How to Stop or Minimize Excessive Shedding in Dogs

While some breeds of dogs don’t shed at all or only very little, there are others who can end up covering everything in your home in fur. This can start to drive you crazy, especially if your dog is a year-round shedder.

While there is no way to completely stop shedding altogether, you can practice a few simple habits that will drastically cut down on the problem so that it’s manageable. We’ll give you a few suggestions in this article to help you manage excessive shedding in dogs:

Regular Grooming

Brushing your dog’s coat regularly is the absolute best way to control shedding. By brushing, you are removing all the dead fur that would normally fall onto your upholstery with the brush.

Depending on how excessively your dog sheds, regular brushing could mean just once a week or it could mean a daily routine. The more often you brush, the less fur you’ll find around your house. We recommend putting a tarp or old blanket down while you brush so that you can easily clean up the hair afterward.

Monitor Their Diet

Just as a healthy diet is important for you, it’s also important for your pooch. Look for quality dog foods made with healthy ingredients. Avoid foods with corn and soy fillers. A diet high in healthy proteins and fats will help improve your dog’s coat and minimize shedding.

Most dog foods aren’t particularly high in fat so you can supplement by adding fish oil or other healthy oil to your dog’s food. If a dog has loose stool consider adding a probiotic to their diet.

Clean Carpets and Upholstery Regularly

The longer hair stays on a couch or in the carpet, the more time it has to work its way into the fibers of the fabric. That makes it more difficult for you to remove it. Fur that has been shed recently is still lying loose on the surface so you vacuum it up or brush it away more easily.

Take Your Dog for Regular Check Ups

While shedding is a perfectly normal thing for dogs to do, excessive shedding can be a sign of certain health problems like allergies or other illnesses. By taking your dog for checkups every 6 months, you can make sure you catch any health problems early on.

A healthy dog will shed less than an unhealthy dog so these regular checkups to keep your dog healthy is not only good for your pooch, but also good for your upholstery!

By making these simple changes to your routine, you can help control shedding AND make sure your dog is as healthy and happy as possible. That’s the perfect win-win situation!

---

Also in Blog

Does Your Dog Dance in Shoes?!

Everyone loves a good dog shoe video! Sometimes we all need a belly laugh. However, after the first few initial awkward steps and some extra treats your pup will adjust. Don't forget to hit record just in case your pup reacts like some of these dogs in dog booties!

View full article →

Protect Your Dog's Paws From the Dangers of Rock Salt

The first snowfall of the year can be a mixed bag of joy and pain for dog owners. On the one hand, a fluffy pile of snow could be heaps of fun for pets - jumping and diving in cool, cushiony fluff. On the other, snow generally implies ice and ice-melting chemicals, like rock salt.

View full article →

What Happens If My Dog Eats Grapes?

Dogs can strike quickly when a chance for a free snack arises, and it can often lead to an upset stomach and even the need for medical intervention. Most owners are aware of the troubles brought about by the consumption of chocolate, but not as many know about grape and raisin toxicity.

View full article →