Tips to Reduce Shedding in your Dog

Warm weather is here! And for your canine friend, that means shedding season. Hair covering the furniture, clothes, carpets, and the car upholstery can range from being a pesky nuisance to causing health problems for allergy sufferers. Here are five tips to help reduce shedding in your dog during these warmer months.

1) Brush, Brush, Brush! - The best way to ensure that your dog’s hair won’t get all over your home is to attack the hair all at once. Brushing your dog regularly - daily, if your dog has an extra thick coat! - is essential for your pet’s comfort and your sanity. Look for brushes that are specially designed to remove excess hair from the undercoat. And if your dog doesn’t have an undercoat, look for a brush designed for thinner, shorter fur.

2) Bathe as Needed - Regular baths in the summer will not only cool your dog off, but they will also help to rid your friend of the excess fur. But don’t bathe too much! Excess bathing will dry out your dog’s fur and skin, creating more unwanted shedding. You can buy a special fur releasing shampoo for shedding season. Shampoos like this help reduce shedding between baths and release the undercoat so it can easily be brushed.

3) What’s for Dinner? - If your dog is eating low quality dog food, his coat and skin are likely to be less healthy which can lead to additional unwanted shedding. Feeding your dog a high quality food encourages a healthy coat and healthy skin. This also can reduce dander build up on your dog, making your friend more allergy friendly.

4) When Diet Isn’t Enough - Sometimes your dog may need an extra nutritional boost for a healthy coat and skin. Adding wild salmon oil or another omega-3 rich supplement to your dog’s meals can improve your dog’s coat and skin.

5) Flea and Tick Vigilance - If your dog has fleas or ticks, he will be scratching. And scratching means the fur will fly! Keep the fleas and ticks at bay using a topical formula applied monthly to your dog. You can also use a flea and tick collar, such as the Seresto which can last up to eight months! In addition, bathing with a flea and tick shampoo will help rid your dog of any current and future infestations.

If you have additional questions or concerns about your dog’s shedding and how to cope with it, consult your local pet care professional for more information. At RiverDog, we can help you choose the right products and best methods of hair removal for your dog. Happy shedding!