Dog Shedding Season 2023: Here's how to cope best with dog hair around the house this autumn

If you've noticed lots more dog hair around the house recently - you're not alone.

September is peak shedding season for dogs.

As autumn fast approaches, pet owners will notice that their furry friends are starting to shed their summer coats in preparation for the colder months. 

Shedding is perfectly natural for pooches, as dogs rid themselves of old and damaged hair to make room for healthy hair to grow. Interestingly, shedding is completely dependent on a breed’s coat type, not fur length.

However, as much as we love our dogs, there's no denying that a big responsibility is cleaning up after them.

Unfortunately, shedding cycles can't be prevented, but there are ways to manage it so that your home doesn’t drown in dog hair

To help, the cleaning experts at Gtech and carpet and flooring specialist Tapi have shared the best ways to control pet hair in the home.

It all starts with a healthy diet

Like us, dogs need vital vitamins and nutrients to keep their hair follicles nice and strong to help minimise breakage.

Look for meat-rich dog food and try to avoid high levels of corn and grains. These options may be slightly more costly but are packed with nutrients that your dog can digest a lot easier. This will promote healthier skin and therefore help control shedding and dry skin.

Your vet will be able to offer more tailored nutrition advice for your dog, and always make sure to consult them before giving your dog any kind of vitamin supplement. 

Keep up with regular grooming 

Regularly brushing your dog's coat catches any dead hair, however, it’s important to choose the right brush for your dog.

For dogs that shed a lot, a de-shedding tool is a must. These brushes will remove the hair with ease, reaching the undercoat which otherwise is very difficult to get to.

Regular trips to the groomers are a great way to keep on top of shedding and avoid their coats becoming matted or tangled. Regular grooming is not only great for your home, but also essential for your dog's health as matting can cause uncomfortable skin conditions.

Have a regular bath routine

Bathing your dog removes any dead hair, that would otherwise fall out around the home, so is great for reducing your cleaning requirements.

But be careful not to over-bathe your dog, as this can cause adverse effects. Dogs have sensitive skin, so overbathing can really dry out the skin and cause irritation and itchiness which could result in further shedding and is very uncomfortable for your dog.

If your pooch has sensitive skin, oatmeal baths are great to soothe any irritated patches. Simply combine oats with warm water to create a smooth liquid and use it as a regular shampoo.

Find the right cleaning device

Even with extra TLC, shedding is natural, and you will still find hair around the home. The key is to act fast and clean up little and often to keep it manageable.

Specialist pet vacuums will be your best friend. Stubborn pet hair can strain a normal cleaning device, especially at this time of year, so investing in a specially made vacuum will make the job a lot easier.

Try to vacuum in different directions to help catch any stubborn hairs that have become intertwined in carpet fibres.

Rubber gloves

One method which is cheap and practical uses rubber gloves. Wear a pair of dry washing up gloves and rub your hands along the carpet to pick up all the pet hair with the residual static. The natural static electricity created by the friction between rubber gloves and the carpet fibres helps gather and lift the pet hair, making it easier to collect.

Make sure your carpet is dry before starting. Wet carpets can hinder the effectiveness of the rubber gloves. Start by gently rubbing the gloves over the carpet in small sections. Use long strokes and apply a bit of pressure to create friction between the gloves and the carpet fibres.

Trusty lint rollers

For smaller areas or a speedy touch-up, lint rollers are your go-to. Roll, peel, and voilà – a hair-free carpet section. They're portable and great for a quick clean up before guests arrive. If you want the same effect on a bigger area, you can create a larger version with a spare paint roller and tape.

 Baking soda

Baking soda is a natural way to reduce the stickiness of pet hairs on your carpet. Make sure your carpet is dry before applying it, if your carpet is damp or wet, the baking soda might clump up instead of dispersing evenly. Focus on spots where pet hairs tend to stick the most, like areas where your pet frequently lounges or plays.

Let this classic cleaning agent sit on the carpet for at least 15 to 30 minutes. During this time, the baking soda will help to loosen the hairs, making them easier to remove. It also acts as a natural deodoriser so your home will smell better too.