Looking for some home remedies to stop dog shedding in your house?
Been there! Although normal, dog shedding can sometimes be really annoying, especially when your couch and clothes are full of dog hair.
You already know that every breed will shed differently. Whoever owns dogs with thick coats knows the struggle that comes after winter months.
As you can imagine, the dog’s hair has a very important role. It protects our canine friends from sun, cold, and other external factors.
It is also essential for maintaining the optimal body temperature of your dog. That’s why it’s crucial to keep your dog’s coat healthy and taken care of.
While seasonal shedding is a natural and healthy process, sometimes dogs shed excessively because of other reasons.
Which dog breeds shed the most/least?
Are you curious to know which breeds shed the most, and which ones are a dream when it comes to indoor pets?
I’m here to share this information with you!
If you have one of the following pets, you’re already familiar with the challenge of cleaning your home every day because of the dog’s hair.
The top 5 breeds that shed the most are Saint Bernard, Newfoundland dogs, Great Pyrenees, Akita, Chow Chow, and Siberian Husky.[1]
On the other hand, dogs like Cairn Terrier, Airedale Terrier, Dachshund, Boston Terrier, and Chihuahua shed the least.
If you’re looking for dogs that won’t be high-maintenance, at least when it comes to shedding, consider adopting one of these breeds.
What causes a dog to shed excessively?
Other than seasonal shedding once or twice a year, your dog may be losing its coat due to other, more severe issues.
It’s imperative to notice the amount of shedding as soon as you adopt a dog so that you can compare it with its shedding in the future. This is the best way of knowing if the shedding is normal or excessive.
If you notice anything strange, you can take your dog to the vet and have him/her examine the problem.
Now, before we speak about home remedies to stop dog shedding, you should be informed about crucial things.
Firstly, you need to know the most probable reasons that cause dog shedding, other than the seasonal change of coat.
In this way, you will be able to understand what’s the real problem and how to treat it.
Let’s jump right in and talk about the reasons why dogs shed excessively:
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Stress
Stress and anxiety are the cause of many problems, excessive hair shedding included.
Dogs that spend too much time alone may become anxious when missing their owner. That’s why they could start shedding too much.
You surely know that even humans can lose hair due to stress. The same goes for our canine pets. [2]
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Allergies and hormonal changes
If your dog is allergic to some food, cleaning products, pollen, or anything else, its organism may react by shedding a lot.
It’s the same with hormonal changes.
Any internal change can be the cause of stress that triggers excessive shedding.
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Infections and parasites
When it comes to external factors, mites, lice, fleas, or even fungal infections and dermatitis are often the cause of shedding.
If you suspect these to be the reason why your dog sheds, inspect its coat. In that way, you can be sure and adjust the treatment according to the type of parasite and infection. [3]
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Health issues
As soon as you notice bald spots on your dog’s coat, you should visit the vet.
These spots are usually the cause of medical issues that can be more serious than just parasites.
More often than not, it’s a sign that your dog has adrenal, liver, kidney, or thyroid disease.
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Poor nutrition
If your pet is missing important vitamins and minerals, it will show in its coat as well.
Nutrition isn’t essential just for humans, but a balanced diet it’s also crucial for our pets.
That’s why not feeding your dog enough protein and healthy fats will leave the coat dull and fragile.
Try to avoid refined food such as mayonnaise as well as bagels and other proccesed human foods.
This will make the shedding more frequent and excessive.
Home remedies to stop dog shedding
I’m sure that many of you want to make your dog’s shedding as minimal as possible.
That’s completely normal, especially if your pet’s breed sheds a lot. Many dog owners wonder, “What home remedy can I give my dog for shedding?”
It’s true that home remedies are very often more efficient, easily accessible, and, of course, more affordable. Luckily, there are a few solutions that will help your dog shed less and keep your couch, clothes, and carpets hair-free.
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Healthy food (hint: add olive oil!)
As previously mentioned, your dog’s diet plays a huge part in its overall health, shedding included.
Dog’s coat needs to be healthy and shiny in order to shed and break off less. Make sure to include omega 3 fatty acids into your dog’s meals. You can find these in olive oil.
Add a tablespoon of olive oil to make its food rich with healthy fats, and your dog’s coat will be healthy.
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Remove the stressors
We’ve already mentioned stress and anxiety as one of the reasons why your dog may be shedding too much.
The best thing to do is to monitor your dog’s behavior and find out what causes stress.
In this way, you’ll be able to learn what makes your dog feel uncomfortable and remove those stressors from its surroundings. Stress-free, relaxed, and calm dogs shed less and, therefore, make less mess indoors.
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Regular brushing
Dogs, just as cats, require regular brushing of their fur with the adequate brush.
This is especially important for dogs with long hair that gets tangled easily.
The tangled coat is prone to damage, which means that the hairs will break off more often.
Choose the right brush according to the thickness of your dog’s coat.
The brush needs to be hard enough to go through the hairs yet soft enough to be gentle on the skin.
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Regular bathing
Bathing your dog is also very important when it comes to effective home remedies to stop dog shedding.
Make sure to choose the right shampoo for your dog’s coat. Bathing your dog and then brushing it right after will keep the hairs detangled, shiny, and healthy.
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Rinse and dry its hair properly
When bathing your pet, don’t forget to rinse the shampoo thoroughly and dry its coat well afterward.
Leaving the shampoo residue can cause dandruff, which immediately affects skin health and, therefore, the coat.
Also, if you don’t dry its fur well, your dog may develop bacteria because of the damp coat.
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The right supplements
If you’re not sure whether or not your dog is receiving the right nutrients through the diet, you can always think about supplements.
Consult your vet on which kind of supplements to purchase and keep your dog’s coat and immune system healthy.
Common dog shedding questions
Now you know which home remedies will help your dog shed less and keep your house mess-free.
Why not answer a few of the frequently asked questions about dog shedding just in case you have other concerns?
Here they are:
- Do all dogs shed hair?
The answer is yes. While some dogs shed much more and with some breeds you barely notice it, this process is natural for every dog.
I already wrote which breeds shed the most & the least at the beginning of the article.
Some people don’t mind dogs that shed a lot and find the described home remedies very effective.
Are you someone who dislikes having a couch full of dog hair?
Consider adopting a chihuahua or any other dog that doesn’t shed a lot.
- Why do dogs shed when they’re scared?
Fear is another cause of stress that can cause excessive shedding.
It’s your dog’s body’s response to something that scares him/her.
That’s why you should be careful and try not to scare your dog.
Fear can cause various health issues and not only excessive shedding.
- Do raw eggs help dogs shedding?
You should avoid feeding your dog with raw eggs.
Cooked eggs are a safer option.
However, you should opt for something rich with omega 3 fats, such as tuna, olive oil, salmon, etc.
These foods are much more effective when it comes to stopping dog shedding.
- Should I take my dog to the vet or can I always use home remedies to stop dog shedding?
Home remedies that you read about in this article are amazing for so many causes of dog shedding.
However, some of them, such as health issues, require professional help.
If you notice bald spots and other signals of your dog having medical problems, take it to the vet immediately.
Only a professional will be able to determine what’s behind the excessive shedding and treat your dog accordingly.
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Is there a pill for dog shedding?
The only pill that can help with your dog’s coat is the supplement pill that your vet recommends.
We already said that supplements are a great way of providing your pet with the necessary vitamins and minerals.
Having said that, consult the professional before including the supplements in your dog’s diet.
