It ’ s besides not something you can wholly “ stop ” either. Your andiron needs to shed his old hair’s-breadth so that the new hair can take its station, which is all separate of the natural hair’s-breadth growth cycle .
however, there are some in truth effective ways to stop excessive spill, minimize the sum of hair your dog drops on your floors and furniture, and make houseclean it up much easier .
And in this post, I ’ thousand going to be walking you through how to do this, so that you can spend more time enjoying your chase ’ south ship’s company, and less meter cleaning up loose fur.
Tired of cleaning up dog hair? Go here to see our top 10 de-shedding brushes of 2022 »
How To Stop Your Dog Shedding Excessively
When you boil it all down, reducing shedding by and large comes down to two things – ensuring your dog ’ s diet is optimum, and establishing a proper groom everyday. That ’ s it .
once you get these two things correct, you ’ re most of the way there. The other methods I mention in this mail either build off of these or give you extra ideas to manage the shedding .
In any subject, here ’ s an overview of the methods we ’ ll be discussing in this post :
You can click on any method listed above to skip right to it, or continue reading to learn about the different ways of reducing shedding at your own footstep .
1. Ensure Your Dog’s Diet Is Optimal
There ’ s no such thing as andiron food that completely stops shedding, but what you feed your frump can have an impingement on his overall health and wellbeing, arsenic well as how much he sheds .
And there are a couple of chief reasons for this .
first, making sure your andiron is consuming a healthy, balance diet can help ensure that he ’ mho healthy and thrive, and in turn, prevent excessive shedding caused by poor nutrition .
here ’ s what PetMD says about the importance of diet :
Each and every food in your chase ’ sulfur food has a purpose. Without adequate nutriment, your cad would not be able to maintain muscle tone, build and repair muscles, teeth, and bone, perform normal daily activities with ease or fight-off infection. Proteins provide a source of energy and help oneself with muscle routine and growth. Fats provide energy, help the mind routine, and keep the clamber and haircloth coat bright and healthy. Carbohydrates supply a reference of quick energy that allow your dog to be active and energetic. Vitamins and minerals are necessary for muscle contraction and steel conduction and they work to prevent disease .Source: petmd.com
so getting your frump ’ s diet right is identify to ensuring that both he and his coat are a healthy as potential, which in turn can help prevent unnecessary shedding .
Which frank food is best for shedding ?
There ’ s a bunch of great kibble on the market, and most of the popular brands provide at least adequate nutrition. however, some chase foods are better than others, and some are specifically made to help alleviate excessive desquamation .
For case, some cad foods contain fewer “ fillers ” like grains and rice and more high-quality protein. Others contain fewer additives, preservatives, and artificial ingredients, which can potentially lead to allergies and skin excitation. And some contain a more optimum sum of omega-3 fatty acid fatso acids, along with other vitamins and nutrients, to help with shedding .
So it pays to do your homework before deciding .
You don ’ t have to spend a luck on “ fancy ” chase food, but the food your frump consumes can make a large deviation to how much fur he drops .
Speak to your vet about which food is best for your cad, as they should be able to give you a recommendation based on your andiron ’ south individual needs. And if you want to see which ones we like, see our top-rated cad foods for shedding and buyer ’ s guidebook .
2. Try an Omega-3 Shedding Supplement
nothing takes the topographic point of a healthy, balanced diet. But there are some capital supplements out there for dogs aimed at reducing shedding that actually works .
And the most popular supplements typically include some form of omega-3 fatty acid, which is an essential fatty acid that dogs can only get through diet .
The reason Omega-3 is such a democratic append is that it ’ sulfur known to help improve a dog ’ second hide and coat, which in turn can reduce excessive spill .
And there are two different sources of omega-3 fatty acid fatso acids :
- Plant-based omega-3 and;
- Marine omega-3
Plant-based omega-3 fatty acid is derived from things like flaxseeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, and green vegetables. And it contains a type of omega-3 fatty acid known as alpha-linolenic acidic ( ALA ) which, according to healthline.com, needs to be converted by the body into eicosapentaenoic acerb ( EPA ) or docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA ) before it can be in full utilized .
Why does this matter ?
Because neither dogs nor humans are very good at converting ALA into DHA and EPA. consequently, it is by and large considered that a better beginning of omega-3 fatty acid for shedding is marine omega-3 fatty acid, which is derived from things like fish vegetable oil, seaweed, and alga since it already contains EPA and DHA .
This is probably why the majority of popular supplements on the market hold pisces oil since this is rich in EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acid. however, some supplements contain a desegregate of both plant-based and marine omega-3 fatty acid, along with early vitamins and minerals .
Like dog food, there is no accessory that can wholly stop spill, but some can be very effective, and we partake our top supplement picks in this guide .
