Dog hair—no one likes it. But we love our dogs too much to let it come between us. Instead, we’ve come to accept that fur is simply a part of the decor in our house. But what if there were ways to minimize the mess, no matter how furry the pup?
Brush your dog regularly.
Brushing your dog removes excess hair and dirt as well as redistributes your dog’s skin oil to help the fur stay in place. Your dog actually won’t hate this either as brushing is relaxing to your pup. Talk to your veterinarian or groomer to find the best brush for your dog’s hair type.
Be smart about the furniture you buy.
Having a pet comes with sacrifices—like not being able to buy that wool couch you fell in love with. if you’re a dog parent, sensitive fabrics like wool, satin and velvet are not a good idea. Pet-friendly fabrics include distressed leather, Ultrasuede, microfiber, and Crypton as fur is easy to remove. Be sure consider the color—your dog may love you, but not enough to think twice before hopping on the couch with muddy paws.
Feed your dog a healthy diet.
Stay away from food with ingredients that your dog has trouble digesting, such as corn and grains. Food with animal protein as the main ingredient promotes better health, helps shedding and dry skin. Water also helps reduce shedding habits. Make sure to always refill the water bowl as fresh water will keep your pup hydrated, reducing excess shedding.
Invest in cleaning supplies specifically for pet hair.
Vacuuming can be a hassle—especially when you have to do it every day. Sometimes it can be tempting to give up and just let the dog hair pile up. Invest in a robot vacuum—like a roomba—and you’ll never have to stress about it again. As for the furniture, convenient cleaning tools thankfully do exist to help remove that pesky fur. Consider a fur sweeper to easily remove embedded hair from your furniture and yourself.
We know you love your dogs—we do too. Pet fur is annoying, but these four simple solutions can help you minimize the mess while still being able to come home to a wagging tail every day.