If you own a pet with fur, you are no stranger to shedding hair. Dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, ferrets, and other furry friends lose their hair, sometimes at a frustrating rate. We go though elaborate rituals to keep the hair off our clothing, beds, and other furniture. Slipcovers on our upholstered chairs, high powered vacuums, and sticky rollers tucked away into our briefcases and glove boxes, it is a never ending battle.
      There are products on the market that claim they can reduce shedding in dogs and cats. They disclose they do not interrupt the "natural cycle" of shedding. If they do work, which there is no concrete evidence to say they do, they only deter the loss of fur. Your pet will replace its entire coat twice a year, either a little every day or in two hairy episodes spanning several weeks.
      Most of us know an animal replaces its thick winter coat with a lighter, shorter one each spring. Consequently, we know they grow a new thick coat each autumn, preparing for the colder weather. What many of us do not know is these routines are triggered by sunlight.
      Many living beings are affected by the photoperiod. The photoperiod is a measurement of sunlight in a 24 hour period. Hibernating animals use the change in the photoperiod to gage their retreat into their lairs. Many plants bloom as the long summer days wane, reacting to the shortened photoperiod. Ask anyone who has lived in Alaska and they will tell you a tale of how the photoperiod affects humans too.
      Of course if your pet lives inside all the time, its shedding may be constant, because its biological processes are confused. Without a distinct change in sunlight, the animal will shed all the time. If you feel that your pet sheds too much, you might want to take them in for a check up. Abnormal shedding is a sign of illness, stress, and poor diet.
      The best remedy for shedding is a good brushing. If you search the internet you will find thousands of pages on the best ways to mechanically remove a good portion of the hair, however it really does depend on what your furry friend will tolerate. Horse brushes, vacuum attachments, mittens with teeth, there are many implements for this task and they all involve a little time and effort.
      Don't have time to brush your dog everyday? Regular grooming during the fall and spring is another excellent way to reduce hair. Tenaker Pet Care has talented groomers who can help reduce the amount of fur you have to endure by bathing, brushing, and grooming your dog. Cats can also be groomed. Grooming will gather a significant amount of shedding fur and reduce the amount your home and clothing will have to bear.

Winners Receive $25 Gift Certificate

Last year's Halloween Costume contest was so much fun we decided to do it again. Please email images of your pet to Tenaker. We will take digital images and post them on a web page for your enjoyment. (The site will not be uploaded until we get a few images.) tenakerpetcare.com/halloween2007.html
The 2007 guidelines are:

-Entries must be digital and emailed to us by October 27, 2007.
-Gift certificates will be awarded to the best costume at each facility. The two winners will be featured on our November newsletter.
-Anyone can enter, but the photo you submit must be taken by you.
-All entries will be featured on a web page on the Tenaker web site.
-Gift certficates have no cash value.
-Last years photos are not accepted, however a new photo in the same costume is.
-Tenaker has the right to post any photo on its web site it chooses, (or not post).
-Tenaker has the right to disqualify any photo it receives.