Dog shedding is one of the most common problems faced by dog owners. It causes health problems and cleanliness issues, and is generally one of the more unpleasant aspects of owning a dog. However, with proper care, it is possible to control excessive shedding of dogs. Here are some tips to help you do so:
• Brushing: This is a perhaps the most important aspect of controlling excessive shedding. Brush your dog regularly, so that all the hair that the dog sheds can be easily collected. Hair that is loose but still attached will also get pulled out and this will reduce the day long shedding. If your dog has a very heavy coat and sheds excessively, brush him two, maybe even three times a day to prevent him from shedding all over the house.
• Food: One of the factors that causes shedding in dogs is consumption of the wrong kinds of foods. This disturbs their chemical balance in their bodies and leads to shedding. Consult your vet to find out the best food options to prevent excessive shedding.
• Supplements: There are essential oils present on the skin of the dog that help keeps it moist. When dogs undergo excessive shedding, they lose these essential oils rapidly, which leads to dry skin, which in turn leads to excessive shedding. Give your dog a fatty acid supplement to help maintain the required balance of essential oils in his body.
• Control Ticks and Fleas: Ticks or fleas on the bodies of the dogs can cause a lot of discomfort to the dogs because of the constant bites all over the bodies. Their bites are relatively itchy and dogs tend to scratch themselves a lot when they have ticks and fleas on them. This excessive scratching leads to a lot of hair loss as hair keeps getting pulled out as the dog scratches, and this leads to shedding wherever the dog may be. To reduce such shedding, ensure that your dog is completely free of ticks and fleas. Consult your vet for effective treatment, if your dog is infected by them.
• Bathing: Different breeds of dogs have different bathing requirements. While dogs like Newfoundlanders should not be bathed more than once every few months, almost every breed of dog that has a light to moderate coat of fur should be bathed regularly. Especially in the summer, depending on the breed of the dog, bathing your dog on a weekly basis will help control excessive shedding to a large extent. This is because moistening the skin helps prevent shedding caused by dry skin.
• Use the right brushes: There are different kinds of brushes available for different purposes. For instance, you can use a slicker brushes, shedding blades, matbreakers, love gloves and stripping blades effectively to control excessive shedding. Consult your vet to find out the right kind of brushes that can be used for your breed of dog and learn about their individual functions.
• Regular Check ups: Sometimes excessive shedding can be a symptom of a disease and regular check ups will ensure that your dog is in perfect health and that his shedding is natural.
