All dogs shed. It’s true – there’s no such thing as a dog that doesn’t shed at all. There are some breeds that shed a lot less than others, admittedly, including the Shih Tzu. But these so-called non-shedding dogs do in fact all shed to some extent. So as a dog owner you have to accept that you’ll have deal with some shedding. That said, there are a few things you can do to reduce the amount and the frequency of dog shedding.
Tips to reduce dog shedding
Here are a few tips about dealing with dog shedding…
Groom your dog on a regular basis
Just giving your dog a daily brush can make a big difference to the amount of shedding. Not only that, but it also helps to keep your dog’s coat nice and clean and soft. Plus it strengthens the hairs too.
Make sure you use a good quality dog brush for this task. You need one that’s suited to your dog’s coat.
There are also many other grooming tools you can use, such as slicker brushes, de-matting tools and shedding blades.
Our guide on how to groom your dog like a professional should help you with your dog grooming.
Prevent allergies and fleas
If your dog suffers from allergies, or they have an infestation of fleas, their coat and skin can be damaged. And this can lead to an increased level of shedding.
So make sure you treat your dog with a monthly flea treatment. You can also consider giving your dog vitamin supplements to help boost the antibodies they need to fight off allergies.
Note that if your dog’s skin and coat are in a particularly bad condition, for example if they have a severe skin rash, you should consult with your vet.
Vacuum on a regular basis
You’ll want to vacuum on a regular basis anyway, especially if your dog is a big shedder, because as you’ve probably noticed, dog hairs can get everywhere.
But you may not be aware that all the extra hair lying around can make your dog’s shedding even worse, as it can cause allergies.
So make sure you keep on top of the task of vacuuming up the dog hairs.
Feed your dog quality food
Your dog’s diet can also have a big impact on the amount that they shed, and also on the condition of their coat.
So make sure you always feed them a good quality dog food. Avoid food with a lot of carbohydrates and empty fats, and choose a good quality kibble.
Bathe your dog on a regular basis (but not too often)
Bathing your dog can help to reduce the amount that they shed. You don’t want to bathe your dog too often though as this can make the coat and skin become dry and actually increase the shedding. Bathing your dog once every four weeks or so is ideal.
You can either bathe your dog yourself, take them to a professional dog groomer, or even use the services of a mobile groomer.
Feed your dog fatty acid supplements
Fatty acid supplements can also help to reduce your dog’s shedding because they help to strengthen your dog’s hair which makes it less likely to break.
Make sure you don’t give your dog human supplements. Either use an omega fatty acid supplement such as VitaCoat Plus, or speak to your vet. They should be able to tell you about natural sources of fatty acids.
Summary
Dog shedding is perfectly natural and all dogs shed to some extent at least. It’s a way for them to get rid of damaged and/or old hair.
Spring is normally the time when dog shedding is at its most extreme. This is because spring is the time when dogs lose their winter coat.
If your dog continues to shed through the summer months, it may be a sign of some more serious underlying health problem. So if this is the case, you should have your dog checked over by your vet.
By grooming your dog on a regular basis, keeping them active and healthy, and watching for signs of illness, you can make a big difference to the amount that your dog sheds.
