Short answer: regular brushing is the most effective way to reduce hair around the house – at least once or twice a week, and every day during shedding season. A bath with a suitable shampoo and conditioner, followed by full drying, helps the loose undercoat come out faster. Shedding can't be stopped, but it can be managed.
Is it normal for a dog to shed?
Yes. Many dogs lose hair year-round, and double-coated breeds – such as the Siberian Husky, the German Shepherd and the Labrador – shed their undercoat more heavily around twice a year, usually in spring and autumn. In a warmer climate, or for dogs that live mostly indoors, shedding can be more even or almost constant. It's similar with cats – for those that live indoors only, shedding is usually more even throughout the year.
The goal isn't to stop the process but to remove the loose hair in a controlled way, before it ends up on the sofa.
Five steps that work
1. Brush regularly
The most important step. For double coats, use an undercoat rake and a slicker brush, reaching down to the undercoat without pressing on the skin – a surface brush alone isn't enough. For short, smooth coats, a rubber grooming glove is handy. During shedding season, brush every day.
2. Bathe with a suitable shampoo
De-shedding shampoos and conditioners help loosen the hair that's ready to fall out during bathing. At the height of shedding, a warm-water bath followed by full drying is especially helpful. Brush once the coat is completely dry – or while blow-drying.
3. Don't skip the conditioner
Conditioner makes brushing easier, reduces static, and helps the brush glide through the coat without breaking the hair.
4. Pay attention to diet
Coat quality also depends on a complete, balanced diet. If you want to support the skin and coat from within, choose a skin and coat supplement and dose it according to the table on the label – supplements don't stop normal shedding.
5. Keep to a schedule
Short, regular sessions are more effective than one big clean-up once a year. Set a brushing reminder in the care plan in your account (My Pets).
Shedding in cats
Cats change their coat much like dogs do – more heavily in spring and autumn, while indoor-only cats shed more evenly all year round. A cat grooms itself, but it swallows much of the loose hair, so regular brushing pays off twice: less hair around the home and fewer hairballs. You will find our cat products in the Cats – grooming and care category.
How often to brush your cat
- Short-haired cats, such as the British Shorthair – once a week, and more often during the shedding season.
- Long-haired cats, such as the Persian and the Maine Coon – every day or every other day, because their coat mats quickly.
Start with short sessions of a few minutes where your cat likes to be stroked – along the back and the cheeks – and work your way to the belly and hind legs over time. Stop before your cat gets annoyed, and reward it. A metal comb such as the Uniq Pets BeautyCare cat comb picks up loose hair and light tangles.
Matted fur in cats
Mats form most often behind the ears, in the armpits, on the belly and on the back of the thighs. Soften small mats with a detangling spray or foam – for example the Bugalugs probiotic detangling spray for cats (for kittens over 8 weeks, according to the label) or the Bugalugs 2 in 1 Fragrance Free detangling foam, which also suits sensitive skin. Split the mat with your fingers and comb it out from the tip towards the skin, holding the hair at the base so you do not pull on the skin.
Do not cut mats out with scissors. A cat's skin is thin and elastic, it sticks to the mat and is easily cut. Leave tight mats close to the skin, or matting over large areas, to a groomer or a vet – they remove them with clippers. If an older or overweight cat stops grooming itself and its coat starts to mat, this can be a sign of pain or another health problem – have it seen by a vet.
Hairballs
Regular brushing is the best prevention. As an extra, you can give the Uniq Pets Mimi Anti-Hairball treats with psyllium – a source of plant fibre – and, for skin and coat, Bugalugs Scottish salmon oil: according to the label, 1 pump a day for a small cat and 2 for a medium or large one, for kittens over 8 weeks, building up to the full dose over 7 days. If your cat vomits often, refuses food or is constipated, see a vet.
Most cats do not need regular baths. If your cat is shedding heavily or has got dirty, choose a product suitable for cats and check the age on the label.
When shedding is a sign of a problem
- Hair loss in patches rather than evenly
- Redness, itching or sores on the skin
- The hair is brittle and dull
- Shedding starts suddenly and out of season
- A cat licks itself excessively and bald patches appear on its body
In these cases the cause may be a skin condition, parasites, a hormonal issue or another health problem – see a vet.
Suitable products
Browse brushes and combs, dog shampoos and conditioners and masks. Supplements are in the supplements category – dose them according to the label. You'll find guidance for your breed on the Breeds page.
For baths during shedding season, take a look at Chris Christensen SmartWash 50 Deshed shampoo and Smart Rinse De-Shed conditioner, iGroom Deshedding + Detangling shampoo and TropiClean Lime & Coconut Shed Control shampoo.
Read more: what equipment you need for grooming at home and how often to bathe your dog.
Frequently asked questions
Does clipping or shaving help with a double coat?
No. Shaving doesn't reduce shedding, and it removes the insulating layer that protects against cold, heat and sun. After shaving, the undercoat can grow back faster than the topcoat, leaving the coat uneven and differently textured. Regular brushing is the better approach.
How often should I bathe during shedding season?
You don't need to bathe more often than usual for the breed – for example, the Siberian Husky is usually bathed just a few times a year, and the Labrador that lives mostly indoors every 4–6 weeks. One warm-water bath at the height of shedding, followed by full drying and brushing, helps the loose undercoat come out. Use a conditioner after the shampoo.
Can I cut matted fur off my cat with scissors?
Better not. The skin under a mat is thin and easily injured. Soften small mats with a spray or foam and comb them out bit by bit, and leave tight mats close to the skin to a groomer or a vet. Regular brushing – every day for long-haired cats – is the surest way to stop mats forming at all.
