How To Stop Your Dog From Shedding Excessively

April 09, 2020

How To Stop Your Dog From Shedding Excessively

 

As a dog owner, one of the things you have to accept is that your pet will shed. You will find dog hair all over your furniture, your clothes, your bed, your car seat, and anywhere your dog goes.

 

Seeing so much dog hair lying around do you ever wonder if your dog is shedding excessively? Let’s look at possible reasons for your dog’s condition and what you can do about it.

 

Why is your dog shedding a lot?

 

Shedding is a natural way for your dog to remove damaged or old hair and let new fur grow. But the hair should not fall in big clumps.

 

There are several reasons that your dog may be shedding a lot:

 

  • Climate – some dogs develop a thick winter coat. If your dog does this then it is only natural for her to shed a lot when the climate changes from cold to warm.

 

It is normal for some dogs to shed their entire winter coats. So, expect a whole body’s worth of fur floating around when spring comes.

 

  • Breed – some breeds just have too much hair to lose. Normally dogs shed once a year. But for some breeds, it is in their DNA to shed throughout the whole year.

 

Prepare yourself for a lot of vacuuming if your dog is from the following breeds: Alaskan Malamutes, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Boston Terriers, Chow Chows, Corgis, German Shepherd Dogs, Labrador Retrievers, Newfoundlands, St. Bernards, and Siberian Huskies.

 

  • Illness – climate and breed are natural reasons for excessive hair loss. But this third one may be a cause for concern.

 

Underlying illnesses like nutritional imbalance, infections, parasite infestation, allergies, kidney or liver diseases, and cancer could be affecting your dog’s natural bodily functions. She could also be suffering from mental issues like stress.

 

This cause of shedding can make your dog exhibit some of these behaviors or conditions: bald spots; undue rubbing or licking of a particular body part; wounds, rashes, or scabs from too much scratching.

 

What can you do if your dog sheds a lot?

 

Your first step should be to bring your pet to the vet. An expert can confirm the cause of your dog’s condition. You can implement the proper treatment based on the vet’s diagnosis.

 

If the cause is due to the climate or your dog’s breed, then consider these tips:

 

  • Make sure she gets complete and balanced nutrition. Check the label of the kibble or wet food that you give to your dog. It should contain the vitamins and minerals your pet needs.

 

  • Give her supplements. Healthy skin and coat are essential to stopping too much hair fall. Omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids promote healthy skin and coats. Supplements will boost the production of your pet’s body’s natural oils, keep her skin supple, and promote hair growth.

 

Also, vitamin C supplements can boost her immune system. A healthy body has a better chance of fighting off allergies and skin irritations.

 

  • Develop a daily routine for her. One way to reduce your dog’s stress is to provide a predictable structure for her daily life. Block off her day with regular time for food, exercise, play, and sleep. When your dog knows what will happen next, she will be less anxious or stressed.

 

Also, exercise is the best way to de-stress for humans and dogs alike. Take regular walks together. If your dog is bred to run, take her on long-distance runs at least twice a week.

 

  • Groom her coat regularly. Brushing will remove loose hair and promote the growth of new fur. It also helps limit the area where she sheds because the brush will collect most of her falling hair.

 

Grooming also means bathing her regularly. Doing so will keep her skin and coat clean. Use shampoos that are specially formulated for dogs with shedding problems.

 

Conclusion

 

Shedding is natural for dogs, but excessive shedding is not. There are ways to stop your dog from losing too much hair. But the most important part is to determine the cause of the condition. Afterward, you can take the necessary steps to bring back and maintain your dog’s beautiful, glossy coat.





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