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Dog parents will be all too familiar with pet hair shedding wherever their furry little friends go, especially on clothes, furniture and carpets. It can be worse in autumn and spring when dogs lighten their coat before summer or grow a thicker coat for winter, although some breeds shed year-round. We talked to a couple of experts on the best ways to groom your pet to help reduce pet hair in the home.
While it may be annoying for us, shedding helps pets remove old, damaged or unwanted fur, helping them regulate their body temperature and keep their coat healthy. According to James Bennett from the Australian Dog Grooming School, some breeds are heavy shedders, while others are considered low-shedding or hypo-allergenic. “Double-coated breeds like huskies, German shepherds and labradors shed significantly, especially during seasonal changes,” says James. “Breeds like poodles and Bichon Frisés shed very little, but they still require regular grooming to manage their coat.”
Grooming helps control shedding by removing loose fur before it falls and distributing natural oils that keep your pet’s coat healthy. It also prevents fur from matting and allows pet owners and groomers to find skin conditions or parasites early.
Bathing may also help loosen hair that is ready to come out. James suggests washing dogs every four to six weeks. Doing it more often than this could strip the coat of natural oils, although dogs with oilier coats or skin conditions may need more frequent baths. And using the right shampoo is extremely important – make sure you use a product that’s formulated for pets as human shampoos have different pH levels, adds James. Dry double-coated breeds thoroughly after washing, as their heavy undercoat can trap moisture against the skin and cause skin issues.
While grooming is good, shaving a shedding breed should only ever be considered as a last resort, says Lexie Madafferi from the Dog Groomers Association of Western Australia.
“Shaving a double-coated breed can cause permanent damage to the coat,” she says. “When a shaved double coat grows back, if it grows back at all, the undercoat will grow in first, usually in patches. The guard coat can take years to grow back. The guard coat/undercoat combination on these double-coated dogs plays an important role in regulating their temperature and protecting them from the sun.”
Whether or not you send your dog to a professional groomer, you should brush their coat regularly. James recommends brushing once or twice a week with slicker brushes, de-shedding tools or combs.
Also invest in pet hair remover devices for de-hairing your home. James says a rubber broom is a great tool for gathering pet hair on hard surfaces. A good vacuum with an upholstery attachment will capture pet hair on furniture, while lint rollers are perfect for quick fixes and clothes. Above all, though, Lexie says, “The joy our furry friends bring to our lives is often worth the fluffy couch.”
Watch our video D.I.Y. easy grooming tricks.
Photo credit: Adobe Stock.
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
