Why is my Dog Shedding so Much and What Can I do About It?

As a vet, I get asked, “Why is my Dog Shedding so Much?” quite often. The answer is pretty straightforward. Any healthy dog will shed periodically during its life. Depending on the season, breed, and age, your dog may shed more or less than usual. Since shedding is a specific aspect of a dog’s yearly growth and development, it is typically nothing to be concerned about.

The first line of defense against the weather is the dog’s fur. Their fur helps them manage their body temperature throughout the seasons and shields them from various harmful elements, including:

• Insects
• Harsh weather
• UV radiation, and
• Environmental hazards.

If you’ve always wanted a dog but are concerned about dog hair all over your home, choosing the right dog breed can help. Some dog breeds are known to shed less or hardly at all. Even though such dogs shed less and are considered hypoallergenic, some people may still be allergic to these breeds.

If you already have a dog that is shedding a lot, there are some things you can do to minimize the amount of hair around the house. Below we’ll get into some vet-approved methods for reducing the amount of fur your dog sheds. The methods include:

• Choosing the right dog food.
• Choosing an anti-shedding shampoo.
• Choosing supplements that reduce shedding.
• Choosing the right brush for your dog and using it daily.

While it’s impossible to stop your dog from permanently shedding, using some or all of the tips above can greatly reduce the amount of fur your pup sheds. Let’s take a closer look.

Why is my Dog Shedding so Much? Find the Best Dog Food for Shedding

The majority of dog breeds have complete hair- or fur-covered skin. Your dog either sheds frequently or grows continuously, depending on whether or not it is a shedding breed. To maintain good skin and fur, you must ensure that your dog eats enough nutrients.

It requires a well-balanced diet full of vitamins, minerals, lipids, carbohydrates, digestible protein, and enough calories. It would help if you did not feed your dog meals deficient in high-quality nutrients because this will not meet the body’s needs. It is a good idea to select the best dog foods for shedding to boost the additional nutrients that contain certain ingredients.

Why is my Dog Shedding so Much? Find the Best Dog Shampoo for Shedding

An anti-static composition in the best dog shampoo for shedding will aid in reducing hair loss in your dog. Additionally, you ought to search for a shampoo with omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids because these dietary supplements reinforce and strengthen hair to assist in lowering shedding. Furthermore, these fatty acids support your dog’s skin health, which is crucial if you clean the undercoat with a brush.

Oatmeal, coconut, and vitamin E-infused shampoos hydrate and exfoliate the skin while reducing itch and irritation. However, overly chemical and aromatic shampoos might irritate and damage the skin. By carefully reading the label, ensure you are aware of all the ingredients in the shampoo.

Why is my Dog Shedding so Much? Find the Best Dog Shedding Supplement

A healthy, balanced diet improves hair follicle strength and reduces shedding. Supplements can help your dog’s health in addition to a balanced diet. Supplements that can help to reduce and prevent shedding include:

• Coconut oil – can strengthen the coat, moisturize the skin, prevent dandruff and fleas, and relieve dryness.

• Flaxseed oil – It helps many cherished dogs have healthier skin and coats.

• Fish oil – It includes Omega-3 fatty acids, EPA, and DHA. Fish oil helps relieve itching brought on by allergies in your pet and consequently lessens excessive shedding.

There are a ton of supplements available online. Be sure to do your research beforehand, or consult you local vet.

Why is my Dog Shedding so Much? Find the Best Dog Brush for Shedding

Brushing your dog’s coat and skin is crucial to maintain proper canine hygiene. Dog brushes come in a variety of varieties. And your dog’s coat type will determine which is best for him. For short-haired dogs, nylon bristles and boar bristles work best; for long-haired dogs or those with double coats, thick coats, or curly coats, slicker brushes, pin brushes, metal combs, and undercoat rake brushes work best.

Worst Shedding Dog Breeds

Shedding is a persistent issue. You can’t stop this natural process, but you can stop it by not getting a dog from one of the breeds with the most excessive shedding. There are breeds of dogs who shed occasionally and everywhere they may.

Most people believe that a dog sheds more when its coat is longer, but this is not necessarily true. Here is the list of the most shedding dog breeds that might help you choose the ideal canine companion, whether you wish to stay away from severe shedders or don’t mind routine brushing.

