Do you have a dog who sheds a lot? Or even a dog who sheds a little bit? Do you want to find some useful methods for preventing or reducing the amount of shedding that comes from your dog? If any of this sounds like you, then you’ve come to the right place!
In this article, we’ll show you six tips that can help you reduce your dog’s shedding. Read through this information to find out more about what to expect from your shedding dog and how you can help cut back on this problem with your pet, too. If you have any questions, call Dundee Animal Hospital in Dundee at (847) 428-6114, Algonquin at (847) 658-7787 or Elgin at (847) 888-3933.
Keep Them Cool
Dogs tend to shed more frequently when they’re hot than they do when they’re cold. This is because they instinctively begin to lose some of their coats to help them stay cool in hotter months.
By keeping your dog cool as much as possible, you can help them reduce their sheds. However, keep in mind that they will probably not stop shedding completely, even if you keep it very cold in your household.
Groom Them Often
Frequent grooming is a great way to make sure your dog stays as shed-free as possible. Bathing is important in that it loosens and removes hairs that might have otherwise fallen out as shed. This is also a great way to keep your dog clean and healthy at the same time.
Additionally, by brushing your dog, you can make sure to remove those loose hairs more often. Use the right type of brush for the kind of hair they have, and use a shedding tool if they shed a lot. The right grooming methods and equipment can go a long way toward making sure your dog is as shed-free as possible.
Feed High-Quality Food
The higher the quality of your dog’s food, the less likely they will be to lose their hair due to food allergy. Hair loss and excessive shedding are both common symptoms of food allergies and intolerances in dogs, but feeding a good quality diet with real ingredients can cut back on this problem significantly.
There is always a chance your dog is allergic to the protein in their food, which could be causing them to lose their hair. If you think this could be the case, try switching them to another protein base for their kibble to see if it helps.
Keep Up with Vet Checkups
Keeping up with regular veterinarian checkups can make it easier for you to tell when there’s something wrong with your dog. If your dog is sick or has a skin condition, for example, your regular vet visits will give you a chance to bring up any concerns with the vet and figure out the underlying causes of the issues before they worsen.
The same is true of problems that can cause hair loss in dogs. The sooner you speak to your vet about your dog’s shedding, the sooner you can find out the cause of the problem and get your dog on the road to recovery.
Shave as Needed
Some dogs may need to be shaved, especially during the summer months. Shaving is not a perfect solution for shedding, since dogs who are shaved will still shed and may also be at risk for sunburn, overheating, and other issues. However, shaving your dog can be a good step during the summertime.
Ask your vet for more information if you’ve never shaved your dog before and if you want to try it. If you don’t think you can handle the experience yourself, take your dog to the groomer for a shave instead.
Stay a Healthy Weight
Finally, keep your dog at a healthy weight to cut back on shedding a little bit. Shedding can sometimes be related to obesity and diabetes in dogs. By keeping your dog at a healthy weight and making sure they exercise often enough, you can give them the best possible chance at staying healthy without shedding too much, too.
If your dog is already overweight, talk to your vet about a diet and exercise routine that will work for them. This way, you can help her get back to a healthier size in a shorter amount of time.
As you can see, there are a lot of things to keep in mind when it comes to reducing your dog’s shedding. However, with the right plan of action, you should be able to reduce the shedding you see from your dog, even if you can’t stop it altogether.
If you think your dog may be shedding due to a health problem, don’t hesitate to contact their vet right away. The issue could potentially be easy to treat or manage, but you’ll need to work with your vet as soon as possible to make that happen. Call us today!