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6 Tips And Tricks To Manage Your Dog’s Excessive Shedding In Summer
Here is everything you need to know in order to stay on top of your dog’s seasonal shedding without wanting to pull your hair out!
While our dog’s fur makes him cuddly and adorable, many of us become frustrated when we find clumps of said fur scattered around the house, stuck to valuable furniture, or as a surprise accessory on our favorite outfits. While the effects of seasonal shedding can be annoying, it’s important for your dog to shed the excess fur that kept him warm in the cold Winter months to stay cool and healthy in the hot Summer months. However, that doesn’t mean you have to just accept that your home will be a hairy mess until further notice. Here are 6 tips and tricks to help you and your dog painlessly survive his Summer shedding!
Connect with your vet.
Even if you have a non-shedding or low-shedding dog breed, you will likely still see excess fur around your home due to the warmer weather. That said, if you notice your dog is shedding significantly more than normal, it may be time to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Excess shedding or hair loss can be a sign of some medical conditions, including parasites, fungal infections, itchy skin allergies, and thyroid problems.
In general, dogs with healthy coats and skin tend to shed less. Your vet may be able to give you guidance as far as supplements, changes to your pet’s diet, or other products to use to improve your dog’s coat. Your veterinarian can also help with finding a flea control method that works for you and your pup. Fleas make your dog itchy and uncomfortable, which leads to excess scratching and hair loss.
Use the right brush.
One way to curb excess shedding is to brush your dog routinely to remove dead skin and hair before it ends up all over your house or causes your dog’s coat to become matted. Depending on your dog’s breed and coat, the frequency he needs to be brushed and the type of brush you use will vary. However, you do need to use the right brush in order to curb excess shedding and keep your dog feeling good. For dogs who are particularly prone to heavy shedding, you may also need to use a dedicated de-shedding tool along with frequent brushing.
Safari Bristle Dog Brush, Medium-Large
A bristle brush is useful for all coat types, although dogs with longer coats may require a brush with longer and more widely spaced bristles. However, the highly reviewed bristle dog brush from Safari is extremely versatile and made for dogs with all lengths of hair. This comfortable bristle brush removes dead hair and skin, fights tangles and mats, and whisks away dirt and debris from your dog’s coat, leaving her with shining fur and healthy skin.
$11
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Safari Wire Pin Brush for Dogs
Wire pin brushes are particularly effective for brushing dogs with curly, woolly coats that range in length from medium to long, and the Safari Wire Pin Brush is no exception! The pin brush will help lift and remove loose hair, dirt, and debris while leaving your pup fluffed and fabulous. It will also help evenly distribute your dog’s natural oils, which is important for promoting healthy skin and fur.
$12
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Bass Brushes De-matting Slicker Style Dog & Cat Brush, Bamboo-Dark Finish
Every pet parent needs a good de-matting slicker brush on hand to remove tangles and mats before they cause their fur baby to develop skin problems. The Bass Brushes De-matting Pet Brush is designed to gently release tangled fur and mats to ensure an enjoyable grooming experience for you and your dog. It is most effective for dogs with medium or long hair.
$18 (10% Off!)
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ConairPRO Pet-It Dog Curry Comb
Dog Curry Combs are used to give your short-haired dog an enjoyable massage while removing dead hair, skin, and debris from his coat. The brush is held in the palm of your hand and mimics the motion of petting, which makes this comb a particularly useful tool for dogs that are nervous around grooming tools.
$8
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FURminator Deshedding Tool for Large Dogs
FURminator is famous for making deshedding tools for both long haired and short haired dogs. The tools work by gently reaching underneath your dog’s topcoat to remove excess undercoat and loose fur. This deshedding tool is proven to reduce shedding by up to 90%, and is highly recommended by both veterinarians and professional dog groomers.
$31 (31% Off!)
Buy Now!Use professional grooming services.
