In order to stop dog shedding we need to start by understanding the causes and then move to the necessary steps we need to follow to avoid such excessive shedding.
Let’s start by understanding the history of shedding…
Understanding Dog Shedding
We can thank the Ming Dynasty for Shih Tzus; there have been many Presidential pooches to occupy the White House Residence, and who could forget about the Queen and her Corgis?
Over the past century, some of the most iconic figures in pop culture have likewise had a love affair with canines, from Marilyn Monroe and Salma Hayek to Bob Barker and Dorothy Parker.
Parker went so far as to write “Verse for a Certain Dog,” immortalizing the feelings of love, adoration, and occasional exasperation with which every dog owner can identify.
And after all, that’s the classic dilemma of every dog owner – we love our dogs; we don’t always necessarily love what they tend to do to our homes.
From “forgetting” where you go to the bathroom to tracking in mud to shedding all over the house, dogs can be a nightmare when maintaining your home’s cleanliness.
That last point can be especially problematic.
You can probably think of different solutions for making your dog go to the bathroom outside, and you can clean up muddy puppy paw prints now and again, but what if your dog is shedding up a storm?
Never fear – this guide can help you answer the question of how to stop your dog from shedding.
Is Dog Shedding Natural?
As such, you and, if necessary, your vet will have to determine whether your dog’s shedding is natural or if it’s being aggravated by something else.
As a rule of thumb, a bit of shedding here and there might be expected.
But if the rate at which your dog has been shedding has increased dramatically of late, or they’re shedding enough to create a small army of tribble-sized puffs of fur all-around your house, chances are there’s a problem.
Some Causes of Excessive Shedding in dogs
First, from the outset, it’s vital to say that, like barking, shedding is just part of an average dog’s life.
Unless you have a dog specifically bred to shed less, you will have to deal with at least some shedding.
That being said, there is a big difference between an average amount of shedding and shedding excessively.
The first step to figuring out how to stop your dog from shedding is determining the cause and whether it’s natural.
There is no hard and fast rule to determine whether your dog’s shedding is normal or excessive.
Some of the most common problems which can cause excessive shedding in dogs include the following:
- Parasites, especially fleas
- Infections of a bacterial or fungal nature
- Kidney and liver problems
- Pregnancy and related lactation
- Resulting side effects from medications
- Cancer
- Problems with their immune system
- Sunburns
Of course, these are just some potential reasons. There are many more run-of-the-mill reasons your dog might be shedding excessively, such as mild skin irritation.
As such, before you worry about some of the more alarming items on this list, you’ll want to take your pet to see the vet.
How To Stop Excessive Dog Shedding – Steps
Brush Your Dog
Now that we have listed some of the most common causes of your dog’s shedding, it’s time to start talking about tangible steps you can take to combat the problem.
Let’s start with one of the most common ways you can help stop your dog from shedding excessively: brushing them properly.
Even if your dog isn’t shedding up a storm, it is always essential that you give them a good brushing now and again. A dog’s coat needs to be kept smooth and clean.
Allowing it to become dirty, neglected, or clumped together invites many problems.
For example, this is one of the leading causes of those skin above irritants which can lead to discomfort for your dog and excessive shedding.
As such, you are going to want to brush your dog frequently. Ideally, it would help if you brushed your dog’s coat at least once a day.
In addition, brushing your dog’s skin can help keep it softer, smoother, and cleaner and improve its overall appearance.
In addition, you will want to ensure that you are using the right brush for your needs.
Dog Grooming
There is a wide range of brushes on the market, with some of the most popular brands being Slicker Brushes, Mat breakers, and Love Gloves.
Using one of their offerings or another high-quality brush can help ensure that you and your dog get the most out of your brushing sessions, thereby cutting down on the chances of your dog shedding everywhere.
What’s more, you’ll want to ensure that you have the right brush for your dog. As the saying goes, there is a proper tool for every job.
This is true for brushing your dog as well, so you’ll want to check and see what types of brushes are recommended for your dog and what types of dogs those brush above makers design their encounters for.
It’s often the case that more than one type of brush is needed, with smaller meetings necessary for brushing your dog’s facial area, for example, while larger brushes can help take care of their body.
Feed Your Dog Right
Another well-worn saying pertinent when trying to stop dog shedding is “you are what you eat.”
That’s true for dogs and humans and points to yet another good starting point for getting your pet to shed less.
A poor diet can leave the fur on your dog’s body loose, thin, or otherwise unhealthy, making their coat especially susceptible to shedding.
You will want to ensure that your pet is fed a proper diet. This means making sure that your dog is getting enough protein.
If you provide your dog meat, ensure an adequate amount of protein in the portions you give them.
If you feed your pet dog food or nutritional supplements, you’ll want to check the amount of protein those products contain and, if necessary, add or switch to another more protein-rich formula.
A Word on Allergies
Then there’s the question of allergies. Given how many humans have allergies to pets, we know firsthand how difficult living with allergies can be.
The same holds for our four-legged friends. Regarding dogs, allergies can stem from various sources, from dietary to environmental to congenital causes.
You’ll first need to determine which of these (if any) are bothering your dog, after which you’ll need to look into an appropriate treatment method.
For example, if your dog is allergic to something in their food, the most straightforward action is to stop feeding them that food.
