Shedding Season

Spring has officially arrived! Warmer weather is returning, and summer is just over the horizon. Our four-legged friends often love this time of year. However, they will be changing wardrobes, which means you may have some extra fur to deal with. A Spring Hill, TN vet offers some shedding season survival tips below.

Brushing

The best way to manage all that extra fur is to simply brush your pet daily. If the weather allows, take them outside for their beauty sessions. That way, the fur will just blow away … instead of getting stuck to your clothes and furniture.

H  airball Prevention

Hairballs are a concern for cats at this time of year. Our feline friends are very clean, and will carefully groom themselves every day. Your kitty will inevitably swallow some of her own fur during this process. We all know what happens next. It’s not Fluffy’s cutest trick. However, it’s important to realize that hairballs can be dangerous. Occasionally, they get lodged in cats’ digestive tracts, which can be both painful and dangerous. Brushing your cat will also help with hairballs. You may also want to ask your vet about hairball preventatives.

Vacuuming

We recommend vacuuming daily. You don’t have to go too crazy: just do high-traffic areas and your pet’s favorite ‘sprawl out’ spots. Then, every week or so, do a more thorough cleaning. It’s worth noting that some companies make vacuums with attachments that are made specifically for pets. This may be something to consider if you have a super-fluffy dog or cat. That said, whether this is a good purchase or not will depend on how accepting your furry pal is. It’s not something you want to force.

Fur Busting

Did you know that rubber dish gloves work great at getting fur off of upholstered furniture? You can also use a squeegee or a damp sponge. As for your clothing, well, you may want to pick up some lint rollers. You can also use a damp washcloth to de-fur yourself. Here’s one trick: to quickly get fur off your clothes, toss it in the dryer with a small wet towel for five minutes. You may also find it worth your while to use slipcovers until your furry friend is done shedding.

Please reach out if ever we can be of assistance. As your local Spring Hill, TN veterinary clinic, we are here to help!