What's With All the Shedding Anyway?

Sure, it'd be super convenient if our dogs and cats stopped shedding altogether, but it's a natural process that helps them regulate their body temperature. That's especially important for your thicker-coated cats and dogs, like Maine Coons, Huskies, Newfies, and more. So, it's a pain to clean up, but it's good for them!

Essential Grooming Tools for Shedding Season

Grooming your four-legged friends on the reg works wonders for managing the amount of fur. If you want to reduce the number of furry tumbleweeds blowing through your living room, run down to your local pet retailer and grab the following:

• Deshedding Brushes – Special deshedding brushes, like the FURminator, are crucial for keeping heavy shedders, such as Huskies, Golden Retrievers, and Maine Coons, tame. They reach deep into the undercoat to remove loose fur before it ends up everywhere.

• Slicker Brushes – Got a long-haired breed like a Persian cat and Collie? Slicker brushes detangle fur and work to prevent painful matting.

• Fine-Toothed Combs – Best for short-haired pets and cats, these combs catch loose hairs while also helping detect fleas or skin issues.

• Undercoat Rakes – Perfect for double-coated breeds, these tools thin out the undercoat without damaging the topcoat, reducing shedding significantly.

If you happen to live right here in Greenville, you can find these grooming tools at local stores like Paws & Claws, Earthwise Pet, and more. And, of course, you can find stuff at most online pet retailers. It is 2025, after all!

Grooming Techniques for Dogs and Cats

Grooming can be a bit of an undertaking, but with a small repertoire of skills and techniques, you can make quick work of it, strengthen the bond with your pet, and leave them looking and feeling their best!

Here are our quick tips for grooming your dog or cat.

Grooming Tips for Dogs

You'll want to brush regularly, especially if you have a heavy shedder like a Husky or German Shepherd in the house. Grab your deshedding brush or undercoat rake and brush in the direction of hair growth to remove that excess fluff and leave them looking sleek and shiny.

Bathing with a deshedding shampoo also helps loosen and remove that excess stuff. Look for shampoos rich in vitamin E, aloe vera, or omega-3 fatty acids, then lather them up about once a month for good results.

Bathing can be a bit messy. Thankfully, many places, like Pup in a Tub, allow self-service dog washing, so you can come in, get sudsy, and be on your way!

Grooming Tips for Cats

Cats can be a little trickier because, if your cat fits the stereotype, they no likey the water. In fact, some kitties whip out their claws at the sight of the bathtub, meaning that a quick rinse may quickly turn into a quick trip to your home first-aid kit.

Thankfully, cats are fastidious self-cleaners, often maintaining an elegant appearance with minimal assistance from you. Supplementing their self-care regimen with a brush every now and then, you'll remove a good portion of that excess fur and keep your home spotless and spiffy.

Cats can, at times, develop mats. These cannot be brushed out, and your furry best friend will unlikely figure it out on their lonesome. In these cases, remove the mat by using a dematting comb or a speck of cornstarch. If it's really severe, the mat may need to be cut out with scissors or brought to a professional groomer.

Nutrition and Health for a Healthy Coat

Grooming isn't the only way to keep the tufts of fur at bay. Nutrition actually plays a significant role in managing shedding, as a healthy dog or cat often boasts a healthy coat that doesn't produce quite as much excess fluff.

Look for quality ingredients, including whole foods, high-quality protein sources, and some fruits and vegetables. If you can't pronounce it, it's probably not good for your pet's health, so try to minimize the number of mystery ingredients in your pet's food to get the best results.

You may also want to look for diets that include heaping helpings of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, fish oils, or biotins. These ingredients, along with vitamin E, are known to improve your pet's skin and coat, which may also reduce shedding.

Surviving Shedding Season

There are a few key things to remember about surviving the shedding season, but with a bit of know-how and regular grooming, you can keep shedding manageable, improve your pet's comfort, and reduce fur around your home.

Have any more questions about your pet's shedding or overall care? Happy Paws Upstate is here to help! As dedicated pet professionals, we're happy to offer expert advice and resources to keep your furry friend happy and healthy.

Contact us anytime with your pet care questions—we're here for all your pet's needs!