The Weekly Growl:  

A Canine Commentary

Bamboo Grooming Products 

 By Stacy Mantle

Bamboo has quickly become one of my most favorite companies.  Why?  Because they have some of the best products on the market for grooming, playtime, and comfort toys; they hold up well under the most extreme testing situations, and they all perform more than one task.  Since I spend most of my life performing more than one task, I have a great deal of respect for this company!

The first product that we have for review is the Mud Magnet Microfiber Glove .  This is a wonderful new product that just slips on your hand and allows you to pull off any excess water and/or mud from your dog's paws and body.  The data says that it can hold up to 6 times it's weight in water and mud, but we found this product to hold even more.  Cheiss, our "rescued reservation" dog, always takes a dive in our new pond after a game of Fetch, and is in a constant state of wet.  We just run the MudMagnet over him and he's clean, and mostly dry!  After we have put the MudMagnet through its paces for a week or so, we toss it into the washer and we're right back to a new glove!  

Tristan, on the other hand, is our wolf/coyote hybrid and abhors the water.  Why he doesn't like water, I couldn't tell you.  So instead of a wet dog, we contend with a constant state of shedding. Tristan is notorious for his "second coat", a thick undercoat that is always trying to make its way out of his skin.  For Tristan, we put the "Bamboo De-Shedding Comb 3-1/2" " to work, along with the "Bamboo® Dematting Rake ".  The Bamboo De-Shedding Comb 3-1/2" works incredible well, although I must admit to having a few doubts as to effectiveness at first.  The comb is actually a 3 1/2 inch blade that you could normally find on a clippers, and it's tines are small.  What happens is that you use the comb just like you're brushing the dog and it pulls out the undercoat and leaves the top coat with a beautiful shine.  If you still don't believe me, check out the video on Bamboo's website.  Please remember that this comb is for "shedding dogs only".  If you're not sure whether your dog is actually shedding or not, please consult your veterinarian.  Bamboo also includes a handy "grooming guide" with each of its tools, so take the time to read this through - it will only take a minute and if you get bored with it, you can read it in French (which is also included). 

Next you can use the "Bamboo® Dematting Rake " for those difficult to reach areas.  This is a tool that has come into use many a day during the winter season, as winter in AZ just means more shedding.  The Dematting rake also employs a blade that could be found on a set of clippers, but instead they are much safer to use for those who do their own dog-grooming.   This rake will pull out anything that you may have missed the first time around.  Another feature of the Dematting Rake is the fact that it can be used to cut off any tough mats that may accumulate without causing pain to your favorite canine. I generally use the Dematting rake first, then follow up with the Deshedding comb. To remain safe when not in use, the tines fold in to form a nice little packet for storage - something that other combs and brushes do not do.  

Next we have Roscoe, a Labrador and Beagle mix.  Essentially he looks like a 60 lb Beagle.  He has a very short coat, and the thing I love about the Bamboo De-Shedding Comb 3-1/2" is that it can be used on the short coats or the longer coat dogs. Roscoe is the only one who will calmly let us cut his toenails, and Bamboo has the perfect tool for this!  It's known as the Bamboo Care Medium/Large Dog Trimmer .  As I mentioned earlier, the reason I love Bamboo products is their flexibility and ability to include more than one use in a product.  This product is no exception.  Not only are the Guillotine blades exceptionally effective, there is a small carrier of Styptic powder built into the handle of each of their nail products.  On top of that, a small nail file has been incorporated into the handle as well, so you no longer have to carry around three products to do the job of one.  If you're not comfortable with the Guillotine blades, check out the Bamboo Care Medium/Large Dog Trimmer .

Highly efficient, quick and easy to use, you can have your hound looking like a purebred in a matter of minutes with these wonderful grooming products. They all have a specially designed comfort grip for ease of control, and most of them come with their own carrying case.  In all, we have to highly recommend these products.  We've only been able to review a few.  For more information, check out Bamboo's Website and follow their link, 'Bamboo's Must Have List for Your Pets" on the front page.  Here you can create your own wish list that is specific to your dog, and it will include toys, grooming products and other necessities that neither you nor your pup will be able to live without!  And what happens if you don't like it?  Bamboo stands behind all of their products and with each purchase, they make a 100% satisfaction guaranteed offer. You can either return, replace or exchange any items that you or your pet are not completely happy with. How can you go wrong with a company like this backing you up?

From the Dogs:

Growls:  (From Tristan) If I really have to be brushed I suppose this is the best way to do it.  At least it's fast!  Woof! 

Leaps of Joy: (From Cheiss) Now I can come into the house RIGHT AFTER I jump in the pond!  My favorite thing, next to my red Kong ball, is the Muid Magnet!

From the Humans:

Two opposable thumbs up: We love it!  Ease of grooming, no hunting down extra supplies for jobs that could be combined into one, and Cheiss is much warmer than he was with the help of the MudMagnet!    

About the Author

Stacy Mantle is a freelance writer who currently resides in the southwestern deserts of Arizona with a number of cats, a coyote/wolf hybrid, and a very understanding husband. Her writing has appeared in publications such as The Arabian Horse Times, Today’s AZ Woman, and Pets Illustrated and she currently writes two pet product review columns for www.PetsWeekly.com. Many of her stories and articles have been translated into several languages, and now reach an international audience. Quickly becoming known as "…the Erma Bombeck of animals", her writing has skyrocketed to new heights as she records the stories of those she loves, inspiring the reader to learn why we have all come to love the animals we share our lives with. She is the author of Conquering the Food Chain: Living Amongst Animals (Without Becoming One), which is available in Barnes & Noble bookstores nationwide, as well as online at www.bn.com or www.amazon.com

Read about these other great products: Canine Covers, Bamboo Grooming Products, Brakefast Bowl, Dog Holiday List, 12 Days of Dog-mas, Prepping Your Home for the Holidays, Happy Tails Spa Products, Wellness Bed, Spray Commander, PetSleeves, Pet Costumes, 1-800-LostDog, Animal Pathways, Wubba World's Dog Toys, Ruffwear, PupLight, Drinkwell's Big Dog Pet Fountain, and the Tapeless Wound Care System