FurVac — the complete guide
Which head for your pet, what to do when suction drops, how loud it really is, and how to get a nervous dog or cat comfortable with it.
Suction dropped? It is almost always the filter
This is by far the most common reason people think their FurVac is broken. It rarely is. Work through these three steps before anything else.
Two filters, two different jobs
The pre-filter catches hair and coarse dust and is made to be washed. The HEPA filter sits behind it, catches fine dust and dander, and is made to be replaced. Mixing the two up is what causes most suction complaints.
Empty the container
Compressed hair against the inlet chokes the airflow long before the container is visually full.
Rinse the pre-filter and let it dry for 24 hours
Under the tap, no soap. Then leave it a full day. Putting a damp pre-filter back is the single fastest way to kill suction — and it will smell.
Tap out or replace the HEPA filter
Tap it out over a bin. If it stays grey, if there is a dusty smell, or if suction is still down, fit a new one. With weekly grooming a HEPA filter lasts about three months.
Buy filters two packs at a time
A pack holds two HEPA filters, so roughly six months of normal use. Ordering two or three packs at once saves you paying shipping again in three months, and means you never have to groom around a clogged filter.
Still no suction after all three steps? Message us before you return anything — send a photo of the filter and we will tell you within the hour whether it is the filter or the motor.
Which head does my pet need?
Two questions. All six heads work on dogs and cats — the difference is the coat, not the species.
All six heads side by side
| Head | What it does | Best for | Cleaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deshedding brush View · €17,99 → |
Removing loose undercoat and reducing shedding | Every coat type, and the only head you need on a short coat | Washable |
| Needle comb View · €17,99 → |
Brushing through the coat and lifting small tangles | Medium to long hair. Little use on a short coat | Washable |
| Massage comb View · €13,95 → |
Gentle care, relaxing, loosening hair | Every coat type. The gentlest head | Washable |
| Trimmer View · €29,95 → |
Clipping hair that gets in the way — paws, ears, rear | Dogs and cats. Four guard combs included | Wipe only |
| 2-in-1 flat brush View · €8,55 → |
Sofa seams, corners, narrow gaps | Your home, not your pet | Washable |
| Anti-static brush View · €15,95 → |
Sofas, cushions, car seats, clothes | Your home, not your pet | Wipe only |
The 2-in-1 flat brush and the anti-static brush are the two that never touch your pet — they are for the hair that already made it onto your sofa, your clothes or your car seats.
Brushing and vacuuming in the same stroke
A normal brush moves hair around. The FurVac takes it out of the room.
Click on the head that matches the coat
Heads swap in a second, so you can switch mid-session — needle comb first, deshedding brush after.
Pick your suction level
Three levels. Level 1 for cats and small dogs, level 2 for medium, level 3 for big coats and heavy shedders.
Brush as you normally would
Loose hair is pulled straight down the hose as it comes off the coat, instead of floating onto the floor.
Empty and rinse
Tip out the container, rinse the pre-filter when it looks matted, and you are done.
Getting a nervous pet comfortable
Do not start with a running machine against your dog's back. Build it up over a few short sessions and you will get there — we have not yet seen a dog or cat that did not.
The head on its own, machine off
Brush your pet with just the grooming head, no hose attached. It is a normal brush at this point. Let them enjoy it.
Head plus hose, still off
Now they get used to the weight and the feel of the hose against them. Still silent.
Machine on, but across the room
Switch it on with the hose disconnected and the unit a few metres away. Carry on brushing. They learn that the noise is not attached to anything happening to them.
Everything together, short and rewarded
Two minutes is plenty for a first go. Hold your dog gently by the collar, keep your voice normal, reward, stop while it is still going well.
Do not let the first flinch end the session
A pet that gets to walk away the moment the machine starts learns that walking away works. Keep a calm hand on them, keep it short, and finish on a good note with a treat. Within a few days to a few weeks most dogs roll onto their back when they see the FurVac coming.
If your pet is genuinely panicking rather than just unsure, stop and go back a step. Forcing a frightened animal does not speed anything up.
Ten minutes a month keeps it like new
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Every session | Empty the container |
| Every few sessions | Rinse the pre-filter, dry 24 hours |
| Every 3 months | New HEPA filter (weekly grooming) |
| Every 6-8 weeks | New HEPA filter (several times a week, or long-haired and heavy shedders) |
| About once a year | New HEPA filter (occasional use, once or twice a month) |
Signs the HEPA needs replacing sooner
- Suction is noticeably weaker than last month
- The filter stays grey after you tap it out
- There is a dusty smell when it runs
Heads: rinse the deshedding brush, needle comb, massage comb and flat brush by hand and dry them fully. Go easy on the metal pins — leaving them wet causes wear. The trimmer and the anti-static brush are wipe-only.
Specifications
In the box: motor unit, hose, washable pre-filter and HEPA filter fitted. Grooming heads are sold separately or as a bundle. Two-year warranty, and 30 days to see whether your pet accepts it.
Things worth knowing
It needs a socket
There is no battery. The 4-metre cable reaches around most rooms, but if you groom outside you will need an extension lead.
The first sessions take patience
Most pets need three or four short introductions before they relax. Plan for a week, not an afternoon.
Filters are a running cost
With weekly grooming you will replace the HEPA filter about every three months. A pack of two costs €10,00 and covers roughly six months.
Heads are not included
Budget for at least one, usually the deshedding brush. Most owners end up with two.
Questions we get about the FurVac
How loud is the FurVac really?
Around 60 dB. That is the level of a normal conversation, and a fraction of a household vacuum cleaner. You can hold a conversation over it.
My pet is scared of the vacuum cleaner. Will this work?
Almost certainly, it just takes a few sessions. Dogs that panic at a household vacuum need the slow introduction below rather than a different product. In the years we have been selling the FurVac we have not yet had a dog or cat that stayed afraid of it.
Is it cordless?
No, it runs on mains power. The cable is 4 metres, which reaches around most rooms, and it winds up under the unit for storage.
Can I use it on a cat?
Yes, and plenty of our customers do — cats, dogs, even rabbits. Start on suction level 1 and keep the first few sessions short.
How much hair fits in it?
The container holds 4 litres, and hair compresses tightly, so in practice it holds a lot more than it looks. If suction drops before the container is full, it is the filter, not the container.
Do I need to buy attachments separately?
Yes. The FurVac comes as the motor unit with the hose and both filters fitted. You pick the heads that match your pet, or take a bundle.
How long is the warranty?
Two years on the device, in line with Belgian and EU consumer law. On top of that you have 30 days to send it back if your pet simply will not accept it.
Can the heads go in the dishwasher?
Rinse them by hand instead. The deshedding brush, needle comb, massage comb and flat brush are all washable, but go easy on the metal pins — standing water on them causes wear over time. Dry everything fully before use. The trimmer and the anti-static brush are wipe-only.
Video walkthroughs
We are filming short step-by-step videos. Until they are live, every step below is written out in full.
FurVac in five minutes
On the way: unboxing and first setup, swapping heads, the four-step introduction, cleaning the filters.
Talk to us
Can't find it here? A real person answers, usually within a few hours.
