Hey guys, it’s Ash. We’ve talked a lot about shedding on the blog by now, but as someone who loves dogs, I know that all that hair is a lifelong struggle! Boxers don’t shed too much because their coats are short, but both Leroy and Janice experience one big seasonal shedding at the start of summer and the start of winter. Right around this time of year, my house is a mess of hair, hair, and much more hair. It’s a pain keeping up with all the vacuuming, and frankly I have never been that great at caring about dog hair around the house anyway. So more often than not, I end up wearing all that shed fur, every time I leave the house.
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This year I was determined to be better, so I got out the vacuum and got to work. Two hours later, I was sweaty and grumpy, so I turned to the trusty Internet. Surely, I thought, there’s a way to help Janice and Leroy stop shedding quite so much. And lo and behold, I found some tips. So today, I thought I would share with you what I’ve learned, and maybe we can take this adventure together. You try some out on your dog, I’ll try some out on mine, and let’s see if we can defeat the fur this summer.
Why Dogs Shed
Before we get into how you can naturally help your dog stop shedding, let’s talk about why dogs shed. It’s a normal process for dogs to get rid of hair that is old or damaged. Humans do this too, although to a lesser degree. But the amount of hair that is shed, and the frequency, can be a sign that something beyond the usual loss of old or damaged hair is occurring.
Some reasons that a dog might be shedding include:
- Fleas or lice
- Bacterial infections
- Allergies
- Excessive licking
- Immune disease
- Sunburn
- Taking certain medications
…And even more. Dogs with kidney disease, for example, or dogs that are pregnant, can also shed excessively. Dogs that have come into contact with a substance that irritates the skin can also have balding patches of hair loss. It is important that you consider the reason for your dog’s shedding in order to properly counteract it. Here are seven ways to curb the shedding that could help you cut down on how much time you spend with your vacuum this winter.
(1) Bathe your dog – but only when he needs it.[easyazon_image align=”right” cart=”n” cloak=”y” height=”250″ identifier=”B01HNFJUDW” locale=”US” localize=”y” nw=”y” nf=”y” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41bMLMmVY8L.jpg” tag=”natur0da-20″ width=”250″]
Did you know that bathing your dog too much can be just as bad for their shedding, as bathing too infrequently? Some dogs do need more frequent bathing because their skin can get oily and that can make them a bit smelly. Other dogs, especially those prone to dry skin, can shed more after too much bathing because it irritates their skin. One of the best things you can do is to choose a shampoo that has a very gentle, all-natural formula. This [easyazon_link identifier=”B01HNFJUDW” locale=”US” nw=”y” nf=”y” tag=”natur0da-20″ cart=”n” cloak=”y” localize=”y” popups=”n”]Moosh shampoo[/easyazon_link] is a little pricey, but it is one of the most commonly recommended shampoos for dogs that have a tendency to get dry skin, or to have sensitive reactions to shampoo.
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Most dogs only need a bath about once a month. If you think your dog needs a more frequent bath, or if they rolled around in something smelly and you’re trying to clean them up, be sure to use a gentle shampoo. Even baby shampoo for human babies is better than regular old dog shampoo in these cases. Unless your vet recommends this, I would never wash a dog more than once a week. That will definitely irritate the skin, which will lead to more shedding.
(2) Be sure you are removing the old hair with daily brushing.[easyazon_image align=”right” cart=”n” cloak=”y” height=”250″ identifier=”B016WPHHK2″ locale=”US” localize=”y” nw=”y” nf=”y” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51dtUMqJpFL.jpg” tag=”natur0da-20″ width=”250″]
A daily brushing can help dogs’ coats stay healthier, which in turns cuts down on the shedding. (Additionally, you’ll see less hair around your house, which is always nice.) The reason that brushing helps to prevent shedding is that it distributes the skin’s natural oils throughout the coat, which makes it stronger. Stronger hair means less damaged hair, and that means less shedding. It’s not hard to figure out what type of brush is best for your dog, but you do need to take just a minute to consider.
Does your dog have a short, silky coat? Choose something with shorter prongs to capture those very fine hairs. (Those tiny hairs may get lost on a brush with larger prongs, which are designed to prevent tangling.) The FURminatordeShedding tool for short dog coats is perfect.
Does your dog have long hair? You may need to use two tools to get the job done. A rake can help you untangle your dog’s hair so that no loose strands hide in the matted areas, and a [easyazon_link identifier=”B016WPHHK2″ locale=”US” nw=”y” nf=”y” tag=”natur0da-20″ cart=”n” cloak=”y” localize=”y” popups=”n”]slicker brush[/easyazon_link] can help you then get rid of the shed hair.
(3) Be sure your dog is eating a high quality dog food.[easyazon_image align=”right” cart=”n” cloak=”y” height=”250″ identifier=”B00CNTK2L8″ locale=”US” localize=”y” nw=”y” nf=”y” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51sOWlDxcAL.jpg” tag=”natur0da-20″ width=”170″]
Even if your dog is not allergic to his dog food, eating food that does not contain an optimal amount of nutrients can cause hair loss as well as other medical concerns. The reason that high quality dog food is better is that it ensures that your dog gets the nutrients they need. Dog food that keeps your dog healthy keeps their skin and coat healthy too. Ask your vet for their recommendation for a high quality food, or go with a food that has meat as the first ingredient, such as [easyazon_link identifier=”B00CNTK2L8″ locale=”US” nw=”y” nf=”y” tag=”natur0da-20″ cart=”n” cloak=”y” localize=”y” popups=”n”]Blue Wilderness[/easyazon_link] food.
