Normal dog shedding? You just vacuumed the whole house, and watch with horror as your dog happily romps through your rooms leaving piles of fur behind him. Just how much shedding is normal for a dog, anyway? Is Fido average, or should you check his background for signs one of his ancestors was part abominable snowman? Before you find yourself permanently attached to your vacuum, let’s see exactly what normal dog shedding is.

Shedding is a process that occurs in all dogs, regardless of their size or breed. Don’t think that because your dog is shorthaired that means he’ll shed less. On the contrary, some of the biggest shedders have the shortest hair. Normal dog shedding is less about your dog’s actual hair than it is about how fast your dog’s hair grows. The faster old hair is replaced with new, the more your dog sheds.

Is there anything you can do about your dog shedding so much? Yes. Proper grooming will ensure that more of your dog’s hair ends up in your trashcan, and not on your floor.

1. Brush your dog at least once a day. This helps to remove loose hair before it can fall.
2. Bathe your dog at least once a month.
Use a stiffer bristle brush for longhaired dogs. This helps to get all the way through the hair layers to loosen and remove hairs from even the bottom coat of fur.

Although constant grooming can seem a bit of a nuisance, it’s simpler than dragging your vacuum all over the house every day. And while you’re grooming, take the opportunity to keep an eye out for trouble signs that are not normal dog shedding. If you find sores or bald spots on your pet, contact a veterinarian immediately, because this could signify a serious problem. Some diseases related to over-shedding might include ringworm, skin infections, stress, mange, and cancer. Your veterinarian will let you know if your dog has any of these problems beyond normal dog shedding, and how to treat them.