Shedding is a normal part of grooming your pup to keep his or her coat healthy and skin clean, but excessive shedding could be a telltale sign that something else needs to be addressed by a veterinarian.
There are various strategies you can employ to reduce excessive shedding in your dog. Please follow these tips on how to stop dog hair shedding: 1. Bathe Your Pet Regularly.
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Brushing
Grooming your pet on a regular basis is an integral component of their care routine, helping maintain a healthy coat and decreasing shed hairs around your home. Grooming frequency will vary depending on their coat type and length; but aim to brush twice per day (twice if possible). Some pet owners find using deshedding tools alongside regular brushing can be even more beneficial for heavy shedders.
Bathing your dog regularly is another effective way to reduce shedding. Not only will this remove dirt, debris and dander but can also remove dead hair that would otherwise get stuck between its fur strands. Look for shampoo designed specifically for dogs as these often include moisturizers that help strengthen hair follicles to decrease future shedding.
Shedding may be a telltale sign of certain health conditions, so if you notice unusual or excessive shedding it is wise to consult your veterinarian as soon as possible. He/she can then assist in diagnosing the cause and taking appropriate measures to address it such as changing diet or grooming routine, adding extra moisture, or treating any potential underlying health concerns.
Stressful experiences such as major life changes, increased domestic conflict or the loss of a loved one can cause sensitive pets to show signs of excessive shedding. While this shouldn’t cause alarm, it would still be wise to discuss this matter with your veterinarian just in case anything more serious is occurring.
Natural home remedies and supplements that can help to decrease shedding in dogs include chamomile and lavender oils. These are thought to help calm dogs, reduce irritation and inflammation, which in turn decreases the likelihood of shedding. Wet wipes specially made for dogs may also prove more efficient at picking up loose hair than traditional lint rollers.
Bathing
Shedding is an inevitable process, yet it can have disastrous results on your dog’s coat, skin and home. Shedding becomes more noticeable during spring as their fur transitions from winter to summer – this is usually when most shed the most fur.
Entering the tub with your pup and using gentle non-toxic shampoo to wash her coat can significantly decrease fur shedding. However, make sure not to overdo the bathing as too much soap may cause skin irritation and cause unnecessary hair follicle damage. Furthermore, consider investing in a bath specifically made for dogs as this will be less harsh on her delicate skin while helping moisturize and promote healthier hair follicles.
When bathing your pup, use a dog-specific brush as you rinse. Brush into her coat while you’re rinsing to loosen and remove as much old and dead fur as possible. Following up this bath with dry brushing session using a deshedding tool will ensure any remaining shedded fur doesn’t make its way throughout your home.
Water is essential to keeping your dog hydrated, as this will help minimize their shedding. Not enough hydration could result in dry, irritated skin and weaker follicles leading to increased hair on furniture or clothing, causing more fur accumulation on your couch or clothing.
Shedding is normal and beneficial for your dog; however, excessive shedding could be a telltale sign of allergies, stress, fleas or skin conditions that require further investigation. Consult your vet as soon as you detect unusual shedding; they can help pinpoint its source. Most often though, optimizing diet and keeping up a grooming routine are sufficient in keeping shedding at bay.
Wet Wipes
If your pet is shedding heavily, wet wipes made specifically for dogs may be useful in providing them with a dry bath or cleaning up dirt, dander and pollen between baths. They can even be used to wipe salt off their paws after walks in winter as well as wash their ears to eliminate pollen build-up behind their ears! Dog-specific wipes can be found at most pet stores as well as online.
Regular grooming with a brush tailored specifically to your pup’s coat type is key to keeping him or her looking and feeling their best. Regular brushing helps reduce shedding and untangle tangled hairs that cause itching, while it is important to visit a professional groomer at least twice annually as they will be able to reach those hard-to-reach places that you can’t with a regular brush.
De-shedding treatments at the groomer are another great way to minimize excess fur on your dog, by extracting loose strands while helping their fur grow back thick and healthy. This process removes loose hairs from beneath their coat while simultaneously stimulating thick growth of new growth underneath it.
Wash your pet’s bed and throw blankets regularly to maintain fresh and clean conditions for them. This can help to minimize shedding as well as keep your home free from smells or dirt build-up.
If you don’t want to wash your throw blankets frequently, using dryer sheets or wool dryer balls in the dryer may help eliminate static cling and capture pet hair as it dries. Regular grooming sessions, baths and feeding your pets a quality diet are also key in keeping their coat healthy, thus helping reduce their shedding.
Shedding is an inevitable part of life and may be frustrating for pet parents, yet it serves an important purpose. Understanding when it occurs and taking the necessary steps to groom and bathe your dog regularly as well as provide supplements will significantly decrease their shedding – keeping your house smelling good as a result!
Supplements
Your dog shedding can be very frustrating, particularly when their coat covers everything from furniture and carpeting to clothing. While there’s no way around excessive shedding altogether, there are ways you can lessen its effect and make life easier for both yourself and your pup. One effective solution is investing in a shedding brush designed specifically to minimize hair shed on floors and furniture while another option might be using a couch cover that helps limit pet hair on sofas.
If your dog is an excessive shedder, consider giving them a supplement designed to curb shedding. Many supplements contain Omega fatty acids which may help decrease fur loss by keeping skin and coat healthy; specifically Shed-X provides both marine-sourced Omega 3s as well as plant-sourced Omega 3s to provide maximum benefit to their coat and skin health.
Vet’s Best Shed+Itch Healthy Coat, available in chewable tablet form, is another top pick. This supplement stands out by including ingredients not typically seen in other shedding supplements – Yellow Dock Root and Nettle Leaf for example – to reduce shedding while soothing skin conditions and relieving itching. With excellent reviews from users and an established U.S company known for quality and effectiveness – read full review here!
No matter which supplements you decide to try, it’s essential to remember that diet and grooming remain the most effective ways to reduce shedding in dogs. Make sure your pup receives optimal nutrition by providing them with a high-quality, grain-free diet; brush their fur daily; bathe once or twice per week to further decrease shedding; if excessive hair shed is still an issue consult your veterinarian for advice.