Shedding Season Survival Tips

Winter is on its way out, and spring is in the air. Our canine patients will be delighted to get outside and romp around in the grass. Of course,  many pups will need to change their outfits first. Spring is peak shedding time! And, as many of you know, that means you’ll be finding pet hair everywhere over the next few weeks. A Burlington, ON vet offers a few tips on managing that fur overload below.

B  rushing

One of the best things you can do would be to brush your canine pal every day. Take Fido outside for this when it’s warm enough. That way, the fur will just blow away, and perhaps help a  bird or squirrel with building materials. It may help to wear an apron while you do this.

Upholstery

Want to quickly remove pet fur from upholstered furniture? Wipe it down with a squeegee, dish glove, or damp sponge.

Vacuum

Vacuuming and dusting regularly will also be very helpful here. Try to do high-traffic areas and your pet’s favorite sprawling spots daily, and more thorough cleanings every week. You may want to get a robot vacuum. However, don’t program it to run when you’re not home. As a few unfortunate souls have discovered, this can backfire if Fido has an accident while you’re out.

Throw Blankets

Even if you don’t set out throw blankets all the time, you may find it helpful to use them now. You can just toss them into the wash when they start getting … fuzzy. Furniture covers are also useful.

Bedding

Be sure to wash Fido’s bedding regularly! If you can, use hot water and unscented detergent, and tumble dry.

Clothing

Your furniture isn’t the only thing that’s going to get covered with fur over the next few weeks. To quickly remove hair from a piece of clothing, toss it in the dryer with a damp washcloth for 5-10 minutes. You can also find laundry gadgets that capture hair in the washing machine. Finally, try to stick with fabrics that don’t trap hair. Denim, polyester, satin, and silk blends are good options. At this time of year, cotton is not your friend. Last but not least, keep some extra lint rollers handy.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if ever we can be of assistance. As your local Burlington, ON veterinary clinic, we’re here to help!