Hair, Hair, Everywhere !!
By Dr. Bob Encinosa
Almost every pet owner has dealt with the nuisance of pet fur in places where it is not wanted. It blows through homes like tumbleweeds and sticks to couches and car seats with amazing tenacity. It can also be a real problem for those affected by allergies.
While fur shedding can be seasonally appropriate, it often is not. Contrary to popular belief, shedding is not triggered by temperature. It is triggered by the photo-period, ie the length of the day. And since most pets are indoors, their body’s perception of the length of the day is altered by artificial lighting, which changes very little throughout the year. Therefore, their natural rhythms are confused, and they can sometimes shed excessively all year.
There can also be health reasons for excess shedding. Allergies, skin infections, hormonal imbalances and parasites, like fleas, are some common medical causes of excess shedding. Typically, these health conditions result in visible coat thinning or bald patches, whereas normal shedding leaves behind a full, normal base coat.
There are countless nutritional supplements, shampoos and coat conditioners marketed to control shedding. I have not yet found any that work. So, here’s my answers to this universal problem:
1) Choose a breed of dog or cat that does not shed much. Poodles are well known for minimal shedding but there are many breeds of dogs, small and large, and many breeds of cats that shed minimally. Just google “shed free dogs (or cats)” for a listing.
2) Regular grooming. For fluffy dogs with lots of fur, getting trimmed to a shorter coat does not slow shedding but definitely reduces the volume of shed fur.
3) Regular use of a coat stripping comb or brush. My favorite is the “Furminator”. Do this outside or in a confined, easy to vacuum area. It removes the dead fur in a controlled way.
4) Get a really good vacuum cleaner!!