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Ah, autumn: when the leaves and the pet hair begin to fall! What can you do to manage your pet’s coat when it feels like you have to rake both inside and outside the home?
The Seasonal Shedding Cycle
While not all dogs and cats shed the exact same amount at the exact same time, major shedding can be a seasonal affair. Fur is insulation for all sorts of weather, and pets generally need to lose their summer coat to make way for a thicker winter coat. While you can’t change the seasonal nature of…well, nature, you can try to establish a good sweeping, vacuuming, and lint-rolling routine in your home each spring and fall when you know that pet shedding can be at its worst.
A Helpful Daily Routine
Many dogs and cats will benefit from regular at-home brushing no matter what time of year it is. However, in the fall, you may want to increase those brushing sessions to every day. From head to tail, brush through all sections of your pet’s fur, “parting the hair to get close to the skin and remove the loose undercoat.” If you encounter tangles or mats, work through them slowly and gently, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your veterinary team and/or a professional groomer if you can’t detangle without causing pain or injury. Keep up the routine for as long as you see signs of increased autumn shedding.
Bathing Beauties
Baths can help rid your dog or cat’s coat of loose fur, but be sure to:
- Use pet-specific shampoo
- Avoid cold or scalding water
- Thoroughly dry your pet after bathing
- Avoid forcing an upset or fearful pet into the tub—call a professional groomer if needed!
Be mindful, however, that too-frequent bathing can strip a pet’s skin and coat of its necessary natural oils. This can lead to brittle fur, irritated skin, and itchiness. Once to a few times during the fall season may be best for a bathing schedule, and you can always contact us if you have questions about your specific pet.
Additional Autumn Pet Coat Care Tips
Though pumpkin patch and leaf-peeping season often signals a drop in temperatures, we know that it can still feel like summer in New Jersey, even when we’re prepping Halloween costumes or Thanksgiving turkeys! That means parasites like fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes won’t necessarily be out of the picture. So when you’re caring for your dog or cat’s fur, check their skin for biting pests, too. If you use topical flea and tick prevention, don’t forget that your dog or cat should be completely dry before application, and you should not bathe them within the first 48 hours after application (check all medication instructions for your own pet).
Take the opportunity to inspect your pet’s skin for signs of infection, bald spots, inflammation, or other concerns, too. Contact us for an appointment if you notice anything questionable or out of the ordinary.
As an added bonus to all these fall grooming tips, some pets will truly enjoy this grooming time because it’s a chance to strengthen their bond with you! So when seasonal pet shedding strikes, be ready to take True Care of your pet’s coat!