How to Treat Dog Fur Shedding
Most dogs shed a bit of fur, and many dogs shed a lot of fur, throughout the year. Fur on your carpet and upholstery can be a nuisance, and you may spend far more time than necessary cleaning up fur--unless you treat the shedding the right way. Before your home is overrun with dog fur, there are several things you can do for the sake of your dog and home.
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Things You'll Need
- Dog brushes and combs
- Dog grooming clippers
- Good quality food
- Fatty acid supplements
Instructions
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Brush a dog daily with a standard dog grooming brush. Some kinds of human-use brushes would work, but brushes made for dogs tend to work better on fur. Brushing daily will remove much of the loose fur that would otherwise end up on your carpets, upholstery or your clothes. Use combs to remove matted or tangled fur.
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Take the dog to a groomer as soon as the weather warms. Warm weather often initiates seasonal shedding. A professional groomer can clip or shave your dog to minimize the amount of winter coat left to shed--alternatively, you can learn to shave (with special dog clippers) your dog at home and do it seasonally and whenever shedding is about to become a problem.
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Change your dog's diet to include high quality food and supplements containing fatty acids, as suggested by drsfostersmith.com. The healthier the skin and coat, the less shedding there tends to be (although shedding will not be completely eliminated, it will be reduced).
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Tips & Warnings
If your dog doesn't mind the sound of a vacuum cleaner, you can try using a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to gently suck up the loose hairs from the dog, rather than brushing every time you groom it.
According to dogbreedinfo.com, some physical disorders (mange, cancer, skin infections and stress) cause excess shedding and bald patches, or thinning of the dog's coat. If you notice any of these signs, please take your dog in for a veterinary examination.
