I saw this article on PetPlace.com and it really hit home for me. My chihuahua, Merlot has the coat of a German Shepard even though she only weighs 5 lbs and she sheds worse than any dog I've ever had! It is a constant battle between bathing, brushing and even using the lint roller to remove the excess loose fur. After reading this article, I know what is on my Christmas list:Dog lovers commonly ask (as they pick some hair off their clothes), "Why do dogs shed? Is there a shedding season?"
I'll answer those questions now.
Shedding is a continuous process. This is a normal event in the life of a dog and it is largely influenced by daylight.
There is a word for this phenomenon: photoperiod. The number of hours a dog is exposed to sunlight in a day (photoperiod) triggers the shedding process.
It is more noticeable in outdoor dogs in the spring and fall. Indoor dogs shed more consistently but in lesser amounts because of the artificial light inside the house.
Dogs tend to have heavier coats in the winter months than they do in the summer.
Stress and illness can cause excessive shedding. A chronically ill dog that is shedding may also suffer skin lesions, as well as scaling and thin and abnormally wrinkled skin.
Providing your dog is just a normal shedding dog, here are some tips:
What can you do about shedding?
1. The first thing you can do is to reduce the amount of hair in your home by brushing or combing your dog on a daily basis. This will help more than anything to reduce shedding. You are basically controlling the shedding.
2. Feed your dog a good quality dog food. Don't skimp. Stick with one of the premium brands.
3. Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise. Healthy bodies promote a healthy haircoat.
4. Don't let your dog get fat. Keep your dog at an ideal weight. Obese dogs have difficulty grooming.
Dogs shed. Nothing will change that. But regular grooming will make the biggest difference. Brushing helps, but I found something that's even better. It's called the Bissell ShedAway.
My staff and I really love this product. Instead of brushing, you can easily vacuum away the dead hair on your dog with this simple attachment. You simply hook it to your vacuum cleaner and brush your dog with it. It easily removes the hair and dander from your dog's undercoat. And you will be AMAZED to see how much hair it actually removes.
The best part is, all that hair goes directly into your vacuum cleaner ... not all over your clothes, floors and furniture. So with the Bissell ShedAway, there's no need to clean up after grooming your dog. It captures all that hair, which means there will be less hair in your home ... and on you!
If dog hair is a problem for you (as it is for most dog owners), you should really see the Bissell ShedAway in action. Watch this video of a dog being brushed with the ShedAway ... you'll be amazed! To watch this short video click on the image below, or go to: Bissell ShedAway
