If hair in the house is a constant struggle for you, you are not alone.
Luckily, we’re here to help. Although some dog breeds simply shed more than others, there are some tips you can try to keep shedding to a minimum.
The first defense toward shedding is a proper diet. A balanced diet that rich in nutrients and high quality ingredients should combat excess shedding more than a lower quality diet. Better diets are full of Omegas 3 and 6, which are acids that helps build a healthy, shiny, coat, as well as rid allergies that may be causing your dog’s skin to act up and shed its coat more frequently. If you’re unsure about changing your dog’s diet, there are different Omega 3 and 6 supplements you can add to their food to make sure they’re still getting the fatty acids that they need. Keep in mind that although a good supplement or food can help to stop excess shedding, it won’t stop stop it altogether, as shedding is a natural part of your pet’s being.
Proper grooming can also help get rid of excess hair and dead skin. Brushing your pet more frequently will keep the hair to a minimum, versus doing it every few weeks and having to deal with an explosion of hair bigger than the pet itself. There are a variety of different brushes and deshedding, tools you can invest in depending on the type of hair your dog has, and these will work by targeting the undercoat and removing any dead hair before it has the chance to fall out onto your floor. Deshedding tools work the best on dog breeds with double coats, such as Huskies or German Shepherds. On dogs with shorter hair, rubber tipped brushes or even grooming gloves attract the shorter hairs and pull them off the skin before they fall out.
Regular bathing is important in combating shedding as well. Alongside dead hair and skin, dogs get a lot of dirt, dander, and excess oils caught in their coats, which will all fall out with their hair and go all over your house if not properly bathed. This is why bathing is important, as if not only cleans the fur and skin, but makes sure that the dirt, grime, and dead hair goes down the drain and not all over your new sofa. Dogs really don’t need to bathe more than once a month as long as they’re being brushed, but if you notice excess dirt or dry skin, it doesn’t hurt to clean them.
In cases of extreme measures, as some dogs just shed like crazy, dog sweaters/ shirts work a bit to catch the shedding hair. Although this option doesn’t stop the shedding, it catches most of the hair inside the shirt so that it doesn’t fall onto your floor.
As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to your local pet store if you have questions on this or any pet related topic.