Review of the Cat Furminator Tool

This tool will be available at pet supply stores and some veterinary offices on December 1, 2009. This is an excellent tool for keeping your pet mat-free, and may help reduce hairball problems in cats. These tools are more expensive than other grooming tools, but are a great investment in a quality tool that often shortens grooming time and will be a comfortable experience for your pet.

Product review information: this tool was provided to me by the FURminator company to test and review on my pets.

While I wholeheartedly believe that good grooming is essential to good health, I am not a groomer by nature. I keep my pets' coats clean, brushed and free of mats, and strive to do that in the least amount of time. That is probably reason number one why I like these tools - they do remove a serious amount of shed hair in a short time.

This is my third review of the FURminator tools. I have reviewed the "original" FURminator Deshedding Tool and the newer FURminator Double Edge Tool. I liked the wide (4-inch) blade of the original over the chunkier double-edge tool, but the double edge did pull out lots of undercoat with each swipe. Both tools were of sturdy construction and very durable.

The new cat grooming tool is part of a new line called the FURminator deLuxe Collection, and also includes small, medium and large tools for dogs. From what I can tell, the cat tool and small dog tool are the same, with a blade that is 1.75-inches wide. The medium size is 2.65-inches wide and the large size is 4-inches wide. (One inch equals approximately 25 mm.)

I have to say that I love the jazzy new color of this tool. The deshedding blade appears to be identical to the previous versions. The "fur ejector button" is new for me. I like the idea, but in reality, it didn't eject the fur. I used this on very soft, downy fur. It may work better with coarser hair. Or perhaps it is just to help with keeping the blade clean from dander? A longer ejector would be needed to fully eject hair.

The new ergonomic handle fit my hand nicely and is well-designed. This allows for comfort as well as optimal brushing time.

A big improvement of this tool over the Double Edge Tool is that it is lightweight. I felt that the head of the Double Edge tool was "clunky" over bony areas such as legs. I did not experience that with this model.

As with all of the FURminator tools, they aren't cheap. That said, they are very well constructed, and have stood the test of time and use. And, unlike other tools that I have poked my fingers with (ouch) and splintered handles over the years, the first FURminator tool that I reviewed years ago is still in fine shape; even after my daughter decided to open a "grooming parlor" and toted the tools around inside, outside, and on every animal that would put up with her brushing sessions.

See the Cat FURminator photo gallery with two of my cats, Barnie and Greta