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How to Stop Dogs from Shedding

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How to Stop Dogs from Shedding

1. Why Does Dog Shedding Happen?
2. What is the definition of shed?
3. What’s a Normal Amount of Dog Shedding?
4. Is Excessive Dog Shedding Cause for Alarm?
5. How to Manage Shedding
6. Managing Skin Conditions using CBD
7. A Final Thought on Dog Shedding

Is your dog shedding more than usual? Are you one of the thousands of pet owners who keeps a lint roller inside their vehicle... And at their workplace... And perhaps each room of your house? Do you avoid dressing in specific colors other than that of your pet's coat? Do you see yourself vacuuming to no avail? If the answer to these was yes, you have a shedder.

How to Stop Dogs from Shedding | Innovet Pet

Why Does Dog Shedding Happen? 

Are you wondering “How to stop a dog from shedding?” First things first, why do canines shed? Shedding is a perfectly healthy and normal function that dogs naturally do. Healthy dog shedding happens for many reasons. To begin with, the pet's coat assists in regulating their body temperature. Thereby, in cooler months dogs typically will shed less. In hotter months, the body naturally wants to remain as cool as it can, so it’ll rid itself of more hair. Also, shedding happens was the hair stops growing. The body sheds the dead, old hair to make room for brand-new hair to take its place.

What is the definition of shed?

In this particular how to stop a shedding dog scenario, the definition of shed includes losing hair. Again, shedding may happen because of disease, age, or for healthy, natural causes.

How to Stop Dogs from Shedding | Innovet Pet

What’s a Normal Amount of Dog Shedding?

"Normal" is a funny term as what is considered to be normal greatly varies from dog to dog. There are 3 factors which play huge roles in how much hair your pup sheds: their breed, their overall health condition, as well as the present climate. It’s vital for pet parents to be aware of how much their pup normally sheds to recognize when and if the shedding becomes excessive.

Dog Breed

How to stop a dog from shedding so much hair? The breed of canine vastly affects the amount they naturally shed. In large part, this is why specific canines are bred to be hypoallergenic and shed substantially less. Those dogs make it possible for those who have allergies to canines to have the ability to know the joys of dog parenthood.

Even hypoallergenic or “non-shedding” dogs will shed to some degree. The only canines which are fully shed-free are hairless ones.

Weather and Climate Changes 

One other factor which vastly affects how much a pup sheds is the seasonal and climate changes. If you have a double-coated pup, you know first-hand that weather affects some canines more than others. During the fall and spring seasons, double-coated pups shed what’s referred to as their undercoat. Within some breeds such as the Chow Chow and Alaskan Husky, this quantity of shedding may be very heavy. Again, that’s where knowing your pup's normal shedding quantity comes into play. Only by knowing what’s typical for your pet to shed will pet parents have the ability to recognize when the hair loss has become excessive.

On the flip side, some pups are not affected by seasonal changes whatsoever, especially if they’re kept indoors for most of the year. It’s vital for pet parents to take their climate into consideration before they decide what breed is better for them. An Alaskan Husky inside Miami will need to shed quite a bit of fur to keep their body temperature regulated within the scorching Florida seasons. Comparably, a Chinese Crested is going to have to dress in sweaters to keep their hairless body hot if they reside in a cool climate.

Overall Health Condition

Lastly, the overall health condition of your dog greatly can affect the quantity they shed. For instance, dogs which are pregnant are well-known to shed more than their usual "normal" amount. But this hair loss is thought to be expected and healthy. Also, age affects shedding as older canines usually lose hair more often.

And with that being said, there also are conditions which cause excessive shedding and they shouldn’t be overlooked.

How to Stop Dogs from Shedding | Innovet Pet

Is Excessive Dog Shedding Cause for Alarm? 

As previously aforementioned, the majority of shedding is thought to be a natural, healthy, normal bodily function. But if the hair loss becomes excessive it might be an indication of an underlying health problem which must be addressed.

Skin Irritations and Conditions

Different skin irritations and conditions are top causes of excessive shedding in dogs.

The most typical of those skin conditions involve: 

  • Mange
  • Sunburn
  • Ringworm
  • Dermatitis
  • Bacterial or fungal infections
  • Parasites / a parasitic infestation (mites, lice, or fleas and ticks) 

Self-induced wound from excessive licking

As it’ll come to skin irritations that lead to shedding, it’s common for pet owners to additionally see these symptoms: 

  • Foot licking
  • Repeated face rubbing
  • Excessive scratching
  • Bald spots
  • Dry flaky skin
  • Dry, dull hair which easily pulls out from brushing or petting
  • Thinning of coat
  • Open sores
  • Scabs, rashes, or bumps
  • Inflamed, red skin 

Book an appointment with a vet if you notice any of these symptoms going on for more than one week. Constant scratching and licking may lead to a string of other conditions, which includes bacterial infections and hot spots that you will need to avoid at all cost.

