Dog Shedding Problems

Unless you have a “hypoallergenic” dog (one with hair instead of fur), chances are that, particularly when spring comes along, your pet is beginning to shed his winter coat and will be trading it in for a somewhat thinner summer one. Whether your dog’s fur is long or short, dark or light, it is most likely that all the fur around your home and on your clothing is something you don’t particularly enjoy.

However, some things “are what they are,” so when it comes to shedding pets, taking steps ahead of the mess is often the best tactic to take. The following list provides several things you can do to control the mess of shedding around your home and keep your pet as happy and healthy as possible at the same time:

1. Brush your dog outdoors on a daily basis. This way, the loose hair gets caught in the brush and is outdoors instead of all around your home.
2. Be sure to use the correct type of brush for your dog’s coat. If you are unsure, ask a professional groomer or your veterinarian for a suggestion.
3. Feed your dog a healthy food that will provide the proper nutrition dogs need for a healthy skin and coat.
4. Bathe your dog on a regular basis, using an appropriate dog shampoo. Dry and brush your dog thoroughly before allowing free run of the house.
5. Consider taking your dog for a professional grooming on a regular basis. You may be surprised how well a trained professional can shape up your dog’s coat and get rid of loose fur.
6. Keep up with vacuuming several times per week, and keep a lint brush close by until shedding season is over.

If your dog is not a lover of being brushed, you can work with your pet on some obedience commands and improve his socialization with the brushing experience. If you have a puppy, be sure to brush him regularly so coat care doesn’t become a problem in the future. If you need help with these training exercises, consider contacting a knowledgeable, educated trainer for assistance.

By putting in a little effort ahead of time, it can be much easier to keep “tumbleweeds” from collecting around your home. Before you know it, your dog’s shedding season will be over… hopefully with as little mess as possible!