Excessive shedding can become a real issue for any pet owner. Depending on the dog breed, there are some that shed more than others. Dog owners often complain about the amount of shedding they encounter from their furry friends.
We all love our four-legged friends but constant shedding can become an issue for most and sometimes a health issue for those with allergies. Thankfully, there are lots of ways you can help prevent constant shedding. If you’re a house proud owner then it’s worth researching what dog breed is suitable and sheds less.
Fortunately, there are many things you can do to help eliminate the amount your dog sheds. If you are considering buying a dog or adopting a dog, then you must accept that all dogs shed to some extent, it’s just that some dog breeds shed more than others.
Listed below are five top tips to help stop excessive shedding.
Add A healthy oil to your dog’s diet
There are many healthy oils you can add to your dog’s diet to help keep their skin in optimum condition. Coconut oil has lots of health benefits that are beneficial to humans as well as dogs. Using coconut oil on your dog’s skin can help with itching, allergies and reduce allergic reactions. As well as helping with the annoying itch, it can also help to improve their coat making it glossy and shiny.
Flaxseed Oil is also an excellent choice to naturally treat your dog’s coat and improve their skin condition. To start with, add a very small amount to your dog’s food and after a few weeks, you will notice the improvement of your dog’s shedding.
Fish Oil can also help with your dog’s coat. Fish oil contains DHA; EPA and omega-3 fatty acids that can help treat lots of different health problems in dogs. Several vets use fish oil to help with a wide range of allergies and conditions; such as arthritis and kidney disease. Fish oil really does help with excessive shedding with dogs. If you’re unsure of how much to give your dog then it’s worth checking with the vet. As a general rule, you can give your dog a 1000mg per 30 pounds of their body weight. You should always consult your vets should you decide to give them more.
Brush your dog often
Brushing your dog on a regular basis helps keep your dog’s coat shedding to a minimum. Brushing your dog will remove most of their loose fur before it falls off and sticks to your furniture or clothes. To get the best results it is worth investing in an appropriate dog brush that will give you maximum results and also not rip or mat their coat. You can find a wide variety of dog brushes at any reputable pet shopping centre. There are different brushes that will suit the coat of different dog breeds. Speak to your local pet store for the best advice.
Keeping your dog hydrated
If your dog isn’t hydrated enough then this could result in their hair dropping out in larger quantities. Not providing your dog with fresh water will result in them becoming dehydrated and suffering from a dry mouth, as well as becoming lethargic and suffering from a loss of appetite. It can also lead to depression and excessive shedding. When your dog becomes dehydrated this can be very dangerous for their health and you must replace the minerals and potassium that they’ve lost. Speaking to your vet is the best cause of action as they can help prescribe something suitable for your dog.
Regular baths
Giving your dog frequent baths is a great way to eliminate excess hair. Normally, it’s recommended to bathe your dog twice a month with dog shampoo and conditioner. A great way to prevent access shedding and soothe your dog’s coat is to use an oatmeal shampoo. Oatmeal shampoo will gently cleanse and condition your dog’s coat and give it the nourishment it needs. If your dog’s coat tends to tangle and their fur becomes matted, the best way of maintaining their coat would be to apply an oatmeal conditioner and then gently brush through their coat removing all the excess hair and dander. After this, give your dog a gentle blow-dry and then brush them again; removing any remaining hair and dander.
Flea and worm prevention
Protecting your dog against fleas, ticks and worms should be part of their general health and wellbeing. Dogs that are left unprotected can become very unwell and develop lots of health issues, as well as thinning and balding of their coat because of constant scratching. If you’ve noticed your dog is suffering from any of these issues, then you must visit the vet immediately. You can also try home remedies to help with the itch. Lemon spray and rosemary can help alleviate the itch. A visit to your local vets will help matters and they can prescribe a suitable flea, tick and worm prevention to help protect your dog.
Finally, with any dog breed, you have to expect a certain amount of shedding. Following the above suggestions will help to eliminate excess shedding but won’t stop it completely. Another very important point to consider is that most dog breeds shed more during a change of season. To keep on top of this, give them a daily brush outdoors and increase your cleaning routine and hopefully, it will be less noticeable. On the positive side, the hair removed from your dog can be left outdoors in your local park where the birds will collect and use to help build their nests.
