Sharing our homes with our fur friends is fun. What is not so much fun is how much hair our dogs leave around the house. It can be frustrating to see dog hair all over your home. Even if you keep your dog off the sofas, dealing with dog hair is part of living with a dog.
Dog hair all over your home can be a nightmare. However, there is hope. Here we will talk about several simple ways we can manage your dog’s fur and the amount of hair our furry friends leave behind.
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- Why Do Dogs Shed Their Fur?
- Can You Stop Your Dog From Shedding?
- Managing Your Dog’s Shedding
- Is Your Dog Shedding Excessively?
- Conclusion
Why Do Dogs Shed Their Fur?
There are several reasons why dogs shed their hair. However, it’s important to understand why dogs have fur in the first in first place. The role hair plays for a dog is actually more important than you might think.
The most main purpose of a dog’s fur coat is for protection. A dog’s fur protects their skin against the sun. It also helps to protect the skin from other environmental elements.
At a certain point, their hair stops growing. Eventually, their hair grows too old or the seasons change. At this point, dogs will shed any unwanted hair and it will be replaced with new hair.
Replacing Old And Damaged Hair
Dogs are continuously growing their hair until it’s time to replace it. Shedding is their natural process to get rid of any old or damaged hair. This allows a dog to replace their old hair with new and more healthier hair.
When Seasons Change
Some dogs even shed when the season changes. Depending on the breed, some dogs will shed their fur when the weather changes. Some breeds will start to grow thicker coats in the winter and will start to shed their fur in the spring.
Can You Stop Your Dog From Shedding?
Shedding is a normal process that dogs use to take care of their fur. In fact, shedding keeps your dog’s fur healthy by replacing old hair with new hair. Dogs also want to get rid of any extra hair when it gets too hot.
Not all dogs shed the same. Some dogs shed more than others and the amount of hair they shed depends on their breed type.
So, while you cannot stop your dog from shedding, there are several ways to reduce and control the amount of hair your dog sheds.
Managing Your Dog’s Shedding
Although you cannot stop your dog from shedding, there are several ways to control the amount of fur your dog sheds and decrease the amount of dog hair in your home. By just implementing some simple practices and routines you will be able to manage your dog’s shedding.
After all, the more you can control how much your dog sheds, the less dog fur you will find around the home.
Proper Grooming Can Improve Your Dog’s Fur
One of the most essential ways to control dog shedding is by keeping your dog’s fur well-maintained. This involves brushing your dog’s fur on a daily basis. Frequent brushing will loosen and remove any loose and unhealthy hair. It also helps to keep your dog’s fur looking more smooth and vibrant.
It’s recommended to brush your dog’s fur before and after you take a bath. Come up with a brushing schedule for daily brushing. The more you commit to your brushing schedule, the more you will be able to remove any dead and unwanted hair.
A high-quality brush is required to help get rid of any loose dog hair. Getting the right grooming tools will depend on your dog’s breed type.
It’s a good idea to consult with your veterinarian or a professional dog groomer about your dog’s fur condition before buying a grooming tool to help reduce shedding.
Give Your Dog A Bath
Giving your dog bath also contributes to keeping your dog cleaned and their fur well-maintained. Daily baths help to remove dead and unwanted hair.
When giving your dog a bath, always use shampoo that is made for dogs. Regular human shampoo is not designed to be used on dogs and can even wash away protective, essential oils that your dog’s fur needs to stay healthy. Use a high-quality shampoo when giving your dog a bath that can moisturize and hydrate your dog’s fur and skin.
Not all shampoos are the same. Choose a shampoo with good natural ingredients, such as oatmeal, aloe vera, vitamins, and herbal proteins. Avoid shampoos with artificial fragrances. Buying shampoo with high-quality ingredients is worth it for your dog and help keep your dog’s fur healthy.
Keep in mind that different breeds require different bath schedules. Some dog breeds cannot be bathed as often as other dog breeds. The last thing you want to do is to over-bath your dog. Over-bathing can cause dry skin which can cause excessive shedding.
Consult with your veterinarian about how often you should be giving your dog a bath and what is the best type of shampoo to use on your dog. If your dog has sensitive skin, this might mean you cannot give your dog as often and may require a special kind of shampoo.
Do not forget to brush your dog’s hair before and after you give your dog a bath.
Nutrition Affects How Much Your Dog Sheds
A healthy and proper diet leads to a healthy lifestyle for your dog. It’s also a good start towards healthier fur. It’s also one of the best ways to reduce excessive shedding.
Most premium brands make their dog food with high-quality ingredients. Better quality ingredients mean better nutrition for your dog. So, although premium brands may seem expensive, high_quality dog food is worth it for your dog. After all, your dog deserves the best.
An unhealthy diet, on the other hand, can have negative effects on your dog’s health and the appearance of your dog’s fur. Dandruff and excessive shedding are just some of the negative effects that are caused by an unbalanced and poor quality diet.
It’s always recommended to talk to your veterinarian to find out which is the best diet for your dog. This is especially important if your dog has allergies or sensitive stomachs. Your veterinarian is the most valuable resource for finding the perfect diet for your dog.
Dehydration can also cause your dog’s hair and skin to become dry. Dry skin can lead to excessive shedding. Make sure your dog has easy access to clean, fresh water at all times.
Supplements Can Improve The Quality Of Your Dog’s Fur
There are also supplements currently on the market that you can give to your dog to help with improving the quality of fur.
However, talk to your veterinarian before giving your dog any supplements. Your veterinarian should be able to tell which supplements are appropriate to give your dog. Consulting with your veterinarian will help keep your dog safe
Omega-3 fatty acid dietary supplements are the most common supplement to improve the quality of dog fur. Omega-3 fatty acids have been known to help with dry skin and dander.
Although omega-3 can be bought in capsules or in powder form, omega-3 is a natural ingredient in fish, such as in salmon and tuna. You can ask your veterinarian to see which omega-3 products are best for your dog.
Is Your Dog Shedding Excessively?
Shedding is a normal and natural process for dogs. Some dog breeds actually shed a lot more than other dog breeds. However, excessive shedding is not normal and may require some medical attention.
Keep in mind that the amount of hair your dog sheds depends on your dog’s breed. Some dogs shed more than others. For example, German Shepherds are known to shed heavily. If you think your dog is shedding more than usual, take your dog your veterinarian to see if there’s a problem.
What Would Cause My Dog To Shed Excessively?
Shedding is a normal process for dogs. The amount your dog sheds will depend on the breed of your dog. However, excessive shedding is not normal and may require some medical attention.
As mentioned before, poor quality nutrition is just one problem that can contribute to excessive shedding. However, there are other common issues that may cause your dog to shed excessively.
Allergies
An allergic reaction is known to cause your dog’s hair to fall out. It can cause a chronic inflammation which can lead to itching and damage to the skin. An allergic reaction can be caused by:
- A new shampoo or soap
- Medications
- Pest Bites (fleas, ticks)
- An ingredient in their dog food
- Something in the household or the environment (sofa, carpet, or dog bed).
It might take some time to find the right kind of food or which shampoo is best for your dog. However, do not give up. With the help of your veterinarian, you eventually find which products are best for your dog and avoid products your dog is allergic to.
Stress
Dogs have emotions. They can feel happy, sad, and even stress. The amount of hair your dog sheds can increase due to anxiety and stress. Stress is usually caused by a major change in their life or environment. This could include:
- A new pet or person was added to the home.
- Recently moved into a new home or environment.
- A person or pet was removed from the home. For example, the death of a person or pet.
- A change to a daily routine.
The emotional well-being of our dogs is very important, but sometimes it can be over-looked. Keep an eye out on your dog’s behavior to see if something is causing them stress. Provide them with daily routines that run at the same time every day. For example, walk your dog
Talk with your veterinarian about any stressful behavior you suspect dog feeling or if any changes major changes have occurred. Keep in eye out for any stressors in your dog’s environment and try to remove them.
Keep in mind that visits to the veterinarian can also cause your dog to experience stress. Come up with a routine that lowers stress and anxiety for vet visits for your dog.
Hormones
There are some hormonal conditions that can affect the rate of hair loss in dogs. For instance, thyroid imbalances, such as hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease can cause hair loss in dogs.
Too little or too much production of testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone can also cause abnormal shedding.
Pregnancy and lactation can also have some hormonal effects that make dogs lose their hair more frequently. Dogs often shed their fur after birth and even during nursing.
There are just some of the reasons why your dog may be shedding more than usual. However, your veterinarian is the best resource to help determine what’s going on with your dog’s fur.
Conclusion
Although we can’t completely stop dogs from shedding, there are several ways to manage it and keep your dog’s fur coat healthy.
Brush your dog regularly with a high-quality brush so you can help get rid of any loose and unwanted hair. This helps with your dog’s hair being cleaner and softer.
Regularly give your dog a bath and use high-quality dog shampoo. You can brush your dog’s fur before and after you give your dog a bath to help your dog’s fur be well-maintained.
Make sure to feed your dog with good quality food and provide your dog with clean water so they are always hydrated. Talk with your veterinarian about any supplements your dog can take that can help with the quality of your dog’s fur.
If you think your dog is shedding excessively, take your dog to your veterinarian as soon as you can. They can best determine the reasons for excessive shedding and what steps to take to keep your dog healthy.
