Shedding is natural for most dogs and depending on the breed and their coat type, all dogs shed little to a lot of fur. There are also some dogs like the Yorkshire Terrier and Poodle that do not shed at all. While it is impossible to completely stop other dogs from shedding, regular grooming and feeding your dog quality dog food can minimize it.
The most common things that cause shedding is improper diet, lack of regular brushing or bathing, excessive brushing, hormonal changes or dog allergies. Stress and anxiety can cause your dog to shed a lot of fur in a short time. While it may seem difficult to deal with shedding, there are some simple things that you can do to minimize the shedding your dog does.
Vacuum Clean
Some families vacuum their dogs to control shedding. If you decide to vacuum your dog, make sure to use attachments that are designed for fur. I know it sounds funny but there are vacuum attachments that are designed for pet fur. The vacuum will help remove loose fur from their coat and suck it up before it can fall off in your home.
In addition to having the correct vacuum attachment, there are also things you can do to lessen the stress your dog might experience while you vacuum their fur. We recommend a product called a Happy Hoodie. Essentially its a legwarmer that’s designed to cover your dogs ears and dampen the sound as well as reassure them while they’re around a loud noise.
Brush Your Dog Regularly
Grooming your dog is important and regular brushing is a major part of it. Brushing their coat helps remove the loose fur and also clears any tangles and mats. When brushing dogs always use a brush that is recommended for your dog’s coat type, it really makes a big difference. Different dogs have different types of coats that should be groomed using specific brushes. Wire-pin brushes should be used for dogs with curly coats while bristle brushes should be used for long coats. Regular brushing will remove the loose fur and minimize the amount of dog hair that ends up in your home.
Bathe Your Dog Frequently
Your dog could be shedding because they are not bathed frequently. Bathing can help loosen and remove their loose fur that may otherwise be covering your clothes and furniture. Washing your dog or bathing them using a high-quality dog shampoo is the best way to coax their loose fur off. A high-quality dog shampoo can give their skin important nutrients and vitamins. The better quality dog shampoos can help with allergies that are associated with shedding. A better quality shampoo will lower the chances of drying out your dogs skin from being bathed more often.
Feed Them Healthy Food
If your dog doesn’t get the nutrients and vitamins they need, it will affect not only their health, but also their fur. A healthy diet will give them a healthier coat and can reduce shedding. Look for high quality foods that are full of protein, vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids. If you want to give your dog more omega-3 you can add a little olive oil to your dog’s food every day. Olive oil has omega-3 fatty acids that are known to condition their skin and reduce itching. Healthy coats equals less fur loss. It’s a win-win.
Keep Your Dog Hydrated
Keeping your dog hydrated is very important. Your dog should have access to clean drinking water at all times. Dehydration can lead to poor health and can cause shedding from being overheated.
Avoid Leaving Your Dog Out in the Sun for Too Long
Just like people, dogs can also get sunburns and overheat. Too much exposure to the sun can cause sunburns, skin cancer or overheating that will increase their shedding. While an hour isn’t likely to be a problem playing or exercising, remember that your dog is covered in fur and can quickly overheat.
For dogs staying outside in the yard, make sure there is enough shade so that your dog doesn’t have constant exposure to the sun. If your dog spends a lot of time in the sun, having lots of water and plenty of shade will keep them happy.
Avoid Leaving Your Dog Alone for Too Long
Most dogs are companion dogs and thrive on human attention. Leaving them alone for too long can cause them to get separation anxiety or stress. Stress can be one of the biggest reasons that causes shedding.
Take Them to Your Vet
Sometimes even after trying all the above remedies, you may not succeed in controlling and reducing your dog’s shedding. In this case they should be taken to your vet. Your vet can identify if the shedding is because of a disease or some other reason and suggest some possible treatments.
Give Them a Haircut
Sometimes the easiest way to keep the hair from falling off is just to cut it off. Most dogs can have their fur cut and be kept cool in the summer months, but not all dogs can. Dogs like German Shepherds can actually overheat if you trim their fur because of the layering. If you want to look into cutting their hair, make sure that your dog is not one of the few breeds that shouldn’t have their fur cut.