Creature Companion July Edition | Page 24

Pet Grooming HAIR TODAY, GONE TOMORROW TACKLING YOUR DOG’S SHEDDING IS EASIER THAN YOU THOUGHT By: Suzan Palamittam* S hedding is one of the natural processes where the dog sheds the old or dead hair. Some dog breeds tend to shed more hair as compared to other dogs. Although shedding depends upon various factors such as the season or on the dog’s health, Dog owners can control the shedding up to a certain extent. Let us look at how you can control shedding: USE THE CORRECT BRUSH Your dog’s coat type determines how often you have to brush them. Dogs with thicker and longer fur need frequent brushing while those with a shorter coat need to be brushed just once a month. There are different types of brushes available for you to use, so make sure that you use the right brush for the right coat. • Bristle Brush – The bristle brush can be used on all dog types but is most suitable for dogs with short hair and smooth coats. This brush helps to remove the dead hair and gives a good shine on the 24 coat. Some bristle brushes also come with a pin brush on the other side which can be used for removing knots and mats in the fur. • Pin Brush – The pin brush is good for dogs who have woolly or curly coats which are medium to long. It is used for removing dead hair and mats in your dog’s fur. This brush has plastic coated bristles that prevent scratches on your dog’s skin and also has wide The bristle brush can be used on all dog types but is most suitable for dogs with short hair and smooth coats. This brush helps to remove the dead hair and gives a good shine on the coat Creature Companion | July 2019 • Vol. XII • Issue 7 • Noida gaps between the bristles which allows smooth brushing of your dog’s coat. • Slicker Brush – The slicker brush has fine wire bristles that help to tackle mats and tangles. This brush can be used on all dogs. However, long-haired dogs tend to develop mats more often as compared to other dogs. • Rakes – Rakes are used for removing loose or dead hair from your dog’s undercoat. They also prevent your dog’s coat from getting matted and tangled. Rakes are best used on thick haired or double-coated dogs. SELECT THE RIGHT SHEDDING TOOL Shedding tools are specially designed to remove dead hair from your dog’s coat. So regardless of whether your dog sheds seasonally or all year-round, selecting the right shedding tool can help reduce the shedding of your dog’s fur. These tools come in many forms such as a shedding