Whether your dog’s hair is long or short, it is inevitable that you will find loose hair around the house when they are shedding. Regular grooming and plenty of brushing in between will help minimize the stray fur you find. However, when shedding gets heavy during the winter months from blowing coats, pet owners need to resort to Plan B.

To help keep heavy shedding at bay, the American Kennel Club provides the following tips to help make the cleanup easier.

A good brush. There are many kinds of brushes, and it is important to use the correct one for your dog’s coat and breed. Try different styles to see what works best and ask your groomer or veterinarian for recommendations. Also, keep a brush by the door to give your dog a quick sweep while you’re outside together.

Keep the air moist. Run a humidifier when the weather is dry. This can help moisturize your dog’s skin and prevent loose fur from traveling too far.

Diet is important. What you feed your dog affects their fur. Feed them a high-quality food to keep their skin and coat in good condition.

Don’t go overboard with bathing. Bathing your dog too much can dry out their coat, which may trigger more shedding. Give your pup fewer baths to avoid this.

Invest in quality equipment. To make your life easier during shedding, keep a variety of lint-rollers and purchase a pet-quality vacuum to get rid of all the loose fur.

For more information on all AKC-registered dog breeds and how to care for them, visit www.AKC.org

©2024 American Kennel Club. Visit at akc.org. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC