I say glitter, you say shedding… it’s a labour of love in most cat and dog households.
How much glitter (aka hair) your pet sheds depends on their breed, state of health, which season we are in and pregnancy. It is a perfectly normal, cyclical reaction that happens when the old hair makes way for new, healthy hair growth. Generally, pets will experience more shedding in summer when the animal’s natural body systems thin their fur to improve their heat and cooling abilities.
However, if your animal is shedding and the skin is looking sore or irritated, please contact us for advice as this is a symptom of an abnormal skin condition or allergic reaction and may require veterinary care.
However, if it’s your house-keeping pride that is taking a beating, here are some tips to minimise the impact of shedding.
1/ If it’s not too late, choose a dog or cat breed that is known for lower levels of shedding. Take note, if you opt for a breed that is promoted as hypo-allergenic and non-shedding there is no guarantee that your particular dog will have this specific trait. Each dog breed comes with a variety of characteristics and basing your choice on shedding habits may not lead to a wise pet decision. As always, do your research or ask our team for advice.
If the shedder already resides with you, read on…
2/ When choosing furniture stick to leather sofas and wooden floors. These are easier to vacuum and the fur does not stick as it would with fabric surfaces.
3/ A daily brush will go a long way to capturing the loose hair before it finds it’s way to the furniture. It stimulates your pet’s hair follicles which helps promote healthy skin and more shiny hair. Choosing the right brush can be critical to this daily bonding experience. Talk to our team about brush/comb options.
4/ Good flea and tick control medication will reduce excessive scratching which in turn loosens additional fur. Always keep flea and tick prevention medication up to date. Please ask our staff for recommendations.
5/ A bath may assist with shedding and get rid of loose fur. How often your pet needs to be bathed will depend on the breed and individual dog. This has the added advantage of eliminating excess dust collected from dog parks and bushes that may also trigger allergic reactions in both your pets and their owners. However, over bathing can also lead to shedding and an itchy pet. It is also important to choose the correct shampoo and conditioning products for your pet to ensure that the natural oils on your pet’s coat are maintained. So please discuss with us how often your pet needs to be bathed and what products we recommend.
6/ Vacuum regularly around the house.
7/ Lint rollers are excellent for fur on clothes – keep one handy at your front door.
8/ Cover your car seats and any other furniture with an easy to wash fabric throw. If you have a drier, throw the cover in the drier for 5 minutes and the hair will collect in your lint filter leaving your throws clean for another week.
9/ A good hair cut will of course reduce the length of your pet’s fur and in so doing will reduce the volume of hair that sheds. This will lessen the impact on your living spaces. The frequency of trips to the groomer will again, depend on the breed. So please ask us for advice!
Suffice to say that the glitter is here to stay. Make an appointment today with our receptionist on 9499 4010 for grooming services.
Find Out More…
#thepymblevet @thepymblevet #doguewahroonga @DOGUEWahroonga
Sources
- RSPCA Website
- Bravecto Media Kit
- VetWest Animal Hospital
- Sunrise Cleaning