3. Consider a Natural Home Remedy
This is exchangeable to the previous method of using a append to reduce shedding, but alternatively of buying a chew cover, condensation, or bottle of anoint, for case, you can use ingredients that are, in most cases, readily available at your local supermarket or that are already in the pantry .
Which home remedies actually work ?
There are lots of different ideas out there, and while I haven ’ t tried all of them, I have researched and/or hear some of the most park ones. And what I ’ ve establish is that the most effective are coconut oil or some form of omega-3 fatty acid ( like olive oil or fish oil for exemplar ) .
Coconut vegetable oil contains medium chain triglycerides ( MCT ) which is a type of healthy adipose tissue that can benefit dogs in a kind of ways, either as a supplement or applied to the skin locally. When it comes to shedding, however, the chief benefit is its effect of naturally moisturizing the peel .
olive petroleum and fish oil, however, both contain omega-3 fatty acid. Which, as I mentioned earlier, is an all-important fatty acid that ’ randomness good for dogs in general and that can help improve the condition of their coat. The main difference between olive petroleum and fish oil is that the early contains plant-based omega-3 fatty acid, while the latter is marine sourced omega-3 fatty acid. But both can be beneficial .
other natural home shedding remedies include essential oils such as lavender oil and chamomile oil, which have been used for thousands of years for a assortment of purposes including soothing the peel. These are considered a safe and effective shedding remedy if used correctly .
And there are many others. Whichever home remedy or supplement you decide to try though, constantly consult a stipulate veterinarian foremost. Because not all “ remedies ” people suggest are safe. And evening if they are, giving your frank besides much could lead to health problems .
See also: 6 Natural Home Remedies for Reducing Dog Shedding
4. Ensure Your Dog is Adequately Hydrated
One simple and often overlook means to reduce shedding is to ensure your dog is drinking enough water. This is super important to your chase ’ s overall health and wellbeing and can impact shedding in a kind of ways. For example, inadequate water inhalation could lead to dry skin, which in turn could lead to skin irritation, hair follicles weakening, and hair’s-breadth falling out unnecessarily .
How much urine is adequate ?
The general consensus is that dogs should be drinking approximately 1 snow leopard of water ( 1/8 of a cup ) per lumber of body weight each day. That ’ randomness merely a guide though, so if your chase is thirsty because she ’ sulfur been outside play, let her drink .
Some folks even give their pawl filtered water, which is bang-up, but vitamin a long as the water is clean and newly, tap water should be fine .
5. Bath Your Dog With a Proper Dog Shampoo
Bathing is a great way to loosen and remove the old, absolutely hairs on your chase ’ s coat, before they have a find to fill your home, and to help keep his skin and hair’s-breadth in optimum condition .
however, there are some crucial caveats to this .
inaugural, it ’ randomness significant to use a good quality shampoo that doesn ’ metric ton contain a bunch of harsh chemicals that could dry out, or irritate your frank ’ south skin. This is why I personally avoid using human shampoo and stick with using one that ’ randomness designed for dogs. Some are even designed specifically to loosen and remove the dead fur, while besides reducing future shedding .
You could even try a homemade frump shampoo, like one made from oatmeal for exercise, if you want something that ’ s in truth easy on your dog ’ s skin and one that adds moisture .
second, try to avoid over-bathing. Because tied if you ’ re using proper dog shampoo, bathing excessively frequently may diminish the natural oils on your frank ’ sulfur clamber and lead to dryness .
How frequently you should bathe your cad depends on a numeral of factors such as the breed, how messy he gets, what shampoo you ’ re using, and your own preference .
however, as a general dominion, shorter-haired dogs can be bathed less frequently than longer-haired dogs that are more prone to mats and tangles .
I personally like to bath my dogs every calendar month or therefore, unless they ’ ve gotten themselves into a messy position, which does happen from time to time – they are dogs after all ! And if they ’ ve been out for a swim, I typically rinse them in fresh water to remove any salt or residue .
In any lawsuit, bathe is a great room to manage the shed, good be selective about which shampoo you use, and how frequently you bathe to avoid drying out your chase ’ randomness skin and haircloth .
6. Brush Your Dog With the Right Brush
Brushing your dog is one of the simplest and most effective methods of reducing shedding, particularly if you use the right type of brush and establish a unconstipated brush everyday .
The independent reason for this is that, when you brush, you are removing the dead fur from your chase ’ randomness coat before it drops off. alike to bathe, this basically rids your cad of the surfeit hair before it lands on your floors and furniture .
The second, and less obvious, rationality brush is worthwhile is because it helps distribute your frump ’ s natural oils evenly over his skin. Which in change state can help promote a fitter, stronger coat that sheds less overall.
What ’ s more, most dogs enjoy being brushed, so in addition to helping with shedding, brushing can actually be a great bind experience !
