Deshedding 101: What It Is and Which Breeds Benefit Most

"Deshedding" gets used loosely, but a real deshedding treatment is more thorough than a standard bath and brush. It typically combines a specialized bath, deep brushing, and a blow-out process aimed at loosening and removing dead undercoat before it ends up on your floor and furniture.

Which Pets Benefit Most

• Double-coated dog breeds (Huskies, Shepherds, Labs, Corgis) that grow a dense undercoat and "blow coat" seasonally.
• Long-haired cats, who can develop loose undercoat that contributes to hairballs if it's not managed.
• Any heavy-shedding pet during spring and fall, when seasonal coat changes are at their peak.

What It Won't Do

A deshedding treatment reduces loose, dead undercoat — it doesn't stop healthy shedding altogether, and it isn't a haircut. For breeds that don't grow a double coat, or shorthaired breeds with a single coat, the benefit is usually smaller. If you're not sure whether your pet's coat type would benefit, it's a quick question to ask when you book.