How to Deal with a Shedding Dog

Is all that doggy fur driving you insane? You love your best friend but don't love the shedding fur that comes with him. So what is a dog-lover to do? Below are some tips on dealing with a shedding dog that should make your life with Fido easier.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Dog Brushes
• Dog Shampoo
• Vacuume
• Baby Gates
• Other products listed (Optional)

1. Invest in a good strong vacuum with a Hepa-filter. Change filter often and vacuum daily. Also, look for one with an upholstery attachment. Some companies make vacuums that are specifically for households with pets
2. Brush your dog outdoors at least once weekly (twice is ideal)--more during shedding periods such as the end of winter. This will decrease the amount that falls off in the house. If your dog has thicker fur you might want to use a combination of types of brushes, including the "rake" type that gets to the under-coat. I find that very helpful with my lab/hound mix that sheds in clumps. There's a product called Furminator that has gotten good reviews.
3. Bathe the dog regularly. This also helps with shedding. Once every few weeks should be helpful. There are shedding specific shampoos out there to try as well.
4. Check out the new products out there for fur clean up. One such product would be Sticky Sheets. Another product is anti-shedding wipes. There is one made called Simple Solution® Shed Guard™ Anti-Shedding Wipes that can be found at PetSmart.
5. There are some pet foods that claim to help control shedding. You may want to go to your local pet product retailer and check it out. Proper nutrition is key in reducing health-related hair loss. If you pet is shedding uncontrollably and excessively during off-season you should contact your vet. There may be deeper health issues.
6. Everyone knows that animals and children alike need boundaries. Use those baby gates to make dog-specific areas of the house. Even though your dog may be used to having the run of the house, having part of the house is better than being banished to the outdoors. Gate the dog into a section of the house where the family spends a lot of time. I have my dogs gated off to two rooms that I spend a lot of time in--my kitchen and den. This is particularly helpful in households that have a person with allergies. Doctors often recommend having a dog-free zone, such as the bedroom. Set up a “bedroom” for your dog in your dog-designated area. Include his or her bed, food and water dish and favorite toys. My dogs even have their own television!

Tips & Warnings

• Contact your vet if there is excessive shedding or hair loss. There maybe be an underlying health issue such as nutrition, ringworm, thyroid issues or mange.
• Don't feed your dog any supplements or over-the-counter "anti-shedding" pills with out consulting your vet first. Consult your vet before doing a diet change. Diet changes should be gradual so as not to cause intestinal distress.