PET SHEDDING 101 |
|
| Is pet shedding a problem for
you? Does your furniture appear upholstered with pet hair?
Are you plagued with what looks like "tumbleweeds" of
fluff blowing across your floors? Shedding is constant
part of most pet
owner’s lives, but there are ways to make it more
manageable. Keep reading for a lesson in "Pet Shedding
101." |
|
What
is the purpose of pet shedding?
Animals shed hair so the new coat can grow in. As dead
hair detaches from the follicles it is replaced with new
hair. The dead hair will then either fall off or remain
ensnared in the coat.
The degree to which pet shedding occurs depends upon the breed of your cat
or dog. Both long-haired and short-haired pets can shed a
lot. Outdoor pets grow heavier coats in winter so pet
shedding is accelerated considerably in the springtime.
For indoor pets, shedding depends on the time of year,
weather conditions and the temperature you keep your home.
Additionally, changes in the length of daylight stimulate
hormones which activate shedding. Genetics and nutrition
play a part in shedding; however, excessive pet shedding
may be symptomatic of an underlying medical
condition, which should be discussed with your
veterinarian.
|
What
is pet shedding?
Pet shedding is composed of not only fur, but also tiny
skin particles called dander. Similar to dandruff, it is
often referred to as "pet pollen."
|
Do
some breeds shed a lot more or less than others?
Pets without undercoats shed less. Cornish and Devon Rex cats
have undercoats, but lack guard hairs, so they shed less
than other feline breeds. Other low-shed cat breeds are
the Siamese, Oriental
Shorthairs, Tonkinese and Burmese.
As for dogs, the Border
terrier, Airedale, Welsh
terrier, Norfolk
terrier and the American Hairless are a few breeds in the
terrier family which shed less. Other low-shed dog breeds
include the Basenji, the
Standard and Toy Poodle. Poodle
hybrids such as the Malti-Poo (Maltese/Poodle), the Cock-a
Poo (Cocker Spaniel/Poodle), the Labradoodle,
(Labrador/Poodle), and the Goldendoodle (Golden
Retriever/Poodle) are also known to be low shedders.
Some double-coated, heavy shedders include the Akita, American
Eskimo, Collie, German
Shepherd, Great
Pyrenees, Newfoundland
and the Belgian
Sheepdog. Dalmatians
shed constantly.
Cats that shed a lot are the Persian, Maine Coon and
the Somali.
|
When
is the high season for pet shedding?
Pets living in northern latitudes generally shed in the
spring and fall when daylight and outside temperatures
change. Maximum hair growth occurs in the summer and is
reduced in winter. Artificial lighting causes shedding
year-round for indoor pets.
|
What
are some ways to control pet shedding?
Grooming pets is
crucial to control about-to-be shed hair. Bathing your dog
regularly helps to substantially reduce pet shedding.
Since cats bathe themselves daily, unless they come into
contact with dirt, grease or oily substances, bathing is
not necessary. Just brushing and combing will control
shedding.
Talk with your veterinarian about adding vitamin A and E,
Omega 3, Omega 6 fish oils and Linoleic Acid in
conjunction with a high quality diet. Rich in
antioxidants, they may aid in excessive pet shedding.
|
How
do I protect my home from pet shedding?
Keep upholstered furniture covered with throws or towels,
which are easy to wash and launder. Watch for freshly shed
hair and remove it before it embeds in fabric. A tape
roller works well for this chore.
Vacuum carpets frequently. For hardwood and laminate
floors, the Swiffer® Sweeper is a great tool for daily
fur removal because the dry cloth picks up 50 percent more
dust, dirt and hair than a regular broom. A slightly
dampened sponge works wonders to pick up pet hair from
upholstered furniture and tufts of fur on carpets. For
hardwood furniture and counter tops, try a Swiffer
Duster®, which grabs fur that feather dusters can just
spread around.
|
|
|
