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Why you should Always De-Shed your Dog

Everyone who has a dog with the kind of hair that sheds knows what a struggle it can be to keep all that shedding hair under control. It’s not an easy task, but there are many things that can be done to minimize the unwanted shedding. First we need to understand why dogs shed in the first place..

Why do Dogs Shed?

A dog’s hair grows in cycles, shedding is a normal process in the life cycle of each individual hair. The initial phase is when the hair shaft is actively growing, however when the hair reaches maturity it enters a resting phase, and this is where the shedding comes into play.

All dogs shed to some certain degree, it’s a natural process that allows their new coat to come in. However, some breeds tend to shed more than others, and breeds with slow growing hair shed very little. No matter what breed of dog you have, knowing all about the need to deshed your dog will help you deal with the insurmountable amount of hair your dog may be leaving around the house.

No one wants their home, car, clothing, or even furniture being covered with dog hair. For dogs, shedding can be very uncomfortable, itchy, and can even sometimes cause skin complications. This means that deshedding a dog is more of a necessity, especially during a seasonal shed. Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique advises that you deshed your dog at minimum once a month, more so if your dog is prone to shedding.

My Allergies Go Crazy When I’m Around A Dog Who is Shedding!

dog shedding

A common misconception is that animal hair aggravated allergies, however the real culprit is the dead skin cells that shed with it. The dog hair itself is not a significant allergen, but the dander (dead skin cells that are continually shed). Dander collects airborne allergens such as pollen, dust, and mold spores. 

Removing the shedding hair will stop this process, and dramatically reduce these allergens and the dander on your dog.

 

Why Can’t I just Cut the Hair Off?

Simply cutting all of your dogs hair off is not going to totally eliminate shedding. The shedding will involve shorter hair, however no matter the length, shedding hair needs to be manually removed (by brushing or de-shedding methods).

Another problem is that if you cut your dog’s hair very short all over, there is a chance that your dog’s hair may not grow back properly.

 

But what exactly does de-shedding a Dog mean?

Deshedding a dog is basically a removal of a dog’s loose undercoat hair. When you deshed your dog, you’re helping them get rid of hair that will eventually end up on furniture and clothes. This will benefit your dog in many ways, making them more comfortable and keeping their coat and skin healthy.

 

My Dog sheds even after multiple de-sheddings?

Although shedding is very common in dogs, excessive shedding can also be a sign of certain diseases. Dr Alison Diesel, DVM at Texas College of Veterinary Medicine explains that any excessive shedding and scratching is a sign for you to book a vet visit.

Another explanation for your dogs excessive shedding is that you didn’t deshed correctly or professionally. At Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique we offer a “Shed No More” deshed service that will assure your dog is deshed naturally and safely every time. In addition the service is guaranteed to work.

 

Year-Round Dog Shedding

dog shedding

No matter what type of dog you have, all animals with hair shed on a regular basis. This is a natural part of the life cycle of hair shafts within the follicles. All hair shafts go through phases of growth and shedding no matter the breed. These phases affect the rate of hair growth and usually vary depending on breed, age, hormones, environment and overall health of the dog.

Dogs like Poodles and Yorkshire Terriers continuously grow hair, which mean their hair shafts have longer life spans and shed very little. On the other hand, dogs like Labradors and Huskies have a shorter hair shaft life span and more abundant undercoats, resulting in greater shedding.

 

Seasonal Dog Shedding

Dogs will shed extra during Spring and Fall, all the more reason to get your pup into Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique today. Most dogs are double-coated, which means they have undercoats and top coats. The top coat is often what you see and feel on the outside, while the undercoat is made up of secondary hairs that grow around the primary hairs.

Seasonal shedding often occurs as a result of temperature change. This process is often referred to as “blowing coat.” When the weather warms, dogs often shed their old winter undercoats to eventually make way for a lighter summer coat. This process is reversed for winter, when dogs shed their lighter undercoats and grow a thicker and warmer coat.

 

What is Stress Shedding?

Have you ever taken your dog to the veterinarian and suddenly found yourself covered in their hair? Is your car full of hair every time you take them for a ride?