Anxiety

We probably do not need to tell you that canines are very sensitive animals. They suffer anxieties and stress just like humans do. Interestingly enough, it isn’t uncommon for canines to suffer physiological responses to stresses like moving homes or death in the family.  Within some instances, high quantities of anxiety quickly can lead to high quantities of shedding. If dog anxiety is causing your pet to shed excessively, it’s vital to do your best and pinpoint the stressor and appropriately manage it. Within the majority of cases, an additional dose of TLC also will help.

Diseases: External and Internal 

Excessive shedding in dogs also can be a telltale indication of various external and internal diseases.

As a matter of fact, excessive shedding is a symptom of all these diseases:

As you can plainly see, excessive shedding shouldn’t be overlooked. If your pup usually does not shed much and recently has been losing a massive quantity of hair, it’s important to get to the bottom of what’s causing that change.

How to Stop Dogs from Shedding | Innovet Pet

Food and Environmental Allergies

Excessive hair loss also is a symptom of both dog food allergies and environmental allergies. Plus, inhalants like new shampoos, household cleaners, or laundry detergent may cause your pooch to suffer an allergic reaction, oftentimes resulting in a massive quantity of loose hair covering your floors.

Unfortunately, pinpointing precisely what your pooch is allergic to may prove to be a little challenging. In the majority of cases, pet parents must use a process of elimination to find out their pup's sensitivities. Your vet will have the ability to walk you through the most efficient method of proceeding.

Hormonal Changes

Hormonal imbalances like Hypothyroidism and under-production or over-production of hormones also can result in excessive shedding.

As previously aforementioned, pregnancy also can result in more hair loss than normal but is considered normal. But, if you’re worried about your pet's shedding or if you see bald spots, speak with your vet. Your pet might benefit from a nutritional supplement which will assist in restoring and balancing their hormones.

How to Manage Shedding 

Pet parents won’t have the ability to fully eliminate healthy dog shedding, especially in heavy shedding breeds. But, there are ways to help on how to stop your dog from shedding, and decrease the quantity of loose fur in your house and on your clothing.

Buy Special Grooming Tools

One way on how to stop a dog shedding and manage your pup's shedding is by investing in a specialized grooming brush that will assist in removing excessive loose hair. Every brush is somewhat different; therefore, it is vital to follow the instructions given. Some grooming tools direct you to initially brush backward to remove the dead skin follicles then proceed with usual brushing. There also are grooming tools specifically made for dogs that have double coats and assist in controlling shedding.

Whether or not your put is a heavy shedder, routine brushing is a vital portion of maintaining the skin health of your dog and stop dogs from shedding so much. For non-shedding dog breeds, pet parents can buy tools like a natural-bristle brush or glove brush that has bristles to assist in keeping their dog's coat healthy and shiny.

Diet

The diet of your dog is important. Most pet parents might not know that feeding your pup a well-balanced diet is an efficient way to decrease shedding.

Plus, it’ll go without saying that diet is tied to virtually everything in your pup's life. Without the right nutrition they need, the excess shedding is going to be the least of your problems. We suggest speaking with your vet concerning whether your pooch could benefit from extra nutritional supplements and vitamins and if they’re being fed the best diet for their needs. Trust us, your pup’s food truly can make a world of difference for every part of their wellbeing and health.

How to Stop Dogs from Shedding | Innovet Pet

Relieve Anxiety

Managing excessive hair loss might come in the form of managing anxiety. Give consideration to if there’ve been any changes in your pet's life, small or big. Did you move houses? Was there a change within your household? Even something as insignificant as having an extended guest may cause your pet to suffer stress. Whenever you can, attempt to pinpoint precisely what’s causing their anxiety. Consider whether it’s something which might have the ability to be eliminated or whether an additional dose of love and attention will help make your dog feel more secure.

Tick and Flea Preventatives

Parasites, like ticks and fleas, are a top cause of skin irritation and subsequent excess shedding. It’s vital for pet owners to know whether their pet is at risk of getting tick or flea bites. Within some states, especially in warm months, ticks and fleas exist in huge amounts and may wreak havoc on your pup's body. If those parasites exist where you reside make sure your pup is on a preventative treatment.

Speak with Your Veterinarian

When it comes to your pet’s individual needs, we suggest speaking with your veterinarian. Giving your vet as much details as possible helps them diagnose what’s likely to stop dogs from shedding so much. Also, your veterinarian will have the ability to do the necessary testing to rule out severe infections and diseases. We feel it’s always best to be safe than sorry, particularly as it’ll come to your pet. Trust your instincts if you believe something might be wrong with your dog.

CBD Oil for Dogs

CBD Oil for Dogs | Innovet Pet

You’ve probably heard about the herb CBD. CBD, which derives from the hemp plant, is changing the lives of individuals all around the world. It was just natural that many people began to wonder if CBD also could benefit their dogs. Over 30 years of studies prove that it’s a safe and effective method of managing a plethora of conditions that pets might face and now CBD Oil is available with just a click of a button! For under $2 per day, it’s possible to implement CBD oil into your pup's diet. It’s safe enough to directly administer into your pup's mouth or it may be blended into their food. CBD oil is available in tincture form which permits dog parents to have complete control over how much of it their dog receives.

