How Pet Owners Can Cut Down on Shedding

Which products should you use to get rid of that dreaded pet hair?

ByABC News via logo
June 9, 2009, 2:11 PM

June 10, 2009— -- Spring is prime shedding season -- a hairy time for many pet owners. If shedding is one of your pet peeves, America's favorite vet, Marty Becker, has some advice for how to stop the fur before it flies.

Becker said to keep in mind that all breeds shed, though some do more than others.

Long-haired dogs, such as Afghan hounds and poodles, shed less than shorter-haired varieties, such as Labrador retrievers or pugs. This is because dogs with long hair are genetically programmed to keep their coats for a longer time, while those with shorter hair shed more because they keep growing new hair and push out the old.

If you want a short-haired dog that doesn't shed much, consider adopting one that is a mixed-breed, such as a poodle cross or a maltese cross. Be sure to keep their coats trimmed.

If you already have a pet, you can avoid getting hair on the furniture and your clothing by grooming where it's easier to clean up. For example, Becker said he grooms his dogs in his yard and in the winter he does it in the garage.

When giving your dog a bath, put some elbow grease into it. With vigorous shampooing, rinsing, wiping down and combing out, the hair will shed in the tub, rather than your living room.

The FURminator deShedding Tool ($49.99) will help thin out the coats of both dogs and cats. Combing your pal's hair with the FURminator not only thins out its top coat but it also reaches the undercoat, or the loose dead hair which is a major source of shedding.

The FURminator Double Edge deShedding Tool ($54.95) has twin blades, and the FURminator FURejector deShedding Tool ($54.95) comes with a button that releases trapped hair from the tool, freeing a hand and making it easier to groom pets who can't sit still.

Bissell has invented the ShedAway Pet Grooming Attachment ($29.99) to vacuum up your pet's hair. The brush is like any other you would use to brush your pet's coat, but it connects to your vaccum, sucking up the hair before it hits the floor. The attachment fits all major brands of vacuums.