That said, if the allergy is broader (say, to ingredients common in many types of dog food), you may need to shop around or ask your vet for a particular dog food formula.
If the cause is environmental, the pattern is much the same.
You and your vet will need to work together to determine what is your dog’s environment is causing them to have an allergic reaction, remove the source of the allergens to whatever degree that is possible, and determine if it is necessary to give any extra medication.
If your dog’s allergy is congenital, your options are likely more limited, and it becomes all the more important to talk to your vet to see what treatments are available.
No Fleas Please
As we’ve mentioned, fleas, mites, and other parasites can be some of the most troublesome causes of your pet’s shedding.
Not only does it leave you with clumps of fur all over your home, but it also leaves your dog in a constant state of discomfort.
If your dog is shedding because they are infested with fleas, mites, or other parasites, it is even more miserable about its predicament than you are.
It is thus of the utmost importance that you show your dog some extra love and compassion as you find them an anti-flea treatment.
Bathing Your Dog
We all know how important it is to bathe our dogs.
Not only is it essential for their hygiene, but let’s be honest – no one wants that unbathed dog smell lingering in the carpeting and corridors of their home.
That being said, if your dog is shedding excessively, you may need to up your dog bathing game to another level to help combat it.
For example, you may need to bathe your dog more frequently. This is especially true during the long, hot summer months.
During the summer, your dog – like everyone else – can sweat a lot more, making their coat greasier, more matted, and, thus, ripe for the kinds of irritation which can lead to increased shedding.
You may also consider looking into specialty soaps that can help treat dogs with particular skin or fur conditions that lead to excessive shedding.
Look at this great shampoo for dogs with Deshedding Formula for sensitive skins (see on Amazon)
Stop Your Dog shedding So Much. Limiting Your Dog’s stress
One of the most common causes for human beings losing hair is (as if any of us need a reminder) too much stress. The same holds for dogs.
If your dog is still shedding excessively and you’ve already tried some of the methods above, your pet’s problem may be as psychological as a physiological one.
If this is the case, you’ll want to do whatever you can to remove any sources of stress from your dog’s life.
There is a wide range of potential causes for your dog to suddenly be more stressed, with some of the most common triggers for canine stress being as follows:
- Seeing something on your property or outside a window that is unknown to them
- Seeing another animal (particularly a dog or cat) in or near the home
- Hearing strange noises without being able to identify their source
- Noticing a sudden change in your home’s look, smell, or routine, mainly if a new pet is involved
Stop Your Dog shedding So Much. Anxiety
These are broad categories, and you’ll have to work to figure out the specific cause of your dog’s stress.
Once you have done that, you’ll have a better chance of addressing it more effectively.
For example, if you have just gotten a new pet, your dog may be disturbed by the sight, sound, and smell of a strange animal in “their” home.
Remember, at their core, dogs still have animal instincts and are thus prone to territorial tendencies, especially when they feel they are being threatened or otherwise provoked.
In this example, it may be best to keep the pet in question away from your old dog as much as possible and keep their toys, odor, and any indications of their presence hidden from your dog.
You will then want to reintroduce the two, giving both pets gradually treats when they are in one another’s presence.
This will help both pets – mainly your old dog – create a positive association with one another in their minds, thus reducing the stress they feel.
This can also help preemptively stop any “turf wars” that your pets might otherwise have due to the newcomer’s arrival.
That’s just one example of combatting dog stress to limit shedding. You’ll want to speak to your vet and, if necessary, a specialist in dog behavior if the stress-related shedding continues.
Means of Protecting Your Home against Dog Shedding
No matter how effectively you guard against shedding, some are very likely to occur still. Even if this is natural shedding, you will want to take whatever steps to protect your home.
Some of the best and most effective ways of protecting your home against shedding include the following:
- Investing in furnishings that are either resistant to or can otherwise mask dog fur
- Investing in rollers that can pick up dog fur with ease
- Investing in seat covers that can effectively guard your furnishings against dog fur
- Vacuuming early and often to avoid the nightmare of a massive buildup of dog fur littering your home
Stop Your Dog shedding So Much. Get Experienced Veterinary Help
As stated throughout this article, your most crucial ally in finding a way to stop your dog from shedding is your vet.
But before spending money on vet bills, look at my book. As established above, there are many potential causes for your dog to shed this much.
Trying on your own to figure out why your dog is shedding so much can lead to a tedious trial and error period and a cycle of failed non-solutions at worst.
The most crucial step to fighting your dog’s excessive shedding is to contact your vet and get their opinion.
They can help give you insightful answers for nearly all of the above conditions.
Final Thoughts
They can suggest new nutritional supplements if your dog is shedding due to dietary problems.
If they are relieving stress, they can offer a litany of effective means by which you can combat that.
If they are shedding due to allergies or other medical problems, they can tell you what you can do about it yourself while giving your dog any treatments that might be necessary.
When investing in means to protect your home from your dog’s shedding, they can “put you on the scent” of some of the most effective anti-dog fur options on the market today.
Above all, you want to show your dog the same level of love, loyalty, and compassion that they offer you. Your dog doesn’t mean to shed excessively. They are still the same good dog they always have been.
With the right help from your vet, they can be a good dog that no longer leaves your home a fur-ridden mess.
