Managing Shedding in Cats and Dogs: A Contest to Win a Free FURminator

I got a call from the folks at FURminator. They insisted that I try their product because they hoped that I would review it here at Pet News and Views. I was skeptical. I usually don’t review products other than books. However, I was intrigued.

Enter Pet News and Views' contest to win a FURminator for your cat or dog.

I asked that they send me three—one for me to try on Earl Gray, my cat, and two that I could give away to my readers if I liked it. I got one for a cat and one for a dog.

When the package arrived, I opened it immediately. It was purple—my favorite color. Earl sniffed it, and when I started brushing him, he sat there purring loudly. He let me brush his back, as he always does, and his tummy—which he never does. He was in bliss.

The amount of fur that came off the brush was a lot—more than the brushes that I have used on him in the past. My husband, Steven, and I sometimes joke that we can build another cat with all the cat hair that is found in our house and on the sofa. Earl catnaps on the top of the sofa which is right by a window flooded with sunlight. Often, he leaves a lot of fur in the spot where he sleeps.

There’s also fur on my clothes. It hasn’t bothered me that much. I adore Earl—hair and all. But now, I don’t have to deal with lots of cat hair. I’ve been brushing him everyday with the FURminator; he loves it.

The Deluxe Collection FURminator collects more pet hair than other brushes I have tried on my cat.

Thanks to the folks at FURminator, I am giving away one Deluxe Collection FURminator for a medium sized dog and one Deluxe Collection FURminator for a cat. The retail price is $44.99 each. FURminator is easy to use. All you do is brush in the direction of the fur, and gently remove the hair caught in the deshedding tool with your hands. It’s so easy, and your pet will love it.

Now, Earl and I have special times during the day where I take out the FURminator and I listen to him purr while I “de-shed” him.

Contest Rules

To enter to win a FURminator, please leave a humorous comment about uses you can find for cat or dog hair. My husband, Steven, who is very funny, and I will pick the funniest dog and cat comment. The contest ends on March 9, and you can leave more than one comment in the comments section of this post. Winners will be announced on March 10.

Peggy Frezon

March 1st, 2010 at 12:30 PM

Every morning I wake up with a bad hair day, yet my cocker spaniel-long haired dachshund mix has such beautiful, long silky hair. Many women would love long red hair like hers! So the best use of her dog hair would be to donate it to Locks of Love.

Trish

March 1st, 2010 at 1:23 PM

The best thing to do with clumps of your dog’s hair is throw them out the window! Birds and squirrels will find them and use them as warm, soft nesting material.
If Fido likes to bark at and chase the critters, it’s a good way for him to make it up to them

Lauren E

March 1st, 2010 at 8:54 PM

I love the FURminator! I used to use them at the pet hotel that I worked at and they are amazing. Both the cats and the dogs loved them. I think it’s because their “teeth” don’t penetrate past the dog’s hair so it doesn’t feel weird on their skin.

Our friends have 4 cats (all domestic short hair), 2 dogs (a Bernese and a Golden), and 3 messy kids in their house. The hair is put to good use as it flies around and collects dust. Just look for rolling balls of fur, pick them up, and you have yourself a very clean house. I guess the more pets you have, the easier it gets to clean up! The cats and dogs clean up after the kids and their fur cleans up the dust.

Darlene A.

March 1st, 2010 at 11:00 PM

Cat hair is an accessory. My cat insists upon a cuddle before I go out, consequently, I probably bear an amazing resemblance to her biological mother. She also likes to wag her tail over my dish if I’m eating in the den, shedding hair into my food. Either she’s adding protein or dental floss. She loves being brushed but I’ve never used a Furminator.

Karen Friesecke

March 1st, 2010 at 11:57 PM

If you have a long haired breed like a afghan hound or a golden retriever, you can collect the hair and have it spun into wool to make a sweater, hat or whatever. And I’m NOT kiddding! There are artists that will make yarn from dog fur!

Cher

March 2nd, 2010 at 6:04 AM

My dog is a beautiful redhead. I am often envious over the color and have shopped salon colors to match his gorgeous coat. My husband thinks dying my hair to match our pup is ridiculous so I haven’t done it.

If I won the FURminator, I would collect his red fur and sew it onto a bathing or shower cap and flaunt my new red hairdo to my husband. If that doesn’t get me a guilt-free trip to the salon then nothing will. If my plan works, however, you may have to forward all future correspondence to me at my local asylum.

Dave

March 2nd, 2010 at 6:09 AM

If I’m lucky enough to win, I will use my dog’s fur to make an attractive red wig for my wife. That way, she will stop trying to convince me that $200 at a hair salon is a good investment.

Sorry honey. I was reading over your shoulder!

Jen

March 2nd, 2010 at 7:58 AM

With 3 dogs, I think the best use for all the extra fur is to turn it into a natural fuel source. Just imagine if you could turn cat & dog hair into fuel for your car! No more drilling for oil, no more high gas prices, and definitely no more fuel shortages. Sure, it might smell a little funny, but who really likes the smell of gasoline currently?

