I love dogs. Growing up, I enjoyed the company of a little Indian Spitz in my home. And whenever I visited my uncle’s home, their big German Shepherd “Bruno” would always be around to greet us. He loved playing with kids. And I would often ask my grandpa to take me over to my uncle’s place as a kid, just so I could play with Bruno (and the PS2 they had). To this day, the German Shepherd is my favorite breed of dog. They are intelligent, vocal, compassionate, fiercely loyal, and absolute cuddle buddies. Think of them as giant babies. But there is one aspect of owning a dog that you may not like as much – the incessant shedding of hair. An alternative is to have either a Sphynx cat or naked mole rat as a pet. But I like dogs, so I have to deal with the hair.
Dog hair gets into everything, from the living room couch to the car seats. I was talking to a friend, and they restrict their Corgi to specific parts of the house. Once the mom found a strand of dog hair on her newborn baby’s feeding bottle. Even if you’re a dog lover, that is quite repulsive. The usual carpet hair you can handle, but you don’t want your baby getting allergies or swallowing a piece of hair. Depending on the type and size of dog, you may have to deal with a little bit of hair scattered here and there, or dense pockets of hair embedded deep within the upholstery/ clothing.
So, why do dogs shed? Well, first off – it’s a completely natural process. Dog hair grows to a certain limit, and then it dies off. This hair protects dogs from the cold of winter and direct sunlight exposure during summer. Even us humans shed our body hair all year round. And just like with humans, the rate at which a dog sheds hair is affected by external factors such as climate, sun exposure, nutrition, temperament, etc. Hormones and nutrition play a major role in how often a dog sheds hair. Stress and lack of vitamins/ amino acids can cause dogs to lose hair at a faster rate. Sudden bouts of warmth after freezing cold will also cause seasonal shedding. Many breeds completely shed their undercoats twice a year, such as Huskies. Dust mites and fungal infections also cause accelerated hair loss in dogs, so if you see any bald patches on your dog, it might be time for a visit to the vet.
I imagine many of you reading this article have tried everything from high quality dog food and special shampoos to fancy brushes. But there is no substitute for a quality vacuum cleaner when it comes to ridding the entire house of stray dog hair. Rubber gloves, lint brushes, and hair rollers are great for spot cleaning but you can’t clean carpets or walls with them. Yep, dog hair gets on walls too. I have heard stories of people finding dog hair at eye level on the walls in their bathrooms (yikes!).
Now, hear me out. Before you don your mask and rush out to purchase the first vacuum cleaner your eyes spot in the store, it’s important to first understand what makes a good dog vacuum. You don’t want to spend a couple hundred dollars every 5 or 6 months, get a vacuum that will last for at least a few years. Any decent vacuum will also be capable of handling dog hair, but as I mentioned earlier – it all depends on the type and size of your dog. Or maybe you have multiple dogs. Along with a cat (or two). In that case you want something really heavy duty, like Dyson’s Ball Animal 2 which has a tremendous amount of suction along with a specially designed tangle-free cleaning head.
Certain vacuums are designed for with pets in mind, and they use cleaning heads with tangle-free brushes that won’t jam up while pulling hair out of your carpets or upholstery. Pet vacuums are also equipped with powerful motors and have superior HEPA filters that catch allergens. Dyson, Bissell, and Shark are my top 3 companies when it comes to pet vacuums. You can also look into robot vacuums like the iRobot Roomba, which isn’t as powerful as an upright but is basically set and forget. A robot vacuum will keep your floors and carpets clean if you have a dog that doesn’t shed very much. It spares you the trouble of having to scan the floor daily for dog hair.
Which Dog Vacuum Should I Buy?
Helpful Buying Tips
You must consider 5 things before purchasing a vacuum cleaner for dog hair:
The flooring and layout of your home – The type of flooring in your home (carpet vs hardwood vs tile) is something to factor in before buying a vacuum. Certain vacuums are more suited to hardwood floors, while others are designed to work best on carpets. Either way, get one with good suction otherwise you’ll simply recirculate the dog hair around your house instead of sucking it in. For carpets and rugs you want a vacuum with a rotating brush in its cleaner head, however for hardwood floors you don’t want a rotating brush as it will scratch up the wood. If you have a bunch of tight spaces and lots of elevation (steps and stairs), get a lightweight vacuum.
