Is your dog shedding all over the house? Do you not know how to control it? Are you starting to wonder if it is normal or if something is wrong with your dog? Well, read on, because we will help you understand your dog shedding behavior and solutions that you and your pooch will love.
Foremost, dogs do shed. There is nothing we can do to stop it. They need to shed to remove old and damaged hair, just like us. Even if it seems very excessive, it can be normal. There are a few factors that contribute to the amount of shedding taking place.
And thankfully there are simple solutions that you can implement in your dog’s life that will help keep the fur off your clothes, bed, and sofa. You can find the solutions below, or keep reading to understand more about your dog’s shedding behavior.
Understand Normal Dog Shedding
Breeds that shed naturally high amounts are:
- Akitas
- Bernese Mountain Dogs
- Boston Terriers
- Chow Chows
- Corgis
- German Shepherds
- Labradors
- Newfoundlands
- Siberian Huskies
These breeds do shed a little more than others, but some Corgis may shed more than other Corgis. So don’t be alarmed if your pooch sheds more than your friend’s pooch. There are other aspects to shedding, though, like the weather.
During the colder months of winter, your dog develops a warm, thick coat to survive the cold. When Spring, and warmer days, start coming back, your dog sheds this extra coat to keep cool. Extreme hot and cold spells will also increase the amount of shedding.
So it may be worth keeping track of when your dog sheds a crazy amount to understand their patterns. If they seem their usual self and are cheery, put it down as normal behavior and you probably have nothing to worry about. Except for what to do with all the extra fur lying around.
Understanding Abnormal Dog Shedding
If you are noticing any shedding behavior outside the norm, such as shedding when it is still cold or your dog is not cheery. There may be an underlining medical condition to your dog’s shedding behavior. Watch out for these symptoms:
- Skin irritation (bumps, redness, rashes)
- Bald spots
- Severely thinning coat
- Open sores
- Excessive itching or face rubbing
- Above-average licking
If these symptoms continue for several days, take your dog to your veterinarian. They will be able to determine if there is any serious medical condition that may be causing your dog’s abnormal shedding and the correct treatment.
Stepping Up Your Dog’s Nutrition
Prevention is better than cure. And proper nutrition is the best preventative measure you can take, not only for decreasing excessive shedding but for many other medical conditions.
Anyone will be able to immediately identify a dog with poor nutrition because it shows in the skin and coat. There are many aspects of nutrition that result in a healthy coat. It requires the correct amount of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (from marine and plant sources) and key vitamins and minerals.
Sulfur is a key component of collagen and keratin, the stuff that makes up the hair. So it is also worthwhile considering supplementing extra in your dog’s diet. Adding this will improve your dog’s skin and coat health.
Reduce Stress
There are so many emotional responses when we get stressed, it shows in our skin and hair. The same is true for your dog. And shedding is one way your dog may be telling you that they are stressed. Any big interruption to their normal daily lives can cause stress.
If you notice that your dog is stressed, try and reintroduce a normal and predictable daily routine back into their life. Exercise is also great at reducing stress levels. Feed them at similar times every day. And spend quality time with them doing something they enjoy.
Brush Consistently
Brushing your dog on a consistent basis, will not only help reduce and control your dog shedding excessively but also give your dog a lovely massage. So brush them regularly. This also allows you to collect all the old and damaged hair into a convenient place to throw away.
There are many brushes out there, so it is worth mentioning that certain brushes work best for different types of hair. Bristle brushes work best with short or wiry coats. Whereas pin brushes work better for long and silky-haired dogs. If your dog has double and heavy coats, consider an undercoat rake.
Regularly give your dog a bath
Giving your dog a bath allows you to rinse off all of those dead and damaged hairs that are ready to fall onto your couch. Most dogs only need a once-per-month bath. During times of higher shedding, it may be more manageable for your house cleaning to wash your dog twice a month.
There are certain shampoos that are great for improving the health of your dog’s skin and coat. This will help reduce excessive shedding and give you more quality time with your dog rather than cleaning the house.
Even though you have a better understanding of your dog’s natural shedding behavior, if you have any concerns about your dog’s shedding, visit your veterinarian. It is also important to consult them on which products to use if your dog has abnormally sensitive skin.
Here is to you having a cleaner house and a happier dog. Please share this with your friends and family.
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