An undercoat rake can remove loose hair from an Angora rabbit.
An undercoat rake is a pet grooming tool that is designed to remove an animal’s soft, loose undercoat hair without disturbing the longer topcoat hairs. These tools are extremely useful for grooming animals in late spring and early summer, when the loose undercoat can get unbearably hot, and they also help to drastically reduce shedding. A good undercoat rake can also promote skin health by gently stimulating circulation to the skin and removing dead skin.
Most pet supply stores sell undercoat rakes, which come in a variety of sizes. A cat’s undercoat rake is usually smaller, with well-spaced teeth, while rakes designed for dogs are slightly larger. It is also possible to use undercoat rakes on larger animals such as sheep and llamas, along with animals such as rabbits; If you have an angora rabbit, for example, you can use an undercoat rake to gently remove the rabbit’s loose fur to turn it into wool.
A typical underlayment rake looks a lot like a rake, with flexible stainless steel teeth that are usually set close together. In some cases, two rows of offset teeth are used to increase the gripping power of the cutting tool. To use a rake for the undercoat, handlers simply run it gently over the animal, keeping the handle as vertical as possible and taking care not to dig the teeth into the animal’s skin, which can be sharp and uncomfortable.
When an undercoat rake is used, the stiffer top hairs of the animal’s coat slide outward as the rake removes loose undercoat hairs. These hairs tend to be fine and extremely soft and can build up quickly, so it’s a good idea to clean the undercoat razor several times when using it. For shedding animals, the undercoat rake can be a great tool, as it increases comfort and reduces the risk of tangles; Undercoat rakes can also be used more generally to help remove mats.
When looking for an undercoat rake, you may want to find one with a soft, flexible handle that you’re comfortable with. It’s also a good idea to find an undercoat rake that can be dipped in disinfectant periodically and between animals. Consider the size of the animal the rake will be used on; You can gently test the teeth against the soft skin on the inside of your arm to make sure the rake is comfortable.