It’s that time of the year again! As the seasons change, the trees shed their leaves (at least up north) and the animals shed their fur. Dogs, cats, horses, ferrets, you name it! Many animals grow and shed seasonal coats even if they are indoor only. This type of shedding is very noticeable on short haired (such as Labs and Corgis) and on double coated breeds (such as Huskys and Aussies) and drives many pet parents to the point where they feel it is necessary to shave. However, if you catch this seasonal shedding as soon as it starts and keep up with it, you and your pooch can make it through without cutting a single hair!
So how is this possible? It begins with you noticing your furbaby losing more hair than usual while petting them or seeing much more of it in their favorite sleeping spots. Then it is time for a nice shampoo and blow dry from your favorite local shop! We have products designed to loosen dead or dying hairs from their follicles, and tools that help us scrub down to the skin during the bath. This process in the tub does wonders, but not nearly as much as a good blow out! The HV or High Velocity dryers we use everyday on dogs is one of the best deshedding tools there is. Blasting away the hair (it seriously gets everywhere!) allowing us to see all the way down to the skin, drying and adding volume at the same time! {Picture displays hair blown onto the wall from the dryer.}
After the dryer works it’s magic, it is onto the brushing, using different combinations of combs and brushes to get out the maximum amount of hair. The most popular tool around is called the Furminator™ and was developed from a grooming technique called carding, which is when we take a very short grooming blade (in hand, not attached to the clippers) and brush with it, using the tiny teeth as a comb. If you use one of these tools at home, be sure to brush using a limp wrist as this technique was not meant to be used with much pressure. Always use caution with these and similar types of shedding blades as well as the common slicker brush which can cause lacerations and skin irritation if not used properly.
With the brushing and combing done (and maybe some trimming!) the aftercare depends on you! Keep up with brushing and bring your pup in every two weeks, or every week if it is really bad, for a deshedding bath and blow dry! This will keep your pet puffed, fluffed, and feeling cool as the summer months close in!
Learn more about the Dangers of the Arizona Heat by clicking here!
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