Simple Ways You Can Combat Shedding of Your Long-Haired Pet

A big ball of fluff in your lap after a long day of work is the best kind of therapy, but even those of us who are beyond gaga over our animals know that shedding is a drag. Parents of long-haired pets know that with extra fur comes extra cleaning, extra grooming and extra allergies. But we wouldn’t trade our furry family members for anything—not even a furball-free floor!—so we have to do our best to combat shedding throughout the year. You don’t want to stop a healthy dog or cat from shedding, as this is a normal part of her biology, but you can do some things to better manage fur throughout your home.

Here are some great ideas to help you manage the never-ending furballs. This one’s for the parents of ragdolls, Persians, Maine coons, Samoyeds, goldens, collies, Yorkies and all those other fabulous fluffballs out there!

1. Suck it Up—Excessive shedding sucks! But so do really good vacuums! You would be surprised to find out how well today’s pet-friendly vacuum cleaners eliminate fur. But what makes a vacuum a pet-friendly vacuum, anyway? Sweepers designed for houses with pets, including the latest canister vacuums, will help you easily target all the areas in your home where fur accumulates—the carpets, rugs, furniture, baseboards and corners of hardwood floors—with versatile attachments and tools for any surface. They also have better filtration to eliminate pet dander, motorized power nozzles for additional suction power and vacuum bags for easier and more hygienic elimination.
   
2. Automate Some Cleaning—There is no substitution for a good pet-friendly sweeper, but quality sweepers only work well if you have the time to use them several times a week. Pet-friendly households require extra cleaning, but many of us don’t have time to sweep the whole house more than once a week. If you want to add some routine maintenance between deep sweeps, it might be time to invest in a robotic vacuum cleaner. Choose a style made specifically for pets and program it to run every other day to help you stay on track of the fur piles that build up during the week.
   
3. Groom, Groom and Groom Some More—One of the best ways to prevent shedding is to get rid of loose fur before it has time to fall off your pet. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recommends brushing your dog once a week to prevent shedding and to ensure that no mats develop in your dog’s fur. The AKC also emphasizes the importance of having your long-haired dog professionally groomed about once a month, but some breeds should be groomed more often. Dogs with long, double coats will need to be brushed multiple times per week. What about grooming long-haired cats? Yep, they need a little fur control, too! Investing in a good-quality cat brush, like a FURminator, will help get rid of your kitty’s undercoat to minimize shedding. If your cat won’t tolerate conventional brushing, try one of those grooming gloves to trick her into thinking you’re just providing some innocent pets.
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Switch Up Meals—A pet’s diet has a great impact on her health, so it should come as no surprise that what she eats can affect how much she sheds. If your pet isn’t getting enough nutrients and protein, her coat might struggle. If you’ve noticed excessive, year-round shedding or a fine, dull coat, you may want to consider adding supplements or foods that help encourage better fur growth. Pet foods that contain extra fatty acids and essential vitamins and minerals may help reduce excessive shedding. Animals with skin allergies, whether seasonal or due to diet, will scratch more and leave clumps of fur throughout the house. If possible, eliminate any itch-inducing allergies.
   
5. Go for a Ride to the Vet—There are some medical conditions that can cause your pet to shed excessively, so you should know how much shedding is normal for his or her breed. Issues such as nutritional deficiencies, allergies, infections, fleas, mites, cancer, kidney disease, stress and sunburns can cause your pet to experience excessive fur loss and bald spots. The best thing to do if you suspect something is off is to first trust your instincts. If you feel your pet is shedding or scratching more than usual, then a trip to the vet is probably worth ruling out any serious health concerns. Shedding related to health issues usually occurs alongside skin irritation, sores, “hot spots” and constant licking.
   
6. Lap Up the H2O—Pets need water as much as humans do to ensure healthy, hydrated skin and hair. If your pet isn’t getting enough water, he could develop chronic dry skin, which could cause itchiness and irritation that leads to severe shedding or bald spots. Always make sure your animals have easy access to fresh, clean water as needed. If you find that your pet doesn’t drink enough water, consider switching to wet foods and treats that have a high water content.
   
   

Managing Fur Year-Round

Animals need their fur to help regulate temperature, protect their skin from sunburn and guard them against disease. Getting rid of it can be dangerous to some breeds and can often cause more harm than good in the long-run. As pesky as it is, shedding is needed to help your pet’s fur remain healthy and beautiful so it can properly protect your pet, so resist the urge to shave. Instead, arm yourself with the tools you need to mitigate pet fur throughout your home so you can enjoy your long-haired pal to the fullest!