What to Do About Excessive Shedding in Dogs
Excessive shedding in dogs can be annoying for any dog owner, but it could also indicate a problem. If your dog is shedding excessively or abnormally, it is important to consult a veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical conditions. Excessive dog shed can be caused by food allergies or intolerances, as well as environmental allergies. Here’s why it might be happening, along with things you can do to stop it.
Key takeaways:
Shedding is normal, but excessive shedding in dogs could be reason for concern.
The possible causes of excessive shedding may be related to low-quality food, the wrong shampoo, parasites, stress, or underlying issues.
Excessive shedding can be helped by:
Talking to your vet
Trying a different brand of food
Ensuring enough hydration
Using the right brushing tools
Getting regular treatments
Unless you have a hairless dog, you likely deal with your fair share of fur flying around, coating your carpets, and sticking to your clothes. Shedding is normal for dogs, as it’s a sign that new hair is coming in to replace the old stuff that’s no longer growing. But what that “normal” is depends on the type of breed you have. Excessive shedding in dogs, or losing more fur than usual, could be a sign of a problem.
Here’s what to know about shedding, particularly excessive shedding in dogs.
Why is my dog shedding so much?
In most cases, excessive shedding in dogs can usually be attributed to a few factors. Shedding patterns can vary depending on the dog's breed. Some of the most common include:
A bad diet
The main reason dogs shed more than they should is their dog's diet. They need food with proper nutrients and protein, and these can be lacking in cheaper brands. Including omega-3 fatty acids in a dog's diet can help with skin conditions such as fungal infections and rashes. And just because you may have a gluten allergy doesn’t mean you should be looking for gluten-free stuff for your dog. Doing so can actually be harmful to their health, so it’s important to talk to your vet about diet concerns. A balanced diet is crucial for maintaining a healthy dog’s coat and skin. Dog shedding can be influenced by food allergies and lack of essential nutrients.
The Wrong Shampoo for Your Dog's Skin
When you give your dog a bath, do you use shampoo specifically for dogs? Or, do you use the stuff you put in your own hair? If you’re using the latter, that could be the culprit behind excessive shedding. People's shampoo is too abrasive for both dogs’ skin and coat. Even using the right type can cause irritation if you’re not rinsing it off completely, though. This can also result in excessive shedding in dogs.
Parasites
If the increased shedding is because your dog can’t stop scratching, there’s a good chance that parasites like fleas or ticks are involved. Parasites can cause significant damage to a dog's skin, leading to increased shedding. Shedding is far from the worst thing these buggers can cause, too. They – especially ticks – can create serious health issues like anemia or infection. Parasites like fleas and ticks can cause skin irritation, leading to excessive shedding.
Stress
Dogs get into routines and can get stressed when something breaks theirs up – which can lead to extra shedding. Is anything new happening at home? Maybe you recently had a baby or brought in another pet. Perhaps you suddenly went back to the office after working remotely for a long time. Think about your lifestyle and see if any new changes might be behind the sudden excessive shedding. Stress can cause a dog to shed excessively, making it important to identify and mitigate stressors.
Something more serious
If all the above can be ruled out, visit your vet to get to the root of the issue if your dog is shedding excessively. Conditions like ringworm, thyroid disease, skin allergies, and fungal infections can all cause excessive shedding. There are usually symptoms to look out for, including dark or discolored skin, loss of appetite, or increased thirst. Skin allergies can lead to increased dog hair shedding, making it important to identify and address any allergens.
What to do about excessive shedding in dogs
Because it could be something serious, you don’t want to ignore your dog's shedding. Practical tips for managing a dog's shedding include using shedding tools and feeding a healthy diet. Shedding is a natural process, but excessive shedding can indicate a problem. It’s important to take action, such as:
Talking to Your Vet
Make an appointment with your dog’s doctor. Taking this step enables your dog to get a full checkup so any potential underlying issues can be identified and quickly treated. Your vet should be able to pinpoint the problem and provide solutions and advice.
Changing the Diet
If the quality of the food you give your dog could be to blame, change things up. Food allergies or intolerance can lead to excessive shedding in dogs. Look for a brand that offers all the nutrients your dog needs. If necessary, consider using a dietary supplement like Omega-3 fatty acids, which can help with hair growth. A poor diet can cause your dog to shed more than usual. This is also something to discuss with your vet.
Monitoring Water Intake
Pups need to stay well-hydrated. In addition to maintaining overall health, this can help prevent dehydrated skin, which leads to excessive shedding in dogs. The basic rule of thumb is that your pup should be drinking an ounce of water per pound of body weight daily.
Using the Right Tools
Some dogs can be brushed once a month, but others need to be brushed once a day. Short-haired dogs generally shed more due to their denser coats. They should all be brushed, however, and this means utilizing the proper tools. If your dog has a longer coat, a bristle brush with longer bristles is good. If your dog has wooly or curly coat, go with a wire-pin brush. You should also be using tools like shedding brushes and shedding blades to help take off excess fur. Using the right tools helps remove dead hair, reducing the amount of shedding. Regular brushing helps remove loose hair and keeps the coat healthy.
Giving them regular baths and treatments
A well-groomed dog is a happy and healthy dog, and this means you should be giving your pup baths on a regular basis. Bathing your dog regularly helps manage shedding and keeps the coat healthy. Use the right shampoo, but also consider shedding treatments which remove loose fur and stimulate hair follicles for new growth. You can also use special de-shedding shampoos and conditioners that contain moisturizers that hydrate the skin.
Preventing excessive shedding in dogs can take work, but the good news is that you don’t have to do it all by yourself. The team at Scenthound will gladly give your dog the treatment they need to maintain a beautiful and healthy coat—and help you avoid having to constantly look for a lint roller.
Use our store locator to find the closest Scenthound near you.