You will hardly find a dog that does not shed. The quantity varies between different breeds and conditions, but shedding is indeed a natural part of a dog’s life. It is important for maintaining the health of their fur and skin, and dogs usually handle their shedding by themselves. This, however, is inconvenient for the owner due to the amount of fur certain breeds can shed per day.
There is no way that you can actually stop a dog from shedding. It is in its nature and is critical to sustaining good coat health. Furthermore, unless it sheds, new fur cannot grow and replace the old. The problem associated with this is the mess that is caused throughout the household. Do not be surprised if you end up finding dog fur even on newly washed clothing. Unless you take matters into your own hands, the problem will persist. This article suggests multiple methods that you can adopt in order to reduce excessive shedding.
The Reasons Behind Shedding in Dogs
The primary reason why dogs shed their fur is that it has stopped growing and needs to be replaced. The coat is extremely important for them as it prevents intense sunlight and heat from damaging the vital internal organs. Additionally, a thick coat protects the dog from external injuries like an attack from a predator or physical hits taken during outdoor excursions.
There are mainly three reasons behind shedding: the breed, the health conditions, and the surrounding atmosphere. Make no mistake: these factors generally regulate the amount being shed, not shedding as a whole. Dogs will shed no matter what, as it is in their nature. However, as dog owners, you do have to make sure the shedding is not out of control.
Certain dog breeds like the labrador retriever and German shepherd are double-coated. During the spring and fall seasons, these large breeds tend to start shedding their undercoats. This is completely a seasonal occurrence for these breeds which their owners have to keep a close eye on.
Furthermore, dogs living in severe tension and stress are usually in danger of over-shedding. While there are no straightforward methods of rapidly fixing this problem, getting professional help is the first step. Welovedoodles.com contains a vast collection of information regarding dog shedding that you can use. You can find specific solutions to almost any type of dog breeding and grooming issues from this source. In fact, you can get direct guidance from experts through this channel.
Lastly, shedding can be increased by underlying skin issues in a dog. The situation can turn so severe that your dog might start losing hair drastically, leading to alarming bald patches. Parasites and fungal infestations also contribute to shedding. Some of the most common ones include lice, mites, fleas, ringworm, and a few more. A dog suffering from such conditions will visibly look agitated and will start to scratch and ruin its own coat, leading to excessive shedding in the process. In fact, even the food dogs consume can increase shedding. Anything that induces allergies in a dog is, generally, harmful for its coat.
The Methods to Reduce Excessive Shedding in Dogs
There are various methods to reduce dog shedding that are highly effective, and in some cases, mandatory. Below is a detailed list of ways that you can take control of the shedding for good.
Use the Right Brush for Grooming
Regular brushing is arguably the most effective method of dog grooming and is common among most breeds. However, you need to follow the right methods and use the right equipment for proper results. The biggest problem associated with shedding is the fact that the fur seems to get everywhere. These creatures are very mobile and tend to visit every corner of the house every day and leave a bunch of coat hair behind. This is very annoying to clean and risks health hazards for people with allergies. Brushing removes the dead fur from the coats, which can then be deliberately cleaned in one attempt.
Furthermore, the skin of a dog contains various oils and chemicals that are beneficial to it. Regular brushing helps to spread these evenly all over the coat, which contributes to its overall health and reduces shedding down the line. Think of brushing sessions as the time solely dedicated to showing love for your beloved pet.
While there is a wide assortment of brush options that you can choose from, the ideal brush usually depends on the type and length of the fur. Dogs with short fur can be brushed with a bristle brush, which can provide a fine shine to the coat after the brushing is done. It can also be used to massage the skin and provide comfort to the dog in times of stress.
Pin brushes, on the other hand, are suitable for brushing longer fur due to the wide partitions between the pins, and can also be used by humans. Slicker brushes work in the same way, including having the added benefit of untangling messy portions of the coat.
Finally, a de-shedding tool can be used to remove all forms of dead fur from the coat. This is not a typical hairbrush but is a piece of specialized equipment with concentrated pins designed to scrape and remove the dead hair from great depths. Coats with complex tangles and knots can be made smooth using the de-shedding tool. Make sure you know what you need depending on the condition of your heavy-shedding dog.
Bathe Your Dog Frequently
While the exact frequency may vary, it is indeed essential to give your dog regular baths. This keeps their coats unsoiled and reduces the chances of disease-causing parasites leeching on them. Additionally, the skin remains hydrated and the essential oils are spread proportionally all over the coat. Try using a specialized shampoo that can help slacken the dead fur, making it easy to brush off after the bath. Make sure you brush your dog before the bath as well. This will remove all the detached fur before it gets a chance to soak in the water and be harder to remove. Certain brands of human shampoo can cause irritation to the eyes of a dog. Thus, it is always better to avoid such products.
Furthermore, as mentioned above in this article, the skin of a dog contains various chemicals that are beneficial for the coat. Excessive bathing can begin to remove these over time. This causes skin dryness, which further promotes shedding. Bath duration is also important. Try giving longer baths to long-haired dogs, and shorter sessions to the others. Properly bathing your dog, using the right shampoo, can go a long way toward reducing shedding.
Ensure Adequate Hydration and a Healthy Diet
The healthy fur on a dog’s coat is actually living and needs proper nutrition to stay that way. The necessary nutrients need to be provided to them through their diet. Make sure your dog gets sufficient amounts of nutrients and vitamins. Over time, this should reduce the shedding significantly. If no change is seen even after transitioning into a healthy diet, pay a visit to the veterinarian or get help from experts.
Additionally, your dog should be kept adequately hydrated. A lack of water can cause the skin to dehydrate and lose moisture from the surface. This increases shedding as the fur starts to detach from the roots due to the dryness of the region. The dog might start feeling irritation on the skin and try to scratch, which makes matters even worse. Depending on the size and external conditions, a dog needs water in profuse amounts every day. Make sure you provide that and let it stay healthy and active.
Pay Your Regular Veterinarian a Visit
Dogs are living beings who may have a number of complex disorders that are hard to figure out from the outside. You may be following all the aforementioned methods but without any real progress. This is when you should seriously consider paying the vet a visit. These professionals can use high-end equipment to locate any underlying health concerns and prescribe accordingly. We suggest you never give the dog any medicine on your own, as it is extremely dangerous to do such a thing without any form of expertise.
Final Thoughts
The 19th-century American humorist Josh Billings once said, “A dog is the only thing on Earth that loves you more than you love yourself.” This is indeed an accurate assessment, and a lesson should be learned from it. We should leave no stone unturned to care for our pets simply because they love us so much. Dogs do not like the feeling of excessively shedding fur wherever they go. As owners, it is our responsibility to keep them clean and healthy!