OK, get your laughs out first. The Shed Defender is a serious product but at the same time it’s very funny and adorable.

The Shed Defender is a lightweight suit for dogs – yes, it’s a onesie for dogs! – designed for:

1. Containing pet hair.

2. Keeping your car or home clean.

3. Replacing the medical cone collar (this is what we’ve used it for).

4. Reducing allergies for the dog (for example, allergies to grass or pollen).

5. Reducing allergies for a person who is allergic to dogs.

6. Reducing anxiety for dogs and making them feel safe during travel, thunderstorms or fireworks.

7. Can protect dogs from insects such as ticks and stickers from plants that may get stuck in fur while camping or other outdoor activities.

These are all serious, practical uses. But it’s hard not to smile and hold back laughs when your dog is dressed in a onesie! So before our serious Shed Defender review, let’s just get that out of the way:

Shed Defender review

This post is sponsored by Shed Defender.

Please share this post with anyone you know who might be interested in a Shed Defender for their dog.

My thoughts on the Shed Defender

I was interested in the Shed Defender for its potential to replace the medical cone collar. More on that below.

The product’s original purpose is to help contain pet hair. I can relate to that!

My Lab mix Ace is one of those dogs who sheds handfuls of fur every day, all year round. He sheds about 1,000x more than our other dog and our cats combined. I use our vacuum and Swifter every day and there is always a dusting of black hair from our sweet Ace. It’s unreal. I don’t know how this dog has any hair left.

For me, dog hair is a part of life but I can understand why someone might use the Shed Defender to control dog hair in certain scenarios.

Examples of where the Shed Defender could come in handy:

• If you’ve just cleaned your apartment and you’re having friends visit from out of town. Maybe you’d like to keep it hair-free at least until they arrive!
• Perhaps you’re selling your house. The Shed Defender will keep your dog’s hair contained on the days you have a showing.
• A family member or friend is allergic to dog hair/dander. (It can also protect your dog from grass or pollens if your dog has environmental allergies.)
• You want to keep your car or someone else’s car free of dog hair.
• You want to bring your dog to a friend or relative’s house.
• If you’re getting ready for an event and need to keep dog hair off your clothes.

The Shed Defender works very well for its intended purpose. It was developed by Tyson Walters back in 2011 as a way to keep his St. Bernard Harley from shedding everywhere. He said his mom sewed the first model and then he tested different fabrics and designs.

“Harley wore the Shed Defender around town and family, friends and fellow dog lovers kept asking where they could get one of their own,” Walters said on the company’s website.

While the Shed Defender looks tight, it’s intended to be form fitting and is very lightweight and breathable while still durable.

It’s made from an eco friendly, four-way stretch fabric that allows the dog to move (and play!) freely.

It’s easy to put on if you have a tolerant dog like Ace who’s used to wearing sweaters or coats. It will be more of a struggle if you have a resistant dog like my young weimaraner Remy!

To wash the Shed Defender, you simply shake it off and then toss it in the wash. Or, you can just put it in the drier and that removes most of the hair.

The Shed Defender can replace the cone collar

The best part about the Shed Defender for us is that it can replace the medical cone collar.

Have you ever put an old T-shirt on your dog to prevent her from licking a wound or surgery site?

Last year my dog Ace had to wear a cone collar for 7 months because an autoimmune disease was causing lesions on his body.

We were also putting old T-shirts on him and even a pair of old boxer shorts to keep him from licking and chewing himself and to keep his wounds covered (and our carpets clean). I know, it sounds so ridiculous but we truly had no other options.

I would’ve used the Shed Defender last year to keep Ace’s body covered and give him a break from wearing a cone.

Of course, you need to keep certain injuries uncovered so they can heal, so it all depends on the unique issue you’re dealing with. We would’ve used the Shed Defender in rotation with the cone to give Ace a break from the cone.

(If your dog has allergies to grass or pollen, it can also protect him during allergy season.)

What is the cost of a Shed Defender?

The Shed Defender is available online in sizes mini through XXL. Prices range from $39.99 to $59.99 with free shipping in the U.S.

Pros of the Shed Defender

• Well made, lightweight and breathable (not too hot)
• Comes in multiple colors and sizes – see them all here
• If you buy the wrong size, you can exchange it at no cost up to 30 days
• Works well to contain shedding
• Can replace the cone collar
• Machine dry and washable
• Can be used to keep allergies under control (for either a person allergic to dogs or a dog allergic to grass/pollen, etc.)
• Zipper runs along the belly to the tail for easy potty breaks
• Can help dogs with anxiety (snug fit can help them feel secure)

Cons of the Shed Defender

• Some dogs will not want to wear it (might take some conditioning)
• Some friends and family will probably laugh at your dog (builds character)

I would recommend the Shed Defender for …

I recommend the Shed Defender for dog owners who need to keep dog hair under control in their homes or cars as mentioned above.

It’s also useful for keeping your dog covered for medical reasons or to help manage allergies for either a person or the dog. Finally, it might be something to try if your dog has anxiety during travel, thunderstorms or fireworks. The snug, secure fit makes some dogs feel safe.

Shed Defender coupon code

Use code MUTT15 for 15% off a Shed Defender (limited time). ORDER HERE.

If you know someone who might benefit from a Shed Defender, please share this post with them!

Do you have any questions about the Shed Defender?

Let us know in the comments and we’ll get them answered for you.

And seriously, can we all just smile at how cute/ridiculous the dogs look wearing their “onesies”? 🙂