Not all breeds are equal when it comes to shedding, and we can’t choose who we love! If you’re the owner of a Bichon Frise, you won’t have to worry too much about shedding. But if you own a Samoyed or a golden retriever, don’t lose hope just yet. Today, we will be sharing with you some ways to keep your home clean of dog hair.
Before we go into removal techniques, let’s look at how you can prevent excessive shedding… and the headache that ensues!
1. At-home brushing
Let’s get one thing straight—all dogs shed! You may hear the term “non-shedding” get thrown around a lot. While these dogs, such as the Border Terrier, don’t shed heavily, they still lose their coats naturally. They still need to be brushed from time-to-time, just less often than the heavy-shedders. Plus, the stimulation from the brushing will encourage the production of natural oils to condition the coat.
While smooth-coated dogs like a Dalmatian won’t get mats in their coat, they still shed! Use a bristle brush or curry comb to brush their coat along the grain. The brushes will remove dirt and debris. Afterward, follow up with a de-shedding tool to rid the coat of excess hair. Don’t have these tools on hand? These silicone pet grooming gloves use static to collect loose hair on your glove while you pet your dog!
Dogs with longer hairs or thicker coats must be brushed every 2-3 days. By brushing frequently, you’ll prevent mats in the long hairs, and tease out the dead hair that’s suspended in the coat.
2. Make an appointment with your dog groomer
Regular appointments to the dog groomer will allow your dog’s coat to flourish. Not only will it grow in healthy, but you’ll also help tame shedding! By visiting the groomer frequently, you’ll ensure that any hairs you don’t get when you brush your dog at home are taken care of. Plus, you’ll know that they’re using industry-standard professional grooming techniques.
If you prefer to DIY your grooms yourself, make sure your good intentions aren’t hurting your pup! Take a dog grooming class and learn to properly groom your dog from head to tail!
Removing dog hair
There are a few methods we recommend to remove dog and cat hair from a variety of surfaces in your home.
1. The trusty lint roller
Loose hairs can be easily caught by a lint roller—it’s a great idea to toss some extra rollers into your car or keep at your office desk. But the deeply embedded hairs aren’t as easy to get rid of. If you’re having trouble catching stubborn hairs, try using a static-reduction spray. To use, simply spray it on your clothes to reduce static. This will loosen up the hair’s cling to your fabrics, and allow it to be easily swept away by a lint brush.
2. Throw it back into the dryer
If you’re having trouble removing your pet’s hair from your clothes, toss your outfit into the dryer on LOW (Permanent Press setting) along with a microfiber cloth or rag. Hairs will tumble away from your clothes and onto the microfiber cloth!
3. For small areas, use a toothbrush
You can use an old toothbrush to brush the hair out from a stubborn area. Remember, some fabrics, like wool, won’t take too kindly to vigorous brushing. For those areas, it may be best to use a damp cloth or a lint roller.
4. Wash your dog’s bedding
If your dog sheds a lot, it’s probably accumulating a mountain of fur and dander on its bed and blankets. Even if you clean your home from top to bottom, if you ignore their bed, they’ll just keep tracking hair from their bed to your furnishings.
Be sure to shake out any loose hairs (or do a quick dry cycle) before popping their bedding into the washer. You don’t want to clog your washer’s drainage system! Also, make sure you wash with pet-safe detergents. Consult your vet about any toxic chemicals and known allergens that could irritate your dog’s skin.
5. Vacuuming
We recommend using vacuums to remove hair from any large surfaces, from your sofa to your car seats, which have come into contact with your beloved pet.
Make sure that you use a detachable hose and a brush attachment to bring the suction closer to the upholstery. When vacuuming, brush in one direction only. This will gradually loosen all the hairs out from the fabric, making your job easier.
6. Reusable hair remover
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly alternative to the lint roller, then a dog grooming gadget like the ChomChom Roller will become your new best friend. Because it doesn’t use tape, sticky-sheets, or any electric power, you can bring this roller with you everywhere to efficiently handle shedding!
Are there any handy tips we missed? Let us know!