Prevention is the best cure. Frequent COMBING often resolves the problem. Note: brushes slide over fur surface and don’t get the dead hair out. A fine-toothed flea comb is good for shorthaired cats. A wide-toothed comb, or one with revolving teeth to prevent hair tear out is better for longhaired.

Have a cat that won’t sit still for combing? Try grooming gloves (I’m not sure they remove dead hair) or the Love Glove which claims to remove dead while gently massaging/petting cat. Both can be found online at reasonable prices.

I recently took a pledge with the Humane Society of the United States to help eliminate puppy mills. It amazes me how many people still purchase puppies over the internet never seeing under what conditions the puppies were born and raised. Under what conditions do the parent dogs live? Are the mother dogs impregnated as soon as one litter is taken away? Are the puppies taken away at 4 weeks, 5 weeks, 6 weeks? Are they healthy? I think it is much wiser to adopt a mixed breed from a shelter or humane society. Often shelters/humane societies have pedigree dogs without and with papers, if an owner can no longer keep them.

Puppy mill puppies make it to pet stores too. There are numerous stories about dogs that after they are brought home are found to be unhealthy. Many of whom have genetic defects. It’s so sad, and I for one feel puppy mills need to be shut down and totally eliminated. They are inhumane.

What do you think? Do you have a story?