Owning pets has proven benefits for our overall mental health and well-being. There’s no denying it. Our furry friends can turn a horrible day into a lovely one when they greet us at the door.
However, there are some minor downsides to pet ownership, some of which become apparent as soon as you conclude your warm and welcoming greeting and head further into your home to see fur…everywhere! Pet fluff, fur, and hair can get everywhere year-round, but the fur gets particularly bad during the shedding season.
And any seasoned pet owner knows all too well that pet hair can make an otherwise neat and tidy house seem dirty and uncouth. But fear not because this article will share a survival guide for pet owners that provides all our top practical tips for managing shedding season. Read on to learn more about how you can control dog and cat hair in your home.
Vacuum Regularly and Mop, Too
One way to stay on top of your pet’s shedding is to invest in a high-quality vacuum cleaner. The cut-price models may be attractive at first with the temptation of saving some money, but at best, they will suck substandardly and at worst, they’ll break or clap out after a year or so. It’s always worth paying more for a top-quality vacuum cleaner that will stand the test of time and perform well. And, for those with a bustling household with multiple kids and pets who love to shed, you’ll appreciate a tool that makes cleaning the floors a breeze.
During spring and summer, as your pets shed more, you’ll want to vacuum frequently. We recommend vacuuming every few days in the warmer months. During the winter period, however, you can probably pare the vacuuming back a bit – that is unless your pets spend some time outdoors and are likely to bring dirt and other debris into your home.
For wet weather cleaning, we also recommend mopping – with either a steam mop or a traditional mop, depending on the flooring in your home. A steam mop will suit tiles or concrete flooring, but if you have engineering, floating, hardwood or timber flooring, then an old-fashioned mop is best.
Consider Breeds that Don’t Shed
Another option to keep your home shed-free is to consider breeds that don’t shed or shed less than others. When it comes to dogs, poodles are a breed of choice that doesn’t shed at all – and usually all poodle crosses have inherited this trait too, which is why they’re so popular in allergy-inclusive or allergy-friendly households. So you could choose cavoodles, groodles, maltipoos, shipoos or labradoodles. These all make for excellent, affectionate and intelligent dogs that won’t clog the carpet. If you think that a poodle might be the right dog breed for you, then be sure to keep an eye out for any poodle or poodle cross pups at your local shelter.
When it comes to cats, there are a few breeds that shed less than others, although unless you choose a hairless variety, all cats shed to some extent. Burmese is a great option here, as are Russian Blues, Siamese cats, Oriental Shorthairs, and Bengals.
If you’re looking to adopt from your local animal shelter, you may actually get lucky and find a hypoallergenic or shed-free dog or cat at the pound sometime. Yes, it’s rare, but it does happen. So be sure to keep an eye out at your local shelter to see if there are any dogs or cats in need that could also be a great addition to your allergy-friendly home.
Regular Grooming and Brushing
When it comes to managing pet shedding sustainably, you really can’t beat regular grooming and brushing. This is an essential aspect to help you manage your dog’s or cat’s shedding in a manner that ensures they feel comfortable year-round, and perhaps even closer to you (as grooming your pet can provide unique opportunities for bonding). Frequent brushing will help to dislodge loose hair that would otherwise fall out. Some breeds require more frequent grooming than others, especially those with longer coats. These pets should be brushed every day, whereas, for short-haired breeds, you can get away with brushing perhaps just once or twice a week.
In addition to brushing your cat or dog, ensure you also clip their nails, clean their teeth, and check for fleas and ticks. Make this part of your regular routine to ensure that both your home and your beloved household pet sparkle and will always receive the TLC they deserve.
Consider Special Tools
One of the best cleaning tips for pet-friendly households is to invest in the right tools. And we’re not just talking about vacuums, mops, and pet brushes here either. In fact, there is a range of specialised deshedding tools available from your local pet store or online. Differing from regular grooming brushes, these unique items are designed to help you manage your pet’s shedding and will reduce the amount of loose hair you find around your house.
Be sure to have a look at some of the deshedding tools that are available to you either online or at your local pet store, and trial them with your dog or cat to see how they feel. If it’s not a good fit, you might be able to return the tool and try something else, or you could even donate the tool to your local animal shelter.
Keep Them off the Furniture
Although it may be tempting to let the furry pals everywhere in the house, this can quickly lead to an out-of-control shedding situation. Letting them on the couch, bed, chairs, and other furniture items will mean they shed on them – this is unavoidable. Train your pets to stay on the floor, and get them beds, pillows and their own comfortable spots so they can relax and sleep without the mess on your precious furniture.
This is also a great tip for any pet owners who are renting with their pets. If you have carpeting in some rooms and may prefer if your pets don’t make themselves comfortable on the floor and end up embedding hundreds if not thousands of hair fibres into the carpet, then make it a blanket rule that those spaces stay pet-free zones.
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With these tips at your disposal, you should be able to reduce the overall amount of pet hair in your home in a major way. And once that quantity of hair and animal dander has been mitigated, you’ll find that keeping the rest of your home clean and tidy feels that little bit more easier.