Dog Deshedding: How to Deshed a Dog

Dogs shed because of weather changes, breed characteristics, and overall health. The natural process of dog shedding typically involves growing extra fur in the winter for insulation from cold weather and shedding the hair when summer arrives. Some shedding dogs lose more hair than others, and the amount depends on their genetics, stress levels, internal health, and diet.

Some dog breeds (like Golden Retrievers, Terriers, or Labradors) grow and lose hair at faster rates, while hypoallergenic dogs like Poodles and Malteses don’t shed as much.

Deshedding is a dog grooming technique in which dog owners brush out—or remove—their dogs’ undercoat hair, which is where they shed from on a seasonal basis.

There are several benefits to deshedding your dog:

1. 1. Bonding: Deshedding your dog allows you to spend quality time with them, which is essential for maintaining or improving your bond.
2. 2. Cleanliness: Deshedding will prevent excess hair from ending up on your floor and furniture. Your dog will continue to shed, but this process collects the bulk of the hair before it ends up in your vacuum cleaner.
3. 3. Comfort: Frequently grooming your dog at home allows you to maintain their appearance and keep them comfortable, especially in warm weather. Regular brushing and deshedding may also lessen how often your dog needs to see a professional groomer.
4. 4. Health monitoring: By deshedding your dog, you will become familiar with the amount of hair they shed. Inform your veterinarian if your dog starts to experience excessive hair loss (or skin irritation).

The main difference between brushing and deshedding is that the former only reaches the topcoat of pet hair. Brushing (or combing) involves removing dander, tangles, and dead hair to keep your pet’s coat smooth. On the other hand, deshedding reaches your dog’s thick undercoat and pulls it out, speeding up their natural shedding process.

Learn how to deshed your dog by following these at-home grooming instructions:

1. 1. Research and find the right tools. Purchase a tool designed to deshed your dog’s specific coat type to make the process easy. Popular models include a slicker brush (which has stainless steel bristles) and an undercoat rake.
2. 2. Brush and bathe your dog. Shampoo, condition, and brush your dog (using a regular dog brush) to clean their coat.
3. 3. Use a deshedding tool. Spend some time with your dog when first using a deshedding brush. The process takes a while, and your dog will be more relaxed if you are gentle and patient. Using your deshedding tool, brush each area of your dog’s body until no more hair comes out.
4. 4. Repeat the process on a schedule. Depending on your dog’s hair growth rate, brush their body with the grooming brush as often as necessary. Bathe your canine every four to six weeks, though you may need to do this more or less often, depending on their breed, lifestyle, and coat length.
5. 5. Monitor their skin for health concerns. If you notice excessive shedding, new skin conditions, or allergic reactions, take your dog to see a veterinarian.

Deshedding a dog’s coat can seem intimidating for first-time home groomers. Follow these tips to make the process as seamless as possible.

1. 1. Take your time. The deshedding process can take a while, especially if your dog isn’t used to it. Work slowly and be patient as you both adjust to pet grooming at home.
2. 2. Deshed regularly if necessary. Many indoor dogs shed their coats year-round, which requires owners to deshed them more often. Depending on how much hair your dog sheds, you may want to deshed them once a week. Pups who shed less will only need deshedding about once per month.
3. 3. Maintain your dog’s health to reduce shedding. Feed your dog healthy dog food and give them regular baths to minimize hair loss. In addition to regularly brushing and de-matting their fur, this will prevent you from needing to take them to the groomer too often.
   
4. 4. Use the right deshedding tool. Different breeds have different coat types (from curly to wiry to smooth), requiring different grooming tools and bristles for proper maintenance. Use a deshedding tool specially made for your dog’s fur type (whether they have a single or double coat) and hair length (short hair or long hair).

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