Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Dogs

PawTracks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

How to stop or reduce excess shedding in your dog

By

We all love our dogs, but it can get overwhelming keeping up with all that hair. It’s no fun vacuuming every day or pulling hair out of your coffee. There’s no getting around it: If you live with a dog, there’s going to be hair. The amount will depend on your dog’s breed. Some dogs shed year-round, while others are seasonal shedders, typically losing hair in the spring and fall. While you can’t stop the shedding, you can take steps to manage the amount of hair in your home.

How to keep shedding under control

Brush your dog every day

Daily brushing will keep your dog’s coat and skin healthy and help cut down on excessive hair loss. The best brush to use depends on your dog’s coat, texture, and strength, according to the American Kennel Club. Pin brushes work well for long-haired dogs, while bristle brushes are best for breeds with short or medium-length coats.

Woman brushing dog.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Use a deshedding tool

In addition to brushing, a deshedding tool helps keep loose hair under control.  For example, the highly rated Flying Pawfect Pet Slicker is a good option for long-haired or double-coated dogs. The Bodhi Dog Bath Brush is a rubber groomer that’s a popular choice for dogs with sensitive skin. Many pet parents and groomers rave about Furminator deshedding tools. You can find the best Furminator tool for your dog by choosing your breed type on the company’s website.

Recommended Videos

Give regular baths

In an article published on VetStreet, veterinarian Marty Becker recommends regular bathing to control shedding. Bathing with a deshedding shampoo helps loosen and remove fur that’s ready to shed. In addition, Becker recommends using a bath tool such as the Kong Zoom Groom to help remove hair.

Keep your dog hydrated

Dehydrated skin can increase hair loss. Unless directed by your veterinarian, it’s not necessary to measure how much water your dog is drinking, say experts at PetMD. You just need to make sure that your dog always has access to fresh, clean water every day.

What home remedy can I give my dog for shedding?

Here are just a few home remedies that help keep your dog’s coat and skin healthy and may also cut down on hair loss. Be sure to check with your veterinarian before adding any new supplement to your dog’s diet.

  • Fish – Veterinary experts recommend adding omega-3 fatty acids to a dog’s diet to improve the hair and skin. Fish is one of the best sources of omega-3s. You can add small amounts of salmon, sardines, and anchovies to your dog’s food or serve them as tasty treats.
  • Flaxseed – According to PetMD, flaxseed offers numerous health benefits to dogs. Flaxseed’s anti-inflammatory properties can help keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy. This nut-flavored seed can be sprinkled over food at mealtimes.
  • All-natural blackstrap molasses – This sweet treat is rich in B vitamins, iron, and antioxidants, which can help keep your dog’s coat healthy. Be sure the molasses you use is free of artificial sweeteners. You can add a small amount to your dog’s meal or put it on a treat.
  • Fruits and vegetables – Adding natural ingredients like fruits and vegetables that are high in nutrients and vitamins will help keep a dog’s coat and skin healthy. It’s critical, though, to learn which fruits and veggies are safe for dogs. Apples (without the seeds), blueberries, and strawberries are good fruit choices; good vegetable options include green beans, carrots, and broccoli.
Labrador eating a carrot.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What causes a dog to shed excessively?

“The amount of shedding that is ‘normal’ for your pet depends on many variables, including its breed, anatomy, physiology, and genetics,” says vet Roy Cruzen in a PetMD article. When you pay attention to how much your dog normally sheds, you’ll be alert to excessive hair loss that could signal a health issue. Here are some reasons a dog might shed excessively.

Feeding an imbalanced diet

Feeding your dog a poor-quality commercial kibble can result in excessive shedding, says veterinarian Marcia Martin in an Animal Wellness magazine article. Make sure your dog’s eating food made from natural ingredients and free of artificial preservatives and coloring as these can cause allergies and skin problems, which may increase hair loss.

Stress

Excessive hair loss can also be caused by stress or anxiety. You might have noticed that your dog loses more hair at the vet’s office. A change in your dog’s environment or the addition of a new pet could also result in stress-related shedding.

Allergies

Allergies are a common cause of excessive hair loss in dogs. These allergies could be triggered by a reaction to food or by environmental triggers such as pollen or parasites like fleas and mites. When allergies are behind hair loss, you might also notice bald spots on your dog’s coat.

