What Can Be Done About a Shedding Pet?

As warmer weather arrives, our pets lose their winter coats. 

For some owners of particualarly hairy dogs and cats, this can be messy and annoying. However, there are solutions to the problem, according to Emily Mader, an employee at PetSmart in Eden Prairie.

For a dog, the first thing to do is to give it a bath, removing the bulk of the dead hair.

After the dog is dry, she recommends using a FURminator. "It will really reduce shedding because it actually pulls out the undercoat," Mader said. "It's the best tool we have here for shedding."

A FURminator is a comb that removes the undercoat but does not affect the top coat.

For people who don't want to do it themselves, groomers also offer packages where a FURminator and a special conditioner are used. The PetSmart salon offers a package from $40 to $100, depending on the size of dog.

If your pal is feline, a FURminator has also been developed for cats. Brushing them regularly is important, as they eat about 30 percent of the hair when they lick themselves.

"That can cause hairballs which at best are a gross thing to clean up and at worse can cause impactions, whch can be really painful," Mader said. "So regular brushing is not only good for your furniture but also for your cat."

Mader does not recommend giving a cat a bath unless they are very dirty. "For a long-haired cat, it might make any matting and tangles worse." 

If you don't get every hair from your pet's body, PetSmart and other pet stores sell a variety of products to remove pet hair from furniture.

Another pet issue just beginning is flea and tick season. Mader reminds pet owners to use a control product such as Frontline or Advantix.