Introduction:
For dog owners, shedding is a fact of life. No matter how much you love your furry friend, the constant shedding can be frustrating and overwhelming. In this blog post, we'll explore some tips and tricks to help you deal with dog shedding.
Understanding your dog's coat
Before we dive into tips for managing shedding, it's important to understand your dog's coat. Dogs have two types of coats: undercoats and topcoats. The undercoat is soft and fluffy, while the topcoat is coarser and helps to protect your dog's skin from the elements. Some breeds have a single coat, while others have a double coat with both an undercoat and a topcoat.
Why do dogs shed?
All dogs shed to some extent, but some breeds shed more than others. Shedding is a natural process that allows dogs to replace old or damaged fur with new fur. Dogs also shed more in the spring and fall as their bodies adjust to changes in temperature and daylight.
The shedding cycle
The shedding cycle consists of three phases: the anagen phase (growth), the catagen phase (transition), and the telogen phase (resting). During the anagen phase, hair follicles grow and new hair is produced. During the catagen phase, hair follicles stop growing and hair stops growing as it enters the resting phase. During the telogen phase, old hair falls out and new hair grows in its place.
What is deshedding?
Deshedding is the process of removing loose fur from your dog's coat before it has a chance to fall out all over your furniture and floors. Deshedding can be done through various methods such as using a deshedding brush or using a deshedding treatment for dogs.
4 benefits of deshedding
There are several benefits of deshedding your dog regularly. First, it reduces the amount of loose fur in your home, which can be a relief for allergy sufferers. Second, it can help keep your dog's coat healthy and shiny by removing dead hair and dander. Third, deshedding can help prevent matting and tangles in your dog's coat. Finally, it can help reduce the amount of time you spend cleaning up after your dog.
What is the difference between deshedding and brushing?
While deshedding and brushing both involve removing loose fur from your dog's coat, they are not the same thing. Brushing is a more general process that involves removing tangles, debris, and loose fur from your dog's coat. Deshedding, on the other hand, is specifically focused on removing loose fur to reduce shedding.
How to deshed a dog
To deshed your dog, you'll need a deshedding tool which can vary based on coat type and texture. For smoother coats such as Pit Bulls, labs, or chihuahuas we recommend a Furminator brush or, our favorite, a rubber curry brush such as a Zoom Groom. Zoom Grooms are great because they get loose coat out quickly without the risk of brush burn, so you can brush as long as you need! For thicker coated dogs such as huskies, malamutes, or Pomeranians, you might want to use a slicker brush first to remove any tangles, then use a deshedding rake to remove loose coat. With all of these brushes (except the curry brush) there is a risk of something called brush burn, which is skin irritation from brushing too long or too hard, we don’t recommend brushing for more than thirty minutes at a time.
A furminator brush (1) or Zoom Groom (2) are good options for deshedding smooth coat breeds. For breeds with thicker coats, a slicker brush (3) followed by a combing rake (4 & 5) is the ideal combination.
Another deshedding method involves bathing with a deshedding shampoo and conditioner. Deshedding shampoos and conditioners are made to moisturize and loosen the undercoat to help remove it from the skin. A deshedding bath with a blowout and brush out is the best combination to reduce shedding! To keep shedding at bay, we recommend this service be done about every four weeks, depending on severity of shedding, with regular deshedding done at home as well.
4 tips for Deshedding your dog
Brush your dog regularly with a deshedding brush to remove loose fur.
Bathe your dog with a deshedding shampoo or conditioner to help remove loose fur and promote healthy skin and coat.
Feed your dog a healthy, balanced diet that includes omega-3 fatty acids to help reduce shedding and promote healthy skin and coat.
Consider taking your dog to a professional groomer for a deshedding treatment, which can be especially helpful for breeds that shed heavily.
Shaving Double Coats
As tempting as it may be to shave your dog because of the shedding, we STRONGLY recommend against shaving double coated dogs. A dog’s undercoat functions to regulate temperature and protect the dog’s skin. Shaving it will make your dog vulnerable to sunburns, scrapes, and they won’t be able to regulate temperature in the heat or cold properly. Additionally, shaving the coat can result in hair growing back coarser, a different color, or not at all. This is because dogs have several hairs per hair follicle, whereas people only have one per follicle, therefore shaving can cause clogged hair follicles. This is why shaving dogs with an undercoat can ruin their coat. Secondly, shaving does NOT stop shedding, it only makes the shedding hairs smaller and pricklier, making them more likely to give you hair splinters!
Conclusion
In conclusion, shedding is a natural process for all dogs, but it doesn't have to be a source of frustration for dog owners. With the right tools and techniques, you can manage your dog's shedding and keep your home clean and fur-free. Remember to regularly deshed your dog with the best shedding brush for the breed and consider using a deshedding treatment for dogs to help promote a healthy coat. By following these tips and tricks, you and your furry friend can enjoy a happier, healthier life together.
Comments