The type and size of dog you have – If you have a sheepadoodle, shih tzu, maltese, basenji, or Scottish terrier, you don’t need a large capacity vacuum with tons of suction. These breeds are low maintenance, they don’t shed a whole lot, and some of them are hypoallergenic. Hypoallergenic means they will spread less allergy-causing dander in the air as a consequence of shedding less. So if you or someone in the family is allergic to dogs you might want to get a hypoallergenic breed.
On the other hand, God help you if you own a Siberian Husky, Saint Bernard, Alaskan Malamute, or German Shepherd. These breeds are known for shedding all year round, and aren’t the best choices for allergic people. So get a vacuum with tons of suction, a large filter bag, and proper sealing so contaminated air doesn’t leak out. Finally, a fully grown dog will shed more than a pup. Multiple dogs could require more than one vacuum.
How much are you willing to spend? – During these times when we’re limiting travel and practicing social distancing, you may not be getting a whole lot of visitors or guests. Perhaps you’re the only guy living in the house, or maybe its just you and your mate. Lugging around a big and heavy canister vacuum makes no sense for a lone person/ couple living in an apartment. Save the cash and get a small or medium sized vacuum. Preferably a handheld or upright.
Dyson makes some excellent cordless handheld vacuums, although these are a bit pricey (like the V10 and V11). If you want an affordable cordless vacuum for pet hair that still packs a punch, check out the Shark Rocket Pet Pro (just 7.5lbs). For families with 4 or more members, I recommend canister and upright vacuums with higher capacity. And don’t spend money on vacuums with features you’ll never use.
Which style of vacuum you want? – Depending on the type of floor you have, the amount of hair you have to clean up, and your own physical capabilities you can choose from 3 main types of vacuums. Uprights, canisters, and stick/ handheld vacuums. Uprights are the most common, since they have ample power and don’t require a lot of bending over when you’re operating them. Uprights can handle all sorts of surfaces – carpets, tile, wood floor, etc. Canister vacuums are usually the largest and most powerful of the bunch, equipped with a wide variety of features and attachments. Canisters give you the most range and are ideal for long vacuuming sessions. Stick or handheld vacuums are the most portable, but lack power and capacity. Finally, there is the 4th category – robot vacuums. These are more of a niche segment, and I shall discuss their merits/ demerits in more detail later on within this article.
Recommended Vacuum Features for Dogs – If your dog sheds a lot, it’s worth considering vacuums with special features like brush agitators and active brushes. Brushes that are powered by their own motors are more capable of loosening and pulling out strands of dog hair that have dug themselves deep into your carpets and rugs. If you have family members with allergies/ asthma it is important that you purchase a vacuum with HEPA filtration and top notch air seals. Want to reach under couches and behind cupboards? Make sure your vacuum has the appropriate attachments. Some vacuum cleaners even have specialized attachments for removing pet hair from the interior of your car.
2021 | Best Vacuum For Dogs | Reviews
Review : Bissell Crosswave Pet Pro / 2306A
Vacuum and Washer 2-in-1
Features :
- Separate pet hair and other large debris from liquid to reduce sink clogging and empty easier.
- Minimize pet hair from wrapping around the brush roll and getting tangled while cleaning.
- Reduces odors with specially engineered BISSELL Pet Formula with Febreze Freshness.
- Save time by cleaning your floors in one easy step with the BISSELL CrossWave Pet Pro
- Buy Bissell, save pets; Bissell donates up to 10 dollars to the Bissell pet foundation for every pet product purchase, upon activation. Swivel head.
OVERVIEW —
The Crosswave Pet Pro is a unique offering within a market cluttered with pet vacs who boast about their suction power and air watts. There is way more to a good pet vacuum than just suction power, and the Crosswave Pet Pro demonstrates that with its multitasking ability. Unlike a simple dry and wet vac, the Crosswave Pet Pro will also mop your floors and clean carpets. It sucks up dog hair AND cleans the surface simultaneously. And while the suction is decent (100 to 150 air watts), it pairs up that suction with a tangle free brush roll hat spins at 3000rpm. The brush is specially designed so you can use the vacuum on area rugs and low pile carpets, as well as hardwood floors.
