Hair of the dog

With three fabulous full-coated K9 Kids sharing my life, there seems to be an endless trail of dust puppies tumble weeding around our home. And I can’t even count the number of adhesive lint brush rolls purchased to temporarily depilate my hairy legs… pant legs, that is! Or how many Dust buster motors have burned out! Ah, such is the price one pays for the love a good dog (or three)! And honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Okay, I realize that some of you — whether for hygiene or health issues — are less tolerant of a seemingly relentless flow of free-flying fur. You’re caught up in the age-old dilemma: love the dogs… hate the shedding.

Sorry to report that despite what you may have heard or hoped, there is no such thing as a completely non-shedding dog. All dogs lose their coat to some extent, some more then others by virtue of age, breed, genetics, seasonal changes, health or nutritional imbalances. But take heart! With a little information and commitment, it is possible to minimize the tell’tail’ signs of canine cohabitation before things get too hairy.

Regular grooming
Believe it or not, regular grooming is one of the best defenses to excessive shedding. Accept the inevitability that fur will fall as follicles die; be proactive and remove it yourself! By the way, in addition to greatly reducing the amount of unwanted pet hair on your clothes, floors and furniture, regular brushing provides important bonding time between you and your dog.

You may need to experiment with several types of brushes before you find the one that is best for your dog: grooming glove, bristle, slicker or pin-style. Daily brushing for at least 10 minutes is optimal, but consistency is the key; commit to a regular schedule for best results. Gently brush in the direction of your pet’s hair growth. Be sure to go from the base of the fur all the way out, in layers, so you are doing more than just “prettying up” the top coat.

During shedding season, take your dog outside — or into an easily vacuumed room — and employ a shedding blade or undercoat rake to remove the dead hair underneath the top layer of fur. Double-coated breeds… Chow Chows, Siberian Huskies and Pomeranians to name a few… have the tendency to also shed in clumps as the seasons change; this is commonly called “blowing their coat”. During these arduous times, do yourself (and your dog) a favor and pay a visit to the groomer. With their professional grade supplies, tools and expertise in getting to those “hard to reach” places, these oft-called miracle workers will fortify your de-shedding efforts.

Baths every four-to-six weeks with a high-grade shampoo specifically formulated for dogs will help loosen hairs that are ready to fall out and send them down the drain. More frequent bathing or use of human-grade shampoos will actually be counterproductive, as it will dry out both skin and fur, causing premature hair loss. Always dry your dog thoroughly before brushing to minimize doggy discomfort.

Health and nutrition
Physical issues such as nutritional imbalances, parasites, skin infections, stress, aging and disease are all potential contributors to excessive shedding. If your dog’s skin or fur looks excessively dry, if you find bald spots, or if you think your dog is losing abnormal amounts of fur, nip it in the bud; talk to your Veterinarian. Do not self-diagnose, prescribe, or administer supplements — especially human-grade products — as they may have an adverse or even dangerous effect.

So, there you have it… the hair-raising facts about shedding. And hopefully, you will no longer feel like pulling YOUR hair out trying to control it!

Wishing you and your dog(s) a great day and a Ruff Life!

Top Dog Eileen Proctor is a nationally renowned speaker, author, media personality, animal welfare advocate and award winning entrepreneur committed to creating truly harmonious relationships between dogs and their people. Her popular book “Top Dog’s Top Tips for Tip Top Dog Care” provides a host of important (and entertaining) information that your “best friend” wants you to know! To find out more, visit her website: www.TopDogEileenProctor.com.

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