Pawliday Inn
If you share your home with a husky, shepherd, Lab or golden, you already know the tumbleweeds of fur under the couch and the coat of hair on every dark pair of pants. A dog de-shedding treatment in Houston won't make a double-coated dog stop shedding, because shedding is normal and healthy. What it can do is pull out a lot of the loose undercoat in one session, so less of it ends up on your floor. At Pawliday Inn in southwest Houston, our Furminator de-shed treatment is available for small, medium and large dogs.
What a de-shed treatment is for
Double-coated dogs have two layers of fur:
- A topcoat of longer guard hairs that sheds water and dirt.
- An undercoat that is soft, dense and fluffy, and is the layer that comes out in clumps.
When the undercoat loosens, a lot of it stays trapped in the coat until it works its way out on its own, usually onto your furniture. A de-shed treatment focuses on loosening and removing that dead undercoat so the coat is lighter and less of it lands at home.
Regular brushing at home helps a lot too. A professional de-shed session is a reset, not a replacement for brushing.
Which dogs benefit most
De-shedding makes the biggest difference for dogs with a thick undercoat. Common examples include:
| Coat type | Example breeds |
|---|---|
| Heavy double coat | Siberian husky, Alaskan malamute, German shepherd, Akita |
| Medium double coat | Labrador retriever, golden retriever, Australian shepherd, Border collie |
| Small double-coated dogs | Pomeranian, Corgi, Shetland sheepdog |
Mixed-breed dogs with any of these in the family tree often have the same kind of coat. If you're not sure whether your dog has a true undercoat, ask us when you book.
Single-coated dogs, such as poodles and many terriers, don't shed in the same way and usually don't need a de-shed treatment. A regular grooming package is the better fit for them.
Shedding in Houston's climate
Many double-coated dogs in colder places "blow" their coat in big seasonal waves, often in spring and fall. In Houston, with a long hot season, mild winters and dogs spending a lot of time in air-conditioned homes, many owners notice their dogs shed in a less predictable pattern, sometimes a little all year with heavier bursts in between.
That makes a de-shed treatment useful at a few points in the year:
- When you notice fur coming out in clumps or tufts
- As the weather warms up in spring
- When the house just has more fur in it than usual
Please don't shave a double coat
When summer hits, it's tempting to shave a fluffy dog. Most groomers and veterinarians advise against shaving double-coated breeds. The coat helps protect the skin from sun, and a shaved double coat may not grow back the same way. Removing loose undercoat is generally a better way to help a heavy-coated dog through a Houston summer. If you're weighing a shave for a specific reason, talk with your vet first.
Furminator de-shed at Pawliday Inn
Our Furminator de-shed treatment is offered for small, medium and large dogs. Rates change, so see current rates on our homepage.
If your dog is due for a full groom too, our size-based dog grooming packages each include a bath and brush, nail trim, ear cleaning, groom, and a bow or bandana. Call us at (346) 522 4472 to talk through scheduling both.
Top Dawg add-ons
Our "Top Dawg" add-on package includes a nail grind, tooth brushing, flea and tick care, special shampoo and anal glands. Each of these is also available on its own, so you can pick just what your dog needs.
Extra-large dogs
The Furminator de-shed treatment is offered for small, medium and large dogs. If you have an extra-large dog, call us before booking so we can talk about the options.
Before your dog's appointment
All dogs who come to Pawliday Inn, including grooming guests, need current Rabies, DHPP and Bordetella vaccinations, plus regular flea, tick and intestinal parasite prevention. Our article on vaccines required for boarding and daycare explains why each one matters.
Please also tell us about anything that could affect handling, such as fearfulness, prior bites, or an injury or sore spot. Some dogs are sensitive about their back legs or tail, which is exactly where a lot of undercoat collects. Knowing ahead of time helps.
You can book online. A card on file is required.
Combine it with a stay
If your dog is already coming for dog boarding in Houston, you can add a basic bath to the stay. For a deeper de-shed before pickup, call us to ask about scheduling.
When shedding isn't just shedding
Normal shedding is spread across the coat and leaves healthy skin underneath. Check with your vet if you notice:
- Bald patches or thinning in one area
- Red, flaky, scabby or greasy skin
- Constant scratching, licking or chewing
- A dull, brittle coat or a sudden change in how much your dog sheds
These can point to allergies, parasites or other health issues that a de-shed treatment won't fix.
Frequently asked questions
Will a de-shed treatment stop my dog from shedding?
No. Shedding is normal for double-coated dogs. A de-shed session removes a lot of loose undercoat at once, so there's less of it to land in your house.
How often should my dog get a de-shed treatment?
It depends on the dog and the coat. Many owners book one when shedding picks up, such as in spring. Ask us at your visit what makes sense for your dog's coat.
Can you de-shed an extra-large dog?
Our Furminator treatment is offered for small, medium and large dogs. Call us about extra-large dogs.
Should I shave my husky for summer?
Most groomers and vets advise against shaving double-coated dogs. Talk with your vet before shaving for any reason.