True Touch deshedding glove tester, corgi weigh in as the fur flies
Like most indoor pet owners, I’m all too familiar with the struggle to keep a clean, fur-free home.
Not only do I vacuum (on minimum) twice a week, but I also own multiple lint rollers (in various sizes) should the need arise to remove a layer of my dog’s fur from the couch or the coat of a friend. Over time I’ve learned that the best way to prevent fur from flying all over my home is to get to the root of the problem and prevent shedding before it happens.
While pet stores offer a variety of deshedding shampoos, tablets and brushes, I’ve yet to find anything that can match the job that the popular (and pricey) FURminator Deshedding Tool does on my corgi Gizmo’s thick double coat.
In this week’s Fab or Flub? column, I take a look at a new deshedding product that is not only affordable but has already garnered several glowing reviews. Designed for dogs and cats of all sizes and breeds, the True Touch Deshedding Glove ($14.99, Bed Bath & Beyond) offers a gentler and relaxing alternative to traditional deshedding brushes, which can be rough and unpleasant to pets.
Through the act of petting, the glove’s gentle silicone grooming tips have the power to quickly and effectively remove your pet’s excess fur.
First impression
Designed to mimic the gentle touch of your hand, the True Touch Deshedding Glove features 180 silicone grooming tips that remove excess fur while simultaneously massaging your pet.
Unlike traditional deshedding brushes, the one-size-fits-all glove contours perfectly to your pet’s body so you can comb every inch of fur. As you pet your beloved feline or canine, excess fur (as well as debris and dirt) loosens and clings to the glove’s silicone surface.
When you’ve finished grooming, simply peel away the layer of fur on the glove and dispose of it.
Fab or flub?
Flub. If Gizmo could rate the True Touch Deshedding Glove by himself, I have no doubt he’d give it two paws up.
Never one to turn down a good rub, Gizmo had a more enjoyable grooming experience with the glove and I was finally able to get him to stay completely still while I attempted to comb out his fur. When I use the FURminator, he often runs off after a few strokes over his body and I struggle to get him back so I can finish the job.
Despite Gizmo’s approval, I found the product to be more of a mixed bag. Due to the short length of the silicone grooming tips, the glove was not capable of reaching Gizmo’s thick undercoat and only seemed to skim the top layer of his fur.
The fur the glove did collect was minimal and didn’t cling well enough to the silicone surface to make removing it easy. For comparison, I went over the same area with the FURminator that we’ve used for the past five years. With just one swipe, the comb removed a large chunk of loose fur in the same spot where the glove had barely removed any hair.
Unfortunately, I think the success of this product relies heavily on the type of fur your dog has. Gizmo’s fur is not only quite dense, but he is double-coated (though sometimes it seems more like he has three coats).
At just $15, the glove might still be worth trying before considering more expensive deshedding options. Just be warned that there is a chance you might not get the results you want.
This story was originally published September 2, 2016 at 12:36 PM with the headline "True Touch deshedding glove tester, corgi weigh in as the fur flies."