How To Manage Dog's Shedding Problems Effectively

Used by Permission, Linda Butts, Pawsometalk

Most of the Dog keepers love their cutie, fur-coated pets; however, the flipside of keeping a dog is ‘hair shedding.’ I have a pug, which isn’t considered among the furry puppies, yet dog shedding is a major problem in my house.

Shedding is a natural phenomenon that occurs in dogs, which can be frustrating to manage. They lose old and damaged hair; for some breeds it is seasonal, and for others, it occurs all year round. The quantity and frequency of hair that is shed often relies on their health and breed.

Shedding also depends on the season; for instance, my puppy sheds during spring. Shedding among indoor dogs doesn’t fluctuate much; they shed equally throughout the year. We cannot stop hair shedding completely, but we can follow these wise tips to reduce the amount of shedding and to manage the unwanted hair effectively.

1. Schedule their bathing.
One of the most helpful tricks is to bathe your dog regularly.
How frequently the dog should be bathed depends upon its breed. Regular bathing removes matted up and clotted fur, it also makes the unwanted hair fall at one place rather than on your furniture and everywhere in your house.

There are plenty of shampoos and conditioners to choose from. Use the best puppy shampoo available in the market to fulfill the grooming needs of your furry bud. Consult a veterinarian first as too much bathing can also make him lose necessary oils and make his skin dry and itchy.

2. Feed him right, prefer dog food!
Diet is the key factor, which determines to shed in dogs. If you feed him with healthy regular diet, then the amount of shedding can be controlled. Low-quality dog food, which mainly consists of fillers like grain or corn is difficult to digest. Look for dog food that has ‘meat’ as a key ingredient.

The meat-enriched foods are digested and absorbed in a better way. They promote healthy growth and well-being of your puppy. You can also give an occasional treat to your dog by making homemade dog food. By making dog food at home, you can take care of all the nutritional requirements of your canine at a very low cost.

Used by Permission, Linda Butts, Pawsometalk

You will always be feeding him with fresh and nutrients rich food in right quantity. A balanced and healthy homemade food has many benefits like a bright and a firm coat with less shedding, healthy teeth and gums, increased energy, less number of firm stools, increased life span, vigor and enthusiasm, and lesser behavioral problems.

3. Hydrate your dog in the best possible manner.
Keep a separate bowl filled with fresh and clean water always in the vicinity of your dog. Proper hydration leads to the moist skin, which in turn prevents excessive shedding and even illness. You can also keep your dog hydrated by incorporating moist food in its diet.

Choose wet dog food, which contains 78% moisture. Depending on the breed, you can also feed your dog with green beans, melons, and carrots. When fed in appropriate quantity, these fruits and vegetables play an important role in increasing the moisture consumption. Adding flax seeds and olive oil to your dog’s food will enhance the coat texture and will keep it in top condition.

4. Brush your dog daily.
Brushing your dog on a daily basis makes their coat cleaner, softer and less likely to shed. It is the simplest and the most effective way to keep your home hair-free. Brushing removes loose hair and circulates the pet’s skin oils into its fur, which in turn keeps it in place.

Brushing also strengthens the bond between you and your pet. You must brush your pet gently. It is important to use the right brush for your dog, choosing the brush depends upon the fur type of your dog. To help you in this context:

• For dogs with thick fur coats or longhairs, use ‘Rake.'

• For dogs with curly or medium hair, use ‘Slicker brush.' 

• For the dogs with short hair, use ‘bristle brush.'

Most of the pet stores keep special brushes designed for dogs with excessive shedding problems; ask the salesperson who is knowledgeable enough to help you choose the right type of brush for your pet.

5. Use a lint remover and vacuum frequently. 
All your efforts such as giving healthy diet to your pup, brushing him daily, bathing him regularly and more will lessen excessive shedding. However, you also need to control hair on your furniture or surroundings, which will not be 100% hair free. I am sure you will find some dog hair here and there. Vacuuming your furniture and surroundings every day will help you keep a cleaner environment. Some handy tips like:

• Keep a sheet or a blanket handy on the couch when cuddling with your dog there. 

• Don’t wear black colored clothes and cuddle with your dog when you are about to go out somewhere or change before you leave your house. 

6. Control fleas and allergies in your little ones.
If you notice your pooch’s scratching uncontrollably, which is causing his hair to fall out then be alert; your dog may be suffering from allergies or fleas. I advise you to visit your veterinarian immediately. This is one this that I take care of the most – prevent my pug free of fleas and other skin allergies.

Some Useful Information

• Small dogs like Australian Terrier, Dachshund, Lhasa Apso, Manchester Terrier, Shih Tzu, Toy Poodle, etc. don’t shed. 

• Medium dogs like Irish Terrier, Lakeland Terrier, Lowchen, Kerry Blue Terrier, Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, Portuguese Water Dog, Puli, Standard Schnauzer, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Tibetan Terrier, and Whippet also don’t shed. 

• Large dogs who don’t shed are Airedale Terrier, Bouvier Des Flandres, Giant Schnauzer, Standard Poodle, Irish Water Spaniel, Komondor, Saluki, Standard Poodle and Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. 

Everything comes in life with its pros and cons. While having a dog is like having the most faithful companion all through your life, but there is a downside to it too. Shedding is the major con that all dogs come up with.

Every problem comes with a solution, if you are committed and willing to take time out and make efforts to fight with it, then you can surely handle. Keeping the cons aside if you consider the loyalty, friendship and entertainment your dog gives you, the way they enrich your life with happiness and health then these problems will seem nothing.

Author Bio:
Linda Butts is an emerging pet blogger and the girl behind pawsometalk.com.