Reducing dog shedding and how to keep your home clean
We can all admit that dog shedding is one of our least favourite things about being a dog owner.
It can feel like you’re drowning in dog fur during peak shedding seasons. Like you're are always cleaning up the endless fur. I mean, how does it even get into places that you try to keep dog-free?
Well fear not, you aren’t alone in battling dog shedding. We’ve put together a dog shedding guide that covers why it happens and tips to keep your home fur-free (or mostly anyway).
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Why do dogs shed?
All dogs shed. Yes, even hypoallergenic dog breeds like Poodles. The truth is that they just shed less and produce less dander overall.
However, there are a few different reasons why dogs shed. We’ve done our best to cover them all to help you understand shedding.
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Growth and shedding regular phases
All dogs will have at least semi-regular shedding. This is to get rid of old hair that has reached its lifespan. You’ll find that dogs who have continuously growing hair (think of Poodles or Yorkshire Terriers) will shed much less. This is because their hair shaft lifespan is much longer.
Alternatively, a dog breed with a more abundant undercoat and a shorter hair lifespan will shed much more frequently. An example of dog breeds like this is Labradors or Huskies.
Shedding seasonally
You’ll find that most dogs will have an undercoat, but the density of it can affect shedding too. Dogs typically shed extra during the Spring and Autumn to accommodate the changing temperatures.
You’ll notice that they will have a much lighter and cooler coat in the Spring ready for the Summer. And again in the Autumn, this lighter coat will be shed for a thicker and warmer coat for Winter.
Medical Shedding
Excess shedding can also be caused by medical reasons. For example, certain skin problems, vitamin deficiencies and even metabolic disorders can result in excessive hair loss.
It’s important to get excessive shedding checked by a vet to make sure that it isn’t caused by a medical problem. They’ll often be able to advise you further on ways to reduce the shedding if it is caused medically.
11 Tips to control dog shedding and keep your home cleaner
1. Groom and brush regularly
Good regular brushing can help cut down on the amount of dog shedding you see. This is because regular brushing will remove old hair so that you don’t have to deal with it falling out.
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2. Keep fur trimmed
If you’re dealing with a high-shedding dog, consider keeping their fur trimmed shorter. This won’t stop shedding, but it can make it much easier to deal with in your home once it’s been shed.
3. Dedicate a space for grooming
Having one space that’s dedicated towards regular dog grooming can help limit the spread of fur. Grooming can be a messy business, so making sure it’s contained in one space helps the rest of your house stay clean.
4. Consider appropriate flooring
Again, this won’t stop your dog from shedding, but it will make cleaning up an awful lot easier. Cleaning shed fur from carpet can be a nightmare! Even if you already have a good hoover. Look at using floor surfaces that can be easily swept.
5. Invest in a good hoover that’s been specifically designed to cater for pets
A quality hoover that specifically caters to pet hair will make a huge difference. You won’t have to spend huge amounts of time clearing your hoover and detangling the pet fur it picks up.
6. Feed your dog a healthy diet
Medical reasons like vitamin deficiencies can be a cause of excessive shedding. So feeding your pet a good-quality and balanced diet can help prevent this reason from contributing.
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7. Increase their water intake
Just like above, dehydrated skin can be a contributing factor to excessive shedding. So making sure your pooch is drinking plenty of water can prevent shedding from becoming a problem.
8. Get your pet checked over by a vet
If you think your dog is shedding excessively then you should take them to a vet. The vet will be able to rule out any medical causes for the excess hair shedding. It might be completely normal shedding for your breed, but it’s best to get it checked to make sure nothing is causing it medically.
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9. Use pet hair tape rollers
Dog hair sticks to everything. Sofas, clothes, or even fabric shoes. So making sure that you have plenty of pet hair tape rollers can help remove dog hair easier from these surfaces.
10. Cover your furniture
If your dog loves being on the sofa or you plan to groom them on furniture, then covering your furniture might be an idea. Dog owners will do it in different ways but a common one is putting a blanket down for your dog to lie on.
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11. Make sure you’re using air filters
While you can often see dog fur, there are also dander particles and fur floating in the air which can make allergies or asthma work. Using an air filterer can help clear it much better than traditional heating or fans.