Controlling the Shed: 5 Tips for Managing the Never-Ending Fur
One of the main questions as a husky parent that I always get asked is, “How do you deal with the fur?” My initial response usually remains, “You get used to it after a while.” But every husky parent knows there’s always the behind-the-scenes frantic vacuuming session before friends or family come over to make the house look less like a blizzard of fur erupted all over the floor, couch, and current outfit they're wearing. The way I’ve managed the fur has evolved over time, but here are the top 5 tried and true things that we have in our fur-combating arsenal.
Find a dog brush that works for you.
A good brush can really make or break your shed control, especially when your husky is blowing its coat. My favorite brush so far has been the JW shedding comb for dogs which has two sets of metal teeth at different lengths to pull out your dog’s undercoat. This brush was first recommended to me by a friend with Samoyed so it is great for other arctic breed dogs as well. The second brush that we have is the Furminator deshedding tool for dogs which is the general go-to brush for most husky parents. It’s a great de-shedding brush, especially for our dog’s hind quarters which tend to get the most matted. The third brush that we use to control the shed is also from the Furmintator family, the Furminator soft grooming slicker brush. His brush works the best on Asher’s coat as his is a little different from Bokeo and Katara’s. It’s good to try different kinds of brushes to see what works for your dog’s specific coat structure as one size does not fit all.
Tips for brushing: I highly recommend working with your dog when they are young to get them used to brushing time as this will be a life-long endeavor. I would let the dogs sniff the brush, use treats, and positive reinforcement words like “yes” or “good dog” when they let me come near them or touch their fur with the brush.
Frequency of brushing: It really depends on your lifestyle and tolerance for the shed. Once a week is probably the most ideal, but that’s hard to do with a busy lifestyle. I try to make it a bonding experience for each dog where I spend my time and focus on taking care of them and giving them some extra love. Especially when some days it takes almost a full hour (or up to our dog’s level of tolerance) to remove most of the shedding fur.
2. Don’t skimp on the de-shedding shampoo.
During the warm months, we choose to bathe our dogs in our backyard instead of taking them to the groomers. I’ve tried a handful of shampoos over the years and, overall, using a de-shedding shampoo has been the best choice to help control the constant fur. My favorite shampoo I’ve used so far has been WildSaint Shed Control Shampoo for Dogs, which works almost instantly after bath time. To prepare for the onslaught of hair, I would recommend brushing your pup before and after bath time. Other favorite shampoos that make my list are Earthbath Shed Control Shampoo and Burt’s Bees Shed Control Shampoo.
3. Invest in a good vacuum.
A good vacuum is the ultimate tool for controlling your husky’s fur and grabbing all those hidden hairs. My tried-and-true vacuum is the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Vacuum which has great suction, especially when it comes to the carpet, and tends not to get clogged with the fur. We have an older version of this vacuum, but it has held its own for years. There are a lot of branded pet-specific vacuums that are also good for fur removal like the Shark Pet Pro. Before getting a new vacuum, I like to read reviews from other pet owners to see what they are saying about it and find the one that fits my budget.
Pro tip: A handheld vacuum is a great addition for that quick spot treatment in between cleaning days and is also a great tool for giving some extra love to the car. I drive the ‘dog car’ in our household so it’s great to have a handheld vacuum like the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Vacuum that I can remove any stray dirt, sand, or hair that made it in after our husky adventures.
4. Find a good local groomer
Grooming is the most convenient way to control the shed and saves you time. If it’s not in your budget for regular grooming, a few times a year is still a great way to keep up with maintaining your husky’s coat. We take our dogs to the groomers a few times a year, mostly in the winter months when outside bath time isn’t possible. Grooming is a good investment, especially when your husky is blowing their coat. You can also ask your groomer for a “sanitary trim” which helps remove some of the excess fur in your dog’s hindquarters and private areas.
The most important thing to note is that you should never shave off your husky’s fur! Sure, the videos of a husky fully shaved with only the fur around its head may look entertaining, but it’s actually very damaging to shave your dog’s coat and can ruin the natural shedding process.
5. Getting rid of the fur on the go.
Have you ever left the house, looked down and your clothes are full of dog fur? With three huskies, that’s pretty much every day in our house. After years of dealing with the shed, I’ve learned to always have a lint roller next to the door for that last-minute fur removal. I also keep the mini lint rollers for the car and luggage as you didn’t think you’d get away from the fur on vacation, did you?
When there’s no time for the vacuum and you’re looking for a fast fur-removal solution, the Uproot Clean Fur-Nado Survival Kit has a variety of products to help get rid of the fur in a pinch. I use the mini lint remover tool for my car seats and the velcro of Katara’s collar always gets filled with her fur. The medium and larger tools are great for our carpets, pet beds, and couches.
Successfully managing your husky’s fur involves a combination of grooming, bathing, and cleaning strategies. By incorporating these tips into your routine, you can embrace the joys of being a husky parent while keeping the fur chaos under control. It’s never going to be perfect, but it is possible to control the shed!
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