Contrary to popular belief, all dogs shed; in fact, shedding is a normal and healthy part of the hair growth cycle, where the old hair is removed to make room for the new. However, pet owners still find it frustrating despite this. It can seem like an endless struggle to keep dog fur off of your clothes, furniture, and flooring!
When it comes to the amount of shedding you have to deal with, breed matters. For instance, while Alaskan Malamutes blow their entire coats twice a year, other breeds, such as the Italian Greyhound or French Bulldog, shed much less frequently. Although regular maintenance is still crucial for their long-term health, they don’t require as frequent grooming.
Generally speaking, breeds with a double coat shed the most. The Border Collie is one of the breeds with the most long hair, making it one of the worst shedders.
The insulation in your dog’s coat keeps them warm in the winter and cool in the summer, helping to regulate their body temperature. Additionally, it shields their skin from water, sunlight, and extreme temperatures. To stop a double-coated dog from blowing its coat, you should never shave it. Many well-intentioned dog parents mistakenly believe that shaving their double-coated breed will help them stay cool.
Even though your dog will always shed, you can take some preventative steps to manage it. Here are four tried and true tips recommended by experts:
Feed Your Dog a Healthy Diet
A dog will get the vitamins and nutrients they need to keep their hair follicles growing strong and resistant to breakage if they eat a complete and balanced dog food. Some dogs benefit from taking dietary supplements of omega-3 fatty acids to support joint, heart, and immune health in addition to promoting healthy hair growth. Consult your veterinarian before giving your dog supplements to find out the advantages for your dog.
It can be difficult to gauge how much your dog is drinking, but if they are shedding more than usual, you might want to keep an eye on their water bowl. A dog should generally drink one ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. This indicates that a 10-pound dog requires slightly more than a cup of fresh water. The amount of loose fur you have to clean up around the house can easily increase due to dehydrated skin, which is a major contributor to hair loss.
Cover Your Furniture and Car Seats
Upholstery is a magnet for pet hair. Throws keep your furniture looking (and smelling) better and increase the invitingness of your home for visitors. Additionally, car seat covers are a wise purchase that is strongly advised.
Consult your veterinarian to ensure that your pet is receiving the right allergy treatment. Use bioSpot SPOT ON or Advantage to prevent and control infestations in order to stop the itching and scratching that comes from fleas.
Be thorough when vacuuming (no one said it would be simple). One of the best ways to keep your house hair-free is to vacuum frequently.
Follow These 8 Steps To Minimize Shedding In Your Dog
1. Brush frequently. To reduce excessive shedding, brush your dog more frequently to remove more hair. Brush your dog at least twice weekly during the fall and spring shedding seasons—more if you have the time. Use a grooming tool made specifically to remove shedding hair if your dog has a double coat, which is common in breeds like Pomeranians, Siberian Huskies, Corgis, and Shetland Sheepdogs, to name a few.
2. Bathe often. Regular baths for your dog are a great way to remove extra hair. Heavy shedders should take COWBOY MAGIC® Rosewater Shampoo baths twice a month, followed by COWBOY MAGIC® Rosewater Conditioner. Prior to getting him wet, be sure to thoroughly brush your dog and remove as much of his hair as you can. If your dog’s fur is prone to matting, use COWBOY MAGIC® Detangler & ShineTM after the bath.
3. Blow dry. After giving your dog a bath, towel-dry him before using a hair dryer to blow-dry his coat with warm air, not hot air. You can use a brush as you dry your dog to assist in removing any loose hair as the coat becomes drier. To remove as much hair as possible, make sure to brush from the skin outward. Once your dog is no longer damp, continue brushing and drying him.
4. Brush after drying. Dry your dog completely, then give him another thorough brushing. At this stage of the procedure, a lot more hair will come out. If you don’t get this hair now, you’ll find it on your carpet, so get it now!
5. Consider clipping. Consider getting your dog’s coat clipped if you live in a warm climate or have hot summers and he has a thick, excessive coat that sheds frequently. Take him to a professional groomer and have his coat cut short to lessen the amount of hair that naturally falls out.
6. Give supplements. Omega 3 fatty acid addition to your dog’s diet may help you minimize shedding. You can purchase a product made for pets at pet supply stores, online, or by asking your veterinarian for an Omega 3 supplement made especially for dogs. Omega 3 fatty acids not only lessen shedding but also promote healthy skin and other health advantages.
7. Don’t skimp on food. Feeding your dog high-quality dog food can help keep loose hair to a minimum because good nutrition reduces shedding. Buy the most expensive food you can for your dog. You get what you pay for when it comes to dog food. Better ingredients are used in premium brands, which results in better nutrition for your dog. Additionally, make sure to buy products that list an animal protein as the first ingredient, such as chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, or fish.
8. See a vet. Your dog may be experiencing a health issue if he appears to be losing hair in patches or in excess. Dogs who have skin conditions, allergies, or even cancer may shed excessively. Have your veterinarian examine him; they might be able to identify any underlying problems and reduce dogs’ shedding.
In addition to attempting to reduce dog shedding, there are many other things you can do to keep your home free of pet hair. Use lint rollers on your clothing, frequently vacuum your home, and cover your dog’s favorite furniture with washable blankets. Consider changing your flooring, too. Your dog’s hair will stick to any carpet you have and accumulate over time. If you have a dog that sheds, it’s easiest to have tile or hardwood floors.
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