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Remedies for Dog Shedding
While it’s healthy for a dog to lose damaged hair by shedding his coat, it can be frustrating. The frequency and amount of hair that shed depends on several factors, the main one being the breed of dog. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to stop your dog from shedding completely. However, there are some ways to help keep it to a minimum.
As the holidays are approaching and you will have friends and family over to celebrate, you don’t want them to end up with half of your dog’s hair on them when they come to visit. Today we will share with you five of the top dog shedding remedies you can do at home.
Healthy Diet
Dogs that eat a complete and balanced diet will take in the vitamins and nutrients he needs to keep his hair follicles growing strong and resilient from breakage. Some dogs benefit from feeding a supplement of omega-3 fatty acids to promote healthy hair growth. Our Alaskan Salmon Oil is a great supplement to add to your pup’s meals. Not only does it help with the shedding, but it also supports joint, heart, and immune health.
Water
Knowing how much your dog is drinking can be tricky, but if your dog is shedding more than usual, you may want to keep an eye on the water bowl. The general rule is that a dog should drink an ounce of water per pound of body weight per day. Dehydrated skin is a significant cause of hair loss and can increase the amount of loose fur you have to clean up around your home.
Grooming
Bathing your dog not only cleans his coat but also helps to remove dead hair. Vital Pet Life’s Oatmeal Aloe Shampoo includes oatmeal, aloe vera, yucca, chamomile, and jojoba oil, which will help soothe their skin and help reduce shedding.
What De-Shedding Tool Should You Use?
Standard brushes for dogs remove some shed hair, but de-shedding tools are far more effective and very common for this. They can be found in any pet store, and you’ll usually find a variety to choose from. Manufacturers make brush-like dog de-shedding tools for different coat types and lengths, along with tools for different sizes of dogs. Make sure you select the right de-shedding tool for your individual dog’s coat.
Choose the Correct Brush
The amount of time that you spend brushing your dog will vary depending on his coat type. It will take a while in the beginning, especially if they have a thick double coat. It would be best if you continued brushing until you’re not getting any more fur in the brush; this is the only way to reduce your dog’s shedding. Of course, any amount of brushing will help but the more, the better. After all, whatever fur you do manage to remove from your dog is that much less that you will have to clean up around your home.
When to See the Vet
Some medical conditions can cause excess shedding. Parasites, fungal infections, stress, or sunburn are some of the more common problems that will cause your dog to have excessive hair loss. Hormonal issues due to a thyroid imbalance can lead to inflamed skin and brittle hair. If your dog suffers from skin allergies, his chronic skin inflammation can result in itchiness. The more your dog scratches, the more hair will be pulled from his coat! Take your pup for a full checkup if he is exhibiting exceptional hair loss or is losing hair in patches.