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March 1, 2018
Dog Grooming: A Guide to De-shedding
Dog Grooming: A Guide to De-shedding

Shedding is not a simple case of hair loss , but an excellent indicator of the vitality of an animal’s hair or skin. The glossiness of the coat or the softness that should accompany it are examples of excellent condition compared to a dryness that is suggestive of dandruff. Even in case of brushing during dog grooming, care should be exercised so as to use the most suitable brush for the dog.

The types of brushes are:

  • Rubber brushes with rubber tines.
  • Combs with wide teeth.
  • Pin brushes with metal or wooden pins.
  • Bristle brushes with bristles made of synthetic materials or a natural compound.
  • Rectangular slicker brushes with fine metal tines.
  • Contemporary blade-on-a-handle metal combs.

A proper de-shedding tool will be able to reach past long hairs on the dog to the inner coat. This stimulates and cleans the skin surface. This is not a process of cutting hair but the discarding of hair that has already detached from the follicle. Your local pet groomer should know this difference to make sure of the animal’s comfort. A well-done procedure will leave a happy and relieved pet that will exhibit good moods in the following days.

Understanding of the skin layers of a dog:

The outermost layer is called the Epidermis which when totally collected with keratin ( fibrous protein forming the main structural constituent of hair) ceases metabolism and dies. After that, a new, fresh layer of cells replace them.

  • Ceramides form an essential layer in the structuring and maintenance of the water permeability barrier in the skin.
  • Dermis comprises of a network of blood vessels, hair follicles and nerves.
  • Basal Cells are those that cause hair pigmentation.
  • Hypodermis is a layer that primarily stores fat, comprising of connective tissue and fat globules.

Dog shedding, can be very irritating to some as it involves a lot of dusting and sweeping of your home. Remember that your dog has zero control over the process and what you can do here is to take it outside and use a de-shedding tool or brush on it. Here, you need to understand the requirements of your pet.

Dogs coats are of the following types:

  • There are hairless breeds that may have very small patches of hair on their head and these animals require extra care to keep their skin moisturized, especially in Sahuarita, AZ.
  • Single-coated dogs possess a topcoat but don’t have an undercoat. They experience minimal to no shedding.
  • Finally, there are short-haired dogs whose coats have a huge follicle density with hair shorter than 2 inches in length.

It is time that you get into the habit of de-shedding your pet which will not only make things cleaner around your home but also provide the dog with some much-needed relief. Most pets shed in between seasons because they had grown the excess hair to protect them from cold.

The purpose of shedding is so that new hair can grow, and each animal has its particular process. While some cases occur due to seasonal changes, others may be due to allergies. Always make sure that you have the best tools to do the de-shedding or get it done by a professional.

At Wags and Whiskers, you get top of the line affordable dog grooming because we care about the value that your pets deserve. Call us today for a truly caring dog grooming process that aims to ensure your pet’s continued comfort.