How to Prevent a Mess from Your Dog's Shedding

All mammals shed, even you, but your dog is covered in hair, so when they shed, it is pretty noticeable! For pet owners, shedding can result in constant vacuuming to remove pet hair from furniture and floors, and the use of a lint roller on clothes every time you venture out in public. While there is no way to completely stop your dog from shedding, there are ways to reduce the amount your dog sheds. If you think that your dog is shedding a lot more than normal, or you just want to reduce the amount of hair in your life, read on to find out just why your dog sheds.

Causes of Dog Shedding

Shedding is the natural and normal process our bodies use to get rid of old and damaged hair. And unless your dog is a hairless breed, they are going to shed. There are many factors that can cause more shedding than usual, including the weather.

For many dogs, the shedding season happens twice a year, in spring when the winter coat is shed so that a lighter summer coat can grow in, and then again in the fall when the lighter coat sheds for the winter coat to come in. Dogs shedding more in winter isn’t common, but since seasonal shedding is triggered by the length of the days throughout the year, dogs who are kept mostly indoors often shed the same year round.

The health of your dog can also affect how much your dog sheds. Loss of hair can be exacerbated by malnutrition or a lack of a required nutrient, vitamin or mineral in your dog’s diet. Skin conditions like dry skin, dandruff and yeast infections can cause damage to the hair follicles resulting in excessive shedding. Allergies from food, pollen, dust mites or mold can cause varying amounts of hair loss in dogs, and parasites like worms, fleas or ticks can cause itching, scratching, and chewing of the hair coat. Pups can also experience more hair loss as they age.

Genetics dictates that some dogs shed more than others, which is why you may see your Lab shedding constantly while your Maltese barely leaves a hair behind. Heavy coated breeds like Labradors and Collies have double coats to withstand colder temperatures, and will shed quite a bit more than shorter, single-coated breeds. How long dog shedding lasts does depend on DNA as well, such as in the case of German Shepherds who will shed year round, regardless of season. Low-shed and hypoallergenic dogs, like Airedale Terriers, Maltese and Poodles, shed very little, and are often chosen by owners who have allergies to dog hair and dander.

So, while all dogs do shed, the amount and when they shed can vary a lot! If keeping up with the hair is a serious consideration for you, you can choose a breed that sheds less. Most likely, though, if you are reading this article, you’ve already got a shedder in your house, so what you need to know is how to keep a dog from shedding all over everything you own.

How To Prevent A Mess of Dog Hair

While you can’t prevent your dog from shedding, minimizing the amount your dog sheds can make quite a difference as to how much of a mess you have in your home and on your clothes. With a few simple strategies, you can have less fur residing in your life!

Grooming

Regularly grooming your dog is the number one thing you can do to minimize the mess from your dog’s hair. Grooming includes brushing, washing and sometimes clipping your dog’s coat, depending on the breed and your preference.

The best way to deshed a dog depends on the type of coat they have, as does the kinds of dog shedding products you’ll need. Short haired dogs generally can do fine with a once a week brushing. For smooth coated pups, like Basset Hounds and Chihuahuas, use a rubber brush to loosen the hair, followed by a bristle brush to remove it. Shedding solutions for Labradors, or other short and dense coated breeds, generally use a slicker brush or a metal comb to detangle and loosen, followed by a bristle brush.

For the long-haired pups, setting aside a few minutes a day to work on the coat will be the best way to minimize these long locks from getting all over your house. The silky coated dogs like Yorkies or Afghan Hounds do best with a slicker brush or pin brush first, then the bristle brush. Clipping around the feet is a good idea too! Those long-haired dogs whose coats always mat need some time to get all those tangles out daily with a slicker or pin brush, and then of course, a bristle brush to catch the hair. These last pups also do best when clipped regularly to prevent the mats from happening.

Brushing distributes body oils, which helps keep your dog's skin moisturized, and can reduce the amount of hair your dog loses. Moisturizing your dog's skin and hair can also be done through the occasional bath using moisturizing shampoos that are available commercially, or oatmeal shampoos that improve the hair coat and reduce itchy skin.

Diet and Health

The overall health of your dog affects their skin and hair. Providing a good, high protein diet, complete with all the right amounts of vitamins, minerals, and fats that they need, can help reduce excessive shedding. Note any allergies, and be sure to feed an appropriate food to reduce allergic reactions. Regular checkups with your veterinarian can identify and address any health concerns. Routinely using a preventative antiparasitic to prevent worm, flea and tick infestations can also decrease hair loss in your dog and prevent a host of other problems.

Best Dog Shedding Supplements

While there is debate among the veterinary community about what kinds of supplements actually benefit hair and skin health, many believe that excessive shedding can be caused by a diet too low in dietary fats. Adding such good fats as fish oil for dogs can reduce shedding by nourishing the skin and hair. Omega fatty acids, flax seed, olive oil, or extra virgin coconut oil can all be beneficial to your dog’s coat health. Brewer’s yeast contains omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, as well as biotin and B vitamins, which are also good for skin and coat. Talk with your veterinarian about what would best suit your dog, and how much to add to your dog’s diet.

Spending time keeping your canine best friend brushed and healthy not only keeps the hair out of your house, but it also makes that bond you have with them even stronger. With a little patience, you will soon see your efforts rewarded, and your carpets and clothes a lot less furry!