This vacuum has one tank for storing the cleaning solution (Bissell sells the formula separately), and a second tank for all the dirty water. The dirty and clean water never mix, which improves its cleaning ability. And to top it off, the debris tank has a pet hair strainer so you can separate all your dog hair from the rest of the liquid with ease. If you want to swap out a dirty brush roll for a clean one, all you have to do is remove the transparent top plastic cover. The floor head clears a 12 inch path, rated to be tangle free even with hairs that are up to 8 inches long. You can get a special pet stain cleaning solution for this vacuum which also removes pet odors.
Cleaning the unit is as simple as placing it on the storage tray, adding some clean water, and running the motor. This is nice for when you want to do a simple and quick cleanup. For more thorough cleaning, you can remove the brush roll and wash it in a sink. Tackling corners and tight spaces is made easy with a swivel head, so you can easily maneuver around objects. Ergonomics are pretty good, and the machine is relatively light so you can use it for long periods without feeling tired.
Review : BLACK+DECKER / BSV2020P
Affordable and Compact Cordless For Apartments. Best vacuum for dogs.
Features :
- 3X CLEANING SYSTEM – Cordless stick vacuum comes with an angled floorhead for use on multiple surfaces, v-shaped bristles to pick up all types of debris, and an anti-tangle pet hair brush bar.
- BRUSH BAR – Patented brush bar with rubber bristles removes persistent pet hair and dirt for a more thorough clean.
- 3-SPEED CONTROL – For cleaning hard surfaces, area rugs, and carpet.
- FRONT-FACING DUSTBIN – Allows stick vacuum to lie flat for cleaning hard-to-reach areas; provides easy emptying.
- HAND VACUUM – Converts to a hand vacuum with an extra-long crevice tool for stairs, furniture, and hard-to-reach spaces.
- DEEPER CLEAN WITH BUILT-IN FILTER: Delivers up to 75% better debris pickup on carpet; filter provides up to twice the suction for powerful cleaning.
- REMOVABLE BATTERY WITH LONG RUNTIME – 20V MAX* battery charges in or out of the vacuum for up to 55 minutes of runtime.
- INCLUDES – (1) BSV2020P stick vacuum, (1) removable battery, (1) 3in1 multiway charger and wall mount, (1) crevice attachment with flip out brush, (1) low-profile pet accessory, (1) accessory holder, (1) washable filter and pre-filter.
OVERVIEW —
This is a cordless stick vacuum, which makes it extremely portable and ideal for small apartments/ condos. If you have a dog that doesn’t shed too much and live alone, I highly recommend the BLACK+DECKER Powerseries Extreme. It isn’t the most well-built vacuum and has mediocre suction power, but is just good enough for most users who want a relatively cheap and lightweight solution to their dog hair troubles.
The Powerseries Extreme doesn’t have the best filtration capabilities, so a lot of the dander that you suck in will eventually blow out the side when air is released from the vacuum pump. Which is why I suggest you buy a better sealed cordless model if you have allergies. Like the Dyson V11 or Tineco A11. Both of these cost significantly more than the BLACK+DECKER, so keep that in mind. The BSV2020P is a nice middle of the pack solution when it comes to cordless stick vacuums. It has a decent runtime of 45 minutes, but that is the advertised number at low speed. On full blast, it will last around 14 minutes, which is a respectable figure even when you compare it to more expensive cordless vacuums.
Review : Kenmore Elite 81714 Pet Friendly
Excellent Vacuum For Deep Cleaning. One of the best vacuums if you have a pet.
Features :
- The motorized Pet PowerMate attachment gets even the most stubborn pet hair or dust out of carpets and hard-to-reach corners
- HEPA media filter captures 99.97% of dust particles, including pollen, pet dander, mold and bacteria
- A double-wall design that’s designed to keep airflow strong and steady
- An Ultra Plush nozzle uses airflow to get into even your ultra-plush carpeting for a deeper, more complete clean
- Variable Power mode is perfect for delicate carpet and rugs.