Which brush should you use ?
The best brush to use depends on factors such as the distance of your pawl ’ mho coating, how heavily he sheds, and whether his hair is prone to mats, knots, and tangles .
To give you an estimate, however, a bristle brush is most desirable for dogs with shorter coats, a pin brush or glib brush is better for culture medium to long-haired dogs, and a de-shedding cock can suit virtually any coat type but is less useful for everyday brush .
here ’ s an overview of the chief types of andiron brushes :
Pin Brush: This is one of the most normally secondhand types of cad brushes, and is best for general-purpose brush of dogs with medium to retentive hair. They contain widely-spaced pins with credit card or rubber tips on the ends and look like to regular homo hairbrushes .
Bristle Brush: Bristle brushes can be used on just about any type of coat, but these are peculiarly useful for dogs with shorter coats and for “ finishing off ” a brush session in order to add polish to the coat, deoxyadenosine monophosphate well as to massage your frank ’ randomness skin .
Slicker Brush: The deceiver brush is made up of tightly packed, fine wire bristles that are slightly angled and that have rubber eraser or fictile tips on the end. It ’ s a popular, cheap brush for dogs with medium to long hair, and works well for general brush, removing mats and tangles, and removing the old fur .
Deshedding Tool: This is the most effective brush for removing the old, idle hairs from a dog ’ s coat. They are basically a tightly packed steel comb with a treat and are designed to remove the honest-to-god fur from the undercoat and greatcoat on virtually any coat type. however, they ’ re not ideal for dogs with ultra-sensitive skin and generally aren ’ t the cheapest option .
There are some other types of brushes you can use, excessively. For case, an flat coat rake, metallic element comb, or rubber hand baseball glove can besides work well depending on the dog .
The brushes I mentioned above are the main ones I use though, with the exception of the rubber bridge player hand, which can be useful if your frump doesn ’ metric ton like being brushed with a regular brush or if he has sensible peel .
How frequently should you brush ?
How often you should brush depends on the individual cad .
For exemplar, if your frump has long hair, more frequent brush may be needed to help prevent mats and knots from building up in the coat. Likewise, if your dog sheds heavily, brushing more often can help remove as much of the old fur as possible .
As a general govern, most dogs will benefit from a weekly brush routine, but you can adjust the frequency based on your cad and how a lot hair she drops .
7. Use a Dog Hair Blower
A cad hair’s-breadth electric fan is something many master groomers use as part of a comprehensive, three-part, grooming routine involving bathing, blow-dry, and brush .
It ’ s decidedly not necessity to use one of these, but if you have a heavy spill dog, like an alaskan Malamute or german Shepherd, for exemplar, these are worth every penny .
They basically look and work like a vacuum but in reverse. They are designed to blow air in a condom and effective manner, and in such a way to blast the old fur right off the coat, including the prime. Which makes them ideal for heavy shedding dogs with a blockheaded coat .
not only that, but they can save you a draw of time excessively .
specially if you use it after bathing and before brush. Because for one thing, they can save you prison term hand drying your andiron after a bathe. And second, they tend to blow so much fur off of the coat that when it comes clock time to brush, most of the study is already done .
That said, I would lone recommend an air blower if you have a intemperate desquamation frump, otherwise, it may be hard to justify the cost. And some dogs don ’ triiodothyronine like the noise, so it ’ south worth being selective about which one you get, otherwise using it efficaciously could prove difficult .
8. Take Control of Fleas
Fleas aren ’ thymine just annoying, they can actually cause nasty skin annoyance and excessive shed in dogs, specially since most dogs scratch themselves when they have fleas .
In most cases, a thoroughly flea treatment that your vet recommends should be enough to deal with this. Whether it be a flea tablet, flea shampoo, or some other type of flea treatment .
however, fleas can cause something called Flea Allergy Dermatitis ( FAD ), which is one of the most common dermatologic diseases in family dogs throughout the United States .
Believe it or not, precisely a few flea bites have the potential to cause skin irritation that can last for weeks, even after you ’ ve arrive rid of the fleas. And this, in turn, can lead to itching, excessive spill, and flush acute haircloth loss .
So it ’ mho worth getting flea under control ampere promptly as possible to avoid this. And if you notice red, patchy bald or scab, or have any concerns at all, contact a veterinarian .
9. Make Sure Your Dog Is Getting Enough Exercise
regular drill won ’ triiodothyronine stop your andiron ’ s hair from falling out, but a healthy dog is likely to develop healthier skin and hair. not to mention, adequate exercise can help reduce try and anxiety in dogs, which are linked to higher than normal levels of shedding. particularly if they become self-destructive by biting and scratching themselves as a consequence .
In any sheath, all dogs need exercise, but some need more than others, so this is naturally going to be more or less crucial depending on the engender and individual dog .