(4) Add a teaspoon of molasses to their meal.
Adding a teaspoon of molasses to your dog food bag (the ratio is one teaspoon to every 10 pounds of dog food) has been shown to help dogs avoid a lot of extra shedding. The jury is still out on this one, but molasses is very high in iron, calcium, and magnesium, which are all shown to be very healthy for skin and hair. If your dog’s problem is a nutrient deficiency, this could help clear that up and improve their skin health – which in turn prevents a lot of shedding. I’m not sure I’m totally sold on this idea, but it can’t hurt to try. Be sure to keep your food well-sealed if you do this – the sticky-sweet smell of molasses will attract bugs.
(5) Or add some olive oil to their food.
This tip is one I’m more inclined to believe. There is tons of evidence out there that olive oil is good for dog coats. Adding a tablespoon of olive oil to your dog’s bowl every day can improve their skin because it’s full of omega-3 fatty acids. We talked about the benefits of this natural supplement on the blog before. You can also give your dog a fish oil supplement for the same benefit, or find a dog food that has fish ingredients. This will also help improve your dog’s overall health, so I think it’s really a win all the way around. They’ll also look a lot glossier and shinier, just in time for that holiday photo.
(6) Be sure they do not have fleas, ticks, mites, or lice.[easyazon_image align=”right” cart=”n” cloak=”y” height=”250″ identifier=”B0002J1FOE” locale=”US” localize=”y” nw=”y” nf=”y” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61hdbEvKlRL.jpg” tag=”natur0da-20″ width=”250″]
If your dog has been licking a lot, scratching a lot, or even pulling out their own fur with their teeth, you may be seeing a dog that is struggling with pests. Lice, ticks, mites, and fleas can cause allergic reactions that make hair fall out. They also cause painful, itchy spots that cause a dog to scratch, bite, or lick themselves until they have a bald spot. If you are noticing a lot of this behavior, it could mean that it’s time for a dose of [easyazon_link identifier=”B0002J1FOE” locale=”US” nw=”y” nf=”y” tag=”natur0da-20″ cart=”n” cloak=”y” localize=”y” popups=”n”]flea medicine[/easyazon_link].
However, once your dog has fleas or lice, getting rid of them can be tricky. You definitely want to treat your home with a spray or even a flea fogger or “bomb” if the infestation is bad. Be sure that you wash your dog’s bed, blanket, and any clothing that the dog wears, and that you talk to your vet about other remedies like flea collars. You may also need to consider a salve for the areas where your dog was scratching, or even a dog cone if they won’t stop licking or biting the area.
(7) Be sure they aren’t having an allergic reaction to anything.
If a dog is having an allergic reaction to something, they could be having more shedding than usual. Signs of an allergic reaction in a dog include:
- Itchy skin that is red, scabbed, or moist
- Lots of scratching
- Runny eyes
- Itchy areas at the base of the tail or around the ears
- Sneezing
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Snoring
- Lots of licking themselves
- Chewing at the paws
- Swollen paws
Dogs can develop allergies at any time to just about anything. From their food, the grass, or fabric dye on their favorite blanket, to your perfume, mold, or a medicine, dogs can become allergic to a great many things. Some dogs that tend to become allergic to things more often than other dogs include:
- Bulldogs
- Terriers
- Setters
- Boston Terriers
- Pugs
- Retrievers
It can take a bit of work to find out what your dog is actually allergic to so that you can eliminate it. Your vet can help you start to narrow down the possibilities so that you can address the issue. Dogs can also be given Benadryl to help with the symptoms. Ask your vet for the proper dose for your dog. If your dog is allergic to something airborne, like mold or dust mites, consider putting in an air purifier where they sleep. This can help their system get a break from that allergen, and also improves the quality of air for you.
One Last Step
If you’ve gone through the seven tips above for curbing your dog’s shedding, and you haven’t landed on the reason why, it’s time to head to the vet. Many illnesses can cause shedding in dogs, and it may be that they are having a health problem. Getting to the bottom of anything that could be going on could be more than just a chore-saver; it could also save your dog’s life. So if everything on this list has failed, and your dog isn’t one that just naturally sheds a lot, consider heading to your vet if the problem persists.
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The Final Word
Looking through these tips, I have a few that I plan to try out myself with Janice and Leroy this year. I already give them a fish oil supplement, but maybe I’ll give that molasses tip a whirl and see if there’s any truth behind it. I also plan to check in with Stephen, my vet, to be sure he doesn’t see any other signs of newly emerging allergies. I’ll whip out the brush a little more often, and check that the ingredients in our faithful dog shampoo haven’t changed recently. Beyond that, I’m afraid this is just normal for Boxers around this time of year. I may be able to curb some of the shedding with these tips, but I’ll likely still be spending more time vacuuming than I want.
One thing that humans can do to keep their houses from being quite so hairy is to get into a vacuum routine every day during shedding season. I know that’s a huge drag, but the fact is that it’s much easier to vacuum up recently-shed hair than old hair. Dog hair tends to stick to whatever it lands on, and it’s hard to get up if you leave it for more than a day. Try using a Swiffer or something similar around your house every day, and go over the carpet with a quick vacuum. If you do use a Swiffer, one thing I’ve learned is that swapping out the pad for a fabric softener sheet can help pick up hair better because hair sticks to those textured dryer sheets.
Give these tips a try and save yourself the headache this summer!
Related Content:
7 Tips for Dealing with Shedding
5 Best Dog Deshedding Brushes
5 Best Dog Hair Blowers