What’s the best news? It has virtually zero possible adverse reactions. That is right! Your pooch may reap all the health benefits CBD offers without a concern in the world... and the great news does not stop there...

How to Stop Dogs from Shedding | Innovet Pet

Managing Skin Conditions using CBD 

CBD is an all-natural anti-inflammatory. Why is that important? We are glad you asked!

When researchers trace most conditions back to their origin, they oftentimes find that the health ailments all have one thing in common: inflammation. It’s so much more than redness or swollenness. It’s at the core of almost every health condition from skin conditions to allergies to cancer. Thereby, implementing an anti-inflammatory, all-natural supplement may be beneficial for a pet suffering with a string of ailments, which includes excess shedding associated with skin irritations.

We suggest our Hemp dog treats. These treats are guaranteed to improve these conditions:

  • Allergies
  • Dandruff/Shedding
  • Dull Coats
  • Cracked Paw Pads
  • Itchy, Dry, Irritated Skin

Preventing Dog Shedding With CBD

In easing inflammation related to allergies and supplementing the body with additional nutrients, CBD oil may decrease the quantity of hair your dog sheds and prevent future hair loss.

Again, it’s important to find out precisely why your pooch is excessively shedding as CBD won’t have the ability to fully resolve an underlying disease. But, it definitely can help as it’ll come to managing inflammation, as well as minimizing and stopping shedding in dogs.

Managing Anxiety using CBD

As aforementioned, in some instances excess shedding is tied to high stress and anxiety levels. In those situations, buying CBD may help. Countless animals and people have found outstanding results by utilizing CBD as an all-natural method of alleviating and managing anxiety. CBD oil also can be utilized as a preventative step if you know that your furry friend is about to suffer changes which might stress them out.

We suggest trying specially formulated CBD soft chews.

These treats may improve:

  • Poor Sleep
  • Stress related to Car Rides/ Road Trips
  • Stress of Flying
  • Fears/Phobias
  • Nervous-Licking
  • Anxiety Problems

Again, canines are very sensitive creatures. If something is having an impact on you, they’re probably picking up on it. If your dog is suffering high stress and anxiety levels let CBD be a possible solution.

A Final Thought on Dog Shedding

Even the most doting pet owner may find frequent shedding to be somewhat of a headache. Before strolling to your closet to pull out your vacuum for the third time today, consider whether or not your pet's shedding is normal. Are the weather seasons changing? Do you have a breed with a double coat and sheds their undercoat in certain seasons? Again, regular shedding is a natural aspect of your pet's life; however, excessive shedding shouldn’t be overlooked.

To repeat, knowing your pet's "normal" is an important part of recognizing the development of a string of conditions early on. Realizing your pet is shedding more than their usual amount is the first measure in having the ability to address the change. Excess shedding is not always a cause to be alarmed, yet pet parents ought to do everything possible to figure out why their pet is losing hair.

Lastly, when it comes to how to stop dogs from shedding so much, speak with your holistic vet concerning dietary supplements and changes that might benefit your pet's health, restore hair loss, as well as aid in preventing excess shedding down the road. Something as simple as changing to a different food formula, as well as implementing CBD oil might be just what the vet ordered.

For more information please feel free to get in touch with Innovet Pet Products right away!

 

Sources:

Long-term compassionate use of oclacitinib in dogs
Shedding In Cats And Dogs
Shedding in Dogs
My Dog Sheds. What Can I Do?
How to Stop Dogs from Shedding

 

Approved by:

Dr. Sara Ochoa

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, St. Georges University

Sara Redding Ochoa, DVM was raised in north Louisiana. She graduated from LA Tech in 2011 with a degree in animal science. She then moved to Grenada West Indies for veterinary school. She completed her clinical year at Louisiana State University and graduated in 2015 from St. George’s University. Since veterinary school, she has been working at a small animal and exotic veterinary clinic in east Texas, where she has experience treating all species that walk in the hospital. In her free time, she likes to travel with her husband Greg, bake yummy desserts and spend time with her 4-legged fur kids, a dog Ruby, a cat Oliver James “OJ”, a rabbit BamBam and a tortoise MonkeyMan.

 

Thanks for stopping by!
P.S. We Love You!

Sincerely,
The Innovet Team



Please do not ask for emergency or specific medical questions about your pets in the comments. Innovet Pet Products is unable to provide you with specific medical advice or counseling. A detailed physical exam, patient history, and an established veterinarian are required to provide specific medical advice. If you are worried that your pet requires emergency attention or if you have specific medical questions related to your pet’s current or chronic health conditions, please contact or visit your local/preferred veterinarian, an animal-specific poison control hotline, or your local emergency veterinary care center.

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