6 Tips to Reduce Your Dog’s Shedding in Limerick, PA

If you have a dog, you probably already know just how much he can shed. During certain times of the year when the weather turns warmer, your dog may seem to shed almost nonstop. And of course, certain dog breeds are more prone to shedding than others as well.

How to Help Your Dog with Shedding

When you find yourself dealing with too much shedding, you may feel like there’s nothing you can do about it. In this article, we’ll show you six tips to help you reduce your dog’s shedding, even when you have a dog who sheds a lot.

1. Brush Often

Brush your dog often if he sheds a lot. This will significantly reduce the amount of shedding he does throughout the house, since you’ll be removing the loose hairs yourself and disposing of them instead.

Be sure to choose a brush or comb designed for your dog’s fur type. Different coat types require different types of brushing tools. You may also need to use a de-shedding tool on your dog depending on the type and quality of his coat as well as how much he has been shedding.

2. Bathe Frequently

Frequent baths are another great way to make sure your dog’s shedding stays under control. When you bathe your dog often, you can remove loose hair the same as you would with brushing. This reduces the amount of hair that is left around your home.

Another great reason to bathe your dog often is that you can improve his skin health. When your dog’s skin is healthy and kept clean, this will reduce his hair loss as well. A healthy, clean coat and healthy, clean skin can work together to significantly cut back on shedding.

3. Provide Flea Preventative

Some dogs shed because they have fleas. If you think there’s a chance your dog has fleas, part his hair and look closely at his skin in many different locations on his body. You may see the fleas themselves moving around, or you might see flea dirt left behind on your dog’s skin or hair instead.

You can prevent your dog from being infested with fleas by providing monthly flea preventative medication. Talk with your veterinarian for more information about which type of flea preventative is best for your pet. Certain dogs may do better with different types of medication for fleas.

4. Feed High-Quality Food

In many cases, food allergies may cause dogs to develop poor coat health. This, in turn, leads to much more significant shedding throughout the year and not just at the warmer times. If you suspect your dog might have a food allergy, you should speak with your vet for more information or recommendations about what to do.

Usually, changing your dog to a higher-quality food is the best method of dealing with food allergies. Feeding good quality foods with ingredients that don’t usually cause allergic reactions can greatly reduce the risk of food allergy as well as cut down on shedding issues.

5. Give Plenty of Water

Dogs who are not given enough water throughout the day may be slightly dehydrated. Although this mild condition isn’t too dangerous, it also isn’t healthy, and your dog’s skin condition may suffer quickly if he isn’t getting enough water. Make sure to provide him with plenty to drink so his skin remains hydrated and healthy.

When your dog’s skin is dry, he will shed more often. His fur may become brittle and dry as well, especially if the issue lasts for a long time. Staying well-hydrated is a great way for dogs (and humans!) to reduce the risk of hair loss related to skin condition.

6. Keep It Cool

Finally, try keeping it cooler in your home if possible. This may be enough to help your dog’s shedding problem, especially if he is only shedding in response to the increase in temperature outside. Dogs are more likely to shed during the hot months simply because their bodies are trying to stay cool, so keeping your dog cooler can help.

If your dog’s shedding only worsens during the summer months, then you might have no trouble keeping it under control with some temperature changes in your home. This type of shedding is completely normal.

Dog Shedding is Normal

There’s no way to keep your dog from shedding completely, and shedding is a normal part of most dogs’ lives. However, when you follow the tips listed in the article above, you can reduce your dog’s shedding and make it easier for you to keep things tidy at the same time.

If you think your dog’s shedding has increased a lot without any real reason (such as temperature), then this could be a sign of an underlying medical condition. Be sure to take your dog to your Limerick Veterinary Hospital vet if you think there’s any medical cause contributing to the shedding issue. Call (610) 489-2848 or use the online form to book an appointment today!