Dog Shedding Season Survival Guide: How to Stop Summer Shedding (2026)

Every summer it's the same story: fur on the couch, fur on your clothes, fur drifting across the floor like tumbleweed. If your dog or cat seems to be shedding twice as much right now, you're not imagining it — late spring through summer is peak shedding season, when pets "blow" their winter undercoat to stay cool.

The good news: with the right routine (and about 10 minutes a week), you can dramatically cut the amount of loose fur in your home. Here's exactly how.

Why Pets Shed More in Summer

Shedding is triggered mostly by daylight hours and temperature. As days get longer and warmer, your pet's body releases the dense winter undercoat it no longer needs. Double-coated breeds — Golden Retrievers, Huskies, German Shepherds, Corgis, and most cats — shed the most during this transition.

Normal seasonal shedding is healthy. But if you see bald patches, red skin, or dandruff, talk to your vet — that can signal allergies or skin issues rather than seasonal coat blow.

The 10-Minute Weekly Routine That Actually Works

1. Brush 2–3 times a week with a slicker brush

Brushing is the single highest-impact thing you can do: fur you catch on the brush is fur that never lands on your sofa. A slicker brush with fine, angled bristles reaches through the topcoat and pulls out the loose undercoat before it drops.

Our pick is the Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Dogs & Cats — when the brush head fills up, you press one button and the bristles retract so the collected fur peels off in one clean pad. No picking hair out of the bristles, which means you'll actually stick with the routine.

2. Brush in the direction of hair growth, then against it

Start with light strokes following the coat, then do one gentle pass against the grain on heavy-shedding areas (hindquarters, flanks, chest). Finish with strokes in the natural direction. For mats, hold the fur at the base and work the slicker brush through the ends first — never yank from the skin.

3. Bathe monthly during peak season

A lukewarm bath with pet-safe shampoo loosens dead undercoat. Brush before the bath (wet mats tighten) and again once fully dry — you'll be amazed how much extra fur comes out on the post-bath pass.

4. Feed for a healthy coat

Coat quality starts with diet. Look for food with omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) and adequate protein. Dull, brittle fur sheds more; a healthy coat holds on longer and releases fur predictably during brushing.

Apartment Living? Contain the Fur

Small space, big shedder? Brush near an easy-to-clean hard floor rather than on carpet, and do it before vacuuming day. For more room-by-room tactics, see our guide on reducing dog and cat shedding in a small apartment.

And since summer grooming goes hand in hand with summer heat: if your dog struggles on hot days, check whether a dog cooling vest actually works for your breed.

When Shedding Isn't Normal

• Bald spots or thinning patches — possible allergies, mange, or hormonal issues
• Red, irritated, or flaky skin — could be fleas or dermatitis
• Excessive licking or scratching — often precedes hot spots

Any of these warrant a vet visit. Seasonal shedding should look like lots of loose fur on an otherwise healthy, even coat.

The Bottom Line

You can't stop seasonal shedding — but you can decide where the fur ends up: on your furniture, or on a brush you empty with one click. Two to three short sessions a week with the One-Click Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush ($16.99) will capture most of the coat blow before it hits the floor.

Summer deal: use code SUMMER15 at checkout for 15% off everything in store — valid through September 22.