When your Labrador leaves a furry trail, some call it Labrador glitter. Though a Labrador is a short-haired breed, they need grooming to manage all the shedding hair. Labradors, including some Labradoodles, shed throughout the year. However, they tend to shed more around the Spring and Autumn season. In the Spring, they shed their thick winter coat. Then in Autumn, they shed their Summer coat. Therefore, your Labrador should be brushed even more during these two seasons. Here are a groomer’s top picks that explain how to stop Labrador shedding.
1. RUBBER CURRY OR ZOOM GROOM
This rubber brush fits easily into the palm of the hand. One side has thick rubber bristles – this is very effective at removing shedding hair. The brush is best used in circular motions.
To help stop shedding, use this brush daily. Furthermore,the benefits of using this brush is as follows:
- This brush also helps stimulate the oil glands in the skin. This massaging effect helps to spread natural oils all over your Labrador’s body. As a result, this helps enhance the health of skin and prevents flakey skin.
- This brush can be used in the bathtub while bathing your Labrador. It doubles as a deshedding brush and a scrubber. Therefore, it helps remove shedding hair and loosens dirt on the skin to be washed off.
Below are photos of a Zoom Groom brush used on a Labrador.
For best results, regular brushing and bathing is needed to help stop Labrador shedding.
PRO TIP: If you are bathing your Labrador at home, follow up with a conditioner after using dog shampoo. The conditioner helps to release shedding hair and restores moisture into the skin. While allowing the conditioner to sit for 5 to 10 minutes, use the Zoom Groom brush in circular motions. This helps the conditioner reach the skin and deeper layers of shedding fur.
2. FURMINATOR CONDITIONER:
Though the brand Furminator has a shampoo and conditioner to help remove shedding hair, the conditioner appears most effective. From experience, I have noticed that the Furminator conditioner releases about 80% to 90% of shedding hair after one use. I recommend using this conditioner at least once a month.
To effectively use the Furminator conditioner, first wash your Labrador with a dog shampoo of your choice. I generally recommend an oatmeal based dog shampoo. This helps remove any grime and dirt that may form thick barriers to the skin.
Then lather the Furminator conditioner into the coat and allow to sit for 10 minutes. In this time, use the Zoom Groom brush in a circular motion. This helps remove shedding hair and spread the conditioner all over.
PRO TIP: From experience, diluting the Furminator conditioner helps to spread the Furminator conditioner evenly all over your dog’s body.
To do this, add a few dollops of Furminator conditioner into an empty bottle. Fill the bottle with water and shake it around until mixed well. Then pour this diluted Furminator all over your Labrador’s body.
In contast, adding the Furminator conditioner directly to your dog’s body can leave certain parts overly concentrated with conditioner. This can make it difficult to wash out and may even cause skin irritation.
3.FURMINATOR TOOL
This tool has a flat end lined with tiny metal teeth. It helps remove excessive amounts of shedding hair in a short amount of time. For best results, use this tool daily. However, becareful of the force applied.
Below are photos of a Furminator tool removing clumps of shedding hair at a time:
PRO TIP: Brush this tool against your arm to get a feel of how abrasive it is if too much force is applied. This will give you an idea of how much force to apply to avoid grazing your dog’s skin.
4. BOOK A FURMINATOR GROOM WITH A GROOMER
If you are unsure of how effective the Furminator conditioner and the brushes are. Book your Labrador in for a Furminator groom to assess the difference. After the groom, you should notice significantly less shedding hair. In some cases, there is no shedding for the next few days.
– By Nikita King, Certified Professional Groomer