Nervousness, Excitement, and stress can be trigger points for a dog’s hair to shed. You may notice some stress shedding in the first twenty-four hours following your dog’s appointment. However after that you will see a dramatic reduction in the amount of unwanted hair on your dog and in your home!

 

What can I do at Home?

A healthy coat starts from the inside out. Feed your dog a good diet of high quality food. There are many tools that aid in the removal of hair to help you care for your dog between his grooming appointments, and each one is design to do a specific job. Your Splash and Dash Groomer can help you select the tools that will work best for your dog and then show you how to use them.

Your Dog will enjoy the time you spend together and all the attention they receive during your at home grooming sessions. With help from our specialty salon, you will be able to think less about shedding hair – and spend more time enjoying your time together.

 

Take control over your Dog’s shedding

Routine grooming is absolutely essential for all dogs. Brushing or combing your dog helps to remove dead hairs before they can fall on your carpet, bedding and furniture. It will also prevent those dead hairs from forming mats on your dog’s coat, that can eventually harm the skin.

Take control over your Dog’s shedding before it’s too late and you’re googling how to deshed your furniture. Save that sofa, Schedule an appointment with our professional groomers today.

dog shedding

  • Dogs shed seasonally as a result of weather change
  • Shedding is uncomfortable for your dog, and inconvenient for your furniture
  • Routine grooming is absolutely essential for all dogs
  • Deshedding your dog regularly keeps their coat and skin healthy
  • Deshedding prevents skin irritations and complications

 

Our “Shed No More” deshed service is a miracle service that is designed specifically to give your dog sleek, detangled fur free of excess hair. The proprietary blend does more than just smell amazing while cleaning your pet; it also helps remove excess hair and breaks down mats.

It will keep your home free of tumble fur, that nasty condition where clumps of fur roam your home, making their way into every crevice and inflames allergies.  Remember Splash and Dash guarantees our service will produce results.

For a limited time, we’re inviting you to take advantage of this amazing service at a discounted price. Book your appointment today! We guarantee you’ll notice the difference or we’ll do it again for free!

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Grooming Services that Your Dog Will Appreciate

Splash and Dash Makes Dog Grooming Services Easy!

Most pet parents know the responsibilities of owning a dog. Caring for your little four-legged child holds the same weight as caring for your two-legged child. Some dogs are high maintenance. They might need special diets, particular grooming, and specialized care. Other dogs are less demanding. Just as some dog breeds need tons of exercise, some dogs will need constant grooming. Breeds with heavy coats like Chow Chow, Golden Retrievers, and Maltese will need regular dog grooming services to keep up with their health.

When a dog’s coat is kept too long, and is not regularly brushed, matting occurs. This is extremely painful for dogs. Imagine a twisted knot in your hair constantly pulling at your scalp. Ouch! A rule-of-thumb is that if you have not brought your dog in for professional grooming after 6-12 months, your dog may need to be shaved down. Splash and Dash, and any reputable groomer, will choose humanity over vanity. This means that the most humane option for dogs with severe matting is shaving over subjecting them to the painful de-matting process. Groomers will extend the option between giving your dog a professional shaving or letting you take your dog home to attempt a de-matt yourself.

This is only in worst case scenarios. Most dogs with common matting issues can be treated with de-matting dog grooming services. A standard de-mating service will not force a dog to suffer any unnecessary discomfort. Regular grooming also keeps a dog’s coat pristine by circulating natural skin oils and removing dander from the coat. Regular brushing and bathing are essential. Trimming your dog’s nails and keeping their teeth brushed is also very important to their health.

What Does Splash and Dash Offer?

Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique offers amazing dog grooming services that not only safeguard your pet’s health but is great for their happiness too! This article tours all the awesome care options you can spoil your dog with at Splash and Dash.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is getting more and more popular with pets. This treatment is great! With proper techniques not only will your dog smell great but each scent can help induce a certain emotional state.

The benefits of aromatherapy begin with dogs experiencing the world through their nose!

With aromatherapy, anxious dogs can learn—with some conditioning—to respond well to relaxing aromatherapy blends infused with Lavender and Chamomile in our Relax treatment. We have an answer for any case. If your dog’s coat needs a moisturizing boost, a fusion of Coconut, Cucumber, and Green Tea can replenish their coat and skin with the Hydrate treatment. With Renew—Argan oil, Vitamin E, and Antioxidants quench a dog’s coat and invigorates their skin. Lazy couch surfing pups can get a zeal of Energy with Ginger and Orange essential oils to pep them up.

