Is dog hair everywhere? Here's what you can do
Owning a dog is a wonderful and soothing experience. If we talk about the negative aspects of bringing home a dog, there is undoubtedly one: a dog losing hair. Did you know? On average, a dog's skin comprises 15,000 strands of hair.
Although some dog hair loss is acceptable, persistent dog hair on furniture, floors, and bedding can be a cause for concern. However, it can be easily controlled by taking some preventative steps. If you're also noticing dog hair all over your space, read these tips on how to keep it under control.
Know the reason why your dog sheds a lot
Before getting involved in cleaning the abundant fur, it is useful to know why canine companion sheds so much hair.
1. Normal Shedding is acceptable
In usual shedding, dogs lose their hair in very small amounts. But, this does not mean that you will not need to take care of the dog and avoid grooming it.
Many dogs' hair grows continuously rather than in a regular state of shedding. With such dogs, grooming often, and haircuts to prevent them from looking like ragamuffin is required.
Dog that falls under this category are usually short-haired dogs and include dog breeds like Scottish Terriers, Havanese, Bichon Frise, Poodles, etc.
On the other side of the range, you will find some canines with long hair, various furs, and thick undercoats that shed a lot. Since their coat is constantly changing and shedding old fur as new fur grows, regular grooming is required. These dog breeds include Chow Chows, Great Pyrenees, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, etc.
2. Abnormal dog hair loss is serious
If your canine is experiencing abnormal hair loss, there may be something else going on. Excessive shedding may be the result of certain medical conditions, such as allergies, infections, etc. Other elements such as a lack of a well-balanced diet and excessive stress cause a dogs fur to shed more than normal. Fortunately, these aspects can be prevented with a little attention, proper nutrition, and love.
How to prevent dog hair from excessive shedding?
1. Regular Grooming
Start by making grooming an essential part of your dog's grooming routine. You can use combs and brushes specifically designed for certain coat types to provide brushing.
Which brush is good?
- Choose a bristle-type dog brush, which is often ideal for short-haired dogs. For dogs with longer fur, on the other hand, look for a rake brush.
- Dogs with undercoats may require a brush crafted to collect loose hair in the inner layer and penetrate the topcoat.
Tip: Consult your groomer or veterinarian to determine which brushes work perfectly on your pet's hair.
2. Bathing works well
Bathing your pet keeps away unpleasant pet odors, as well as loose dog hair that would otherwise remain on your floors, couches, and bedding. Brushing before bathing helps remove tangles and frizz as well as tame hair.
Advice –
- Use bathing products only that are crafted to reduce shedding.
- Instead of using shampoo with harsh chemicals meant for humans, use dog-friendly conditioners and shampoos to maintain the dog’s fur's natural oils and prevent excessive shedding.
3. Incorporate pets in walking and exercising
Taking your canine companion outdoors for playtime, activity, and regular walks can help eliminate the high grade of shedding. Eventually, you will be amazed to see how much hair will get blown away with the air.
Since spring and fall are dedicated to shedding for both hairy dogs and short-haired dog breeds, letting them out to play, park, or explore the yard helps keep the indoor environment clean and hygienic.
4. Give a healthy diet to canine companion
Adding a well-balanced diet to a canine not only maintains the shine and smoothness of the coat but also keeps safeguard from lice. A dog's internal health is judged by its fur and skin. With good quality dog food, it might be easy to support a dog's healthy hair growth and reduce shedding.
Other healthy tips:
Feeding tip:
- Feed your dog the oil by adding it to his food, directly from the spoon, or massaging a small amount of the oil topically onto his skin and fur.
5. Invest in dog grooming tool
There are various dog hair-cutting kits available, containing scissors, trimmers, brushes, and clippers. It not only helps your dog look their best but also leads to their overall health, including shedding. Getting the right dog grooming tools helps keep your canine companions fresh and clean.
6. Schedule vet appointments
Even though it's normal for dogs to shed hair, excessive hair loss that doesn't seem to stop could be a symptom of serious health problems or allergies. Before normal dog hair loss would have becomes severe, take your pet to the veterinarian for frequent checkups to make sure there is no underlying condition causing more than normal hair loss. You may be suggested to offer a certain kind of diet to your dog to minimize shedding and keep his coat shiny and healthy.
Bottom Line: Goodbye to Dog Hair All Around!
Noticing dog hair everywhere in the house could be a possible sign of serious health conditions or allergies that may have become trapped in your pet's coat. Detecting them in advance will help maintain your indoor environment by keeping floors, furniture, bedding, window areas, and even you free of fur. For more tips and tricks about living with canine companions, read our latest pet posts and check our products section.
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