near us when I am grooming Betty, wagging his tail expectantly while waiting his turn for grooming. So, I didn’t want to leave him out. This little tool does leave his coat shinier and softer. Plus, he loves it.
Basic description from the manufacturer:
- Ideal for removing dust and loose hair from your pet
- Features molded rubber teeth to stimulate the production of natural oils to promote coat health
- For short and medium coats
- The ergonomic handle is secure and comfortable in your hand.
- Anti-microbial plastic helps keep germs and bacteria at a minimum.
I recommend using all these tools outdoors because the FURminator tools really collect a lot of hair, and you will end up with hair everywhere if you use them indoors. If you make your own compost, dog hair can be added to compost. Squirrels and birds enjoy using it for their bedding and nests too.
If you have a new dog or puppy, don’t be discouraged if they hate being brushed at first. This is very natural. My dog, Betty, has come a long way. She didn’t use to let me brush her at all without trembling and growling. She really didn’t appreciate getting her fur brushed. Now, she allows grooming. I wouldn’t go so far as to say that she enjoys it yet. But, I wouldn’t be surprised if she changes her mind soon. She really has made a lot of progress. These tools help keep the shedding under control and leave her fur silky, smooth, and shiny. Regular brushing also helps stimulate circulation and distributes the natural oils in their fur, leaving them glossy. Regular grooming is also a way to bond with your dog. The key is to start with slow regular sessions. Don’t tug or pull their fur; be careful over the bony areas, the arms and shoulders, the spine. Be gentle, and before you know it, your dog will enjoy grooming too.
