3 Simple Ways to Cope with Seasonal Shedding

Ah, Spring is here! Warmer weather, fragrant flowers, singing birds, longer days, and…. shedding hair. And probably lots of it. As much as we love spring, we know that it also means helping your pets shed their winter coats.

It may seem like a losing battle sometimes, but shedding is a natural process. It helps our pets to transition from dead or damaged fur into having glossy, new coats.

There are ways to help ease the burden on you by reducing the amount of hair taking over your home. Here are three simple ways to help cope with seasonal shedding.

1. Shampoo

Not all dogs like getting baths, and we know how cats feel about it, but it’s a great way to help reduce the amount of shedding. The purpose of shedding is to get rid of damaged or dead hair. You can keep it from getting to this point by washing your dog about once a week or fortnight with a reliable, hypoallergenic shampoo. This helps to keep his coat healthy, strong and shiny. Two popular products we carry are Fido’s Gentle and Mild Shampoo and the Petway Gentle Protein range. Of course, you can always bring your puppers in to try out our DIY hydrobath dog wash units, equipped with warm water, shampoo, conditioner and a flea and tick rinse.

2. Brush

Regular brushing is essential for many reasons, including having the result of smooth and shiny coats. For cleanliness-sake, regular brushing also controls the amount of accumulating hair throughout the house!

Most dogs should be brushed either daily or every 2-3 days, depending on your breed of dog. FURminator, which we carry instore, has an amazing range of grooming tools and brushes that have always been successful in combatting the shedding blues. See more on FURminator brushes here.

• FURminator cat deShedding tools are known for preventing hairballs while reducing shedding up to 90%. 
• Shed Control Cloths have a loop technology that catches loose hair, and they’re reusable for up to three uses before disposing. 
• FURminator’s Ultimate Hair Reduction System includes brushes, deShedding tools for short and long hair, a premium deShedding shampoo, and hair discarding tools.

3. Treat

One thing that is often overlooked is flea and tick treatment.

Scratching increases the amount of shedding hair, not to mention irritating the skin. Regular flea and tick treatments is a sure way to help control allergies and fleas, which will, in turn, stop the scratching.

We have a wide range of quality flea and tick treatments for dogs and cats, including NexGard, Simparica, and Advantage.

Final Thoughts

Shedding is a natural process that, depending on your breed of dog or cat, could occur seasonally, constantly, or, if you’re one of the lucky ones, not at all. If the shedding seems excessive or is leaving the skin irritated, then it may be time to visit the vet. Otherwise, our Poplar pet experts will be more than happy to help you find the perfect grooming tool or treatment for your pet. Your pooch is always welcome to come in for a visit, too!

Written By Miranda Altice