Coping with Shedding Dogs

We all love our dogs, but there is no denying that we are often presented with aspects of dog keeping that are very problematic in nature. One such dog problem that is impossible to escape is that of dog shedding. Almost every breed of dogs shed hair. Some shed more than the others, but non-shedding dogs are a myth. This is because shedding is the only way dogs can get rid of their dead skin cells. When they lose one coat, they also lose all the dead skin cells on their fur. Since some breeds of dogs do not have too much hair to begin with, their shedding is so negligible that they are referred to as non-shedding dogs.

Most dogs that shed heavily are those that have a very heavy coat of fur. Dogs need thick coats if they live in regions that have very cold climatic conditions. The fur is their protection against the coldness of the weather. But, as summer arrives, this thick coat is no longer required and dogs tend to shed. There are some breeds of dogs that do have a relatively thick coat of fur, but they are so delicate that they need the protection of the fur all year long. Dogs like poodles and labradoodles do not shed heavily despite having thick coats and are also clubbed with the group of non-shedding dogs.

In many cases, having dog fur all over the house is an unpleasant aspect of owning dogs. Some breeds of dog continue to shed hair despite regular grooming, which includes bathing and brushing. Such breeds of dogs can cause a number of problems to dog owners. The first issue is that of hygiene. Dogs have been all over the place and their fur comes in contact with the grass, ground, mud, dust, etc. All these particles cling to their fur, and when the dog sheds they get deposited on articles around the house along with the hair. Additionally, dogs that lick themselves also leave deposits of saliva on their fur which also gets deposited along with the shed fur all over the house.

This is not very hygienic, especially if there are infants and small children in the house who are prone to putting things in their mouths. On the other hand, if this shed food gets into the food or water supply, it can create serious health issues to people who may ingest that food. People are also known to suffer from allergic reactions to the hair that is shed by dogs.

Having a lot of dog hair around the house requires a lot of cleaning, and multiple uses of the vacuum cleaner. One problem caused by dog hair is that of vacuum cleaner breakage. Their hair gets stuck in the suction mechanism of the cleaner and causes it to break down. Also, having a shedding dog also requires owners to take extra care of their upholstery and even cover it up, as dog hair stuck in the upholstery can be very difficult to remove.