The Ultimate Guide to Deshedding Your Dog or Cat
Effective deshedding is about understanding your pet's coat, using the right tools, and sticking to a consistent routine. Shedding is a natural process, but with the right approach you can dramatically cut down on loose hair around your home and keep your pet more comfortable.
Why Regular Deshedding Matters
Shedding is how pets clear out old or damaged hair. Breeds with double coats, including many long-haired dogs and cats, tend to shed more heavily, especially during seasonal changes. Regular deshedding helps prevent matting, supports healthy skin by improving air circulation, and cuts down on loose hair around the house.
Our Recommended Tools
For most dogs and cats, a good deshedding routine starts with two tools from our Calm Grooming lineup:
- Professional Deshedding Brush: Our manual stainless steel rake is designed to reach through the topcoat and gently remove loose undercoat without cutting live hair. It works across coat types and is a simple, low-cost way to build a regular brushing habit.
- Pet Hair Clipper: For pets that need more than brushing, our cordless, low-noise trimmer is designed to keep grooming sessions calm. Quiet, low-vibration operation means less stress for noise-sensitive pets, with salon-quality trims at home.
A Simple At-Home Deshedding Routine
Brush in the direction of hair growth using short, gentle strokes, working through one section at a time so your pet doesn't get overwhelmed. Keep sessions short, especially for anxious or first-time pets, and pair brushing with treats or calm praise so grooming becomes a positive routine rather than a stressful one. For breeds prone to heavy shedding, a few short sessions a week tends to work better than one long session.
When to See a Professional
If your pet's coat is severely matted, or shedding suddenly increases along with skin irritation, it's worth checking in with your veterinarian before continuing an at-home routine.