- Swivel+ Steering system makes it easier to move around the house
- The exclusive Stair Grip enables this vacuum to rest on the staircase for easy stair cleaning
- The Performance Indicator tells you when the bag is full or when to check for clogs
OVERVIEW —
One thing I really love about this Kenmore is the unique floor head design. Regular vacuums that have a lot of suction but the same old floor heads will suck themselves into the carpet, making it harder for you to move the floorhead around. Not the case with the Elite 81714 and its specially designed floorhead. It uses outlet valves on the side of the head to reduce the pushing/ pulling force you need to apply while cleaning ultra plush carpets. The floor head automatically adjusts the degree to which these valves open based on the carpet texture and thickness. You’re probably thinking these valves increase usability at the cost of suction, right? Not really since an air stream blows around the rotating brush to compensate for the loss of negative pressure due to the valves. This air stream assists with debris agitation, picking up everything from dust to dog hair.
There is a powered pet attachment for getting hair off pillows, couches, car interiors, furniture, etc. Since this is a canister vacuum, you can reach high up with it. Ideal for cleaning a multistorey home, since it has a special stair grip notch on the bottom which lets you “park” it on the edge of a stair. A HEPA filter captures all dander. Mites, fleas, and tiny dust particles will get sucked right in and never leave the dust bag. Plus, since this is not a bagless vacuum I think it works better in homes with allergic people. Because with bagless vacuums you have to dump a canister of dust in the trash bin. This is bound to spread a small cloud of dust right around the bin, which might get recirculated into other parts of your home via the HVAC system.
Review : Bissell 2475C Pet Hair Eraser Turbo
Quick and Easy Cleanup After Your Pets
The ideal vacuum for when your dog runs into the house with muddy paws or leaves a mess around the bowl. The 2475C has been designed with speed and ergonomics in mind, so you can quickly plug it in and do some spot cleaning within seconds. The suction is great, but even better is the floorhead design which provides edge to edge cleaning for wall corners, baseboards, etc. Its cleaning head can work on both hardwood floors and carpets, which makes this a very versatile vacuum. You have plenty of range with the 25-foot power cord and 7.5-foot extension hose. The SmartSeal filtration system traps allergens while simultaneously freshening up your home’s air with its Febreze inserts.
There is a quick release extension wand for when you need to reach underneath furniture or around objects. The floorhead swivels and tilts, so you have plenty of options even in default mode. The quick release wand is added maneuverability on top of that. This is a bagless vacuum, so expect a bit of dust to leak out as you empty the 0.75L canister. The nice thing is you don’t have to reach in with a brush and scrape out all the stubborn dirt while emptying the canister. It is designed to be hands-free so you just flip open the lid all the debris is ejected effortlessly. You get some specialty tools like the crevice tool for reaching into nooks and crannies, along with a Pet TurboEraser hair removal attachment which has a powered brush to dig out hair from carpets and upholstery.
Shark APEX DuoClean
Top Of The Line Bagless Pet Vacuum.
Without any shadow of a doubt, this is one of the most powerful uprights in the market. The APEX DuoClean generates suction on par, or even greater than what the Dyson Ball Animal 2 offers. And for some reason it generates even more airflow than the previous APEX despite having the same 1350W motor. This is Shark’s flagship and comes with the features to match. One of those features is the DuoClean floorhead with Zero-M anti tangle technology. So what exactly is DuoClean? Well, in layman’s terms it is Shark’s proprietary dual brush roll system which provides consistent and deep cleaning on both carpets as well as hardwood.
There is a hard roller on the front with fins that dig out dirt and hair from carpets. Right behind this is a soft roller with bristles which sweeps up both large and fine debris from hardwood/ vinyl floors, leaving a look that can only be described as polished. This dual roller tech is very effective, and when you combine it with the massive suction power the result is an incredibly pet vacuum. The APEX DuoClean is a completely sealed system with HEPA filtration, so the only time this vacuum will expose you to dust is when you detach and empty the lift away debris canister. You can easily lift off the powerhead and hose to clean some stairs, while the base remains connected via a power cord. Want to switch from bare floors to carpets? Simply turn on the low or high pile carpet switch above the handle and the suction power will be lowered while simultaneously increasing brush speed for effortless movement on carpets.
