4 TIPS AND TRICKS FOR DEALING WITH DOG SHEDDING
Dog hair does not discriminate. From your bed to the couch, clothes to the carpet and even hardwood floors, it can be common to find pet hair in all the nooks and crannies of our homes—especially if you have a pet that sheds a lot.
Excessive dog shedding can put a damper on efforts to keep your house clean, especially when it seems like pet hair is everywhere. Keep reading for tips on how to minimize dog shedding so you can spend less time worrying about mess and more time focusing on other priorities.
WHY DO DOGS SHED?
Dogs shed for countless reasons, but not all dogs shed at the same rate. Genetic factors like breed and type of coat, in addition to seasonal changes, can impact whether and how much your dog sheds. Health factors such as diet, allergies, hormones or even stress can also play a role in excessive shedding.
If you start to notice an abnormal or excessive amount of pet hair around the house, it may be worth asking your vet about what is a normal amount of shedding for your breed of dog. However, there are possible reasons you may notice an uptick of dog hair clinging to the floors and furniture.
WHEN DO DOGS SHED MOST?
There is no specific formula that can pinpoint when all dogs shed the most. Some dogs shed year-round. However, certain dog breeds tend to shed—or shed more—seasonally, so you may notice a larger amount of fur appearing in your vacuum or laundry filters come spring or fall.
Certain washers and dryers like the models available in the Maytag® Pet Pro Laundry System have filters and deep rinse features that can help tackle excessive pet hair. These features can come in handy, especially during the heavy shedding seasons, when your pet’s body is readying itself for warmer or colder weather.
HOW TO DEAL WITH EXCESSIVE DOG HAIR
While keeping your dog happy and healthy can help to somewhat mitigate excessive dog shedding, no method is foolproof. Some may even say that finding hair on your clothes or throughout the house is a rite of passage when it comes to certain pets. Even so, there are steps you can take to help minimize the amount of dog hair that gets left behind, even when it’s shedding season. Here are seven of them:
1. UP YOUR LAUNDRY FILTER GAME
If your washer isn’t specifically designed to help remove pet hair, consider a floating lint trap. These can be used in top load washers to help collect fur coming off your clothes and linens in the wash.
Keeping your washer and dryer filters clean is another way to help trap pet hair where it belongs and help prevent clogs in your laundry appliances. Washer filter locations and accessibility vary by model, so be sure to check your model-specific owner’s manual before trying to access the filter without professional help.
If you are trying to capture more pet hair in the laundry, you may want to consider the Maytag® Pet Pro top load washer and matching Maytag® Pet Pro top load electric dryer, featuring a built-in Pet Pro Filter in the washer and an XL lint trap in the dryer to help trap and remove pet hair.
2. USE A LINT ROLLER
Lint rollers are easy-to-use tools for removing pet hair from clothes, bedding and many types of fabric. Keep them easily accessible throughout the house, and also use them to remove excess dog hair from dog blankets, bedding or other fur-covered fabrics before tossing them in the wash, if possible.
3. RUB WITH DRYER SHEETS
Rubbing fur-laden fabrics with a dryer sheet can help to remove excess pet hair before tossing washable items in your washing machine. You can also try tossing the items in the dryer with a dryer sheet prior to washing, but be sure to check the care tag on your items first.
4. CLEAN FLOORS AND UPHOLSTERY
Pet hair can be easy to miss on floors and upholstery, especially if it blends in. Sweeping and vacuuming regularly can help capture hair before it makes its way to your laundry.
5. WIPE DOWN YOUR WASHER TUB
If your washing machine is working extra hard to remove loads of dog fur, you may want to start wiping down the washer tub between loads to collect any lingering stray hair.
6. CONSIDER SEAT COVERS
Covering your sitting areas like couches, chairs and areas of the car with seat covers or blankets can help protect them from unwanted shedding. When the washable covers are dirty or have collected unwanted hair, simply use a lint roller and toss them in the wash.
7. INVEST IN AN AIR PURIFIER
Some air purifiers can help capture pet hair. It’s important to consider your dog’s size and if you have multiple pets before selecting an air purifier. It’s also important to remember to change the filters at the recommended times.
HOW TO mitigate DOG SHEDDING
While it’s impossible to prevent your dog from shedding altogether, there are a few tricks you can try to help keep shedding under control.
1. BRUSH YOUR DOG REGULARLY
Your vet can help you figure out how often to brush your dog, as regular brushing can help to control dog shedding. Depending on your dog’s coat and how much they shed, you may want to brush them at least weekly, if not several times a week or even daily. You may also want to invest in a brush that can help to catch loose or dead hair before it sheds.
2. TAKE UP BATH TIME
Bathing your dog can help remove and contain loose fur so it doesn’t fly freely around the house. This can also help with reducing unwanted pet odors.
3. KEEP UP WITH YOUR VET APPOINTMENTS
Taking your dog for regular checkups can help address health issues that can lead to excessive shedding. There are many issues that can cause shedding in dogs, so check in with your vet if you happen to notice accompanying symptoms such as increased thirst or urination, weight changes, itching or skin abnormalities.
4. MAINTAIN A ROUTINE
Changes in routine or lifestyle can lead to stress for animals like dogs, which in turn can lead to excessive shedding. Try to limit your dog’s stress as much as possible with a regular routine and exercise. Reach out to your vet if you need guidance on helping your pet navigate a stressful situation.
EXPLORE MAYTAG® PET PRO WASHERS AND DRYERS
It’s frustrating to pull your laundry out of the wash just to find it covered in stubborn dog hair. This is where the Maytag® Pet Pro Laundry System comes into play. With powerful features for both top load and front load washer and dryer options, the Maytag® Pet Pro Laundry System can help you conquer pet hair like a pro.
