Looking to reduce dog shedding to help keep your home as clean as possible? Are you pulling your hair out because your dog’s hair seems to be everywhere? If so, don’t worry — there are a lot of ways pet owners can rid themselves of excessive dog hair. If they are shedding due to scratching, you may want to read about some dog itching remedies.
Before we get started, I want to mention: If your dog is shedding more than they should, you there could be something wrong. Keep reading for a few ways to tell how much shedding is too much — and a few easy at-home dog shedding “fixes.”
Info For Pet Owners: How Much Shedding Is Normal? What Dog Breeds Shed The Most?
Some dogs shed more during certain times of the year. For instance, certain dog breeds shed during the spring to get rid of their thicker, winter coats. That way, they’ll be nice and cool for the warmer months. Then, when the weather gets cooler, their warm-weather coats will thicken up again.
Now, there are some dog breeds that are more prone to this type of seasonal shedding, including shelties and collies. They will often lose fur in big bunches when it’s time to shed. Other breeds, like German Shepherds, will shed no matter what the calendar says.
Regardless of what type of breed you have (except maybe a hairless dog), shedding is going to be part of your life as a pet owner. You can expect to have to deal with this on a regular basis. But there are ways to deal with this issue and keep excess shedding to a minimum.
Control Shedding At The Source: Brushing, Diet, And Other Methods For Controlling Dog Hair
In order to keep excessive dog shedding at bay, you’ll want to have the right grooming tools. The most important tool in most cases is a brush.
Brushing
Choosing the right brush will depend on what kind of dog you have. For example, shorter-haired dogs, like pugs and beagles, will benefit from a regular bristle brush, which you can find at your local pet store. You can also find “brushing gloves” that have bristles build right into the palm, so you can remove excess hair just by petting your pup.
Brushing your dog will not only get rid of the loose fur, but it will also distribute the natural oils in your dog’s skin. This can help your dog maintain a healthy coat.
If you have a collie, a Pomeranian, or another breed of dog with a longer coat, consider using a slicker brush. This is a brush that reaches farther down the coat to grab loose fur from the undercoat. You’ll want to spend a good amount of time brushing to get out as much fur as possible. When large amounts of hair stop collecting on the brush with each stroke, you’ll know you’re about done.
When your dog’s shedding is at its worst, you may need a more specialized tool, such as a shedding tool or a coat rake. These should be available at your local pet store as well. Whatever tool you use, be careful if you run across any matting in your dog’s fur. You can use a steel comb or a mat splitter to gently get rid of any serious tangles and mats, and remember to be gentle.
Other Methods To Control Loose Hair In Your Home
There are a few other things you can do to help keep dog hair in check. One of the easiest is to use furniture covers around your home. They’ll collect fur so that it doesn’t settle into your favorite couch or chair. You can then wash the covers to remove the hair quickly and easily.
Regular baths may also help with excess shedding. Whether you do it yourself or use a groomer, regular bathing can help keep your dog’s coat shiny and healthy. It will also loosen up a lot of the fur that would normally get on your furniture and flooring.
And finally, you can vacuum your floors frequently. That will go a long way toward helping to keep the loose dog fur under control.
Does diet affect shedding?
You might not think dog food would have an impact on the amount of dog hair in your home, but it could make a major impact.
Feeding your pet a high-quality diet means providing all the nutrients a dog needs to keep their coat looking its best. It can affect the amount of shedding that occurs and the quality of your dog’s coat and their overall health. 1 Of course, always talk to your vet about
changing your dog’s diet to help with shedding issues.
Excessive Dog Shedding In Your Home? Know When To See Your Dog’s Vet About Potential Skin Problems
If the above remedies for dog shedding don’t work, and it seems your dog is shedding more than normal, it might be time to talk to your vet. There may be a medical reason behind your pet’s excessive dog shedding.
Take Action
There’s no reason why you should experience the frustration of too much loose hair in your home. By taking a few simple steps, you can greatly reduce the shedding and frustration. If you have any questions or need further advice on how to control your dog’s shedding, don’t hesitate to reach out to your vet. They know your dog best!
Learn More:
Sources
1- Watson, T. (1998). Diet and Skin Disease in Dogs and Cats. The Journal Of Nutrition, 128(12), 2783S-2789S. doi: 10.1093/jn/128.12.2783s.
