The end result of blowing out that winter coat!
Are you noticing a lot more pet hair clinging to your clothes or tufting around the corners of your rooms? Don’t worry: you’re not alone! This just means spring is here! And hand in hand with the rising temperatures comes the shedding of those winter coats.
It may surprise you to learn that short-haired dogs like labradors and pugs actually shed the most often and most continuously! And dogs with double coats, like a Siberian husky or Alaskan malamute usually shed once a year in the springtime (and sometimes also in the autumn) by “blowing” their coat with nature’s anticipation of the changing temperatures, which means that their fur will come out in huge chunks.
We’ve combed through (pun intended!) our library of grooming tips to help you get a handle on the flying fur this season. Read on to find out how:
1) Regular grooming: Our first tip is really a tip for the whole year: If you brush your dog regularly (which can mean anything from twice a week to every day, depending on the kind of coat your dog has and how much s/he sheds) you’ll notice much less shedding, and will also see the added benefit of a shinier coat and less matting. Brushing spreads the natural oils throughout the coat, removes dead hair that can cause mats, and makes the coat silky.
There is a huge variety of brush types available, each with special characteristics and attributes that may be more appropriate for one breed and coat-type over another. It’s up to you and perhaps some trial-and-error or the advice of your groomer or vet to find the best brush for your dog’s coat, but finding one (or a few) that you love will definitely making the grooming process more fun.
2) Bathe your dog with earthbath! You can really get a lot of dead hair out of the coat with a bath, but if you’re using harsh shampoos that contain soap, sulfates and petroleum-based parabens, you’ll run the risk of drying the coat and skin. That NEVER happens with earthbath! And the reason is that all of earthbath products contain renewable gentle coconut-based cleansers, and never contain parabens, stripping phosphates, harsh pthalates, DEA, or the synthetic dyes or perfumes that can cause irritation. Our shine-enhancing crème rinse and conditioner contains colloidal oatmeal which helps to remoisturize and soothe skin, while bringing out the coat’s natural luster and brilliance. This also won’t wash away topical flea control applications. Shampooing approximately every 6-8 weeks is a good schedule for most dogs. In addition, conditioning is critical in order to detangle and moisturize.
To ensure that your pup isn’t getting too many water-based baths, earthbath also offers waterless grooming foams that ensure easy and irritation-free grooming. Gentle sucrose-based cleansers whisk away dander, dirt, dead hair, and residual saliva, helping control shedding between baths.
3) Consider a trip to a professional groomers. Even if you typically groom your dogs yourselves, if your dog is blowing coat, or for once or twice a year “touch-ups”, a trip to the groomers could be just what you need! The professional bathing which also includes a shampoo massage and conditioning followed by drying equipment loosens a lot of hair, which then gets left behind – on the grooming table – not on your furniture (or in your bathtub)!
4) Now is the time to start a prevention program to protect your pet against fleas and ticks! Consult with your vet on finding the best product for your pet.
All of us pet owners are familiar with the sacrifices that come with the privilege of allowing a dog or cat (or a few) to share our lives. And I think we’d all agree: liberal use of the lint roller and vacuum are a small price to pay for the unconditional love and daily rewards our animal companions offer us.casino aussie
