Dealing with pet hair is a never-ending battle in most households. Most homeowners have pets which are notorious shedding breeds. Pets, especially cats, leave pet hairs everywhere; you can’t do away with shedding. These furry friends are more like family members and we love them dearly. When summer rolls around, this is the time pets shed most hair. Research conducted by The American College shows too much pet hair aggravates allergies.
Knowing how to tackle pet hair on various surfaces is key to ensuring a hair-free home. For homeowners with hardwood floors, vacuuming won’t be helpful. Vacuuming will blow pet hair around instead of picking it up. Hardwood homeowners should try an electrostatic or microfiber dry mop. These tools will trap hair particles and clean the floors.
For carpet surfaces, scrape with something with a rough surface, preferably a pumice stone. You can also use any tool used for de-shedding your pet across the pit. The hair will usually gather, making it easy to pick up or vacuum.
Pet hair on furniture is always there. Make sure to keep a throw on chairs and couches to prevent pet hair from sticking. When it comes to removing pet hair from furniture, you will need a little moisture. Put on a damp rubber glove and run your hand over the furniture.
Brush your pet daily
One of the most effective ways to reduce the amount of shedding is to brush your dog daily. Brushing is helpful as it removes loose fur before it gets the chance to stick to your furniture. The type of brush you use will depend on the kind of dog you have. Bristle brushes work best for short-haired dogs. A “rake” brush is best suited for long-haired dogs, where a pin brush is for long, wavy fur. Your local pet store will have special brushes designed for pets with excessive shedding problems.
Having liquid in your dog’s diet
Dogs that don’t see a lot of liquid in their menu are more likely to shed hair. A meal based on dry dog food can make for weak fur leading to hair breaking off easily. Increase your pet’s consumption of liquid in different ways, such as increasing its intake of melons. Make sure your dog takes carrots and healthy snacks in moderation. Increasing liquid consumption helps to reduce shedding.
Bathe your pets regularly
Keeping dog shedding at a minimum is by ensuring your dog takes regular baths. Having a bath helps to remove clotted and matted up fur. You can get plenty of anti-shedding shampoos and conditioners from your local pet store. How long you wash your pet depends on the breed, lifestyle, and skin type. You can consult with your veterinarian, as bathing too often is known to strip the coat of essential oils.
Have a lint roller and vacuum cleaner ready
With pets around, there is no magical fix, and you will eventually need to have some loose fur. Vacuuming your pet helps in removing hair. Having a lint roller is a must for serious pet owners. Put down a blanket or dry sheets before inviting your dog for cuddling.
Use throw rugs to protect carpets and floors
Placing mats in strategic places ensures they gather the lion’s share of pet hair. Rugs prevent hair from spreading throughout the house. Make sure you place rugs at each doorway, and place some outdoors, to help catch debris, dirt, and dust. Have machine washable rugs that have nonskid backing as they are comfortable and inexpensive to replace.
Keep paws clean at all times
After your pet has been outside, wipe their paws with microfiber material and apply paw balm before letting them in. The mitts will always get dirty, but it ensures your house stays clean and free from pet hair.
Pet hair cleaning accessories
For those who do not know, there are more tools out there for picking pet hair than you could imagine. Some vacuum cleaners have special attachments used for cleaning pets. Pets will welcome the idea of being vacuumed if you introduce it carefully and slowly. Some of these cleaning tools include;
Evercare Pet Mega Cleaning Roller
The Evercare Pet Mega Cleaning Roller has a long handle with a giant sticky roller. Most people see it as a duster, but it traps hair. It is an excellent tool for removing pet hair on furniture and low pile carpets.
FUR-D Duo Fur Remover
A favorite among pet lovers, it is a perfect dog grooming tool and fur remover. It comes with two sizes of rubber pet hair capturing bristles. The large bristles are used to brush the coat and help remove loose fur. More delicate bristles attached are useful for brushing the hair off. It comes with a wide array of colors and handles.
Pick It Up Mitt
If you are gathering pet hair off fabrics, the pet removal mitts are an affordable and useful tool. They come with soft little nubs that help pick up pet hair with ease. They are also an excellent tool for removing hair from any delicate clothing. The softness enables picking of hair without having clothes pulled from abrasion.
Make sure your dog is healthy
Many diseases can also affect the condition of pet hair. Some illnesses can make your pet prone to dullness and shedding. Make sure you discuss the best diet for your pet with your veterinarian.
Get professional help
If you can afford it, significant value is in professional services such as house cleaning services. Having your home cleaned once a week by experts can have a significant impact.
Covering pets also helps
After giving your pet a bath or brushing, ensure you cover them. It will inevitably help keep the fur on him and away from your belongings.
Develop a grooming schedule
Owning a pet comes with a certain amount of responsibility, such as grooming. If you make basting and brushing a daily habit, it will do wonders in preventing hair from falling everywhere. An appointment with a professional groomer once a month is an excellent place to start.
Keeping your home hair free may not be entirely possible, but can be managed. Use the above tips and keep fur from overtaking your home.
Resources – Dogtime, VetStreet, Rover.com, Puppyleaks
