I don't know if this has happened to you or not, but it happens to me all the time.
You have a special dinner or appointment, and you're running late. You finally get there, but when you get out of your car and look down, you notice that you are covering in pet hair! And it never fails ... if I wear black, I am covered in light hairs; if I wear something light, my clothes are covered in dark hairs.
Whether you're going to a dinner, a meeting, a party or a date, if you're a pet owner, you've been in this same situation at one time or another.
Shedding is the natural process by which old hair falls out and new hair begins to grow in its place. Shedding is a difficult problem for pet owners. But if you happen to read or hear something about some dog breeds that don't shed, you can discount it. Every dog sheds. Some dogs shed more than others - but they all shed.
So why then do some dogs APPEAR not to shed while others shed so much you could weave a thick blanket out of the discarded fur? The answer lies in the growth rate of the animal's hair, which is based on genetics, nutrition and environment.
What can you do to stop shedding? -Unfortunately, the answer is, "nothing". But you CAN do some things to help control it.
Here are 6 tips that work for me:
1. Brush . Our house pets need brushing to prevent large amounts of hair from accumulating in the coat. It not only decreases the amount of hair on your clothes and furniture, it also stimulates the blood supply to your dog's skin. Once old hair has been removed, a new hair can form. Brushing should be done on a regular basis. About 10 minutes a day should do the trick.
2. Vacuum. Vacuum your house and car. Use a good quality vacuum that sucks up pet hair. If you have pets - especially multiple dogs - daily vacuuming is ideal. This includes furniture where pets frequently sleep or rest.
3. Wash . Weekly washing of bedding can help get rid of pet hair. Wash your dog's bedding as well as yours, if he sleeps on your bed. Do this at least once a week or more.
4. Keep your closet door closed. Don't allow your pets into the area where you keep your clothes. This won't prevent hair from getting on your clothes but it will help.
5. Use a tape roller. Tape rollers are a great way to pick up hair on your clothes. Keep one by the door and one in your glove box. This is great for getting hair off your clothes at the last minute.
6. Bathe . Bathing your dog helps get rid of loose dead hair, while it stimulates circulation to the skin and helps your dog smell great. We found a great dog-washing tool called Rapid Bath that lets you easily wash your dog in 5 minutes or less. This power washing system really helps get rid of dead hair to reduce shedding in your house and on your clothes.
It's really easy to use. Just attaché the RapidBath power washer to your shower or garden hose and it does all the work. It's so quick and easy to use, even the kids can do it. And your dog will love the massaging action of the powerful spray against his skin.
Not only does RapidBath save you time and aggravation, it gets your dog really clean. This amazing product cleans all the way through your dog's coat down to his skin, removing even hidden dirt, dead hair and debris.
Good hygiene is important, not just to help control shedding but to protect yourself from the infectious diseases your dog may be carrying. Remember to always wash your hands after you touch your dog, and every time he licks you.
Until next time,
Dr. Jon
P.S. I've arranged a very special RapidBath offer at PetProductAdvisor.com just for my subscribers. It lets you SAVE $ 50 on the price of the Rapid Bath! Quantities are limited, and this amazing $ 29.99 sale price is SO DRASTIC that they're sure to go fast. So if you're interested in this product, I encourage you to act now.
Factors include: his hair coat, hair length, how often he gets dirty, where he lives (if he is indoor or outdoors most of the time), shedding cycle, and any underlying skin problem (please see our related article, "Top Medical Reasons for Grooming Your Dog").
Some dogs need baths only a couple times year while others need weekly grooming. It is beneficial to brush your dog about twice a week. Bathing your dog every month or two isn't unreasonable, but some dogs will need more frequent cleanings.
A good rule of thumb is to bathe your pet only when his coat gets dirty or begins to smell "doggy."
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