How to Reduce Pet Shedding This Spring

Spring is the season of many things: while the flowers are blossoming and the grass is growing, your pet starts shedding.

Those clumps of hair that cover clothes, carpet and furniture at this time of year are part of the natural cycle of hair growth: as new hair grows in, old hair is shed out. The process actually occurs all year long, but the heaviest shedding occurs in the spring as pets get rid of their "winter coat".

Even short-coated breeds seem to leave a trail of hair wherever they go!

You can't stop your pet from shedding, you can reduce the amount of hair the family pet leaves around the house. According to Best Friends professional groomers, all it takes is time, effort and a good brush.

They recommend following these four steps to cut down on shed hair in your home:

1. First, brush your pets coat thoroughly to get rid of as much loose hair as possible. Weather-permitting, you might want to do this on the deck or patio to keep the hair out of the house.
2. Next, bathe your pet, massaging the shampoo in well. Be sure to use a product formulated specifically for pets. Human shampoos and soaps are not good for pets skin because they have a different skin pH.). Rinse well and then massage in a moisturizer or conditioner, and rinse again.
3. After toweling your pet to remove most of the moisture, brush again until the coat is dry. If you use a home hair dryer, leave it on the coolest setting and hold it away from your pet so you dont burn him.
4. Finally, take a steel-pinned comb and run it through the coat to make sure that all the shedding hair has been removed.

To be most effective, be sure you brush your pet thoroughly once or twice a week to remove hair that is being newly shed and shampoo every few weeks.

If your pet is a heavy shedder or you just dont want to deal with the mess yourself, take him to a professional groomer. Best Friends offers a special procedure called Shedicure, in which the groomer uses a special tool and a carding technique to remove excess undercoat. While nothing can totally eliminate natural shedding, this procedure can significantly reduce the amount of hair being shed on carpets and furniture at home, especially if you have it done every 4 to 6 weeks. Contact your local Best Friends center for information. Whether you decide to deal with your dogs shedding at home or with the help of a professional, its important to make grooming a regular part of your pet care routine. In addition to keeping your pet nice to be near, its important for his health and well-being.