Deshedding

A professional deshedding treatment involves a specialized shampoo that loosens the undercoat, followed by a high-velocity blow-dry to blast out loose fur, and a thorough brush-out with deshedding tools like undercoat rakes, slicker brushes, and Furminators. The entire process removes significantly more fur than any amount of brushing at home. A single session can reduce shedding by 60 to 80 percent for several weeks.

This service is designed for double-coated breeds: Huskies, Samoyeds, Malamutes, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Corgis, Australian Shepherds, and similar breeds. In the Pacific Northwest, these dogs go through heavy coat blows in spring and fall. The damp climate can also cause loose undercoat to trap moisture against the skin, leading to hot spots and irritation if not removed.

Deshedding treatments in Washington and Oregon range from $40 to $75 for medium dogs and $60 to $100 for large breeds, on top of or instead of a standard bath. Most groomers recommend deshedding treatments every 6 to 8 weeks for heavy shedders, with extra sessions during seasonal coat blows in spring and fall.