If your sofa has a second, furrier sofa living on top of it, you're not alone. Shedding is normal. Every dog and cat replaces old hair, and most of what ends up on the floor is hair that was already on its way out.
What you can change is where it lands: on a brush, a few minutes at a time, instead of on everything you own.
Why some pets shed so much more
Coat type decides most of it. Double-coated dogs (think Huskies, Shepherds, Labradors, Corgis) grow a soft, dense undercoat and drop a lot of it when the seasons change, usually in spring and again in autumn. Single-coated and short-coated dogs shed a little all year. Pets who live mostly indoors, under lamps and heating, often skip the big seasonal drop and shed steadily instead.
Cats are the same idea on a smaller scale. Long-haired cats need more help than short-haired ones, and older or heavier cats often can't reach their own backs, which is where tangles and hairballs start.
How often to brush
- Short, smooth coats: once a week.
- Double coats: two or three times a week, and every day during a seasonal blowout.
- Long-haired cats and dogs: most days, even if it's only a couple of minutes.
- Short-haired cats: once a week, more for seniors.
Little and often beats one big session. Five minutes on the sofa in the evening is easier on both of you than an hour-long battle once a month.
Match the tool to the coat
- A grooming glove is the gentlest start. It works well on short coats and on pets who dislike brushes, because to them it just feels like being stroked.
- A slicker brush lifts loose hair from medium and long coats and catches small tangles before they turn into mats.
- A wide-toothed comb is your checker. If it glides through down to the skin, you're done. If it catches, go back with the brush.
Making brushing something they tolerate (or even like)
- Start where they already enjoy being touched, usually the chest, shoulders or cheeks.
- Brush in the direction the hair grows, with light pressure. Skin is thinner than you think.
- Keep a few treats nearby and stop before they decide they've had enough, not after.
- Leave bellies, legs and tails for later sessions once they're relaxed.
Please don't shave a double-coated dog to stop shedding
It's tempting in summer, but most groomers and vets advise against it. The undercoat helps protect against both heat and sun, and shaved coats don't always grow back the same. Regular brushing through the undercoat does the job better.
Bath time helps, in moderation
A bath with a pet shampoo, followed by a thorough brush once they're dry, loosens a lot of undercoat in one go. Too many baths can dry out skin, though, so for most pets every few weeks is plenty unless your vet says otherwise. Never use human shampoo; it isn't made for pet skin.
When shedding isn't normal
Book a vet visit if you notice bald patches, red or broken skin, scabs, a strong smell, constant scratching or licking, or a sudden change in how much your pet sheds. Those are signs of something underneath the coat, not just a busy season.
