Evidently, some people don’t have problems with their yellow Labradors shedding year round. Some Lab owners don’t fill their vacuum’s container with short blond hairs everyday or hang their black pants in the closet by the front door and wait until the absolute last second before they leave home to slip them on.
Some people can snuggle up in their cozy fleece bathrobe at night without realizing they’re wearing enough hair to build their own Chihuahua. Lucky.
And in case you’re wondering why I’m picking on yellow Labs, companions of black and chocolate Labs tend to report no or fewer problems with daily shedding. However, if your bathrobe is covered with hair from any type of lovable Lab you have my sympathies and please feel free to join the hairyclub!
If you’re not one of the lucky ones and have had it with cleaning up after your shedding dog, you may benefit from a few tips and tricks for caring and grooming a Labrador Retriever.
Step One:
Rule out any medical causes for your Lab’s shedding problem. Flea dermatitis is one of the main causes for hair loss in dogs, especially around the base of the tail. Look for any sores, bald spots, bumps or rashes that may indicate your canine companion has a skin condition that requires treatment.
Step Two:
Feed her right. Assuming your dog has a clean bill of health, consider changing her food. Buy the highest quality food you can afford, one that’s wheat and additive free. Allergies to wheat, coloring agents or other additives can sometimes cause hair loss without showing any other symptoms.
Slowly introduce the new chow by mixing incrementally larger portions of it with his old food. A sudden change in feeding habits can cause digestion problems, and if that happens you’ll be cleaning up much worse messes than dog hair!
A supplement that’s formulated specifically for healthy skin and coat may also be helpful.
Step Three:
Regular brushing is mandatory. A combination bristle and pin brush is perfect for a Lab’s short hair. Start at the dog’s back end and use the pin side to brush against the hair to remove debris and dead hair. Brush the hair in the direction of its growth with the bristle brush to smooth and polish. A daily brush with a bristle tool will help distribute the dog’s natural oils through his coat and may decrease hair loss.
There are dozens of miracle deshedding tools on the market, and if you want to try one, do! Keep your receipt and make sure you know your store’s return policy. The bottom line is that regular brushing, not the specific type of brush, is what’s going to tame your hairy beast. But if you find a tool that makes that task easier, by all means use it!
Step Four:
Get that dog in the water. Your Lab was bred to swim, if you live near a lake, ocean, river or stream let his natural instinct for water help you with the task of grooming. A vigorous dip will help eliminate some of that shedding hair before it has a chance to fall on your living room floor. Keep a large chamois in your car for drying off after a quick dip.
And speaking of water, a bath now and then couldn’t hurt. Because their dogs have generally clean and low-maintenance coats (other than the shedding) Lab owners sometimes don’t bathe their dogs as often as they could.
The ASPCA recommends bathing dogs every three months unless they spend a lot of time outdoors, which most Labs do. Use a quality deshedding shampoo and conditioner that contains rich nut oils and you can safely bath your Lab once a month. Read the directions on the deshedding products and use them correctly for the best results.
Lastly, if you have a Lab that sheds all year round don’t let it ruin your relationship with your pet. Daily use of a vacuum, garment brush, sticky roller, damp washcloth or a hand wrapped in backwards tape is going to be your reality for as long as your doggie lives. Enjoy all the love and loyalty your Labrador companion has to give and maybe that bucketful of hair on your favorite chair won’t seem so annoying.
Resources:
ASPCA: Shedding
ASPCA: Groom Your Dog
American Kennel Club: Ask Lisa