It’s difficult to put into words how much you love your pet, but you can conjure up plenty of choice words to describe the way you feel about the fur all over your house. While shedding is a natural process for dogs and cats, the amount they shed depends on their breed and health. You might also notice your pet shedding more in the spring in preparation for warmer summer temperatures.
As a pet owner, you must accept the fact that your floor and furnishings will always carry a bit of animal hair, but you can reduce shedding with several useful tips.
Brush Your Pet Often
Regular brushing – which means every day, in some cases – is the most effective way to keep your home less hairy. Brushing also makes your pet’s coat feel softer and look sleeker. If your dog or cat has long fur, brushing prevents tangling and matting as well. Ask your vet for tips on what brush or comb you should use based on the type of coat your dog or cat has. You may need to use more than one type of brush to remove dead hair deeply imbedded in the undercoat.
Feed Your Pet High-Quality Food
As with a human’s hair and skin, your pet’s diet is often reflected in his coat. High-quality food containing digestible protein sources provides ample nutrients to sustain healthy fur that doesn’t fall out as readily. Feeding your dog a fatty acid dietary supplement is also beneficial for keeping his coat healthy.
Control Allergies and Fleas
Did you know dogs and cats can suffer from seasonal allergies just like you? Sometimes this results in skin irritation, which causes your pet to scratch and lick himself. The same thing happens if your pet contracts fleas. Needless to say, all that extra scratching and licking results in more shedding. Visit Germantown Vet Clinic for pet allergy care and flea and tick prevention to keep your pet happy and healthy.
Reduce Your Pet’s Stress
Increased shedding – along with a number of other health problems – can result from living in a stressful environment. To help lower your pet’s anxiety level, make a place for him to hide, give him plenty of exercise, regulate his feeding schedule, treat his injuries right away, and give him ample cuddles and one-on-one attention.
Bathe Your Pet
While some pet owners choose to bathe their cats, it’s more important to bathe dogs, especially those who spend a lot of time outside. Lather up your pooch’s coat with a gentle oatmeal shampoo once a week to leave him smelling fresh and looking great. Oatmeal shampoo won’t dry out your dog’s skin and actively rejuvenates his coat for less shedding.
Remove Hair Promptly
Despite your best efforts to reduce shedding, some hair will still undoubtedly end up on your clothes, floor and furniture. Vacuum often to remove hair from the carpet and reduce any allergies you and your guests have. A pet hair roller is a useful tool for removing hair from clothes. If you allow pets on the furniture, consider laying down a seat cover you can easily remove and launder as needed.
Visit Germanton Vet for Regular Checkups
Some diseases cause hair loss, so if you notice your dog or cat suddenly shedding more than usual, bring him to Germantown Vet for a primary care visit. The earlier we catch the problem, the more likely treatment will be effective.
For more helpful pet care tips, or to schedule a visit to our clinic, please contact Germantown Vet today.
