Dogs can be one of the greatest joys in the world. However, being a pet parent doesn’t come without some frustrations. Sometimes your dog can misbehave, and you’ll have to clean up excessive messes or replace broken items. Then, there’s the fur…
Anyone who’s owned dogs or cats is familiar with the daily hassles of pet fur. The fur somehow gets everywhere… on the couch, all over the floor, on your clothes, and even on your nice, freshly wiped counters.
Here’s some ideas on curbing the shedding:
Can You Reduce Dog Shedding?
Shedding is a natural part of your dog or cat’s life. You can’t completely stop your pet from shedding, unless you have a completely hairless pet. However, there are ways to lessen the amount that your pet sheds.
Get a Low-shedding Pet Breed
When choosing your furry pet, pick a breed that’s known for less shedding. In cats, that would be short-haired breeds, like Russian Blues, Siamese, and of course the no-fur sphynx. Dog breeds that tend to shed less are poodles, schnauzers, and greyhounds.
If you already have a furry family member that isn’t a low-shedding breed, you may have to resort to different options to reduce shedding.
Diet Adjustments
A dog’s coat can be a reflection of their health. If you feed your dog a high-quality, nutritious and balanced diet, and your dog is in good health, shedding can be kept to a minimum. Ensure your pup is getting enough omega-3 and omega-5 fatty acids. The fatty acids can promote a healthy, shining coat and reduce shedding.
Also, be sure to keep your dog current on all necessary allergy and flea relief. If your dog needs to constantly scratch from itching, the fur will go flying more frequently.
Grooming Habits
Regularly brushing your dog can minimize shedding. Make sure it’s a brush designed for your dog’s coat type. Different brushes for dogs include:
- FURminator
- Bristle brush
- Slicker brush
- Pin brush
- Shedding blade
- Undercoat rake
- Rubber brushes
The slicker brush and FURminator are recommended as some of the best brushes for reducing shedding. Brushing your dog can also help deepen your bond between you and your furry bestie, and may well become one of your favorite daily activities. Daily brushing will make a large difference in the amount of fur you find around your house. Just be sure to clean out the fur from the brush regularly.
Bathing your dog regularly can help reduce shedding as well. A clean, healthy, well-groomed pup is a happy, healthy, low-shedding pup. You can also schedule regular visits at a professional groomer, which will help reduce shedding.
Removing Fur from Your Home
Keeping your house clean when you’re parenting a pet can seem like a full-time job. Upholstery is a magnet for pet fur. Any chairs, couches, or even your car will gather fur almost instantly. In order to keep house-fur and car-fur to a minimum, keep your upholstered chairs and couches covered in plastic or comfortable throws.
Throws are easier to wash than cleaning a couch or chair, and you can even rotate them out during wash cycles. Attractive and clean throws can add appeal to your sitting areas and provide a welcoming environment for guests. You can purchase ready-fitting car seat covers for your vehicle and wash them frequently as well.
Vacuum Frequently
Vacuum your house and the furniture seats and sides more frequently when you have a furry pet. This will help keep your house looking fur-free and visitor-friendly.
Some vacuums are designed specifically for furry pet owners, and they have a more powerful suction capability. There are also different attachments included with pet-friendly vacuums that are designed just for cleaning upholstery.
Lint Rollers
A lint roller is a dog owner’s best friend when it comes to shedding. You will grow to know your lint roller quite well, especially when rushing to an important meeting and realizing your black suit is covered in white fur!
You can run a lint roller over your throw or couch to get the worst of the fur off in between washings. It’s also handy to keep one or two in the car for clothing emergencies and for getting the fur off the car seats. In fact, it’s best to keep them nearby in every room in your house.
Final Thoughts
It may seem like a lot of work to keep your house fur-free and visitor-ready. Most tasks, like tossing your throws in the wash or running an upholstery attachment over your couch when vacuuming, only add a few additional minutes to your chores. Others, like frequent lint-rolling, only require a few seconds.
The brushing of your furry pet may take a little longer, but it can be enjoyable and soothing for both of you. Just think of it as part of your bonding time with your beloved furry family member, and enjoy the little busy tasks that come with being a pet parent.
Your clean house, and your company, will thank you, and so will your furry pup!