Review : Bissell 2085C PowerClean
Cheap and Light Carpet Cleaner
This is a bit of a special entry in my list since it isn’t really a vacuum cleaner. Instead, this is a carpet cleaner just like the Hoover PowerDash. You use it after vacuuming the carpet of all loose debris, and it will get rid of stains or pet urine. Who is this device for? Well, it’s basically for people who want to quickly clean up messes left by their dog or kid on the carpet but don’t want to bend down and use a spot cleaner. The 2085C is extremely light and easy to use, you just add some hot tap water to the tank and attach the cleaning solution that Bissell provides. Press the trigger, and your carpet will be sprayed with the solution. Then, you start making passes over the stained area till it gets cleaned. There is a roller brush, which agitates and scrapes away stains after rinsing them with the cleaning solution. Use this in combination with a vacuum. First, you’ll need to get rid of all the loose debris with a vacuum before you can start operating the carpet cleaner.
Best Vacuum For Husky Hair:
Dyson Ball Animal 2
Alongside the Shark APEX DuoClean, this is one of the most powerful bagless upright vacuums you can buy. Like the Shark it has full body sealing and HEPA filtration to capture allergens. One major advantage this Dyson has over the Shark is its ball technology which helps immensely with maneuverability. It can literally swivel around on a dime, which makes this one of the best vacuums for operating in tight spaces or floors with lots of obstacles. The floorhead has an active base plate which raises and lowers itself depending on your carpet height so it provides perfect sealing across all floors.
And since the brush bar is not belt driven, you get perfect cleaning even at the edges of the floorhead. Ideal for clearing out dog hair from baseboards and corners. The Ball Animal 2 is designed specifically for pets, which is why it comes with a powered tangle free turbine tool. This tool has counter-rotating brushes to prevent jamming, no matter how long or thick your dog’s hair is.
Best Roomba For Dog Hair:
iRobot Roomba i3+ (3550)
Even if you aren’t into robot vacuums, you might have heard of the Roomba brand before. At one point these things were all over the internet, as well as TV ads. Roomba’s are basically set and forget type machines. They don’t have the capacity of a proper vacuum cleaner since their storage is limited, nor do they have the suction power of something like a Shark APEX. And they are expensive. But once you get past those cons, robot vacs like the Roomba i3+ have plenty of advantages.
For starters, they empty their own dustbins. Which limits your exposure to dust, a massive boon if you’re allergic. Plus, the Roomba i3+ is actually one of the most affordable robot vacuums (the premium ones are close to or above 1000 dollars). Which is why it doesn’t have smart mapping and the battery life is pretty mediocre. But you get hands-free cleaning, which is very convenient if you own a Husky, Saint Bernard, Akita, GSD, etc.
A lot of these dogs will shed a bit of hair wherever they walk, and your Roomba is like a little robot servant constantly sweeping up these bits on an hourly basis. The robot will drive itself to the dock for charging/ debris removal. The dock bag can hold up to 60 days worth of debris, and has an AllergenLock system so no dander will leak out into the air. Syncing this Roomba with the phone app is easy as pie, and once you create a schedule you can forget about it. Apart from dog hair, it also picks up bits of food and other small objects like leaves, dust, etc. And it can operate on both hardwood floors as well as carpets.
How To Deal Husky Hair And Why Do They Shed So Much?
On average, Siberian climate is colder than even Artic Canada or Scandinavia. The sheer size of this Eurasian/ North Asian province means much of it never receives the grace of warming ocean currents. Humans who are native to these extremely cold regions rely on special clothing and a diet rich in animal fats to keep warm. The fat rich meats they eat contribute to a higher metabolic rate, resulting in the production of more body heat. We humans have evolved to rely on our intelligence for warmth, by crafting clothes and eating specific types of foods.
But Siberian huskies are naturally gifted. They can deal with extremely cold weathers, withstanding everything from freezing winds to snowstorms. The ancestors of this breed were bred in northeastern Asia by the Chukchi, an indigenous folk inhabiting the Chukchi peninsula within the Russian federation. Huskies, before becoming one of our favorite furry pets were designed to be work dogs – operating in tightly knit packs to pull sleds across the vast frozen expanses of polar regions.
