Key Takeaways
Brush on a schedule set by the coat. Short coats need about one session a week; long coats need daily brushing.
Shedding peaks in spring and fall. A season usually lasts a few weeks to a couple of months, and that's the time to bring out a deshedding tool.
Some shedding is a vet issue. If you see bald patches, irritated skin, or a sudden jump in hair loss, it's time for a checkup.
Vacuum weekly with sealed HEPA filtration. A brush roll that resists tangling keeps the vacuum working on long hair.
Air purifiers are for dander. A HEPA unit sized to the room filters airborne allergens, while hair on the floor is still a vacuum job.
Dog hair and shedding: what you can and can't control
A healthy dog is going to shed. The ASPCA calls shedding old or damaged hair a normal process for dogs and says the amount depends on health, breed type, and season. What you can control is how much of that hair ends up on the couch, the rug, and your clothes.
That takes work on two fronts: the dog, where brushing removes loose hair before it drops, and the house, where regular vacuuming, washable covers, and a laundry routine handle what the brush misses. Start with the dog, since every hair you brush out is one you won't vacuum up later.
1. Brush on a schedule that fits your dog's coat
According to the ASPCA, smooth, short coats only need brushing once a week, while long, silky coats need daily attention. The AKC's guide to managing shedding adds that heavy shedders may need brushing several times a week, or even daily, during peak periods.
For short coats like a Beagle's, the AKC suggests brushing against the direction of growth first to loosen dead hair, then with it to remove that hair; a natural-bristle brush or grooming glove suits these coats. Long or double coats, like a Collie's, need a tool that reaches the undercoat, where loose hair collects, and a slicker brush works on dense coats. Work out tangles with a steel comb before brushing further.
2. Switch to a deshedding tool during shedding season
Most dogs shed hardest in spring, when they drop the heavier winter coat, and in fall, when lighter hair makes way for thicker insulation. The AKC says changes in daylight and temperature drive the shift, and a season usually lasts a few weeks to a couple of months. Indoor dogs may shed lightly all year, and double-coated dogs such as Golden Retrievers are more likely to shed year-round.
During those weeks, the AKC points to a coat rake or deshedding tool to pull out large amounts of loose undercoat. Use gentle pressure with bladed tools and work in the direction the hair grows.
3. Bathe with a dog shampoo, then brush again
The ASPCA recommends a bath at least once every three months, more often for dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors or have skin problems. Use a shampoo made for pets, since the ASPCA notes some human shampoos contain fragrances or other substances that can irritate a dog's skin; the AKC suggests a shedding-control formula. Brush before the bath to clear dead hair and mats, then brush again once the coat is dry.
If someone in the house is allergic to the dog, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) suggests washing the pet every week, which it says may reduce airborne allergens. It's worth asking your vet before switching to weekly baths.
4. Feed a complete and balanced diet
VCA Animal Hospitals says diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, vitamins, and minerals support the skin and coat. The ASPCA says quality pet-food makers include the right amount of nutrients so supplements aren't needed.
Supplements are a question for the vet. VCA warns that adding nutrients without veterinary guidance can unbalance the diet, and Tufts University's veterinary nutritionists favor fish oil over flax or chia because dogs convert plant-based omega-3s inefficiently. Even on a good diet, a healthy dog will keep shedding on its normal schedule.
5. Know when shedding is a reason to see the vet
Heavy shedding in spring and fall is normal. The AKC lists the signs that aren't: thinning fur, bald patches, irritated or inflamed skin, and a sudden increase in hair loss. Possible causes include hypothyroidism and allergies, and the ASPCA's list for excessive hair loss adds parasites, fungal or bacterial infections, and kidney, liver, thyroid, or adrenal disease. If you see any of those signs, it's time to book a vet appointment.
6. Vacuum often, and look for features that suit pet hair
The AAFA recommends vacuuming fabric furniture and carpets weekly with a HEPA-filtered vacuum. In shedding season, you'll probably need to do the dog's rooms more often. For dog hair, look for three features beyond suction power:
Sealed filtration. The American Lung Association says a vacuum should have a sealed system, so air passes through the filter before it's exhausted instead of leaking dust and allergens back into the room. "HEPA-type" filters don't have to meet the HEPA standard.
A tangle-resistant brush roll. In Consumer Reports' testing, fur gets entangled in the brush of average vacuums. For robot models, CR suggests blades that slice through hair or rollers shaped to move it toward the suction inlet.
A bag, if anyone's allergic. Emptying a bagless bin can send fur and dust back into the air, a point both Consumer Reports and the American Lung Association make.
7. Cover the furniture and lift hair off upholstery
The easiest couch to clean is one that's covered. The AAFA suggests slipcovers, or blankets washed weekly in hot water, for fabric furniture. A washable throw on the dog's favorite spot turns couch cleaning into a load of laundry.
For hair that's worked into fabric, Hill's Pet Nutrition suggests a rubber dishwashing glove: dampen it, then rub your palm over the furniture to wipe up the hair. On carpet, a rubber squeegee pulled in short strokes loosens hair so it's easier to vacuum. On clothes, a lint roller or masking tape works best, according to Consumer Reports.
8. Get dog hair out of the washer and dryer
Wet hair clumps, sticks to fabric and the drum, and can clog drain pumps, according to Consumer Reports. The fix it recommends is a 10-minute, no-heat dryer cycle with a dryer sheet before washing, then a good shake.
Empty the lint screen after every load. After a hairy load, it's worth running a wash or self-clean cycle without laundry and wiping the drum, door, and seal with a damp cloth, as Consumer Reports suggests. There's more on washer care in our Laundry section.
9. Run a HEPA air purifier where the dog spends time
Dander is the part of the problem a vacuum can't fully reach. Pet allergens are proteins in a pet's dander, saliva, and urine, according to the AAFA, and they settle on furniture, get stirred back into the air, and can stay airborne for long periods.
The EPA says a HEPA filter can theoretically remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles at 0.3 microns. Its guide to air cleaners in the home says to choose a unit whose clean air delivery rate (CADR) is large enough for the room, and notes that filtration doesn't replace controlling pollutant sources. For run time, the AAFA suggests at least four hours a day, and the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) says running a HEPA cleaner continuously in a bedroom or living room can reduce allergen levels over time.
A simple weekly routine for a shedding dog
This fits an average shedder outside peak season; in spring and fall, brush daily and vacuum more often.
Daily: brush long-coated dogs and run a lint roller over the dog's side of the couch.
Two or three times a week: vacuum the rooms where the dog sleeps.
Once a week: brush short-coated dogs, vacuum all carpets and fabric furniture, and wash throws and the dog's bedding.
Once a month: clean or replace vacuum and air purifier filters when the manufacturer's schedule says they're due, and run an empty washer cycle.
Every three months or so: bathe the dog, brushing before and after.
Frequently asked questions
Can you stop a dog from shedding?
No. The ASPCA says you can't stop a healthy dog from normal shedding, but regular brushing reduces the amount of hair in your home.
Are hypoallergenic dog breeds free of dander?
No. The ACAAI says a truly allergy-free breed doesn't exist, and that allergen levels in homes with so-called hypoallergenic dogs did not differ from homes with other breeds.
Will an air purifier pick up dog hair?
Not hair that has already landed. A purifier filters what's floating in the air, such as dander. Hair on floors and furniture still needs a vacuum, a damp rubber glove, or a lint roller.
