Dog Grooming Deshedding: A Complete Guide for Pet Owners

Deshedding is a crucial aspect of dog grooming, especially for breeds with thick coats. Regular deshedding can help reduce shedding by up to 90%.

Some dogs shed more than others, with breeds like Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes shedding heavily due to their thick double coats.

Deshedding tools like slicker brushes and pin brushes are designed to remove loose hair and reduce shedding. Regular use of these tools can help prevent hair from getting everywhere in your home.

In addition to regular grooming, a balanced diet and regular exercise can also help reduce shedding in dogs.

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Dogs have hair, not fur, and the only difference between their coat and human hair is texture, length, and color.

Their coat is made up of two main types: top coat and undercoat. The top coat, also called guard hairs, is longer and coarser, providing camouflage, repelling water, blocking sunlight, and reducing the severity of cuts or scratches.

Dogs can have single or double coats, with double coated dogs shedding seasonally, and single coated dogs shedding less but still shedding. Some breeds, like Poodles and Terriers, have single coats.

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Dogs can have single or double coats of hair, with the single coat being shorter and smoother, and the double coat being longer and thicker, with a soft undercoat and a coarser outer coat.

The texture of a dog's coat can vary greatly, with some dogs having a silky smooth coat and others having a coarse, wiry coat.

Dogs can also have a myriad of other types of textures, such as a curly coat or a wavy coat.

Their coat covers their entire body, just like human hair covers our head.

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Pets shed their fur as a natural process to adjust to changes in temperature. This happens because their coats are designed to adapt to the seasons.

The shedding cycle is continuous, with four distinct phases: growth, regressing, rest, and shedding. This cycle is essential for maintaining a healthy coat.

Dogs, in particular, shed year-round, just like humans do. However, their shedding cycle is often disrupted by living indoors with artificial temperatures.

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Seasonal shedding typically occurs twice a year, once in the spring and again in the fall. This is when the undercoat and top coat fall out to make room for new growth.

Cats, dogs, and other animals replace their coats completely every spring and autumn. This is a result of living in our warm homes, which can throw off their natural shedding cycle.

Here are the four phases of the shedding cycle:

Some pets may shed more than others due to hormonal changes, such as neutering. This can affect the shedding cycle and overall coat health.

Dealing with dog hair is a big part of pet ownership. Deshedding on a weekly basis can really help to control the amount of fur around your home.

Checking your pet's body and skin visually and by touch is a good idea before deshedding. This helps you catch any sores, bruises or skin conditions that need a vet's attention.

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To deShed your pet, you'll need to remove any tangles or mats with a tool like a FURminator dematter or comb. This makes the process a lot easier.

DeShedding tools like FURminator's range of undercoat deShedding tools have curved edges that conform to your pet's body shape for comfort. They also have SkinGuard to prevent digging in and causing discomfort.

The stainless steel deShedding edge reaches through the topcoat to safely remove loose hair and undercoat. This is especially important if you have a pet with a thick coat.

Regular deshedding can help prevent matting and tangling. It's a good idea to repeat the process once or twice a week for 10 to 20 minutes.

Dogs shed year round, just like humans, but the shedding phase is when hair falls out and is replaced by new hair.

Seasonal shedding typically happens twice a year, but because most dogs live indoors and are exposed to artificial temperatures, the shedding cycle gets disrupted and can take place year round.

Brushing your dog's fur manages their top coat and removes dander and debris, but it doesn't do the same job as de-shedding.

De-shedding tools, like the Furminator, are combs that reach through the top coat and pull out the undercoat, which is essential for dogs with plush or medium length coats.

De-shedding facilitates the natural shedding process, keeps your house from becoming coated in fur, and draws out natural oils produced by a dog's skin and fur, preventing painful matting and hot spots.

Regular de-shedding is especially important for double-coated dogs, as it allows the fur to act as an insulator and keeps them cool in warm weather.

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You'll need a few simple tools to deshed your dog at home. A dedicated dog comb or brush is a must-have, and it's best to invest in a high-quality one that can handle your dog's coat.

Almost any commercially available dog brush will do the trick, but if your dog has an especially long fur or a double-layer coat, a slick dog brush or undercoat rake is a better choice.

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A high-quality dog shampoo and conditioner are also necessary for a thorough deshedding process. Don't forget to get a high-velocity dog dryer if your dog is on the fluffier side – it'll make the process much faster and less smelly.

Brushing your dog's fur is vital to their health, but it won't do the same job as de-shedding. De-shedding tools like the Furminator are combs that reach through the top coat and pull out the undercoat.

De-shedding blades can be used on dogs with plush or medium-length coats, but they can look a bit intimidating at first.