Pawdicures

Imagine walking around on your hands all day. Walking through gas stations, chemically treated grass, and concrete—havens for bacteria. Common chemicals in fertilizers like molybdenum or sodium chloride in ice melting products can be harmful to your dog. This makes dirt and mud almost the least of your worries when it comes to your dog’s paws.

A pawdicure includes a healing effervescent treatment that cleanses away bacteria and chemicals. Pawdicures also attend to cracked pads and inflamed nail beds. Just as soothing as a pedicure is for humans, a pawdicure will melt away tension in your pupper.

Facials

Dogs love this! A facial purges out those puppy pores and removes debris from tear ducts. Splash and Dash have human-grade Blueberry and Pinkberry facial scrubs that revitalize a dog’s skin. If your dog has tear stains or built up ‘crust’ in their facial fur, this treatment is a great option for them!

DeShed Service

All dogs shed. There are two ways to keep hair from getting all over your couch. The first is daily brushing. Take your dog outside and brush out all the dead hair that is trapped in their coat. Next, treat them with a DeShed service.

The way it works is using a specially-formulated DeShedding shampoo that is packed with moisturizers and essential omega fatty acids. This shampoo replenishes dry, brittle hairs. The shampoo is massaged into your dog’s coat for at least ten minutes, then rinsed out repeatedly. After this, thorough brushing with professional grooming equipment is used to remove excess hairs.  

The process of shedding is constant throughout the whole year but some dogs shed more seasonally. If your Malamute sheds after the winter months, the best time to bring him in for a DeShed is in the spring. DeShedding helps contain the endless amount of loose hair that gets everywhere!

Nourish Conditioning

This is the dog service treatment that keeps on treating. Nourish Conditioner is an ultra-nourishing leave-in or rinse-out conditioner which is hypoallergenic and adds a protective layer between groomings.

Nourish helps a dog’s coat retain vitamins and protects their skin as their being dried. The detangler-properties helps eliminate static and support coat shine. The conditioner allows your dog to get the most out of their vitamin-enriched bath!

Teeth Brushing

Brushing your dog’s teeth is one of the most important and pain-in-the-butt parts of grooming. Veterinarians recommend brushing your dog’s teeth at least twice a week to prevent bad breath, periodontal disease, and even kidney disease. Why not let your groomer do this for you? Let them take care of the tedium so you can get back to playing and cuddling with your pooch, who now has minty fresh breath!

Ear Cleaning

An ear infection is no fun. Monitoring ears for redness, inflammation, and an odorous discharge is vital for a dog’s health. During a bath, dogs need to have debris removed to prevent ear infections.

An ear cleaning takes this one step further. Using non-abrasive cleaning solutions and professional grooming supplies, a groomer will cleanse a dog’s ear canal. This is super important for long-term health and hygiene.

Nail Trimming

This is another exhausting part of dog grooming that is just as important as it is tedious—nail trimming. If you can hear the clicks and clacks of your dog’s nails making contact with the floor, your dog’s nails are too long! Gangly nails are painful for a dog. It forces them to torque their spine in unhealthy posture and decreases the chance of nail bed infection.

The professional and loving hands of a groomer can keep nails at a healthy length and will prevent toenail bleeding.

Sanitary Areas and Anal Glands

Tending to these areas of a dog might not be tedious but it is kinda gross. Cleaning up a dog’s genital areas helps them maintain cleanliness as they do their business.

Dogs naturally “express” their anal glands as they defecate but most toy breeds need extra help with this process. If you ever see your dog dragging their butt across the floor, this means their anal glands need to be expressed and this is their way of trying to alleviate the pressure. You can do this at home but we don’t blame you for letting your groomer take care of it for you.

Full-Service Grooming

Splash and Dash offers safety-first grooming for dogs of all sizes and breeds. Whether you have a tiny Yorkie or a giant Bernese, our groomers can tidy up your dog’s coat into a stylish new look. From showroom styling, that the American Kennel Club recognizes, to a casual cut for the summer, our groomers can do it all. We also use eco-friendly shampoos made with all-natural human grade ingredients.

