The bond that you share with your dog is a special thing. It brings you joy nearly every minute of your day – except when it’s time to vacuum.
Dog hair has a way of getting everywhere. It gets in the carpet, coats your furniture, sticks to your clothes, and even decorates the inside of your car. It’s a small price to pay, but it does make you wonder exactly how to deal with dog hair.
The good news is that there are some simple tricks you can use to keep your house relatively hair-free without limiting your dog’s access. Let’s look at what you can do to deal with your dog’s stray hair.
Why Do Some Dogs Shed a Lot?
Before you began to clean up a bunch of fur, it’s helpful to understand why your dog sheds. There are a few reasons why this can happen, as some of them can be controlled to an extent.
Normal shedding
It’s no secret that dogs have different types of coats. The type of coat your dog has will greatly affect how much hair he leaves around your house.
Let’s clear up one thing here – all dogs shed. However, how much they shed can vary quite a bit. It’s a misconception that hypoallergenic dogs don’t shed at all, but it is true that they tend to shed significantly less than other breeds.
It’s important to understand what is considered a normal amount of shedding for your particular faithful friend. Dogs with lots of fur, long hair, and thick undercoats tend to be the biggest shedders of excess dog hair. These types of dogs include breeds like:
- German Shepherds
- Siberian Huskies
- Great Pyrenees
- Chow Chows
- Golden Retrievers
- Labrador Retrievers
These dogs continually shed hair as their coat constantly replaces itself. Old fur falls off as new fur grows into place.
The weather also affects this cycle. Dogs will naturally grow a thicker coat to keep themselves warm during cold weather. Of course, that means they need to get rid of that excess fur when the weather warms up again. These dogs will usually experience short periods of extreme shedding often referred to as “blowing coat” when the weather changes.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, you’ll find some dogs that shed significantly less. However, that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook for grooming.
Many of these breeds have hair that continually grows instead of going through regular shedding cycles. This scenario means that your dog will need regular hair cuts and grooming if you don’t want him to look like a ragamuffin. Dogs in this category are typically smaller dogs and include breeds like:
- Bichon Frise
- Poodles
- Shih Tzus
- Schnauzers
- Scottish Terriers
- Havanese
Abnormal shedding
If your dog seems to be shedding more than normal, there may be something more afoot. Certain medical conditions like infections, allergies, or worse can cause excessive shedding.
Check your dog’s skin thoroughly for skin irritations or sores and watch out for bald spots, excessive scratching and licking. If you notice any of these symptoms, take him to the vet to have him checked out right away.
If you don’t spot any irritation or other issues, excessive shedding doesn’t always mean your dog is sick. Other factors such as stress and poor diet can also cause a dog to shed more than normal, but these factors can be corrected with some love, attention, and proper nutrition.
How to Reduce Loose Dog Hair Through Grooming
An excellent way to cut down on the amount of dog hair in your house is to clean it off your dog before he gets a chance to leave it everywhere.
Simply brushing your dog’s coat regularly makes a huge difference. How often you need to brush depends on your dog’s hair type and can range from once a day to once a month. Choose your brush wisely – coarser coats will benefit from a stiffer bristle brush whereas a wire-pin brush works better for curly, woolly coats. There are also a variety of tools that are designed for deshedding that can be very helpful. If you’re not sure what type to use, ask your vet or a professional groomer what they’d recommend for your dog.
Regular baths can also cut down on shedding by removing loose hairs. Special de-shedding shampoos with moisturizers help hydrate the skin as well, creating stronger hair follicles, thus reducing shedding. Groomers are specially trained in deshedding services and could be an excellent option, even just a couple times a year, to help manage hair loss.
Finally, remember that we said low humidity and static electricity are a perfect environment for attracting dog hair? Using a humidifier in your home can be helpful if the air is overly dry. The hair will still be present, but it won’t cling to fabrics quite as well. Plus, the extra humidity may help if your dog is dealing with any skin dryness.
Keeping It Clean with Your Furry Friend
The great news for you is that there are plenty of options for keeping your home clean and (mostly) hair-free. From the food bowl to the dog brush, you can help cut down on the amount of hair at home and in your car.
