Guide
How much fur do you need for a keepsake?
Answer
How much fur do you need for a keepsake?
About a pinch, roughly the size of a coin. That is enough to fill the window of a keepsake keychain like a Pawch. Gather it by brushing during a normal cuddle, not with scissors. Our full fur guide walks you through it.
In short
- A pinch of fur, about the size of a small coin, is exactly right.
- Brush during a cuddle. Skip the scissors.
- Less fur looks better in the window than more. It fans out and catches the light.
- Extra fur keeps indefinitely in a paper envelope in a drawer.
- Setting the window closed takes about two minutes and no tools.
Last updated July 14, 2026
The short answer
A pinch, roughly the size of a small coin. If you can hold it comfortably between your thumb and finger, that is exactly right for a keepsake window.
You do not need a lock, a tuft, or a bag. Too much fur packs the window tightly and hides the colour and texture. A little goes further than you would think.
How to gather it without scissors
Wait for a calm moment. During a cuddle on the sofa, or a lazy evening, is perfect. Use the brush you already own, or a soft slicker brush if you have one.
Brush the way you always do, along the back or the ruff where the coat is thickest. Lift the loose fur off the brush. That is your pinch. They will not miss a single strand.
Please skip the scissors. They are unsafe on a moving pet, and honestly, brushed fur is softer and looks better in the window. Our full fur guide walks you through it step by step.
What it looks like once it is in the window
Loose and light. When you press a pinch gently into the window, it fans out and catches the light. You see the colour and the softness. Packed tightly, it just looks dark. Less is genuinely more here.
A Pawch arrives with the window ready to open. You lay the fur in, press the tab closed, and you are done. Two minutes, no tools.
Pick a leather colour that suits them
The window and the amount of fur are the same across every Pawch, but the leather colour changes the feel. Espresso is a deep warm brown that reads quiet and grounded. Marigold is a sun-soaked tan, warm and classic. Ivory is soft and light, almost jewellery-like.
Any of the three sits well against any fur colour. Pick the one you would like to see on your keys every morning.
What to do if you gathered a little extra
Keep the spare. Fold it into a small paper envelope and tuck it in a drawer. Fur keeps indefinitely, so you can use it later, share it with a family member who also wants a keepsake, or set it aside for a memory box. For more on that, see our pet memorial keepsake ideas.
If your dog is short-haired or your cat is not a shedder, a slightly damp hand can help you gather the finer strands from their coat. Go slowly.
Storing it until you are ready
Dry and out of direct sunlight. A paper envelope inside a drawer is perfect. Avoid plastic bags for long storage, since they can trap moisture. Once the fur is behind the sealed window of a keepsake, it is protected and will stay looking exactly the same for years.
For a broader view of what you can do with fur beyond a keychain, see what to do with your dog's fur.
FAQ
Quick questions
Is a pinch really enough?+
Yes. A pinch about the size of a small coin fills a keepsake window and lets the colour and softness show. More just packs it flat.
Can I use scissors instead of brushing?+
We do not recommend scissors on a moving pet. Brushing during a cuddle is safer, kinder, and gives a softer, nicer looking result.
How long can I store loose fur before using it?+
Indefinitely. Fur is keratin. Kept dry and out of sunlight in a paper envelope, it will stay the same for years.
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