A recent occurrence prompted me to
write about pet shedding, a normal but annoying part of pet ownership. We were getting ready for church last Sunday,
when suddenly Brian felt something rubbing his back. “I’m swiffering your shirt, Daddy!”,
proclaimed our two year old son, Owen, and he proudly held up the dirty, hair
laden Swiffer. Hair patrol is a daily
event at our house, with our two canine companions, Lea the Australian
Shepherd, and Sierra the Lab.
Every dog sheds hair, although some
breeds shed much less and are considered “non-shedding” breeds. Examples are Poodles and Schnauzers. These breeds need regular grooming as their
hair continuously grows. Some dogs with
double coats shed most in the spring and fall, as they have different coat
types to keep them cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Examples are Collies and Huskies. German Shepherds and Labradors tend to shed
year round. Dogs with short hair shed,
too; however, it’s not as noticeable.
Regular brushing can minimize the
amount of hair shed on your furniture and carpet, but nothing can stop the
process. Ask your veterinarian or
groomer what tools they recommend to best keep shedding at bay. I have found the Furminator to be helpful for
Labs and Shepherds with seemingly unending mounds of fur – it is a blade
designed to pull out loose hair as it is raked over the coat, but must be used
with caution. Dogs with short, prickly
hairs can be groomed with a fine toothed flea comb, or a brush with rubber
bristles.
Keep an eye on your dog’s regular
shedding pattern. If it seems like the
fur is thinner than usual, or if you notice bald patches, itching, or scabs,
there may be a skin problem causing excessive shedding. The most common problems are parasites such
as fleas or mange, allergies, and poor nutrition. Excessive hairballs in cats could indicate an itchy skin condition. Likewise, failure of dogs to shed at regular times
could indicate problems such as hypothyroidism.
No product that promises to “stop
shedding” will actually live up to the claim.
Feeding your pet a high quality diet and grooming regularly are keys to
keep the excess hair... out of your hair!
(Pictured is late Lima Police Dog "Argo", a handsome German Shepherd!)
Author: Sara Smith, DVM
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