Bacterial and fungal infections

Bacterial and yeast infections on the skin can cause hair loss, redness, itching, or odor. Your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics or anti-fungals to treat this type of infection.

Finally, in addition to cutting down on hair loss, brushing is a great way to spot any skin issues or new lumps or bumps on your dog. Grooming is also a terrific way to spend quality time with your pooch, who is sure to enjoy your undivided attention.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Vera Lawlor
Vera Lawlor
Contributor
Vera was the pet columnist for 201 Family magazine and has contributed pet and animal welfare articles to Bone-A-Fide Mutts…
This is how much it costs to put a dog down
How to estimate costs for your pet's end-of-life care
A senior Labrador retriever lies down on a red blanket

No one wants to think about the inevitable heartbreak that will come when it's time to say goodbye to a beloved pet, but the reality is that every pet owner is going to have to face this someday. You may or may not get the chance to make a plan for your furry friend's final days, but you can educate yourself about the cost to put a dog down and the process of doing it peacefully. Hopefully, this will bring you a bit of comfort during this heartbreaking time.

While it can be difficult to even think about a world without your dog, learning about the logical side of pet euthanasia will help you know what to expect as you make tough decisions. Here's what you'll want to know about the finances and logistics of saying goodbye.
What does it cost to put a dog down?

Read more
The sweet, simple reason why dogs like belly rubs so much
Belly rubs are many dogs' favorite form of affection
Dog enjoying belly rubs

As much as we'd like to think otherwise, our dogs have us extremely well-trained. The right tilt of the head has us tossing treats their way, while a few nights of begging and sneaking have us letting them into our beds. They roll onto their backs with all four paws in the air, prompting us to run our fingers along their soft, warm bellies. They wiggle and pant, with some even making a purring sound as they enjoy the massage.

It’s so obvious from the look on their faces that our pups are in heaven when they have our undivided attention. Every dog has a special spot where they like to be scratched, but it seems like every pup melts for a belly rub. But why is this?

Read more
Why does your dog like stare at you?
There are a few reasons why your dog might not take their eyes off you
A dog lies on the floor making sad eyes up at the camera

Have you ever had an indescribable feeling of tiny, beady eyes on you? You look up from work or chores and see your dogs staring at you intently, only to wonder what they're thinking. It's impossible to know for sure the minds of our pooches, but we do have some ideas. So if you're wondering, "Why does my dog stare at me?" - never fret — it's both normal and explainable. The exact cause depends a bit on the circumstances, so read on to figure out exactly what's going on.
Why does my dog always stare at me?

It's hard to guess precisely what goes on in your beastie's noggin, especially when they look up at you, seemingly asking a question. We can't promise that we're dog psychics, but we do have some idea what they might be getting at.
Your dog wants something
If Fido looks you dead in the eyes around dinner time every day, we think you already know the answer here. Of course, your little buddy will stare right through you when looking for a meal or a snack. Alternatively, sometimes pups learn to gaze at you when they need to potty — a great way of saying that it's outside time.
It's true love
You may occasionally look down at your fur baby with pure love in your eyes, and they do the same right back. Watching you can be a part of showing affection and devotion. Make sure that this habit hasn't turned into anything too clingy, since sometimes an intense stare means your animal suffers from separation anxiety.
They're feeling aggressive
In most households, you'll never encounter this reason, but sometimes dogs glare at people because they feel threatened. This could happen when a new person comes over or a stranger walks too close to them on the sidewalk. It also can be a symptom of resource guarding, which is when your pup pup decides that they don't want anyone coming near their treat.
Your dog wants to know what you're doing
Ever do something ridiculous and realize your furry friend was watching you the whole time? Because our canine companions are so in tune with us, they seem to know when we have done something out of step. This particular stare may also accompany a head tilt and upright ears, indicating that they want to suss out your actions.
They need to tell you something
Maybe not literally, but the idea is there. We already covered that a fuzz ball might look intently when they need a bathroom break, but they could ask for other things, too. When your pet looks up at you and then picks up a toy, you should instantly get the message: They need playtime.
How do you know why your dog is staring?

Read more