May 7, 2012
Posted in How to, Pet Supplies

You probably knew you would have to deal with a great amount of pet hair when you first brought your canine companion home. However, many pet owners are astounded at how much their dog actually sheds. Dog hair is on your clothes, in your bed – even in your food. Shedding is particularly bad right now, as most canines are shedding their warm winter undercoat. Here's what you can do to keep the fuzz under control.

Regular brushing

Brushing your dog seems like a no-brainer, but if you are using the wrong tools, you might give up hope on this method of removing dead hair from the pooch's coat. If your dog has long, thick fur, use pet products like the Resco Pro-Series Large Slicker Brush, which has long wire bristles to work through tangles and pull up loose fur from the undercoat. The Resco Pro-Series Combo Brush is useful for dogs of all coat lengths and thicknesses, since it has steel pins on one side to remove tangles and loose fur, and nylon bristles on the other side to smooth down coats.

If your dog has an extremely thick undercoat – those furry hairs that insulate it through the winter, you might want to invest in an even more intensive tool like the FURminator deShedding Tool for Dogs. This tool reduces shedding by up to 90 percent, minimizing the amount of hair you find around your house and revealing a smoother, shinier coat. Dogs like Huskies, Bernese mountain dogs, Newfoundlands, Labs and other breeds that were born to work outdoors are likely to shed a lot and benefit from this tool.

Shampooing for healthy skin

One main reason many dogs suffer from extreme shedding is their skin. Unhealthy skin is often unable to hold the hair in securely, causing it to fall out. Washing your dog on a regular basis with pet shampoo like Oatmeal & Aloe Vera Shampoo and Conditioner will support healthy skin and keep the fur soft, shiny and healthy. Plus, lathering your pooch up on a regular basis is a surefire way to remove extra, dead hair. Always reward after bathtime with treats like Greenies!

These shampooing sessions are also a good time to check for rust-colored stains under the dog's eyes from tears. White and other light-colored pooches tend to get these stains from tears, and they won't come out with shampoo. Try sprinkling Angels' Eyes for Dogs and Cats on your pet's food – you should see results as your pet's fur continue to grow out. 

Related posts:

1. Understanding your dog’s coat
2. Helping your cat cope with hairballs
3. How to handle your dog’s coat
4. Helping your cat with hairballs
5. Prep your home for guests allergic to pets