If you’re not sure how much to brush your dog or your pup is an extreme shedder, you may want to consider enlisting the services of a professional groomer. While groomers can save you time by bathing your dog for you and giving your dog a haircut, they can also safely deep clean your dog and perform deshedding treatments. For example, your groomer can use deshedding shampoos and conditioners, which contain moisturizers that hydrate your dog’s skin and fur to create healthier, stronger hair follicles. These shampoos and conditioners can also help to loosen and remove your dog’s excess undercoat so they can easily be brushed away. In extreme shedding cases, dog groomers can vacuum away excess fur using a special tool designed for pet grooming.
Keep your dog hydrated.
Did you know that dehydration can cause your dog to shed? This is because dehydration causes your dog’s skin to dry out, among other medical complications. Therefore, you may need to closely monitor your dog’s water intake during the hot, Summer months when it’s easier to become dehydrated or overheated. While some dogs are better at drinking water than others, the general rule of thumb is that dogs need an ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. If your dog isn’t drinking enough water, you can try to encourage them by making sure he has clean water, changing the position of the water bowl, or letting him play with ice cubes. Dogs can also have flavored liquids, such as chicken broth, but be careful that the recipe you use doesn’t contain onion or garlic, which are toxic to dogs.
Stay on top of your cleaning routine.
The easiest way to keep shedded fur from taking over your home is to stay on top of your cleaning routine, and sweep or clean a little bit each day so it never becomes a huge, cumbersome task. The key is to clean up rogue dog fur before it has a chance to embed itself in your furniture or carpet. While sticky tape is surprisingly effective for touching up cushions, furniture, and clothes, having a solid arsenal of cleaning tools on your side is absolutely essential.
FURemover Extendable Pet Hair Removal Broom
When your current broom just isn’t cutting it, you’ll need to call in the FURemover Extendable Pet Hair Removal Broom! This unique, multi-surface extendable pet broom has soft bristles made from natural rubber, which makes it ideal for collecting the shedded fur left behind by your beloved fur babies. While it’s extremely effective on hard floors, this broom can also be used on other surfaces and has a built-in squeegee that effortlessly cleans windows, cars or other flat surfaces.
$13 (33% Off!)
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Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Lithium Ion Cordless Hand Vacuum, Purple
For deeper cleaning of upholstery and small areas, consider using a Bissel’s Handheld Vacuum that is designed to remove embedded dirt and pet hair using its effective, motorized brush tool. Plus, everytime this vacuum is bought, Bissell donates money to help pets in need, so your purchase supports an excellent cause!
$70
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Kenmore Pet Friendly Lightweight Bagged Upright Beltless Vacuum Cleaner
Investing in a high quality, durable Kenmore Vacuum Cleaner is one of the best gifts you can give your home. Complete with a HEPA filtration system and a wide sweeper path, this vacuum powerfully cleans carpeted surfaces and hard floors around your home or on stairs. It also features the Pet Handimate, which uses powerful air turbines and roller brushes to remove stubborn pet hair and dander from your home and your car.
$300
Buy Now!Mix up your laundry routine.
Somehow, dog fur has a way of getting all over our clothes, including outfits that have lived in the back of the closet for who knows how long. While lint rollers and sticky tape can help touch up an outfit when you need to get out the door in a hurry, changing the way you do laundry can also help remove excess fur from your clothing. The next time you do laundry, try popping a fur catcher in the washing machine with your clothes!
FurZapper Double Pack Pet Hair Remover for Your Laundry
Next time you do your laundry, include the FurZapper in both the washing machine and the dryer! The FurZapper works to extract pet hair from your clothes, so the washer and dryer can whisk the excess fur away and you don’t have to worry about it! For optimal results, use one FurZapper per medium sized pet and avoid using this product with fabric softener.
$15 (38% Off!)
Buy Now!While there is no way to stop shedding completely, there are ways to make it bearable. That said, trying to stop the shedding process completely could harm your dog. Similarly, do not shave your dog to halt shedding, as it will interfere with your dog’s ability to naturally cool and warm himself, and there is a small chance his hair won’t grow back correctly. Instead, try to keep a positive attitude and stay on top of seasonal shedding before it has the chance to make you crazy!
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