Dealing with Dog Shedding in Your Home

Shedding is a natural process in dogs, so that makes it a natural part of being owned by one! But, as much as we love our dogs, the hair they leave behind can be a real nuisance. Many factors can cause your dog to shed excessively, including health, hormonal changes, nutrition, and the temperature. Professional groomers offer deshedding treatments that reduce shedding by 60-80% if done regularly. Or you can develop your own schedule of regular brushing, washing, and vacuuming. But nothing is foolproof — if you’ve got pets, you’ll always have hair. If the loose hair is causing issues for your home, your car or your clothing, here are a few suggestions to help you cope.

Fido and Fabrics

It’s simple to remove pet hair from upholstered furniture using a lint roller. There are lint rollers that can be rinsed off and reused, but doing so repeatedly can lead to drain clogs. Lint rollers with “tear-off” layers generally work better and are cheaper. You can also use packing tape or blue painter’s tape to manually lift hair (both types of tape are more effective than masking tape). Or, you can try rubbing dishwashing gloves over upholstered fabric in a circular motion — the action will create a small pile of hair that you can just scoop up! A damp sponge is also handy a- and surprisingly effective – at wiping down pet hair from upholstery.

Many pet owners decide it’s a good idea to use blankets, sheets, or slip covers on furniture so you can simply pull them off and toss into the wash periodically. They can always be removed when company is coming. As for the car, textured upholstery can attract hair and pull it out of your pet’s coat. Covers come in handy there, as do anti-static sprays (give your clothes a spritz to keep from picking up hairs from the seats). Next time you’re car-shopping, opt for leather seats because they don’t “grab” doggie hair!

Most pet owners’ carpets get the brunt of shedding. You should vacuum at least 10 minutes a day to keep hair from building up. While you’ve got the vacuum out, hit the sofa and backs of chairs using appropriate attachments. Be sure to target spots where hair tends to hide like between couch cushions.

If your current vacuum doesn’t have a beater bar, invest in one that does — they’re great for removing pet hair. You can also get a squeegee that is specially made for removing pet hair from carpet to use between vacuumings. Of course, vacuuming doesn’t always do the trick, because the suction isn’t typically powerful enough to pull all the hair from the carpet. Plan to do a deep carpet cleaning at least once a year.

Lassie and the Laundry

To remove dog hair from clothing, make a downward rolling motion with a damp sponge (this is a lot easier to do on a hanger than a person!). This process will leave a “rim” of hair near the hem of the garment that you can collect and remove. To keep hair from clogging up the washing machine (and being transferred to the dryer, where the heat causes hairs to cling), always shake out garments before putting them in the wash. (Go outside first to avoid depositing more hair into the air, furniture or carpet.) Wipe down the inside of the dryer after each use so any residue won’t be deposited onto the next load.

Grrr-eat Grooming Habits

You can help minimize the amount of hair in your home by brushing your dog at least once a week — that way loose hair ends up in the brush, not your carpet or furnishings! (Some breeds shed more than others so you may need to brush your dog more often.)

Brushing for just a few minutes, a few times a week can really pay off. Procrastinating means grooming will take longer and be more difficult for both you and your dog, so continue to brush him on a regular basis. Use a brush designed for your breed of dog. If your dog has an undercoat, you’ll want to use a rake-style brush or shedding blade. Pin-style brushes are a good choice for dogs with wavy coats. Pet stores also carry brushes made especially for dogs who experience excessive shedding. The FUR-minator is a tool we swear by. When used properly on a regular basis, it really does decrease shedding by 60-80%. That’s a lot (less!!) hair floating around your home.

Professional grooming is an excellent way to help your dog look and feel his best. Awesome Doggies‘ mobile pet grooming salon is a calm, soothing environment your dog will love. Contact us to learn more, and we’ll tell you how to get $10 off your first visit plus a FREE de-shedding package to help keep those errant hairs in check!