For our third and final KONG product review following a tour of the Kong Factory and HQ in Golden, Colorado, Champion of My Heart presents the Kong Zoom Groom (basically a rubber-fingered dog brush).
If you missed the other two Kong dog product reviews, here are links:
Rubber Dog Brush Background
Ages ago — like 20 years — I bought a rubber dog brush to use on our late dalmatian (Penelope Grace) because it was pretty much the only way to deal with her very short coat. It’s in the dog box somewhere in the house still, probably with the rubber all dried out.
So, I was surprised and excited to try the KONG Zoom Groom, which works on the same principle as far as I can tell.
The nice guys at KONG gave me two to try out for free because it’s a real hoot to have one in each hand and brush the dogs on both sides at the same time, using a circular motion or a typical brushing motion. [They have cat versions too that are smaller and (I think) feature softer rubber.]
You can use it wet (during baths) or dry (for day-to-day grooming). We’ve only tried it dry so far.
Dog Product Review: Kong Zoom Groom
This dog product review comes with three main points:
- Lilly and Ginko LOVE the massaging action of the rubber nubs on the Zoom Groom. I didn’t have to remind them to stay put while I brushed because it felt so good to them.
- Alas, the Zoom Groom didn’t remove much hair … at least compared to the Furminator … though, there is a good chance my technique is flawed.
- Alas, part two, getting the hair OFF of the Zoom Groom brush isn’t as easy as clapping the bushes together (as I’d been told). A lot of static builds up, and I had a devil of a time getting Lilly hair and Ginko hair to come off the brush when I was done. Maybe they have weird coats. (It’s probably easier with wet hair that clumps.)
Final Word: Kong Zoom Groom
Our final word on the Kong Zoom Groom is that we’ll keep it and keep using it. Even if the hair removal isn’t the best we’ve seen, the dogs really like how it feels, and I’m sure it’s good for their circulation and general skin health.
Share Your Zoom Groom Experience
I know some of you use and swear by the Kong Zoom Groom, so do tell … what am I doing wrong? Or what tricks do you use to remove more dog hair?
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FTC Disclosure
I received this KONG Zoom Groom for free to review. However, I was not paid or compensated in any way for this post.
I also have trouble getting the hair out, even if I do pound it on the floor. Sometimes I just use my fingers to pick them out.
In any case, the day I discovered the zoom groom I never went back to any other kind of brush for my dog. He sit still for it and he lets me do it for over 10 minutes sometimes! Hair comes out fine (he’s a lab mix, so his hair is short-ish) especially if I brush against the growth (from tail to head).
I will try brushing backwards. Thanks for the idea, Karen. And, yes … usually I have to remind my two to stay put while I brush them, but much LESS so with this brush. They really love how it feels.
I’ve always cleaned the zoom groom like a horse curry brush.. just bang it against the wall or the ground and the hair should come out.. I have the cat version though. Not sure if it makes a difference. The dog one was too hard for my guys, but they love the cat one..it seems to work a bit better for getting the hair out too.
Love the idea of doing both sides at once!!!
I totally tried all those tactics, Aly, and the darn hair would NOT come out. I had to pry it loose with my fingers from each nub. Maybe we have more static with it being such a dry winter up here or maybe the dogs’ hair is weird, but it truly could NOT get it to come out easily. :o)