Dog Excessive Shedding - Tips From a Dog Lover...Worried about your dog's excessive shedding --- first, take a quick look at this video...the Vet is giving us GOOD general advice. This includes talking about "cures" for dog's excessive shedding such as Vitamins and Supplements, especially Omega 3 Fatty Acids.
A pug and a corgie, and my philosophy about the problem is this: if I want to sleep with my dogs (and I do) --- I'm going to have to "give up" fancy bedding, dry-clean-only bedspreads, etc. How I handle the situation is easy. First and foremost, use a HIGH QUALITY waterproof mattress pad. By high quality, I mean a mattress pad that you can purchase at a mattress store - not at your local Macys or Target. When I bought my mattress - it was VERY expensive, around $1000 and well worth the good night's sleep I get. So I wasn't about to let a doggie-accident ruin my new investment. Talked to the guy who sold me the mattress, and he convinced me the product they sold (at Mattress Discounters) and cost almost $100 for a queen-size, was worth the "investment". He was right. The mattress pad I purchased does not feel hot sleeping upon it, and it is NOT crinkly. It was certainly an good example of getting what you paid for. It cost a lot - and the performance is superior. My secret weapon to dealing with dog excessive shedding is to top my bed with a lightweight "bedspread" - which I purchased from Vermont Country Store. (It is called a Plisse' Bedspread and is 50/50 cotton and polyester - cost around $75. for a queen size). It is no heavier than a sheet, and a couple of times a week, I take it off the bed and it is washed and dried. Because it is lightweight - this is an easy task. Dealing with Dog Excessive Shedding??? The dryer is a miracle device...it sucks ALL the dog hair off everything, your sheets, floor mats and clothing. Previously I purchased a spread called a "Three Dog Night Spread" from Orvis - and it is a high quality product, but for me it had one flaw...TOO HEAVY. I couldn't stand the weight of the darn thing on my legs and my feet. It felt like an X-Ray Jacket... So to the goodwill it went. Previously, I made my own bed covering. I purchased a waterproof mattress pad, and cut the sides off. Then I sewed this to the back of a coverlet. This worked well - except if the dogs decided to have an "accident" near the side of the bed which was not well-protected. Dog excessive shedding - according to my method, is something you deal with using housekeeping measures. Vacuum regularly, and wash everything the dogs come into contact with regularly. The truth is - combing and brushing takes care of the vast majority of shedding issues. Secondly, bathing your dog works wonders. My dogs are groomed regularly, and it helps a LOT. There are MANY products on the market that CLAIM to minimize shedding. Feel free to try them, and if they help, that's great. One thing about my Corgie, is that she gets HIVES during grooming. Don't know if she's allergic to products - or if the process gives her anxiety - and the cure turned-out to be blessedly simple: NO BLOW DRYING. Staying-away from the blow dryer, and my Corgie is fine. She also gets a "warm oil treatment" - the benefit is simply that keeping the skin moisturized helps prevent dog excessive shedding. My pug is also a big shedder. Her fur is small, (like a boxer), but it is very productive. We also have a golden retriever - the kind with a double coat - and oh my, lots of shedding. Last but not least, we have a bichon frise, and the bichon does NOT shed. If shedding is an issue for you - please consider selecting a pure breed or mixed-breed dog of the following type: poodles, maltese, bichon, soft coated wheaton terrier, portugese water dog - or another one of the "non shedding" breeds. Another compromise I've made for my dogs - my living room sofas are leather - so dog hair just brushes off...and downstairs where I have "touchy" furniture, it is kept covered except when "company" comes. All in all, it's not a big issue. But shedding does require extra housework and grooming time and expense.
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