Is a shedding blade inhumane?

[Emily_Babbelhund]

See this cute little kitty I used to use one on her on her bum and fatty bits.

Look at her! She's gorgeous but I think I'd be careful not to upset her in any way.

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

Why don’t you try bringing out the shedding tool and sitting with it without approaching him (but so he can see it). Just wait and see what he does. If he comes over to you very gently use the tool on a small area. If he allows it to continue, then continue.

He associates it with treats so he runs over when I pick it up. He won't run away if I use it, but he will sit down or lay on his back when I want him to stand. The next time I'll focus on his 'fatty bits', avoid the bony bits and watch his reactions closely. After reading the feedback here, if there's any aversion it may be to the metal, not to anything specific about a shedding blade. I could also try a rubber curry brush with longer nubs so maybe more effective than the one I have.

I'm reassured from the feedback here that a shedding blade isn't necessarily worse than a Furminator or other metal rake, but we could stand with some additional handling training and maybe a tweak to grooming tools.

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

I don't think it's necessarily a bad tool, although it looks like an instrument of torture

Yes, I think this is the part that bothers people the most who haven't used or seen one before. My friend walked in my apartment this morning to take out Carbon and she saw the shedding blade sitting on the counter and said, "What is THAT thing?!" Typical reaction for sure.

 

[snowbunny]

The next time I'll focus on his 'fatty bits', avoid the bony bits and watch his reactions closely.

Maybe video it and then watch it back? It's super easy to miss things in the moment that you can see clearly in the video when you can concentrate on just the watching.

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

Maybe video it and then watch it back? It's super easy to miss things in the moment that you can see clearly in the video when you can concentrate on just the watching.

True - good idea!

 

[Jen]

I would imagine that if he really didn’t want you to do it he would do more than roll on his back.

When the eye drops come out Stanley won’t even be in the same room as me, let alone let me anywhere near him!