For dogs that have a long period of time throughout the year in which they shed, or for pets that tend to shed a high quantity of their fur throughout the home, a shedding blade is a great tool. Shedding blades are typically shaped in a loop and contain a handle on either end for the owner to hold on to.
They can be brushed through a pet's hair carefully in order to pick up and remove any loose fur or hairs that would otherwise be shed off and fall to the ground. This prevents you from having to continuously clean up dog fur around the home and keeps your dog more comfortable as the weather changes as well. Read on for a brief guide on how to use a shedding blade.
Shedding Blade Overview
Shedding blades have been used in some form or another for hundreds of years. They are safe for pet use and will not cause any harm to your animal. In fact, many dogs enjoy the feeling of the shedding blade moving along their skin, particularly if they tend to be itchy. Shedding blades can be found at most pet supply stores and even at some veterinary offices as well. Be sure to purchase a shedding blade that is appropriately sized for your pet; larger dogs require larger blades in order to capture all of the hair adequately. As you use the shedding blade, remove the hair by hand and dispose of it so that the blade is free to pick up additional hair from your pet's body.
How to Use a Shedding Blade
Most shedding blades come in two different positions. The looped position is good for gathering hair throughout most of your pet's body, but for the back, sides and abdomen you may wish to reorient the blade so that it is straight out and capable of collecting larger amounts of fur. Start out by sitting your pet in front of you or, if your dog is small enough, in your lap. Place your hands through both loops of the shedding blade handles and gently pull the shedding blade along your pet's fur in the direction in which his fur grows. Make sure that the blade comes as close to being in contact with his skin as possible, but don't press it down too hard so as to hurt him.
Most shedding blades will fill to capacity with fur in just a few strokes. Remove the fur, praise your pet and continue if there is still more fur to be removed.
For the other parts of your pet's body, like the back and sides, spread out the shedding blade and repeat the procedure in the same way. Avoid using the shedding blade on your dog's face, legs, tail and ears, as well as any other areas that are sensitive or which have been previously injured or have any open sores.