At least once a week, I sweep the entire Dilly off my floor. Dilly is my 60-pound Heeler mix and he cuts what you feel like an impossible amount of dog hair according to science, especially at this time of year.
When filling his red-blond hair, I always find myself wondering: How did Dilly lose her hair? this lots of hair? And what the hell am I supposed to do with all its dog fur – throw it away, give it to the birds? What can and should you do with fur?
iStock / Oskari Porkka
Does this sound familiar? You’re probably finding dog hair on every square inch of couch cushions. Or, maybe you’re brushing a mountain of hair on your dog every other week. You are certainly not alone if you are dealing with a very troublesome situation around your house.
One of the reasons our dogs shed a lot nowadays is because Spring is the shedding season of many dog breeds. Dilly, along with most other dogs, needs to shed their winter’s thick coat to get ready for warmer temperatures. Therefore, Currently, it is completely normal to handle a lot of dog hairbased on American Animal Hospital Association.
If you’re also wondering what to do with that pile of dog hair, you’re in luck. I consulted with several experts to find the best ways to handle and remove pet hair to ensure that we are doing what is best for our dogs, the environment. and even local wildlife! And, for fun, I’ve rounded up some creative ways for people to reuse and recycle pet hair.
Professional tips on pet hair management
Becky Clark says: If you feel like you’re always dealing with a messy dog, you may need to spend more time taking care of your dog’s coat or coat. Clark is the grooming instructor for the pet grooming program at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. And she has 25 years of professional grooming experience.
She says that pet hair is just like human hair. The more hair you leave on your head, the better your hair will look and behave. However, if you neglect your hair, it can turn into a mess and unmanageable.
“If you don’t wash your hair for a couple of days, you may notice that there are extra hairs in the shower when you finally get used to it,” she says.
“The same thing can happen to your dog.”
iStock / Niko_Cingaryuk
Clark recommends brushing and combing your pet’s coat on a regular basis. She says how much you should brush your dog’s coat varies by breed and coat, but she promises it’s worth your continued grooming. She even has a tactic on double-coated dogs that can reduce their shedding by 90%.
“The more you groom your dog, the less you have to handle pet hair” Clark said.
Regular brushing and washing of your dog’s hair can help reduce shedding, remove dead hair and keep the dog’s coat more manageable.
Clark says her grooming facility primarily disposes of dog hair in the regular trash — much of the hair her grocers handle is best suited for dumping. But she’s had clients come in to collect dog hair for projects around their home, such as keeping deer out of the garden or providing nesting material for swallows in a barn (more on that in one day). minute).
Dirt on pet hair
Pet hair and fur are can be brewed Because it’s full of nitrogen, it’s good for soil and fertilizing. The disadvantages of incubating pet hair are it can take a while to break, like human hair. To help speed up the process, spread your pet’s hair out so it doesn’t clump and try to balance the hair with the correct ratio. green and brown compostable material.
Pet hair can also be useful against unwanted guests in your garden. Because animals associate the smell of a dog with being chased, The scent of dog hair will make them think your dog is nearby—And make them want to stay away. You can stuff a burlap sack or a dog harness and line your garden or yard to keep deer, rabbits, and backyard animals out.
Oh, places pet hair can go!
There are many creative ways to recycle and reuse your pet’s fur and coat.
Non-profit organization Trust issues accept donations of furs, furs and human hair to help clean up oil spills in the oceans—Capture mind-blowing emojis. To make this dirty work, the organization incorporated rugs and stairs made from recycled fur and fur. Hair mats absorb all types of lubricants, from coast guards to storm drain linings to prevent engine oil from entering the water supply. You know what they say, feathers are interested!
iStock / martin-dm
Your city may also accept recycled hair or composting program. Check your local recycling guide to see if your dog’s hair qualifies for curbside pickup.
People do all sorts of crafty things with dog hair. From sewing jackets, vests to scarves, hats, sandals, gloves, people have found more ways to brush their dog’s coat in a much more purposeful and fashionable way than I do (that’s through the sparse hairs that stick to every piece of clothing I wear). People will also feel for it, or stuff pillows and dog toys with dog fur instead of synthetics.
iStock / Iuliia Zavalishina
Pet Feathers: Is It Really for Birds?
Birds are resourceful creatures, known for displacing all sorts of materials to build their nests, including twigs, leaves, grass clippings, even trees. koala fur. But some materials can be dangerous to birds, such as human hair, as it can clip onto a bird’s legs or wings and injure it. I emailed ecologists from National Audubon Association to see if pet feathers are safe for birds and nest building.
Pet hair is not harmful to birds, they write, and it can make a good nesting material, unless the pet’s hair has been treated with a flea or tick repellent.. In this case, try to avoid letting your pet’s hair fall out after a thorough grooming session. However, if your pet sheds its feathers naturally, that’s fine for the birds.
iStock / urbazon
The Med Factor of Fleas
It’s better than be extra cautious with handling fur if your pet’s hair has been treated with a topical flea or tick medication. Since these treatments include chemicals that kill everything, they’re not ideal for compost piles or outdoor spaces. The chemicals can be harmful to soil, plants and water sources. Audubon ecologists wrote that a small amount is probably okay, but that entire winter dog coats should go in the trash instead.
Pet hair care
‘It’s shedding season and you’re not alone if you have more than a little bit of dog hair on your hands (and pants, floors and couch cushions). There are many eco-friendly ways you can reuse, recycle and get rid of all the pet hair in your home. From the garden, to the bird’s nest, to the sweater, you have plenty of good options for what to do with your dog’s fur, so that the dog’s fur ends up in a better place than the trash.
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