One of the best parts about Splash and Dash is the Signature Monthly Membership. You can pay a flat fee and take your dog in for unlimited bathing and brushing. Whenever you have guests, or the squirrel chase gets extra muddy, you can bring your dog in for sudsy pampering. Being a Splash and Dash member also entitles you to free add-ons and major discounts on dog grooming services.

Angie’s List members reported paying on average between $53 and $90 for a single cut. As a Splash and Dash member, your dog’s grooming can be much less depending on the size of your dog. Plus, you can get your dog washed and brushed literally whenever you want!

If you’re looking for a pet salon that will treat you and your dog like royalty with trained-professional and loving hands, consider Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique. Play Dirty, Live Clean!

 

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Spa Treatments That Your Pup Needs

Regular Spa Treatments are Vital to a Dog’s Health

Owning a dog is one of life’s most joyful experiences. Coming home to a wagging-tail and happy, expectant eyes is an amazing feeling that dog owners relish. As you know, dogs have amazing abilities to enrich our human lives. Owning a dog has been shown to lower Cortisol, the stress hormone, which is why therapy dogs have such impressive results. Studies have even shown that having a dog around your infant helps strengthen a child’s immune system. Your dog gives you unconditional love and care! Showing this requisite love is pretty simple: provide healthy foods, spa treatments, and lots of affection.

At Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique, we are here to help with all three! The spa treatments we offer are made with your dog’s needs in mind, and the products in our stores are the same products we use at home with our own dogs.

Grooming is a vital part of a dog’s general health. A trained groomer can help keep a dog’s skin pH balanced, provide a wellness check for diseases or parasites, and style your dog’s coat in a way that is healthy and chic. Grooming is preventative care that can stop medical issues before they begin. This helps save money by avoiding costly visits to the vet. It also saves you time, you would otherwise spend cleaning your dog and house from all the shedding! Regular grooming for many dogs is a tedious process and it’s not always easy to get it done with a busy schedule. This makes professional grooming a practical part of owning a dog.

Veterinarians suggest beginning dog grooming around eight to 12-weeks-old and no later than 16-weeks-old. Starting early allows your puppy to associate grooming as a good thing. This will make grooming easier for them and their groomer for life. It’s also important to start early because establishing good grooming habits for your dog is important for their health. Common issues like matting, periodontal disease, and kidney disease can all be easily prevented by regular trips to the groomer.

This article walks dog owners through the importance of spa treatments for a happy and healthy doggo!

Brushing

Brushing is one of the most overlooked parts of spa treatments.

All dogs shed. Hair shedding is a continuous process despite the season. Regular brushing removes any dead hair and dander that is trapped in a dog’s coat and stops painful matting from turning a coat into a knot. Brushing also distributes a dog’s skin oils—preventing hot spots and other skin irritations.

Dogs need to be brushed every day. You can brush your dog at home, or have a professional do it as much as you needed on top of a wash with the Splash and Dash signature service!

Bathing

Having your dog bathed regularly is another important part of a healthy grooming schedule. It’s just as easy with the signature service, which lets you take your dog in for a bath whenever you want!

We use all-natural eco-friendly dog shampoos that remove the debris and chemicals—picked up from lawns and concrete–away from your dog’s coat. Quality shampoos also help lock in needed moisture and vitamins for a vibrant coat shine and healthy skin.

Ears & Eyes

Cleaning a dog’s ears and eyes are important to make sure your pup doesn’t get an infection.

Dogs that are prone to tear staining (epiphora) have a higher risk of yeast infection and the area around their muzzle will need to be cleaned often.

A dog’s ears are also susceptible to infection. To prevent redness, swelling, or a smelly discharge your dog’s ears need to be cleaned at least twice a month. This also inhibits parasites from making their home in your dog’s ears.

Nail Clipping

If you can hear the click-clack of your dog’s nails making contact with your floor, then their nails are too long!

Before domestication, dogs’ nails grind down naturally as they walked over rough terrain. Most dogs today will get their daily walks in, but this not nearly enough for their nails to wear down. When a dog’s nails are too long, they will compensate with bad posture—torquing their spine and locking their legs into what’s known as ‘goat on the rock’ posture. This can lead to joint issues and immobility later on in life.

Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed also helps prevent overgrown nails from cutting into their pads and infection in their nail bed.

Teeth Brushing

Bad breath is only the beginning. Brushing your dog’s teeth and providing dental chews will stop gingivitis and periodontal disease along with that bad fishy smell we get when our dogs lick our faces. Built up plaque hardens into tartar, a magnet for bacteria. This overabundance of bacteria can leak into a dog’s bloodstream. This causes kidney disease and other organ issues that are preventable with good oral care.

Splash and Dash offers dental care and will work with your dog to freshen breath and brighten smiles!

Glands & Sanitary Areas

Have you ever watched your dog do the infamous drag-the-butt-across-the-carpet move? We all have. We all laugh. But the reason they’re doing this is grosser than you would think!

All dogs have anal glands that naturally express themselves as they do their business. Toy breeds sometimes have a harder time expressing their glands and need some help relieving the pressure. When a dog scoots their butt across the ground, they are attempting to relieve this pressure themselves. This move also leaves some stinky-smelling stuff on your carpet. You can express your dog’s glands at home, but there is no shame in having a professional do it. We don’t blame you.

The sanitary areas are also important for ‘doggie business.’ Long hairs can trap urine or fecal matter in their fur and no one wants to have that in their house! Regular trimming of the sanitary areas keeps everything hygienic and will be much more comfortable for your pet.

Specialty Spa Treatments

On top of the signature service, Splash and Dash offers some awesome pampering spa treatments that will leave your dog looking and smelling great.

Doggie Facials

We have a Blueberry and Pinkberry doggie facial which cleanses the pores around a dog’s face and muzzle. A facial also helps rid tear stains caused by epiphora and cleans up the fur around the muzzle if your pupperoni is a messy eater.

Pawdicures

An effervescent pawdicure attends to your dog’s cracked pads and will cleanse away any chemicals found in fertilizers.

Aromatherapy

What pet spa treatment is complete without some blissful scents formulated to induce a desired emotional state? Yes. We’re still talking about dogs here. Splash and Dash offers four different scents that help relax your dog with a safe ratio of all-natural botanical fragrances.

DeShedding

All Splash and Dash spa treatments are 100% guaranteed and this guarantee can be seen in the lack of dog hair no longer accumulating on your couch. Using specialty shampoos and grooming techniques, your dog’s coat will be sleek and shiny on their body, not your furniture!

At Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique we have a variety of care options administered by trained professionals to give your dog that same spa experience you receive at a human spa. We also offer top-of-the-line products like toys, treats, food and more! Come on by and check out all the fun happenings at our stores across the nation!

 

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Do Dogs Have Hair or Fur? And How Can I Tell?

We’re Answering the Age Old Question, Do Dogs Have Hair or Fur? Finally the Debate is Settled

Determining whether dogs have hair or fur is a pretty common question. Even some groomers debate over what the correct term for the ‘soft stuff’ that makes up a dog’s coat. Most groomers say fur, stating that hair is on humans—fur is on dogs. Another misinterpretation is that hair will grow forever unless it is cut or damaged, while fur has a growth threshold. Not true. The debate rages on.  It’s just one of those semantic arguments that rival the ridiculousness of whether cats or dogs are truly better. Still, we just need an answer.

Many people also believe that dogs who have hair, instead of fur, are hypoallergenic. Or, that their dog does not shed because he’s furry, not hairy. Others believe that a dog with “hair” is more sought after because it makes the dog unique. This gives pet owners a mistaken point of pride. We’re here to dispel the myths. We sought out to finally put the debate to rest and finally establish the true difference. So, do dogs have hair or fur?  

Technically hair and fur are the same things.  The truth is there is no chemical difference between hair and fur. They are 100% biologically the same thing. The reason there is a distinction is that there are some key differences when it comes to our four-legged friend’s coat but not on the biochemical level. The real differences are the descriptions we use to categorize different dog’s coats.

Hair and Fur are the Same

Both fur and hair are made up of the same chemical—keratin—which is also present in skin and nails. This means that both fur and hair are chemically indistinguishable. The implications of this is that the reason a dog might be considered hypoallergenic is not that a dog has either hair or fur. It’s actually due to the texture of their coat and how much grooming the dog receives.

