Easy Ways to Manage a Pet Shedding Problem

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If you find dog hair on the floor, carpets and furniture, you must think of easy ways to manage a pet shedding problem. You will find that pets tend to shed a lot of hair, especially in springtime. This can be a trying time if you have allergies and are allergic to pet hair and dander.

There are some breeds of dogs that shed a lot more than others. (Which dogs shed the least? Bichon frise, border terrier, toy poodle, Schnauzer.) And there are some breeds of cats that shed a lot more than others. (Which cats shed least? Cornish Rex, Devon Rex, Siamese, Sphynx, Persian.)

Pretty much all dogs and cats shed hair, and this is perfectly normal. But if there is excessive hair shedding, you will need to find out the reasons behind it. It could be due to an illness, parasite, skin infection or allergies and flea infection.

IceSabre/Flickr.com

Manage a pet shedding problem. Photo: IceSabre/Flickr.com

Easy Ways to Manage a Pet Shedding Problem

One of the easy ways to manage a pet shedding problem is to brush the coat regularly. Brushing daily should help control shedding; in fact, it’s probably the very best way to control shedding! A shedding blade will work wonders in your household. But if you want the Cadillac of shedding blades, you’ve got to try the one and only Furminator, which is tops in our book. Another good brand is the Pet Zoom grooming brush. A slicker brush or Love Glove is also helpful.

Another thing you can do is to use a special “de-shedding” shampoo that is specifically made for the purpose of dealing with shedding hair. Do not use very hot or cold water when giving a bath; the extreme temperatures may harm the pet’s coat. So use warm water. If you want to create a natural shampoo for your dog, try a soothing oatmeal bath once a week (Want a good oatmeal dog shampoo recipe? Blend 1 cup dry oatmeal, 1 cup baking soda, 1 quart water).

Supplements and Diet

If none of this stops the shedding problem, consult your vet, who will prescribe some supplements to help control pet shedding. The most common supplements that are prescribed are omega-3 and olive oil, natural products that have been found to be very effective in treating excessive hair loss. You can also add olive oil directly to your dog’s dry food – add 1 teaspoon per 15 pounds of your dog’s weight (so if your dog weighs 30 pounds, add 2 teaspoons of olive oil to the dog food). Yet another supplement that might help is called Vitacoat Plus.

If you suspect the excessive shedding has been caused by illness, the vet will be able to diagnose the problem and prescribe any pet medications.

Diet also plays a huge role. Pets that get a balanced diet will shed much less hair. So a final easy way to manage a pet shedding problem is to offer a high-quality dog food or cat food. Seek premium feed with fewer grains and more meat. Sprinkle some fresh vegetables into your pet’s dry food; they’re high in healthy nutrients that are good for skin. Also, provide plenty of fresh drinking water. Ask your veterinarian if mineral supplements for your dog or cat are in order.

These are all easy ways to manage a pet shedding problem.

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