Top Ten Tips - Dealing With Shedding Animals
By Tip Diva | May 14, 2008
Categories: Animals, Bedroom, Behavior, Chores, Cleaning, Clothes, Clothing, Difficulty, Eating, Food, Health, Home, Household, Illness, Kitchen, Pets, Products, Shopping, Stores, Tips
If your home is decked in more fur than an old socialite, then it’s time to take control. If your dog or cat has shedding problems, there are ways to reduce the amount of animal hair on you, your clothes and your furniture:
- Buy A Pet Hair Roller - Also known as a lint roller, a pet hair roller is basically sticky paper your roll over your clothes and removes pet hair. When the roller becomes full, you just pull off the top layer of paper and you have a stick roll again. There are also reusable cloth lint removers, but they have the tendency to get full of hair easily, are harder to clean and aren’t as effective. You can pick these rollers up at pet stores, drug stores or variety stores for a reasonable price.
- Bunch Up Old Pantyhose And Run Over Pet Hair - Have some old stockings with runs in them? Don’t throw them out! Bunch them up, and run them over pet hair - the pantyhose quickly attracts the wayward fur, and you can just toss out the furry ball once you’re done.
- Brush Your Pet Frequently - Brushing helps remove about-to-be-shed hair, and brushing your dog or cat regularly will dramatically reduce the amount of hair he sheds. Try to do it daily and outside, if possible.
- Bathe Your Pet Regularly - Bathing also helps reduce pet hair. Pet stores sell specialty shedding formulas, so find one that’s right for your dog or cat.
- Vacuum Often - Once or twice a week, thoroughly vacuum pet areas. Pay special attention to furniture, corners, edges and carpets, because those attract the most hair.
- Limit The Areas Your Pet Is Allowed - If you don’t want to find yourself sleeping on a bed of dog hair, it’s simple - don’t let your dog in your bedroom. Don’t want fur in your food? Keep the kitty out of the kitchen. Limit problem areas by keeping your pet elsewhere - perhaps a room with limited furniture or carpeting. And give it plenty of time to play outside, which will reduce the amount of fur that comes inside.
- Don’t Allow Animals On Furniture - If you allow your dog or cat to plop down on the couch, expect your own furry behind next time you sit. Don’t let your pets on your furniture if you don’t want hair all over you.
- Take Your Pets For A Seasonal Shave - Some animals tend to shed more during certain times of the year. For Tip Diva’s dog, it’s the summer. Take them to a groomer for a shave, which will reduce shedding, but also lessen the length of the fur your dog or cat sheds.
- Pay Attention To Your Pet’s Food - If you feed your animals cheap food, it will affect the health of their coat. Ask your vet what’s the best food for maintaining a healthy coat and reducing shedding. He or she may even recommend supplements to help with the issue.
- Take Pet For A Checkup - If your dog or cat doesn’t normally shed, take them to the vet as soon as possible. It may be a sign of illness.
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