How to make my dog shed less? This is every dog owner’s question unless they have non-shedding pooches. It’s important to know that shedding is a natural course that dogs go into. This is their way of removing old fur to grow new ones – much like how we, humans, shed hair. However, the problem starts when the shedding becomes too much or beyond manageable for the owner.
Some dog breeds shed all year long while there are some that shed the most during a specific season. Both of these can be daunting for owners, especially for newbie ones who don’t have experience in removing the excess fur.
When is shedding considered to be “too much”
As said earlier, shedding is usually normal especially if such thing is associated with the dog’s breed. There are dogs that shed year-round as a part of their hair follicle’s normal cycle. Although it’s easy to conclude that long-haired dogs will shed more, it’s the lifespan of their hair shaft that will determine how fast they will shed.
The likes of Poodle and Maltese have hair shafts with a longer lifespan, the reason why they are considered to be less shedding breeds.
On the other hand, we have the so-called shedding season. Some dogs will shed heavily during the Fall and Spring seasons. This is due to the temperature change that the dogs experience. But it’s not just about discarding the fur. Dogs usually shed more during the said seasons to remove their thick winter coats and give way to a lighter summer fur. And when winter nears, the dogs will discard their undercoats and grow thicker fur.
But when is it time to visit the vet? Well, it’s advisable to visit the vet regularly to keep up with the health of your pet. But if the shedding starts to form bald patches and your dog becomes lethargic, it might be a sign of a lingering illness.
How I can manage it?
It’s fact that you can’t stop your dog from shedding, but there are ways to minimize it and keep it manageable. Here are some steps that you can follow:
1. Brush regularly
Don’t wait for the fur to fall off and stick to your precious couch. Brush your pet with a de-shedding tool to remove the excess fur that is about to be discarded. For thick-coated breeds, twice a day is the rule of thumb but it could be less depending on the extent of hair fall.
2. Give him a bath
Dogs aren’t supposed to take a bath daily. Some vets recommend a maximum of once a week depending on the case at hand. Bathing will help remove the fur plus you can flush it out without the mess. And since the fur is wet, it would be easier to dispose of.
Pro tip: Use the best dog shampoo for shedding. Below, we reviewed two amazing options that suit a variety of breeds.
3. Brush again
Remember, brushing is your friend during the shedding season. Once the coat of your dog dries, run another brushing session with a dryer as an option. More hair will likely fall off during this point and brushing will prevent it from sticking to house corners.
4. Clipping as a choice
Take note that shaving your dog for the sake of evading shedding is a no-no. It will compromise the health of your pet and there’s a chance that their fur will no longer grow back normally. How to make my dog shed less? Consider clipping instead. This is a process of thinning the fur to reduce the shedding. It’s best to let a vet or groomer do this so your dog gets the advisable level of clipping that isn’t too short for its breed.
5. Provide proper nutrition
One reason why dogs shed incessantly is the lack of nutrients that support coat health. Don’t buy the cheapest food option because it’s stripped of important nutrients necessary for your pet’s health. Premium brands could be expensive, but its nutritional profile would be impressive.
For more tips on how to manage dog shedding, here’s a video from Dr. James Talbott of Belle Forest Animal Hospital and Kennel:
Best dog shampoo for shedding
Furminator DeShedding Premium Dog Shampoo
A blend of fatty acids, papaya leaf extract, and calendula oil extract, this dog shampoo is guaranteed to moisturize the hair follicles of your pet. It helps to remove the dead undercoat without the need for another brushing session. Just lather and let it stay on your dog’s coat for at least five minutes before rinsing. The dead undercoat will be removed without damaging the top coat.
Focus on the areas with the densest hair, but make sure your doggo is at least six months old. Aside from being a de-shedding shampoo, it’s also an excellent regimen to keep the natural luster and fluffiness of the dog’s fur. This is actually what the groomers use when they can’t shave the dogs – effective and 100% safe.
Wahl Dog Shampoo for Shed Control
If you want a concentrated shampoo that will lather half like a bath bomb, the Wahl Dog Shampoo will be great. It has a lemony scent which isn’t too overpowering. It has coconut oil, fatty acids, aloe vera, lemongrass extracts, and more natural ingredients to remove the dead hair and support the growing ones.
It’s best to use warm water when using this shampoo for the best result. If you have a white dog, it will make him sparkly clean without any stains from his outdoor mischief. Just take note that this isn’t a shampoo for flea control, but the best dog shampoo for shedding.
How to make my dog shed less? I followed the aforementioned steps and paired it with the right shampoo product. The result? Less shedding and a clean and great smelling pooch.
