When you brought your dog Alexis home, did you realize how much hair was going to litter your house? Probably not. No amount of research can prepare you for the flying fur you get with a dog in the house. Unless you’ve been lucky enough to select a dog with minimal to no shedding, you’re probably fighting a daily battle against Alexis’ dust bunnies.
What about all the shedding?
Alexis needs to shed her fur at different times of the year to adapt to changing conditions. It will most likely shed more in the fall and spring. In the fall, she needs to make room for a thicker winter coat, while in the spring she needs to ditch that coat and put on a lighter one for summer.
Why do some dogs shed more hair than others?
There are two main types of coat a dog can wear, depending on its breed. If Alexis sheds a lot, chances are she has a double coat. The other option is a single layer. Double coated dogs have a top coat and an undercoat. The undercoat protects them from cold or water or both and tends to fall off with the seasons. A single layer lacks that inner layer. Usually these dogs shed less.
Double-coated breeds, and those that shed frequently include Shetland Sheepdogs, German Shepherds, Huskies, Akitas, Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers. Some single-coated breeds shed a lot, while others only shed minimally. Examples of the former include Dalmatians and pugs. Those that don’t shed much are Poodles, Maltese, Bichon Frises, and Shih Tzus.
How can I stop the madness?
If your lovely Alexis has the dreaded double coat and is creating a fur storm in your house, there are things you can do to minimize the madness. Actually, you can’t stop Alexis from coming off. Getting rid of her fur is a natural and necessary process, but you can keep her fur from falling to the ground by brushing it. There are numerous types of hair removal brushes and tools on the market that you can use to manage Alexis’ fur.
For best results, try different types of brushes and decide which one works best for you and Alexis. You can even try using a human hair brush or comb. A furminator is a great tool too. If you never brush it, it probably won’t get excited for the first few tries or so. Therefore, do not give up on a brush if it immediately screams and runs away. Try combining brushing with giving him a treat to form a positive association. If she just won’t sit still for a marathon brushing session, give her a few moves at intervals. The more you brush, the less hair you have to pick up from the floor and furniture.
Also look at the type of food you give Alexis. Higher quality foods tend to produce a nicer coat that sheds less. Talk to your vet about what kinds of food you could try and even supplements that might help.
How do I clean up all the fur that I missed?
If you have carpet, or even just upholstery, you may want to consider investing in a really good vacuum cleaner. Having a good vacuum designed to pick up pet hair can make a world of difference in the appearance of your carpet and rugs. The same goes for the car, although you can also get seat covers to avoid the hassle of vacuuming the seats.
If you have hard floors, you’re familiar with the sight of Alexis’ fur piling up in the corners of your rooms, little pups of dust lurking around every corner. He invests in a good mop to dust the floors. Get the biggest one you can find as it will make the job much quicker and easier.
Remember, Alexis can’t help but shed her fur. Don’t get frustrated with her, but address the problem and get your home back.
