Shedding is a natural and unavoidable part of being a pet parent. While it can sometimes feel overwhelming to find dog hair on your clothes, furniture, and floors, understanding why your dog sheds and how to manage it can make a big difference. In this article, we’ll share practical dog shedding tips to make shedding more manageable for you and your pet!
What is dog shedding?
Dog shedding is a natural process where dogs lose old or damaged hair to make room for new growth. This process helps them regulate body temperature and maintain a healthy coat. Shedding can also be seasonal, with dogs typically shedding more in the spring and fall as they adapt to changing weather conditions. There is no way to stop shedding completely, as shedding is a fundamental part of a dog's life. However, there are ways to decrease how much your dog sheds.
Six Tips to Control Dog Shedding
1. Regular Visits to the Groomer
Some things are better left to the professionals. A professional dog groomer will have specialized knowledge on how to care for your dog's coat, including factors like age, breed, and season. Not only will regular visits to your groomer help with shedding management, it also is a fundamental part of keeping your dog healthy. If you're looking for a grooming salon in St. Louis, Petropolis' professional groomers would be more than happy to work with your pet's hair.
2. Consider Their Coat Type
You must figure out what type of coat does your dog has if you want to tackle your dog's shedding at home. If he or she has a double coat, then the shedding will happen year-round. If they have just a single top coat, then you should only expect shedding during the spring and fall.
Identifying their coat type will help you make a game plan for tackling how much they shed! A double coat typically has a coarse outer layer and fluffy under layer, while single coats only have a single layer of fur. If you're having trouble identifying your dog's coat type, this is a great question for a professional pet groomer, like the ones at Petropolis.
3. Daily Brushing
Regular brushing (and with the right brush) is the most proactive way to manage shedding, especially if your dog has a double coat. As recommended by our groomers, slicker brushes work best for at-home, effective brushing. Brushing your dog regularly doesn't have to become a tedious chore; even just a few minutes a day will keep the shedding under control.
Try making it a fun, positive activity with treats and praise so your dog can enjoy the experience as well. Not only will this create a bond between you and your pup, it will also help them feel more comfortable with brushing while at their grooming appointments, too!
4. Bathe Your Dog Regularly
Just like brushing, bathing your dog regularly will help to dislodge loose hair and reduce shedding. Dogs don't need to bathe as often as humans do, as it strips their coats of their natural oils and can cause dry skin, so don't be daunted by this task. Bathing them every few weeks can make a noticeable difference in excess shedding.
5. De-Shedding Treatments
Treat your pup to a de-shedding treatment at a grooming salon. This high-quality, long-lasting treatment consists of a shedless shampoo and conditioner, blowout, and intense 20-25 minute brushing with the Zoom Groom or Furminator. Petropolis recommends that clients come in every 4-6 weeks for this treatment and brush every few days at home to control shedding. Our clients with Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds swear by it!
6. Clean Up at Home
Many people seek to minimize shedding because of the mess it leaves at home. Keeping your environment clean will keep your furniture, clothes, and your dog from accumulating loose hairs. Make sure to vacuum and dust regularly to decrease dog fur in the house. Keeping a lint roller handy can also be a great way to remove excess hair from your environment.
Key Takeaways
Reducing dog shedding can seem like a daunting task, but with the right knowledge and consistent care, it becomes much more manageable. Understanding your dog's coat type, brushing, bathing, and de-shedding treatments are essential steps to control dog shedding. While grooming can be managed at home, regular visits to a professional grooming service like Petropolis will make the most significant difference. Embrace these habits, and shedding will no longer be a source of frustration but a simple part of caring for your beloved pet.