Shed trade could take over the stock market. Pet owners could replenish their retirement accounts (just think how one old lady with 14 cats could pump up her 401(k)!) Shelters could stop fundraising – each cat or dog they take in will pay for it’s own care within a few Furminator sessions.

Wow, the list could go on and on – economic relief, housing market rebound, jobs added to the economy…is world peace even possible through pet fur?

Sheryl

March 2nd, 2010 at 9:32 AM

As the world’s leaders in fashion descend upon Paris for the highly anticipated showcasing of the 2010 fall/winter season, keep your eye on the runway for the chic and new flyaway-fur shoulder shawls and matching mukluks. Among the ones to watch for their inspiring use of loose pet fur are Issey Miaowake, Woofa Watanabe, Givenchat, Diog Couture, and Comb Le Chat Homme.

Tiff

March 2nd, 2010 at 10:06 AM

1) Authentic Feline Fur Tapestry (100% real kitty and completely animal friendly. In fact, the cat should get a cut of the profits.)
2) Furifoam cups! Styrofoam is made of polystyrene or simply, “plastic”. Just take a clump of recycled fur, tightly compact it into cup shapes, slather it in a non-toxic sealant and vuala! You are now the proud owner of a unique and fashionable cup to go with your tapestry. How many people can say that they have matching cups to go with there wall art?! Not many my friends!

Deborah Repplier

March 2nd, 2010 at 10:27 AM

My first dog (as an adult)was a Standard Poodle. People would always tell me I was “lucky” not having to deal with shedding. I’d say, oh sure, what’s the luckiest part–paying for grooming bills or having my cats make up for the lack of dog fur? That was then…this is now. Yes, I still have my Standard Poodle, and two others (rescue), as well as an Aussie, and two cats. The cats definitely take care of furring up the carpet in the bedroom and closet, from both ends (can you say hairball?!); the Aussie used to fur up the remainder of the house. But he’s had to share that responsibility since I became a Dog Foster for my local animal rescue group. And while it’s true that puppies have that special soft puppy fur that doesn’t really shed until a certain age, they contribute with the cedar flakes and pine needles from their outside play area. And the older foster dogs, well, they contribute real fur. (After I bathed Zoe, a cattle-dog/shepherd mix in my bathtub, there was more than enough to make a kitty–and that was just from the fur IN the tub!) My hope is to collect these piles of fur, roll them into balls, and “decorate” the cedar/log fence my partner is building to surround our (new) vegetable garden…enter at your own risk, Mister Bunny!!!

Amy@GoPetFriendly

March 2nd, 2010 at 10:29 AM

We add the dog hair to the compost bin! It adds nutrients to the soil – and the scent of the dogs may help keep the rabbits and deer out of my flowers!!

Janet Detter Margul

March 2nd, 2010 at 12:55 PM

In our house, we use the pet fur as it flows naturally for additional insulation. Just refrain from sweeping for a month or so and you will notice nice sized fur clumps clinging to your baseboards. Continue to not sweep and by next winter you will have so much insulation around your baseboards that there is no way a draft can get through that natural warmth-retaining wedge of fur. In the summer, your wall of fur helps keep the cold inside and the hot outside, just the way you like it! With three cats and one dog contributing to the fur insulation around here, and three adults committed to their antipathy towards housework, this energy-conserving method was a natural!

Donna M

March 2nd, 2010 at 2:54 PM

As a crafter from way back I will continue to use all the dog hair collected from our beautiful chocolate Lab (name:Brown Dog) and stuff the pillows that I make and sell. I don’t use down or fiberfill, I use dog hair. Unsuspecting people buy my creations and use them or give the lovely pillows as gifts. It saves me a lot of money on supplies and it is also eco-friendly. It is suprising how fast you can collect enough dog hair to fill a pillow! While some people might be grossed out by this I would like to add; What you don’t know, won’t hurt you.”

geri

March 2nd, 2010 at 8:04 PM

How about a stuffed dog or cat stuffed with real animal fur? Real on the inside, and probably you could use it on the outside as well.

Ellen Beck

March 2nd, 2010 at 10:12 PM

I do cat rescue and there are between 5-6 inside at all times along with one lone dog… Now I am not convinced of this, but, I ‘think’ my carpet may have been vacuumed completely away maybe a year or so ago and what we think is carpet is actually one long continuous mass of pet hair that has been compacted to resemble a carpet. The cats vary in color, so the carpet is a mix of browns, blacks,whites and greys. Rather attractive really
The animals in addition to making me new carpeting have constructed sweaters, hats and added layers of warm fur to anything they come in contact with. They have insulated my cold winter home here in Iowa quite nicely.
They aren’t much with the bolder uses of color,but they have saved me a bundle in heating bills this winter!

Dani Rouse Holland

March 2nd, 2010 at 11:13 PM

My husband & I have decided to use all of the dog hair we find to re-stuff the pillows that the dogs have “de-stuffed”. This includes the “indestructable” dog toys that the dogs have “destroyed”. Their hair makes good stuffing. The pillows & toys are re-stuffed & are almost as good as new.

