Fur-ball Season

Fur-ball Season

September 30, 2015
Pet Dander
Fidos Love Carpet

Fall… Not only is it a beautiful time of year with the fall colors, but it’s a furry time of year with your adorable fur-babies – Dogs (we’ll include cats for all cat-lovers in the world)! Fall is a common time for mass shedding for many breeds. You’re most likely noticing fur-bunnies rolling around your floors and underneath your furniture at this very moment.

Although shedding can be a hassle, as well as time-consuming, it is important to remember that all dogs need to get rid, or shed, their old, unneeded fur. Unfortunately, it can also cause a lot of nasal discomfort for owners or guests in the home, such as allergies or breathing problems. While it can be overwhelming, as well as annoying, there are things you can do to keep shedding to a minimum.

Grooming your pet regularly with baths and brushing will reduce the amount of dander and fur that is spread throughout your home. If you take your pet to a groomer, they can ‘thin’ out the coat so that they will shed less. Your pet’s care can directly impact the cleanliness of your home so brushing your dog at least once a week (some dogs require more) and regular bathing will not only make Fido happy, but you happy as well!  Another added bonus? Less hairballs for cats to hack up for you to step on in the morning…

When cleaning your home and surfaces, don’t overlook your baseboards, ceiling fans and walls. These tend to be common areas where pet dander builds up. A wet cloth will pick dander up quickly and effectively. Also, vacuum, vacuum, vacuum! This combats pet hair and also makes your floors look awesome! 

Although vacuuming will pick up a lot of fur, there will be times that you need a deep cleaning on your carpets to reach the hair that cannot be pulled by a vacuum. Once you've steam cleaned or vacuumed your floors, it’s wise to vacuum or brush off fur from furniture. Yes, the comfy couch you curl up on to watch a movie on a cool, crisp fall day is also a gathering place for fur and dander. If you don’t want the company of fur balls, take a throw blanket (sheet or slipcover) to put over your furniture. It’s a quick fix, preserves your home furnishings and offers a nice change of color in a room.

Choosing machine washable rugs to place strategically throughout the house where dust, dirt and debris gather is another alternative to prevent fur from spreading around. They are easy to clean and inexpensive to replace should they become stained or worn out.

Lastly, have regular checkups for your pets. So many diseases can affect their skin and fur but regular visits to our veterinarian can help identify problems early. They can also provide more effective treatment to keep your pets healthy and happy!