5 Ways to Control Pet Shedding
Feed Better Food
A good diet will make a world of difference for your pet’s shedding. As a whole, good dog food will make your pet’s coat softer and shinier, and it will increase the lifespan of your pet. Investing in high-quality dog food will help your dog look better, feel better, and live longer, and it will cut back on hair loss. The extra money you spend on good food will easily make up for itself when you have less hair to clean around the house.
Brush and Bathe Often
Another key component to controlling pet shedding is to brush and bathe your dog regularly. With proper grooming, you can catch a lot of lost pet hair before it has a chance to get on your carpet or upholstered furniture. Loose fur can get trapped between the fibers of your pet’s coat, and it may take days or even weeks for it to come off. If you brush your dog often, you will be able to comb out those loose particles and collect them efficiently.
Keep Your Pet Active Outside
If your dog spends a large portion of his time outside, he will have less time to shed inside the house. Bear in mind that more time outdoors will also make your dog hotter in the summer months, which will make him shed more. There is a delicate balance involved here, but the idea is to keep your dog out when the weather is nice so he can do his shedding in the yard. When the weather gets too hot to handle, keep your dog indoors so he does not get overheated and dehydrated.
Train Your Dog Where He Can and Can’t Go
If you reduce the areas where your dog visits, you won’t have as many places to clean. Give your dog a special bed to lay on where he feels safe and secure. If you do not want dog hair on your furniture, train your dog not to jump on the couch or chairs. You can use training treats and “No” commands to do this. If you can get your dog to enjoy sleeping in his kennel, that would be ideal. Then you can take it outside and clean the dog hair as often as you need to.
Practice Effective Cleaning Techniques
At the end of the day, you can’t stop a dog from shedding. In addition to the steps above, practice good cleaning techniques to keep your home looking its best. Use a squeegee to pull up dog hair in upholstery, on steps, or in tight corners of your carpeting, and vacuum up the rest. You can also use a lint roller or duct tape to collect hair in a targeted area. Sweep and mop hard floors as needed, and you won’t have to worry about mounds of pet hair piling up in your home.
