We’ve all been there. You go out to the store, but you can’t figure out why all those people are staring at you. Finally, you return home, only to realize that the hairy evidence of that enthusiastic greeting your dog gave you earlier is all over your clothes, making you look like a walking, talking woolly mammoth!
Almost all dogs shed to some degree. Shedding can be worse during seasonal changes, such as Autumn (when they shed the summer coat to prepare for a thicker winter coat) and Spring (when the thick winter coat is shed for the summer coat). However, many dogs shed year-round. Coping with a shedding dog can be one of the most frustrating parts of pet ownership. But with careful management and a little daily attention, most shedding can be reduced and managed.
How to Manage Your Dog’s Shedding
Step One: Know Your Dog
Shedding is the natural process of losing hair, allowing a new coat to grow in. Humans shed too—the hair on our heads is constantly falling out, and new hairs grow in their place. We don’t notice it because:
a) we brush our hair several times a day, and the shed hair accumulates in a brush, and
b) our coat is only on our head.
Almost every dog sheds all the time. Low-shedding breeds, such as poodles and some terriers, are also breeds that tend to be kept clipped short—so their shed coat is not as noticeable as that of other breeds.
The heaviest shedding types of dogs are those with short coats, such as Corgis, German Shepherds, Labs, and Jack Russells. Short coated dogs (not to be confused with smooth-coated dogs, which also shed but to a lesser degree) have coats that are short in length but extremely thick. The thickness of the coat means that large amounts of hair are constantly being shed, which will gladly rub off on furniture, carpets, and your favorite pair of pants.
Dogs with thick, double coats, such as Collies, Shelties, Chow Chows, and Husky breeds, have coats that can be particularly difficult and high-shedding. These dogs shed a thick undercoat, which easily mats into their long outer hair. Their hair often appears to shed in clumps that show up on the floors, sofas, and anywhere else your pet has rested.
Step Two: Brush, Brush, Brush!
Brushing your dog regularly is the most effective thing you can do to reduce shedding. Remember, the hair is going to fall out either way—and it’s easier for you to deal with if it’s on a brush rather than all over your house.
In addition to removing hair that’s already loose from your dog’s coat, brushing loosens the hair at the follicle and helps remove hairs that are beginning to fall out. In double-coated dogs, deep, regular brushing removes the dead undercoat, allowing for a cleaner dog with less hair to shed around.
Aside from cutting down on shedding, brushing has a number of other health benefits for your dog. Regular brushing of all dogs, despite coat length or type, helps keep the coat and skin healthy. Most dogs do not require frequent bathing (once a month or less!), but brushing in between bath times helps keep them clean by removing dead hair, dirt, and other debris from the coat. Brushing also works to distribute the natural oils of the skin throughout the coat, promoting a healthier coat and cleaner skin.
Choosing the appropriate grooming tools is a vital part of cutting down on shedding.
The slicker brush is one of the most commonly used brushes for long-haired dogs. Rows of tiny, bent wire teeth are set close together and help remove mats and dead hair from within the coat of dogs. Slicker brushes are useful in shedding breeds when a large amount of coat needs to come out, such as with short-coated dogs and silky-coated dogs.
Pin brushes, the type that many people use on their own hair, work best for long-coated dogs to brush out and prevent tangles, as well as for silky-coated dogs once the undercoat has been thinned.
Grooming rakes have metal teeth with blades on the inside and are effective for dogs needing to have lots of dead undercoat removed or to cut through tangles. Rakes should be used with caution, as the metal can injure the skin if used too vigorously, and can even break the skin with misuse.
Short-coated dogs are best suited to a bristle brush, with softer bristles to avoid injuring the skin under the short coat.
In addition to brushes, there are a variety of combs and other products that can help most effectively brush your pet and thin out the coat. When looking for the right tools, consult your groomer or local pet store to find the appropriate match for your dog.
Step Three: Supplements
A complete, balanced diet is necessary for skin and coat health. Adding a multivitamin supplement, as well as an Omega-3 fatty acid supplement to your pet’s diet, can help further reduce shedding. Many brands and forms of fatty acid supplements are available on the market and claim to reduce or stop shedding. Used alone, you may not notice a great effect on your dog’s shedding, but in conjunction with daily brushing, fatty acid supplements can significantly improve your shedding problem.
Step Four: Check for Underlying Medical Problems
There is a difference between the average dog that sheds and a dog losing its coat due to a health problem. Even if you have a heavy shedding dog, you should never see bald patches or areas of thin hair emerge. If your dog begins to develop thickened skin, bald spots, or areas of sparse hair, a medical problem may be to blame. Fleas, allergies, and skin infections can cause irritation, bald patches, and hot spots, while some endocrine disorders, such as hypothyroidism, can cause the dog’s skin to harden, and the hair to become very thin.
If you have any doubt about the quality or condition of your pet’s skin and coat, consult your veterinarian. Diagnosing an underlying problem will improve your pet’s health and comfort, as well as cut down on unnecessary hair around the house.
The Final Word
Coping with a shedding dog usually requires a lifelong commitment and a multifaceted approach to caring for your dog, as well as easy access to the vacuum cleaner and lint roller. But with some perseverance and daily attention, massive uncontrolled shedding can often be reduced to a manageable level.