• Siberian husky
• German shepherd
• Rottweiler
• Old English sheepdog
• Akita
• Norwegian Elkhound
• Chow Chow
• Alaskan malamute
• American Eskimo
• Cardigan Welsh Corgi
• Great Pyrenees
• Labrador Retriever
• Golden Retriever

While the breeds above shed more often than others, they’re still extremely lovable companion animals. A little fur around the house is definitely worth it if you choose one of these breeds.

Low-Shedding Dog Breeds

Although owning a dog is wonderful, your furniture, floors, and clothes will all be covered in hair if it sheds a lot. Take a look at the low-shedding dogs below. If you want to reduce hair quantity, you vacuum and link-roll off your clothes. Even though dogs with less shedding typically require weekly sessions with the groomer, vacuuming regularly is often beneficial.

Breeds with a single layer of hair and lower shedding levels are generally considered “hypoallergenic.” Breeds with double coats, including retrievers, Siberian huskies, and collies, have thick, protective coverings that shed a lot. Here is a list of dog breeds with little or no shed.

• Airedale terrier
• American Bulldog
• American foxhound
• Bichon Frise
• Chinese Crested dog
• Yorkshire terrier
• Maltese
• Australian cattle dog
• Bedlington terrier
• Basenji
• Brittany
• Border terrier

You won’t be wondering “why is my dog shedding so much?” with these breeds. But, if you’re still looking for a dog that won’t shed at all, read below.

Non-Shedding Dog Breeds

Non-shedding dog breeds are those that don’t shed as much as other dog breeds do. There are no allergies are associated with them, and they only need a small amount of grooming. Therefore, choosing one of the most miniature-shedding dogs is your best option if you have allergies and are desperate for a dog. Even so, dandruff on some low-shedding dogs might cause sneezing, but this can be resolved with a little brushing and bathing.

A dog that doesn’t shed at all does not exist. Certain breeds shed very little, even if they don’t seem to shed at all. However, you still bear some accountability. Even breeds that don’t shed need routine maintenance. Your dog’s coat needs to be brushed, bathed, and regularly trimmed like human hair.

• Afghan hound
• Saluki
• Wirehaired pointing Griffon
• Vizsla
• Schnauzer giant
• Goldendoodle
• Komondor
• Peruvian Inca Orchid (Large and Hairless)
• Black Russian Terrier
• Bouvier
• Poodle Standard
• American hairless terrier
• Barbet
• Scottish terrier

A dog that doesn’t shed is a great companion animal for those with allergies. As always, we recommend you choose to adopt rather than sourcing a specific breed — however, if you’re on the hunt for a dog that will shed very little, one of the above breeds will work for you.

Why is My Dog Shedding so Much? Top 10 All-Natural Remedies

Below are the top 10 vet-approved remedies if you find yourself asking, “why is my dog shedding so much”.

• Regular Brushing – Brush your dog’s coat regularly to remove loose hair and prevent it from shedding around your home. Use a quality dog brush that is designed for your dog’s coat type.
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Adding Omega-3 fatty acid supplements to your dog’s diet can help reduce shedding by promoting healthy skin and coat.
• Coconut Oil – Adding a teaspoon of coconut oil to your dog’s food can help reduce shedding and promote healthy skin and coat.
• Brewer’s Yeast – Brewer’s yeast supplements can help reduce shedding and promote a healthy coat.
• Vitamin E Oil – Adding a few drops of vitamin E oil to your dog’s food can help reduce shedding and promote a healthy coat.
• Green Tea – Brew a cup of green tea and let it cool. Use it as a rinse after bathing your dog to reduce shedding.
• Apple Cider Vinegar – Dilute apple cider vinegar with water and use it as a rinse after bathing your dog. It can help reduce shedding and prevent infections.
• Rosemary – Add a few drops of rosemary oil to your dog’s shampoo to reduce shedding.
• Chamomile – Brew a cup of chamomile tea and let it cool. Use it as a rinse after bathing your dog to reduce shedding.
• Aloe Vera – Apply fresh aloe vera gel to your dog’s coat. It can help soothe the skin and reduce shedding.

In addition to anti-shedding food, shampoo, and supplements, try one, or a combination of, the above all-natural remedies for dog shedding.

Conclusion to our “Why is my Dog Shedding so Much?” Blog

We hope we were able to answer your “Why is my Dog Shedding so Much?” question and offer some solutions to help you out. If you try any of these suggestions, we’d love to hear back from you to see how much it helped with your pup’s shedding problem.

At Avenue Dogs, we now have two vets on staff as writers. If you have any questions related to your pet’s health, please reach out in the comments, and we’ll have one of them reply.