Your Dog and Shedding

It’s a given fact that most dogs shed.  Obviously some breeds are worse than others, but for the most part if you own a pooch you’ll inevitably find yourself sweeping, vacuuming, brushing and fighting the never-ending battle of flying fur.  The good news is that while you can’t completely prevent your dog from shedding there are a few tips to help you maintain control of your furniture, carpet and clothing until the worst of it is over.

First and foremost, make sure that your dog’s shedding is normal.  It’s healthy for dogs to lose a lot of fur, particularly when warmer weather is approaching, but make sure that the remaining coat is shiny and healthy in appearance and that there aren’t any bald spots or areas with abnormally sparse amounts of fur.  These can be indicators that your pooch may be suffering from any number of health conditions.  As long as everything appears normal, chances are your dog is simply experiencing a regular shed cycle.

Shed Control Tips

The best thing you can do to control your dog’s shedding is to groom him.  You can either schedule an appointment to have a professional handle this or you can do it yourself if you feel comfortable.  Routine brushing will help remove dead hair and help make room for the new coat to grow in.  It also helps to prevent the development of painful matting.  Brushing your dog regularly, preferably for a few moments each day, will help you control when and where the majority of fur is shed and help your pet maintain a more healthy coat and skin.

There are also a number of helpful tips and shed control products available that you can use to keep up with your dog’s shedding.

• Use a high quality brush that is designed to remove shed fur and try to brush your dog outside if possible.
• Keep a few heavy-duty lint rollers handy to remove fur from clothing and furniture as needed.
• Keep furniture covered when you’re not home.  (There are some companies that make throws specifically designed to capture fur and hair.)
• Consider using a shampoo that is made to keep fur and skin healthy (discuss with your vet or groomer prior to using).
• Remove newly shed hair from upholstery and your dog’s bed as quickly as possible.
• Get a heavy-duty vacuum and use it often to keep on top of loose hair before it becomes a problem.
• Discuss your dog’s shedding with your vet to make sure he is on an appropriate diet.

Unfortunately for a dog owner, shedding is a fact of life but the companionship and unconditional love these four-legged family members provide make it worth the occasional piles of fur on the couch.  And with the help of these tips and tricks you can keep it under control and make the process more manageable in the interim.