As a result, huskies have a two-tiered fur coat. One is the inner layer or undercoat which is comprised of short but very dense fur that prevents body heat from getting out, and insulates the husky from cold weather. This is the reason you see them lying all curled up in snow without a care in the world, as if they’re enjoying it. The second layer or outer coat is comprised of longer hairs, it isn’t as dense as the undercoat and performs a different task – shielding the husky from wind, sun, water, cold, etc. Thanks to this double-layered coat, huskies can tolerate temperatures as low as -75°F (-59°C). If you have a husky, run your hand along their coat. The dark and long hairs on the outside which have a slight oily feeling make up the outer coat. Underneath is a layer of dense white hair, that’s the undercoat. This is what your husky will shed twice a year.
It’s important that you never shave your husky. They are able to regulate their body temperature thanks to this dual coat system, and they need that outer coat during the summer. Unlike other dog breeds, huskies won’t shed a ton all year round. Yes, you will find hairballs here and there but nothing as unmanageable as when it’s time for them to shed their undercoats. They do it seasonally. When the temperature rises in spring after a long period of winter, huskies don’t need a really thick undercoat. So they will “blow” this inner layer of fur over a period of 3 weeks. You will see a TON of hair being shed in a really short amount of time. Some huskies only blow their undercoat in spring. Others will also blow their outer coat or “summer coat” during fall. As your husky sheds its summer coat, it will grow a shorter and denser layer of winter coat fur underneath, in preparation for the upcoming winter season.
Managing Husky Hair
Unlike other dog breeds, Huskies don’t have that weird “doggy” smell. So many people think these little furballs are hypoallergenic. But they are not. Hair doesn’t cause allergies, the dead skin flakes or dander do. So yes, huskies will affect people with allergies. A lot of new husky owners get scared when they remove literal bucket loads of hair from their dog, they think something is wrong. But no, it’s completely normal behavior. Even after removing all that hair your husky will look the same as before.
Daily brushing is crucial to keep husky hair fall under control, otherwise little bits of hair will end up everywhere. Don’t use fine brushes for huskies, their dense undercoat will clog up any fine brush. Instead, use rake-like brushes with large gaps between the pegs. Once you have raked out all of the large hair in the first phase, you can go in with a finer brush like the FURminator to collect the last 10 or 20 percent of smaller hair hidden underneath.
Invest in a Roomba!
Huskies don’t “shed” all year round. But if yours is an inside dog who spends a lot of time with you while you’re watching TV or playing on the console, there will be little bits of hair all over the carpet. Vacuuming daily is an absolute chore, and nobody likes to do that. Which is why I suggest you get a Roomba or some type of robot vacuum to clean up that little bit of daily hair fall. This robot vac will come in very handy when your Husky gradually sheds his undercoat during springtime over a period of weeks.
Teach your husky to enjoy brushing
The last thing you want is a shedding husky who doesn’t like being brushed. So you have to train your dog to be cooperative as you brush them. Get them acquainted with the brush, start out by handing some treats during the first few sessions. The husky must not leave until the cleaning is over. If your dog runs away in the middle of cleaning, you’ll be left with a half brushed dog and a giant trail of hair on the floor.
Diet and temperament
Make sure to feed your husky with high quality dog food that contains human-grade meat. Read this feeding guide for more details on what you should and shouldn’t give to your dog. If your husky isn’t getting ample nutrients, he or she will shed more than usual (and they shed enough as is). Too much shedding could also be the result of fleas or some kind of skin irritation. Check if your husky suddenly sheds more with a certain type of shampoo. Stress also causes huskies to shed more. These are high energy dogs that are playful and social by nature. Take them for a daily walk, play with them, and make sure they aren’t feeling anxious. A happy husky is one of the best companions any person can have.
