Cats vs. Dogs: Who Sheds the Most?

Cats vs. Dogs: Who Sheds the Most?

December 9, 2019

Having pets is often a rewarding experience, but the time you spend cleaning up after their shedding can sometimes put a damper on your enjoyment. Whether you’re looking to find out which breeds are the most shedding dogs in Walla Walla County, WA, or are currently experiencing the struggle to keep your home clean, knowing how and why your pets shed can help you choose the right pet or figure out how to combat the never-ending problem of pet hair.

Why do pets shed?

All pets with hair will inevitably shed at some point during the year—just like humans. During the winter, dogs and cats alike will develop a thicker coat, which insulates them from the cold weather. When spring and summer roll around, they start shedding to regulate their temperature. In fact, the more daylight they’re exposed to, the more they shed—their bodies are taking it as a sign that warmer weather is on the way.

Shedding and cats

Cats have finer fur than dogs, which means that it can stay airborne longer, and is often more noticeable than dog hair. This is especially true with longer-haired breeds. Do cats really shed more, though?

The answer is that it depends on the breed, just as with dogs. Long-haired breeds do shed more than others, including Maine coon, ragamuffin, ragdoll, American bobtail and Norwegian forest cats. The least shedding cats in Walla Walla County, WA include Bengal, Burmese, Devon Rex, Siamese and sphynx.

Incidentally, the reason why most people are more allergic to cats is thanks to their dander and saliva—so if you’re allergic to cats, don’t think that having a sphynx will necessarily be a hypoallergenic choice!

Shedding and dogs

Dogs shed too, of course, and when you’re deciding on a breed, you might consider which breeds are the most shedding dogs in Walla Walla, WA. Typically, dogs that have two coats (an undercoat and a top coat) will shed the most. Many dogs, in fact, shed their undercoat twice a year and their top coat once.

The dogs that shed the most include huskies, German shepherds, golden retrievers, Saint Bernards and Alaskan malamutes.

One way to combat excessive shedding is to keep the temperature regulated indoors. When you keep your pets inside, they’ll be less likely to need to grow heavier coats—in the summer, they won’t need to stay as cool if your home is air-conditioned, and in the winter, they’ll be warm enough from your heater.

Keeping your dog’s or cat’s shedding to a minimum can also be managed by regular brushing, grooming and vacuuming. While your pet will always shed some hair, it doesn’t have to be excessive, and it doesn’t have to be allowed to accumulate

When you don’t have the time to clean up after your shedding pet, call the pros. Supreme Cleaning Services provides environmentally-friendly cleaning services to homes and businesses throughout Walla Walla County, WA. Our services are tailored to every client, with full-service cleaning that includes pet hair cleanup, vacuuming, mopping, dusting, detailing and more. Reach out to us to schedule an appointment.

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