Shedding Myths

1. Dogs only shed their coats in Spring, so it's abnormal that my dog is shedding so much in October.

Busted. Depending on the breed of dog and its environment, dogs can shed every day. Some dogs have two shedding seasons: Fall and Spring. Usually the shedding season of Fall is less abundant than Spring because they are shedding their Summer coats which are lighter than the Winter coats shed during the Spring.

NOTE: Many short-haired dogs shed year round, requiring constant clean up of pet hair. For daily use we recommend the Petmate Pocket Pet Hair Roller because of its small size.

2. People who are allergic to dogs should own Bichon Frises or Poodles, because they don't shed.

Busted. All dogs shed, except for hairless dogs. With that being said, it is true that Bichons, Poodles and a handful of other dogs shed less than other dogs, and could be good pets for allergy sufferers. Even though some low shedding dogs are double coated, they shed less because of the texture of their hair. Wiry, stiff and curly hair breeds tend to lose less dead hair compared to breeds with finer hair.

3. Shaving my dog will prevent him from shedding and will also cut down on grooming costs.

Busted. Shaving a dog does not prevent the dog from shedding, it merely makes the shedding less noticeable. When a shaved dog sheds its hair, it will be less likely to clog vacuums and clump into annoying floor piles. However it's important to think of your environment before shaving a dog. If your dog is constantly exposed to cold weather it will need its coat to protect itself. You wouldn't play in the snow without clothes on, would you?

NOTE: Grooming your dog at home is easy and saves hundreds in groomer bills. The Oster A5 Single Speed Animal Clipper allows any pet owner to safely trim or shave their pet in the comfort of their own home.

4. "Coat blow" is when a dog gets their coat blown dry at the groomers.

5. Season changes are always accountable for excessive shedding.

Busted. Although this is often the case, there are several factors that influence shedding in dogs. Hair length and growth cycle are main factors, as well as nutrition, hormones, disease, stress and parasites.

NOTE: Along with excessive shedding, stressed dogs are also likely to pant, whine, shake and lose their appetite. Keep your pet stress-free with the Dog Appeasing Pheromone, a diffuser that plugs into any 2-prong electrical outlet.