By Eve-Angeline Mitchell, Contributing Writer
Whether you have a cat, a dog, or another furry pet, grooming is a necessary part of caring for them. This is especially true for pets with longer fur, which gets tangled and matted easily. Mats form very close to the skin, are uncomfortable for cats and dogs, and attract and trap dirt, bits of plants, dead skin, and even bugs, so it's important that you keep their fur brushed and tangle-free. Here are some of the best tools for the job, whether your pet has long or short fur.
Whether you have a cat, a dog, or another furry pet, grooming is a necessary part of caring for them. This is especially true for pets with longer fur, which gets tangled and matted easily. Mats form very close to the skin, are uncomfortable for cats and dogs, and attract and trap dirt, bits of plants, dead skin, and even bugs, so it's important that you keep their fur brushed and tangle-free. Here are some of the best tools for the job, whether your pet has long or short fur.
| Flea Comb Flea combs are good because they have finer teeth that can pull tangles apart. In addition to that, they can help to pull burrs out of your pet's fur. Finally, if you're having a flea problem, these combs can help you brush the fleas out of their fur while you're waiting for their flea medicine to work, or in between flea dips. | |
| Pin Brush/Slicker Brush These brushes have fine metal "pins" that are very good for pulling dead fur and loose tangles, or newly forming mats, out of your pet's coat. These are good brushes for both long haired and short haired pets, because they catch the dead undercoat better than a comb. | |
| De-Shedding Tool This is either a Furminator-type comb, or a combination de-matting rake and Furminator-type comb, and are excellent for loosening and removing a lot of dead fur in a short period of time. This is an especially good comb to use in the spring, when your pet will be shedding its winter coat. These also help thin their coats more quickly for the summer. Be careful, though, that you don't brush out too much of the undercoat! You should also only use this tool once or twice a year to avoid too much thinning in pets with thinner coats, and once a month at most in pets with heavier coats. | |
| Blunt or Ball-Tipped Trimming Scissors You can use these in combination with a flea comb to remove mats from your pet's fur. Start by carefully working the flea comb into the base of the mat, as close to the skin as possible. This holds the mat in place and shields your pet's skin from the blades. Then you can cut out the mat without cutting your pet. Check out this article for a more detailed explanation of how to remove mats. Keep in mind that this method is best for mats the size of your thumbnail or smaller. Bigger mats may require a groomer's help. | |
| Shampoo Brush These brushes distribute shampoo throughout your pet's fur while gently brushing their coats and massaging their skin during bath time. If your dog or cat enjoys getting bathed this tool can make it easier for you and even more comfortable for them. | |
There are other great tools as well, but each of these address all the basic grooming needs of your pet. Of course, if your pet does not like being brushed or groomed, or you always have trouble with it, and it's in your budget, taking them to a professional groomer is best.
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