A Multi-Part Approach to Controlling Dog Hair
As discussed in our previous article, controlling dog hair at home is a multi-pronged operation. To keep your carpet, couch, clothes looking suitable for humans itâs helpful to utilise an âoffense-defense strategyâ. The offense refers to your vacuum of choice–which we break out here, along with our recommendations. But the best offence is a good defence, right? Here are some tips to reduce the amount of fur in your home.
Regular Brushing
Grooming doesnât have to be a hard, time consuming or traumatising task. A quick brush before or after outings is enough to get the loose fur under control so it doesnât end up in your house. This becomes especially important during seasonal shedding periods. Tip: set up a little brushing station with a brush suited to your dogâs coat, a bin to collect the fur and some treats to make it a positive experience for you both. Some dogs require weekly brushing, like Australian shepherds. Others require different grooming schedules. You can check out our dog profiles for more information.
Heavy Duty Grooming
Of course getting your dog professionally groomed can go a long way to helping with the fur situation. Dogs have various types of coats so always take that into account when discussing your dogâs needs with your groomer. For example, my dog Hazel is a Collie so she has a double coat and should never be clipped, only washed and brushed.
Out of Bounds Areas
It might be worth restricting the areas of your home that your dog can go into. Obviously the couch and the bed are sacred spaces (yes 74% of Aussies let their dogs sleep on their bed, and there are various pros and cons on letting them on the bed), but letting your pup into say your kitchen or bathroom means thereâs more places for fur to gather and more work for you.
Home Airflow
Think about where the airflow in your home is coming from as that might push tufts of fur into specific areas. In summer for example, youâre more likely to have the windows open so you might notice a few more hairs being whipped up into the air (ready to land in your food). Keeping this in mind, itâs a good idea to vacuum before you think youâll open the windows.
Improve the Quality of Their Coat
Have you considered that the food your dog eats might impact the look and feel of their fur? In the same way that essential oils and key vitamins nourish our own skin and hair, your dogâs coat is a reflection of what they eat. If your pupâs fur is looking a little drab, it might be worth switching them over to a recipe formulated to boost shine and improve coat quality.
For more on living with dogs, catch up on:
The Best Pet Vacuums for Controlling Dog Hair at Home
An Easy Eco-friendly Dog Guide
Is Pet Insurance Worth the Money?
While you’re here, subscribe to our newsletter, check out our magazine, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
