Minimizing Shedding as Springtime Approaches
Ah, springtime! Flowers, rain showers, chirping birds… and dog fur. Lots and lots of dog fur! If you’re a dog owner, you know what we’re talking about: Suddenly, your precious pup is losing clumps by the minute, parting with so many tresses that you fret he’ll be bald by bedtime.
Of course, shedding doesn’t hurt your dog – it’s a natural process that allows them to rid their bodies of damaged and old hair. But it can hurt other things – your furniture, your flooring, your famous spaghetti that tastes much better when it comes without a strand of dog fur floating in
the sauce.
So, what can you do to stop shedding? To be fair, you can’t stop it entirely unless you make sure to limit your dog ownership to pups that don’t shed or shed very little (such as terriers, poodles, and Maltese). Still, there are tricks to hampering the hair as much as possible…
Such as:
Brush… a lot
Really, you should brush your dog’s fur as often as you brush your own hair. Doing it at the same time each day (such as right when you get up in the morning) helps it become a matter of routine. You should also invest in a brush designed specifically to control shedding – they come with teeth that pull out as much hair as possible (without hurting your dog). This keeps the fur from ending up on your recliner.
Bathe… a lot
Your dog isn’t like to be a fan of this one, but bathing your dog regularly will reduce shedding. If you do this at the same time each week, you’ll up the odds of sticking with it. Try starting on Monday evenings…..Mondays are already a giant pain anyway.
Use a hairdryer
Using a hairdryer for your dog seems unnecessarily fancy as if they’re getting ready to attend a private screening of Benji at the local arthouse. But hair dryers serve a purpose: They remove excess fur. Rather than using yours on Fido or Frances, spring for a pet dryer that comes with the necessary attachments to get the job done.
Feed them high-quality food
Finally, a suggestion your dog approves of! Food that is higher quality contains ingredients and nutrients that aid in keeping your dog’s coat healthy, which minimizes shedding. You might also try supplements (just confer with your vet first). Omega-3 fatty acids are known for reducing the dread of the shed.
Seek out assistance
Some breeds are certainly more prone to shedding than others (we’re looking at you, Blue Heelers). Even so, a dog that’s shedding seems way over the top might be experiencing something else. In these instances, it’s best to make an appointment with your vet. They’ll rule out nutrition issues, parasites, fungal or bacterial infections, allergies, certain diseases (such as Cushing’s disease), sunburn, immune disease, and pregnancy. Stress, contact with caustic substances, and medication can also result in your dog shedding more than you ever thought possible.
Shedding comes in the puppy package (though, as dogs are quick to point out, cats do it too!). But we love them just the same, clumps of fur and all.
JJ Keeler lives in Colorado with a house full of pets. She owns three dogs, two cats, and a hamster she bought as a bribe to get her daughter to ride the school bus. She has a BA in English Literature from the University of Colorado and has worked as a professional writer for fifteen years. Her clothes are perpetually covered in pet hair.
