HAVING a dog can be the best thing in the world.
They are brilliant companions, get us out and about on walks and generally make a house a home.
But they can also make a big mess – especially if they are a hairy breed.
Now a vet has revealed the surprising reason behind why mutts can turn into moulting monsters – and it’s nothing to do with the weather.
Vileda, the experts behind the Pet Pro cleaning range, has teamed up with pet specialist and influencer Cat The Vet to shed some light on the hairy issue.
Cat revealed the main trigger isn’t what you expect.
She says: “Did you know that light, not temperature is actually the major trigger for shedding?
“The changing amount of daylight leads to hormonal changes
that impact on the growth cycle of hairs, causing them to either thicken up, or gradually fall out”.
So, as the days get longer or shorter, your pet’s body clock tells them it’s time for a new ‘do’.
Our cosy homes can confuse things even more.
Cat says: “Ambient temperatures do have an impact which is why some dogs shed far more in the winter because the shorter days are causing their fur to grow but our heated houses are encouraging it to shed.”
But despite their hairiness, new research from Vileda shows
a whopping 64 per cent of women are more excited to see their pet than their partner after a long day at work.
Meanwhile, 70 per cent of pets have their own dedicated spot on the sofa.
With our furry overlords so firmly in charge, keeping on top of the
fluff is a national obsession. In fact, Brits spend an average of FOUR HOURS a week, or 208 hours a year, on pet-related housework.
But there are ways to cut down on the creature clean-up.
Clare Bolland from Vileda says: “We created the Vileda Pet Pro range to make tackling the inevitable household havoc easier.”
When it comes to tackling the sofa and soft furnishings, Clare said: “We know that cuddles on the sofa with our pet can cause havoc when it comes to cleaning fabric couches, which can often cling on to fine strands of fur causing them to look tatty and unclean.
“Having the Vileda Pet Pro Electostatic Brush on hand means a quick brush down of the sofa before bedtime will help you keep on top of this task in a matter of minutes – its clever rubber bristles attract and collect pet hair using electrostatic action – and after using it, you can simply rinse it under the tap and use it again and again.”
Clare also recommends that when mess occurs, it’s best to deal with it as quickly as possible: “It’s always quicker to clean up a mess while it’s fresh rather than letting it sit.”
