Why is Shedding Important?
The cooler temperature and change in daylight cycle brought on by autumn will begin your pet’s seasonal coat transition. For longer-haired and double-coated dogs, seasonal transitions encourage them to shed their previous coat to make way for new and healthier fur to grow. This process of shedding will assist them in regulating their temperature, removing dead skin, and preventing matting. Every pet is different, and shedding intensity ranges from breed to breed; however, there is much you, as a pet owner, can do to make the process smoother and less messy.
Tools to Assist
Skin is the largest organ of a dog’s body and monitoring it closely for signs of irritation is important. Some common challenges during the shedding process include seasonal allergies, dry skin, and dandruff formation, causing the pet to itch and scratch themselves. Your pet may also lick or “groom” the fur as it sheds off the body, which can be ingested and cause digestive discomfort. Using professional grooming tools on a daily schedule will help get rid of excess hair. Some examples include:
Undercoat Rake
- Best suited for double-coated dogs
- Removes dead undercoat
- Does not damage healthy topcoat
Slicker Brush
- Great for detangling curly coat types
- Helps prevent matting
- Can remove dirt and debris
Metal Combs
- Suited for all long-haired coat types
- Helps remove loose and dead hair
- Used to fluff and smooth out the coat
All tools displayed are available for purchase in our lobby’s retail area and include a link on how to use each tool properly.
Brushing Techniques
When brushing a long-haired breed, it is best to work in sections rather than brushing the dog all at once. To prevent painful tugging and overall discomfort, be sure to brush in the natural direction in which the fur falls. Line brushing is a technique used to section off the hair and brush from the root of the fur downwards. This is a great way to detangle and prevent matting that could form close to your pet’s skin. Another helpful tip is to pat your brushes bristles into the dog’s fur to reach the undercoat. Then, brush through the coat to collect all the remaining loose fur. This technique protects the pup’s skin from sharper-bristle combs and prevents scratching or scraping. Finally, a metal comb is a great finishing tool to perfect your pet’s coat and check for any remaining or stubborn tangles. Combined, these steps help ease the discomfort of shedding, prevent harmful mating, and refresh your pet’s coat while promoting healthy regrowth.
How We Can Help
Our professional grooming team is a great resource to relieve your pet of excess fur, itchy skin, and overall discomfort. The Full-Service Bath includes a relaxing wash and dry, blueberry facial, ears, nails, and paw treatments, and is a great base to customize further using our à la carte services. We recommend Healthy Skin and Coat Treatment for pets with seasonal allergies, which can bring moisture back into your pet’s skin and rejuvenate their coat overall. Adding a Shed Control Treatment will target all remaining loose hair that typically ends up around your home, on your clothes, or in your pet’s digestive tract. Finally, if your pet is joining us for daycare or lodging, be sure to ask for daily maintenance brushing, which can help get a jump on preventing tangles or matting. Our concierges are always available to answer questions.