For example, English Bulldogs are known as a fairly relax breed, so a walk each day should be more than enough to keep them felicitous. Whereas Border Collies are very high-octane dogs that need lots of room to run and enough of stimulation .
so how much exercise your cad needs can vary greatly depending on the breed. Either way, exercise can help dogs thrive and reduce stress levels, which in turn may result in a fitter, stronger coat and lower levels of shedding .
10. Try a Dog Shedding Onesie
I ’ ve tried just about every type of shedding solution out there, and one of the most amusing was the dog shedding onesie, which is basically a kind of spandex bodysuit for dogs that traps in loose hair’s-breadth. It actually works excessively, but there are some pros and cons to consider .
On the plus side, it does trap the hair inside the bodysuit. so by slipping it onto your frump of sidereal day, you ’ ll probably notice less hair on your floors and furniture. It besides comes with a zip up to make it easier to toilet your cad, and they are designed to fit just about any size dog .
On the other pass, it doesn ’ t actually deal with the problem, it precisely contains it. It can besides get a little annoying slipping these on and off every day. specially if your andiron doesn ’ t like it, in which case it can become quite an unpleasant have depending on the andiron .
Either way, this may be worth trying if you ’ ve had enough and nothing else is working for you. even if you merely use it during shedding season, which typically occurs once or doubly per year depending on the breed. It ’ second simpleton, not very expensive, and it works .
11. Get a Dog Hair Vacuum Cleaner
It goes without saying that a void cleaner won ’ thymine impact how much hair your chase drops, but the correct vacuum can make a big deviation as to how much time you spend cleaning up the unleash hair, and how a lot of it you find floating around the home .
And there are a few independent reasons why getting a vacuum designed for picking up frank fur is more beneficial than using a regular matchless :
- First, the best dog hair vacs are typically more powerful than regular ones, and therefore have ample suction power to lift the dog hair from virtually any surface.
- Second, most come with attachments, like a motorized brushroll for example, to help pick up the hair from surfaces like carpet, where regular vacuums often struggle with.
- Third, good pet hair vacuums often utilize a comprehensive air filtration system that helps remove pet allergens like dander from the air. Which is particularly important if you suffer from pet allergies.
The end solution of using a good-quality cad hair vac is that you can much pick up more fur in less meter. so even though you may spend a little more, the benefits can be well worth it over time. See our crown 10 pawl hair vacuums and buyer ’ s steer to learn more .
12. Use an Air Purifier for Pet Hair and Dander
like to a void cleaner, an air purifier won ’ t actually reduce the shedding, but it can help reduce the come of dog hair and dander within the home, without you having to do anything other than set it up and clean the filters every then frequently .
This is particularly useful for people with frump allergies, excessively .
Because, as I explain in this article about air purifiers for dog hair’s-breadth, it ’ s actually the dander ( dead clamber flakes ) that causes the allergies, not the hair itself. And a proper publicize filter can not merely suck up much of the informal hair floating about but besides the dander .
not to mention, some air out purifiers are designed to reduce pooch odors, so this can be a great way to eliminate unpleasant odors in the home excessively .
The biggest drawback is that most atmosphere purifiers ( that do a decent job ) aren ’ triiodothyronine cheap, and with so many options it can be hard to know what to look for when choosing one .
But there are some great value air purifiers on the market that are ideal for andiron hair and dander, it ’ mho actually good a matter of doing your homework before buy .
13. Speak To Your Local Veterinarian
In most cases, shedding is normal. even high amounts of shedding can be normal depending on the breed, time of year, and the individual dog, among other factors. And in most cases, the tips mentioned in this post should be more than adequate to help you get it under control .
however, excessive desquamation can besides be a cause for concern .
For exemplar, things like fleas, allergies, pregnancy, stress, hide conditions, or any phone number of underlying health issues, can lead to excessive spill. thus if you have any concerns at all, contact your local veterinarian for advice. specially if you notice things like patchy shedding, inflammation, scab, and/or fetid spots on your andiron .
Bottom Line
There ’ s no quick fix direction to stop desquamation, and even if you implement the tips mentioned in this military post absolutely, you ’ re still likely to notice at least some hair’s-breadth around the base at times .
No merchandise or method acting can change this, at least not that I know of.
not flush shaving your frank ’ south haircloth can stop the spill. Which, by the way, is not a good idea, particularly if you have a double-coated dog. Because, as I explain in this chase shedding FAQ, double-coated dogs need their undercoat to help insulate and protect them from the elements .
sol, short of adopting a low shedding engender, the best thing you can do is minimize and manage the shedding to get it under manipulate vitamin a well as possible. And hopefully, with the tips we ’ ve shared in this post, you now have a a lot better idea of how to go about doing that .
