Dog Shedding Season -- and the Mess It Brings -- Has Arrived

The official start of spring may be two weeks away, but dog-hair shedding season has already begun.

“Pet parents in our region dread shedding season,” says pet care professional Traci Simo of Canine Company. “The weather isn’t nice enough yet to leave our dogs outdoors, so all that shed hair ends up in our home. It seems like we’re constantly cleaning floors and furniture at this time of year.”

Unfortunately, she says, shedding season can last for up to eight weeks, depending upon the breed. It’s a natural process prompted by the increasing hours of daylight, which stimulate the hormones that cause shedding in preparation for the warm months ahead.

While there is no ‘cure’ for this natural process, shedding can be managed with frequent grooming. Simo recommends doing the following every two to three weeks during shedding season:

First, brush thoroughly. Whether a pet’s coat is long or short, frequent brushing is the best strategy for managing shedding. Keep brushing until no more loose hair comes out on the brush. She recommends doing this outdoors, if weather permits.

Next, shampoo and condition. Massaging the shampoo into his coat will help accelerate the shedding process. Rinse and follow with a conditioner, again massaging well and rinsing thoroughly. Be sure to use only products specifically formulated for pets’ skin.

Brush again as the coat dries to remove hair loosened during bathing. It’s time consuming, but this additional brushing will make a big difference in the amount of hair left around the house. A de-shedding tool, like the FURminator, can help remove stubborn undercoat.

“Frequency – every two to three weeks – is just as important as thoroughness,” says Simo. “Managing shedding is a lot of messy work, which is why many pet parents turn to a professional groomer for help. Canine Company’s mobile pet spa comes right to your driveway and, we not only do all the work, we also take away all the mess.”

About Canine Company

Born of a family's love for dogs, Canine Company provides at-home services to keep pets healthy, safe and happy, including the Invisible Fence® brand systems, Manners dog obedience training, and mobile grooming and pet sitting in select markets. The mobile pet spa serves pet parents across Westchester County. For information, visit www.caninecompany.com or call 800-818-3647.