Dealing With Pet Hair At Home | When The Vacuum Isn’t Enough
I don’t remember where I read this, but it was something like – cleaning with dogs in your home is like brushing your teeth while eating Oreos. Makes sense, right? How many times has something like this happened – you’re painstakingly trying to vacuum dog hair off the couch and carpet. But your sentient fur dispenser decides now is the right time to give pursuit to an elusive backyard critter, leaving paw prints and bundles of dog hair on your freshly cleaned floor. Brush training and occasional baths only do so much, eventually the vacuum will also be overwhelmed by a deluge of dog hair. Well, here are some handy dandy tips to help you ameliorate this menace-
- It is much easier to use a blanker or cover over the furniture than cleaning the bare sofa or couch with a vacuum. There’s a wide variety of custom made couch covers to choose from, and all you have to do is throw this cover into the washing machine once a week.
- Dog hair is so hard to remove because it sticks to fabrics through static electricity whenever it rubs against something. That is why even the most powerful vacuums have a hard time getting these little things out of carpets and rugs. The solution? Dryer sheets. These sheets have ingredients that negate built-up static charges in fabrics, which is why they also excel at extracting dog hair from various surfaces. A mildly damp dryer sheet will pick up dog hair from baseboards, furniture, floors, etc.
- Ever set out to work in the morning only to ask, “where did all this dog hair come from?” when you take a look at your clothes? A lint roller is how you do instant spot cleaning in these situations. However these lint rollers run out fast and you may not always have them handy. So a roll of duct tape is the next best thing to pick up stray pet hair from clothes/ furniture.
- Use a slightly damp mop if you’re trying to clear dog hair from your hardwood or vinyl floors.
- Dog hair clings really well to rubber gloves, so use them to clean that stuff off your car interiors or living room couch.
- Not only are window squeegees good at getting dog nose prints off your windows, but they also work very well at loosening dog hair from carpets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Which fabric is the best at dealing with dog hair?
Answer: Microfiber, especially the ones with tight weaves. These prevent loose dog hairs from sticking, and are easy to clean with a vacuum. Silk is also good at resisting dog hair because of its naturally smooth and slippery texture, but for most people a silk blend is the far more affordable option. If you’re reupholstering your furniture, choose a fabric that is both durable as well as resistant to dog fur. Preferably in a pattern that conceals any loose hair which lands on the furniture. As a bonus, leather is the single best upholstery material for repelling dog hair (yes, I know – it’s not a fabric). Dog hair cannot get embedded within leather, and the slight oil content in dog hair makes it extremely easy to wipe this stuff off of leather.
Question: How do I know if I’m allergic to dogs?
Answer: Symptoms of dog allergy are similar to that of any other nasal allergy – coughing, wheezing, runny or itchy nose, sneezing, etc. In some rare cases, your skin might have an allergic reaction to dog spit and develop a rash where a dog licks you. Remember, it isn’t the hair that causes allergy. Rather, it’s the dander and saliva/ urine of dogs. The only way to know for sure is by conducting a blood test at the doctors. If you are allergic, always clean every part of your home with a vacuum that has HEPA filtration. Use a central air cleaning system because the HVAC can circulate dog dander around the house.
Question: I often get complaints from visiting friends and family about dog hair, what can I do?
Answer: Apart from daily grooming and vacuuming, you should keep some lint rollers handy for when guests show up.
Some Tips To Minimize Seasonal Shedding For Your Dog
For short haired breeds, use a soft or medium bristle brush. If you use one of those grooming rakes, you might hurt or scare your dog. Don’t use a rake on a Doberman or bulldog, they have extremely short fur coats. For medium haired breeds with wooly coats or curly hair, get a wire pin brush and wide toothed comb. Groom them 2 to 3 times a week. For long haired breeds with dense coats that shed a lot (such as huskies or GSDs), you need to groom daily with a combination of a wide toothed brush/ rake and soft deshedding brush. You also need to bathe your dogs. Not too frequently though, otherwise you’ll destroy the natural oil layer that forms on their skin and coat (this oil layer keeps their skin healthy). Instead, bathe them in regular intervals of at least once a month. Use a dander remover spray if you can’t regularly bathe your dog. A high velocity blower is also a suggestion I have seen in dog owner forums, people use it to quickly dry their dog’s coat after a bath. It is also good at loosening up the undercoat that is being shed, and will get rid of any dust or dander embedded within the coat. Best to get one with a noise dampening filter if you don’t want to scare your dogs.