Jim (DoggyBytes.ca)

March 3rd, 2010 at 2:31 AM

The store I work at sells these actually.

A few weeks ago a polcie officer came in to return his Furminator, I can’t remember which one it was (there are quite a few models).

My comment may not seem to support the quality of the Furminator, but the thing is, this police officer was using his Furminator to brush his K9 partner, EVERY day! They’re not meant for commercial use, at least the model he had wasn’t, but it worked so well for him that we exchanged/upgraded him to a different model.

My point is, if a police officer liked the performance of this grooming tool enough to use it every day on his dog, then people using it for normal use should be very happy with it as well.

Michele

March 3rd, 2010 at 8:24 AM

Jim,
That’s a great endorsement.
Michele

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Julie

March 3rd, 2010 at 10:56 AM

My dog billie is a siberian husky and recently lost his undercoat. He was shedding for 3 weeks-huge clumps I might add. Using the furminator is a life saver and really helped with the process. When we brush Billie he seems indignant about losing his hair-almost as if he thinks he needs it.I joked we should make a mini carpet out of his hair so he can hang out on it daily and get what is rightfully his back.

March 3rd, 2010 at 11:51 AM

Since mine are mostly into making carpets and wearables,I am almost certain their talents can be expanded. After vacuuming this morning and clogging the cleaner twice, it was so hardpacked I now know they could build furniture. A nice matching sofa/loveseat chair could easily be constructed within months if they work together. Lazy sots that they are, I hate to ask more, but maybe adding one more cat, wall construction could be next. Roofing is a challenge, but if all the little cat claws they shed could be cemented together that would be solved too.And cat hack? Dont get me started but I’m sure there is some use.
I could advertise the house as ‘green’ as its natural and biodegradable.
Now if I had a furminator, I am sure the plans could proceed even faster as there would be more material to work with. Thanks- from the hairy kitties!

Dianne Houghtaling

March 4th, 2010 at 9:54 PM

This idea came to my husband and me at the same time. We share our home with approximately 150 lbs of adopted dogs. I brush the dogs (almost) every day and I run the vacuum (almost) every day in an attempt to keep the dog hair under control. Despite my efforts, some dog hair inevitably finds its way to the kitchen table. Oh how we pray this doesn’t happen when we have company! Especially when the guests are not “animal” people! Now… here’s the use for the dog hair.
In order to keep the number of (really) unwanted house/dinner guests to a minimum, we think that the appropriate application of dog hair to, maybe the butter dish or breakfast pancakes could be an effective deterrant to additional visits!
On a serious note, I have noticed that song birds hang out nearby when I am brushing the dogs outside. When a breeze scatters the hair, the birds snatch it up and use it for nest building!
What a great way to recycle:)

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March 5th, 2010 at 8:54 AM

[...] On another note, Pet News and Views is hosting a contest for cat and dog owners to win a free FURminator. The person who leaves the funniest comment for uses of cat and dog hair, will win a free FURminator. See Managing Shedding in Cats and Dogs: A Contest to Win a Free FURminator. [...]

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Janice

March 9th, 2010 at 9:36 AM

Dearest FURminator,

A day of dust bunnies in my house can take on The Plunger, The Snake, and Liquid Drano in a single round. Help! We need The Deluxe FURminator! In return, we pledge to donate the bunnies and all FURminator collections to the noble cause of science; to be used as testing materials for all drain removers that don’t work in dog people’s tubs! And by the way… no real hares will be used.

Yours truly,
Janice and Basset Hound (need we say more?)

FURminator Contest Winners « Pet News and Views

March 10th, 2010 at 8:45 AM

[...] I was so impressed with the FURminator that I decided to host a contest asking dog and cat owners: What other uses can you find for cat and dog hair? The responses were amusing. You can read all of them in a previous post. [...]

Gail Martitz Patterson

April 13th, 2010 at 8:22 PM

Hi:
Our vet recommended the furminator when we first got our Golden Retriever as a pup. Now Boomer is 1year and 5 months old…and we use the furminator on Boomer and the two cats regularly.
My Funny Comment is that after we’re done using the Furminator we’ve collected enough fur to make a stuffed animal ! !
But that’s not the funny part…The Furminator makes cleanup a breeze!! After we’ve picked up all the loose hair off the carpet..we then use the Furminator lightly over the carpet, and tada!! It picks up the hair off the carpet just as well as it did on the dog or the cat !!!! I’m not kidding!! You must do it lightly of course to avoid any cuts in the carpet or furniture too….but it really works on the small area where you’ve just brushed out your pet!! Who likes to drag out the vacuum everytime you find the need to comb your pet? Not me!! Even though I already have the Furminator for over a year now (the same one) (no new blade) I would love to have a spare to keep in another room when its difficult for me to up and about to get the comb. We have to take advantage of the moment to comb when the moment arrives before you, (you’ all know what I mean)
So, that’s my Funny Furminator Story: Maybe not what you expected…but, neither did I; and I’m Happy about It!!

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Managing Shedding in Cats and Dogs: A Contest to Win a Free FURminator

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