Hair today, gone tomorrow! Long hair, short hair, big dog, small dog – it doesn’t matter what kind you have, apart from a couple of breeds that notoriously don’t shed, most dogs do! Groomers will tell you that shedding is natural and there’s nothing much you can do about it, and to a degree they are absolutely right. But while it is hard to prevent shedding all together, there’s a lot you can do to cut back on the majority of the excess hair in your house, car, on your clothes, and on dad’s favorite chair!
Taking your pet to a groomer on a regular basis helps enormously, as the bathing clears away their dead skin and hair; tailor-made blowers remove their stubborn undercoat; and they get brushed-out properly. But if you can only make the groom shop every so often, or you enjoy taking care of your baby yourself, there’s a lot you can do at home.
Start out with a good, natural shampoo – your groomer should be able to recommend one. You can even get waterless varieties if bathing is difficult. Getting the right brush is key, and there are plenty designed specifically just for
de-shedding. If a thick undercoat is the problem,
professional-style blowers are available for home-use now – be warned, though, hair will fly everywhere! Be extra careful with temperature control, and protect your pet’s eyes, ears, and other delicate areas at all times with your hands.
When your little one’s been through all that, it’s
treat time, of course. So round the whole event off by giving her a variety that actually helps with shedding – yes, you can even get these too!
–
W Dunham