Dog Shedding Remedies for your Pets and Home

What Home Remedy Can I Give My Dog for Shedding?

I have two dogs, a yellow lab named Luna and a fawn pug named Doug. They are both getting older and what I would consider “senior” dogs. I love them to death but they are stinky, hairy and have accidents all over the house.

Both dogs shed but if you have a lab retriever you will understand that Luna sheds a lot more than Doug. It’s not just because Labs are bigger than pugs but because they are one of the worst shedding dog breeds.

I grew up with another yellow lab named Mollie and she shed as much as Luna does now. I can literally say that I had no excuse not to know what I was getting myself into in the pet-hair department when we brought Luna home as a puppy. She’s still worth it though, Labs are wonderful, gentle family dogs.

If the amount that a dog sheds will determine whether or not you want to bring that breed home to your family, here is a list of some of the worst offenders.

Worst shedding dog breeds:

• Labrador Retriever
• German Shepherd
• Golden Retriever
• Siberian Husky
• Akita
• Chow Chow.
• Great Pyrenees
• Saint Bernard

There are dogs like poodles that don’t shed. If you have allergies and don’t want to deal with tumbleweeds of hair floating through your house then you might want to go with one of the breeds on this list that don't shed and are hypoallergenic.

Keep in mind that poodles and similar dogs don’t have fur, they have hair and you need to cut their hair otherwise it will grow out of control. If you don’t want to learn how to do this yourself it can be very expensive to take your dog to a groomer on a regular basis.

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What causes a dog to shed excessively?

Hormonal issues involving the over- or under-production of testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone can cause a dog to shed more than usual. During pregnancy and lactation, many dogs will lose some hair.

 A few months after a female dog gives birth to her puppies she will “blow her coat” ie: go through a massive shed.

The same thing happens in humans. When I was pregnant with my daughter I had the nicest hair of my life. For once it was thick and beautiful. About three months postpartum all that beautiful hair shed and came out in clumps in the shower and my hair went back to normal.

Why is my dog shedding in winter?

As the days get shorter, many dogs and cats shed their summer coats so a heavier, thicker, protective coat can grow in for the winter. Though the coat that is shedding is the lighter summer coat, it can still be surprising to pet owners that their pet is shedding so much just before the winter.

Dogs typically go through two major sheds per year one in the spring to shed their warm winter coat and one just before winter.

Does shedding make dogs itchy?

Shedding is serious when it includes other symptoms, such as skin lesions or itching. Certain foods, medications, household cleaners and grooming supplies may trigger allergic reactions in dogs.

If you notice that your dog is shedding so severely that she is getting bald spots or sores then you should contact your vet.

Your dog may have a food allergy and switching foods could help. Supplements may also help, we’ll talk about that in a minute.

If you dog is otherwise perfectly healthy and you are just frustrated with the tornadoes of dog hair seeping into every aspect of your life then there are two approaches you can take to reduce the effects of shedding:

1. Remove dead hair for
   your dog
2. Remove dead hair from
   your home

It’s that simple and that complicated

Should you shave your dog?

In a word: NO. Don’t shave your dog unless it’s a poodle or other dog that grows hair instead of fur.

If your dog is a retriever or any of the offenders on the worst shedding dog list then you should definitely not shave them.

I know how much having a super hairy dog can suck but they control their body temperature with their fur. The same coat of fur that keeps them warm in the winter also helps keep them cool in the summer.

If you shave off the fur then they may not be able to control their body temperature in the summer.

Your dog could end up with a sunburn and become more vulnerable to cuts and injury.

What supplements can help dog shedding?

There are supplements that can help improve your dog’s skin and coat. Although they are not likely to stop them from shedding, a dog with healthy skin and fur will look better, feel better and be less likely to shed fur because of skin problems or diseases. Try fish oil, olive oil or coconut oil drizzled on top of your dog’s food.

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How much olive oil should I give to my dog to help with shedding?

Olive oil contains omega-3 fatty acids that make your dog coat healthy and shiny. You can add olive oil directly to your dog's food. As a guideline, you can add 1 teaspoon olive oil per 15 pounds of your dog's weight.

Start off with a small amount and build up. Too much too soon can make your dog have an upset tummy.

Does fish oil help with dog shedding?

The fatty acids that fish provide boost skin and coat health, but they aren't a cure-all in the face of excess shedding. If you're looking for ways to reduce your dog's shedding, fish can help, but your dog will still shed.

Is coconut oil good for dogs skin?

In addition to giving your dog coconut oil orally, it can be applied directly to your dogs coat and skin. Because coconut oil contains lauric acid, it is a fabulous immune builder, both orally and topically. Only apply the coconut oil to small areas of the skin that need a little TLC otherwise your dog's coat will end up a greasy mess.

Does giving a dog a bath help with shedding?

Sometimes brushing a shedding dog seems never-ending, as you just keep getting hair clump after hair clump. Giving your pooch a bath helps loosen his dead coat, and rinses much of it out faster than you can brush. Brush him thoroughly to remove any tangles, then bathe him as you normally would.

Should you brush your dog before or after a bath?

Both. Brush first to help loosen hair and then after your dog is dry to get anything left over.

You should brush your dog before and after a bath, but only if you brush him regularly and there is no severe matting or knots. Brushing can be painful and uncomfortable if there are knots in your pet's fur. If the coat is in bad condition you should work on it slowly, one small area at a time.

What is the best deshedding tool for dogs?

There are three types of brushes that I like to use on my dog.

The first is the Furminator. This magic tool will help get to your dogs undercoat and remove all the dead hair.

This brush is perfect to use during the major molting times when your dog starts shedding is coat in clumps.

I also like the stainless steel shedding blade. It get the undercoat like the Furminator does but it's faster and you can get a larger area of your dog's coat.

I also like the Pet Grooming Gloves. You dog just thinks you're petting him but really it's helping get all the fur off.

How often should I wash my dog?

At a minimum, it's advised to bathe your dog at least once every three months. You can wash your dog as frequently as every other week (with gentle shampoo, it could be even more frequent). When in doubt, use your judgment — if your dog starts to smell (see also 'How To Get Dog Smell Out Of Your Couch'), it's probably time for a bath

Can I use Dawn to wash my dog?

Yes, but not very often.. Using Dawn is recommended because it works best for killing the fleas where other brands may not and it's the safe for your pet. Only use the Dawn a couple times per year otherwise it can dry out the dog's skin.

What is the best pet hair vacuum?

Now that we've covered controlling the hair on your dog, you need to know how to control the hair in your home.

A daily vacuuming routine is going to be the best way to get rid of the dog hair in your home.

I'm partial to Dyson vacuums. They work great and next time I upgrade I am going to get a cordless Dyson.

If you don't have time for daily vacuuming I recommend a robot vacuum that will do the dirty work for you while you are out and then you can do a deep clean once a week.

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What are your best dog shedding remedies? How do you control the pet hair in your home? Let me know in the comments!