Each strand of hair begins at the root whether on a human scalp or in the coat of a dog. Each individual strand goes through a cycle of either growing or not growing. The actual part of the strand that is growing is underneath the skin pushing the hair further along. The variation of the cycle is different for each animal. Uncut hair grows at the same rate as recently groomed hair. What deters or stimulates hair growth is a disturbance at the hair follicle, which is beneath the skin.  

The Growth Cycle

What we consider to be “hair” does have a longer growth cycle than what we consider to be “fur.” Outside of the indistinguishable biological factors. This is one of two key differences. The time it takes hair to complete a growth cycle is longer than fur. The hair cycle happens in four different stages—Anagen, Catagen, Telogen, and Exogen.

  • Anagen—This the phase of new hair growth.
  • Catagen—This is the transitional phase when hair stops growing and an outer sheath attaches to a hair strand.
  • Telogen—This is the resting phase.
  • Exogen—This is when hair stops growing and begins falling out to make room for another strand moving into the anagen phase. With dog’s this is what we refer to as shedding.

Hair grows as long as the hair follicle is in active growth during the anagen stage. Depending on genetic factors, a dog can be predisposed to be in the active growth stage from anywhere from years to only a few weeks. Dogs with coats that are genetically programmed for a brief growth cycle are more common. Longer growth cycles of a dog’s coat mean they will shed less. Environmental factors can also affect the growth cycle. Double-coated dogs will have longer exogen phases during the summer to prepare them for insulation during the cold winter.

The telogen phase on human arms and body are much longer than scalp hair. For dogs, and all other mammals, different hair follicles will be in different stages. Some hair follicles are in anagen while others are in catagen or telogen. This is why some dogs are constantly shedding.

Texture: Hair Vs. Fur

Coat texture is different from dog to dog, and from breed to breed. Pet groomers describe texture in terms of silky, wiry, wavy, or corded. Each texture is groomed accordingly.

Fur is considered to be shorter and denser. If a dog is double-coated, the undercoat will be a finer texture than the overcoat. This makes the shedding process easier after the cold months.

Hair has a tendency to be longer and finer or can veer toward wavy or curly. Curly hair is more likely to trap dander and dead hairs inside the coat. This why many believe dogs like the Poodle to be hypoallergenic.

Dealing with Allergies

The main source of allergic reactivity stems from a pet’s saliva. A sensitivity to a certain protein which is found in a pet’s saliva and skin causes the symptoms of allergies. This protein covers a dog’s coat.

Dogs with curly hair like Poodles appear to shed less and don’t have an undercoat. Not only do the tight curls lock carriers of common allergens inside the coat—dead hairs and dander. These dogs also have longer stages of anagen than other breeds. This is why many think these dogs will not irritate those with allergies. Breeds that shed less or have a coat that retains loose or dead hairs are an allergy sufferers best bet. Kerry Blue Terriers, Schnauzers, Bichons and Lhasa Apsos all fit this category. These dogs also have less water resistant oils on their skin than other sporting breeds.

However, just as there is no real chemical difference between hair and fur. There is no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic dog. Maybe ‘allergenic-resistant,’ but the only case of a true hypoallergenic animal is isolated to a cat. A company called Allerca developed a single line of cats with a natural genetic mutation that held no Fel d 1 protein—the protein found within cats that fires up allergy symptoms.  However, the company stopped operating under the Allerca domain in 2015. Some breeds of cats are considered low allergy because they do not produce enough Fel d 1 protein to be considered allergenic.

Unfortunately for the dog lovers with allergies, all dogs produce dander and have proteins in their saliva that will make your eyes itch and your throat scratchy. The best way to keep your allergies at bay with a dog is regular bathing and brushing. This removes dander and dead hairs. Bathing your dog at least once a week helps maintain their skin’s pH balance, keeps your furniture clean & you allergy free, and is the best preventative care for their overall health.

The Final Verdict

Fur is the more correct term to use when referring to dogs. The term “hair” does not account for dog’s long period of growth. Fur meets this criterion and more accurately describes the plushness of a dog’s coat.

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