Shedding is a natural part of your pet’s life. It is how they remove dead hair and replenish their fur to maintain a healthy coat. While you can’t stop it, there are some ways you can manage it to prevent hair from overrunning your home. The guide below offers some pet grooming tricks to help with shedding and some signs for when hair loss may not be normal.

Pet Grooming Tips to Manage Excess Fur

Cats

Since they don’t have to contend with seasonal changes, indoor cats will shed year-round. If you have an outdoor cat, they will typically only shed heavily at the beginning of spring and fall. The amount of daily shedding will depend on how much natural light the animal is exposed to.

You can control the hair loss by brushing—or combing if you have a long-haired cat—their fur for a few minutes each day. Move in the direction of hair growth to smooth the coat and remove knots. Occasionally, long fur should be slightly trimmed to prevent matting and tangles. 

Dogs

Depending on the breed, your dog may shed a little or a lot. They might also grow a thick coat in winter and only shed heavily once at the beginning of spring. Like indoor cats, pups that stay predominantly inside will shed fairly evenly year-round.

Brush your pet daily to remove loose fur and prevent it from ending up on your furniture or floor. Bristle brushes work best for short-haired dogs, while a wire comb is better suited for long-haired ones. However, if the hair is long and wavy, a pin brush is good to use. You can provide them with wetter food to help keep their fur healthy and reduce the amount of daily shedding. Also, regular bathing will cut down on mats and knots. 

Signs of Irregular Shedding

Stress, poor nutrition, and medical problems can all cause excessive shedding in dogs and cats. If your pet has allergies or sensitivities, they might need a specific type of food brand or formula to prevent itching or gastrointestinal distress, which could stop necessary nutrients from being digested. 

Also, regularly inspect their skin for flaky, dry, or discolored patches. This could be caused by anything from fleas, ticks, or mites to using the wrong pet grooming shampoo. Hair loss in specific areas could also be a sign of a bacterial or fungal infection.

When you want to keep your dog or cat looking and feeling good, bring them to All Creatures Inn—a pet boarding and grooming facility in Nicholasville, KY—for pristine care. Their groomers and pet kennel staff are hand-selected for their gentle temperament and passion for looking after animals. Call them today at (859) 233-9000 to receive a pet grooming estimate, and visit their website to learn more about their services.