Owning a dog can be one of the most fulfilling things you can experience. A dog is a great companion, a good cuddling partner and a very patient sounding board. As cliché as it is, there is truth in the saying “dogs are man’s best friend.” Any pet lover would say that their canines are their best buds.
It is usually not difficult to take care of a dog. Most of the time, it is the training part that would need you to extend your patience a little more than you are used to. But once your dog is well trained, you could have the best times. Only one problem occurs often, especially with long coated pets—shedding.
This is not a major issue if you take the proper steps to handle it. All dogs shed, and that is an irrefutable fact. The extent of your furry friend’s shedding is determined by its type of breed, how often you groom your pet and the products you use for grooming.
So how exactly should you deal with your dog’s natural shedding cycle? First off, grooming. Grooming is one very essential key here. If you have a groomer, take your dog there on a regular basis. For home techniques, brush your pet’s fur with a curry or wide toothed comb to reach the undercoat without hurting your dog. Also, make sure that you bathe your furry friend regularly, that is, once a week or as advised by your vet. For long haired dogs, use a dryer and brush through fur while drying. This will ensure that your pet’s fur would not end up matted. Choose a shampoo and conditioner product that would suit your dog’s need. And be sure to follow instructions. If it says on the shampoo label that it has to be mixed with a little water before rubbing on your dog, do so. Often times, pets develop rashes because instructions were not followed.
Nutritional supplements could help. Consult your veterinarian for vitamins and other nutritional products that could help regulate your dog’s shedding. But be aware that shedding is a natural cycle because your furry friend’s body adjusts to the climate changes. You will notice more clumps of fur all over your house in spring because your dog’s body is getting prepared for warmer weather. You don’t have to worry about shedding unless you can see outward signs that your dog is not doing so normally. Check for skin rashes or blisters. If you find these on the skin, check with your vet for medical treatment for your dog.
If you don’t like picking up after your dog all the time, put barriers in certain areas in your house so that your pet could not enter places you wouldn’t want to clean all the time.
Do not forget to arm yourself with a vacuum cleaner and a handy brush. That way, you can keep your house fur free. And always keep in mind that shedding will always be part of your pet’s natural cycle. It would not bug you anyway when you’re having fun taking care of your dog.