That's Dogwash

Our beagle, Skipper, has a lot of things going for her: she's smart, super cute, very friendly, quiet, and funny. But she does have a couple of faults over which she has no control: She sheds, and sometimes she smells like a hound. To keep this unpleasantness in check, Skipper gets daily brushings and weekly baths, and I have worked hard to find the right tools for the job. If you, too, have a malodorous or hirsute pooch or kitty leaving a trail of fur or funk wherever she goes, read on to find the best products to keep the yuck to a minimum.







I use two brushes on Skip's coat one for removing loose overcoat hairs, and the other for pulling out the loose undercoat. In combination they work like a charm, and you will be shocked at the amount of hair that comes off your pet. As a bonus, Skipper loves getting brushed and can't get enough of it.
For the outercoat, I use the Kong ZoomGroom brush, $8, available from Petco. It is made out of rubber and attracts the hairs like a magnet.









For the undercoat, I use the Furminator deshedding tool, $30, also available from Petco. This thing works so well you might be grossed out by the amount of hair that comes off your pet.









For her bath, I use Perfect Coat Natural Oatmeal shampoo, $7, also from Petco. I have tried more expensive brands, and this one seems to work the best: It moisturizes her skin, makes her coat super shiny, and smells great.




Lastly, she gets a rinse of Furminator deShedding Solution, $13, from Petco. It makes whatever is left of her loose undercoat come out and leaves her clean, shiny, sweet-smelling and shed-free.

At least for a few days.