Wednesday Wellness: Managing Your Dogs Shedding Problem

Even when we're at work or enjoying quality people time, our dogs have a way of reminding us they're still there. Yes, this includes symbolic factors like the guilt we experience when we're about to walk through the door for the dreaded "where have you been" smell inspection.  Their efforts tend to be much more effective and in-your-face, however, when they leave behind a hairball clone of themselves in the backseat of the car to remind us that they exist.

No matter how much we adore our canine companions, nobody savors the by-product they leave behind after some lap time. Here are some helpful tips to conquer the shedding problem that keeps you sneezing and wearing your dog's colors.

Frequent Brushing

By consistently (at least weekly) brushing your dog’s coat, you are removing all the loose hair that is just waiting to fall out during play or petting time. Just make sure you get the right style of brush for your dog’s coat. Many pet owners swear by the effectiveness and neatness provided by the Furminator.

Fatty Acids

There are known elements that can reduce shedding in essential fatty acids. By conditioning your dog’s skin and coat quality through daily omega supplements, you can significantly decrease the amount of shedding. Also remember to check out the backside of the food bag to see if it offers enough essential fatty acids to support your dog’s healthy coat (most high quality dog foods will).

Seat Covers

To eliminate the problem on the road, consider accessorizing your vehicle with some towels or check out our line of seat covers if you really mean business. Including seat covers allows you to remove the mess at your convenience, depending on the occasion. It's also a lot easier to pull a cover out and shake it off as opposed to putting dollar after dollar in the vacuum machine.

Bathing

Although excessively bathing your dog can dry out the skin, consider giving a bath or two each month to condition your dog’s fur and alleviate hotspots on the skin.  Here are some quality shampoos that you might find helpful.

Don’t let fur take over

Be vigilant about maintaining pet frequented areas. If you allow hair to accumulate, not only will you be plagued with larger messes but the hair will become stubborn and imbedded in the furniture fabric. Consider using a lint roller and vacuuming dog areas on a weekly basis.

Nobody likes giving their pooch the brush off over a black  t-shirt. Bring down the barrier that deprives your dog of his quality lap by managing his shedding problem.

Photo courtey of: SuperFantastic