It is perfectly normal for your furry friend to shed a little bit of fur. This is one fact that you will have to come to terms with as a dog owner.
There are some dog breeds that shed more hair than others but they all do.
The good news is we can help reduce the amount of loose hair to minimize the spread of dog hair in the house.
There are a number of reasons why dogs shed hair. They do so to get rid of old hair, damaged or excess hair on their bodies.
During the winter, most dogs grow more hair to keep their bodies warm and insulated from the cold. The same hair is then shed off during summer.
Here are a few tips that can show you how to minimize dog shedding:
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1. Brush your dog’s coat often
Proper grooming is essential in helping minimize dog shedding.
You should brush his coat regularly to remove the excess and loose fur on his body. It also helps to redistribute your dog’s oil from his skin into the fur making it to stay in place.
If your dog has short hair and a smooth fur coat, a bristle brush will do perfect.
For dogs with medium-sized hair, you can brush their coat using a slicker brush because it has tiny, short wire pins that are tightly packed, hence will brush his hair nicely.
Rakes are the best when it comes to dogs with long hair and fairly thick undercoats.
2. Feed him high quality dog food
Nutrition plays a key role when it comes to minimizing dog shedding.
Most of the times you can tell a healthy dog just from the look of his fur. The same applies to shedding of his coat.
You need to give your dog high quality dog food which is rich in protein to help minimize shedding. When you buy cheap dog food, it is mostly filled with fillers that give dogs a hard time to digest.
Instead, get him food that has meat as the main ingredient. Meat-rich dog foods mostly contain proteins that can help control shedding and dry skin.
High quality dog food might be a little bit expensive than ordinary dog food but it is worth every penny. You will have eliminated the possibility of your dog shedding excessively due to dietary issues.
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3. Give him a regular bath
A clean dog will maintain a healthy coat.
Bathe your dog regularly especially during the hot summer weather. This is also one way of helping him to stay hydrated in the heat.
Invest in quality dog shampoo and use it to wash your furry friend at least once every week. This will significantly help you minimize dog shedding.
However, make sure not to over-bathe your dog because it can lead to him having a dry coat and skin which will cause him to shed even more fur.
If your dog has a long coat, blow-drying it after a bath can be helpful to remove loose fur.
ALSO READ: How To Clean A Dog Without A Bath (9 Tips)
4. Control allergies and fleas
As already mentioned, most allergies in dogs are caused by consumption of cheap dog food which contains ingredients that are not nutritious or tested.
Feed him high quality dog foo and consult your vet in case of any allergic reaction.
Fleas and other pests may also cause your dog to have an itchy skin. Dogs who have coats infested with fleas are always scratching. This causes their hair to fall out excessively.
In order to minimize dog shedding, keep your dog free of fleas to prevent irritated skin and dandruff.
5. Keep your dog hydrated
Dehydration is one of the causes of dry skin in dogs.
Dry skin can cause your dog to develop dandruff and also shed hair excessively. Give your dog plenty of fresh water in a clean bowl.
It is also recommended to increase your dog’s water intake through feeding him a lot of moist foods as well.
Wet dog food is healthy for your dog because it contains up to 78% moisture unlike dry dog food that has just about 10% moisture.
6. Increase your dog’s intake of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids
Consult your vet on which food supplements rich in omega 3 fatty acids you can incorporate in your dog’s diet.
👉 A teaspoon of olive oil per 10 pounds of your dog’s body weight is ideal. The oils contain omega 3 fatty acids which effectively calm an inflamed skin and also help to reduce dandruff.
This is one of the ways that you can reduce dog shedding and improve his overall coat texture.
Add a little fish or salmon in his food to increase his protein intake. Make sure that you have removed all the fish bones as they can choke your puppy.
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7. Cover your furniture
Cover your furniture and other upholstery in the house because they can act as dog fur magnet.
If your dog is allowed to freely sit on your sofas, make sure that you have covered them to prevent him leaving hair all over.
This will help you minimize unnecessary dog shedding and will also save you the task of removing hair from your seats every so often.
8. Visit your vet regularly
Make an effort to take your dog to the vet for regular check-ups.
There are a number of reasons why your dog could be shedding hair, especially if his breed is not a heavy shedder.
Your vet will easily identify any problem or disease affecting your dog and immediately put him on the right treatment after diagnosis.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, maintaining and grooming your pet is crucial in helping you minimize excessive hair shedding.
Brush his coat regularly to remove hair that is damaged, loose and in excess. A good bath with once a week is also recommended to keep your dog clean and hydrated.
Plenty of fresh water should be part of his meal as well as high quality wet dog food.
Take him to the vet often just for routine check-ups. That way, you will reduce excessive shedding and your dog will grow healthy and strong.
