Home Remedies for Shedding in Dogs | Dog Shedding Remedies

It is common for dogs to shed; however, excess shedding might be an indication of a problem. Some dogs shed more than other but all dogs lose hair. A change in the weather, diet or even the shampoo you use to clean your dog can cause increased shedding.

Excess shedding in dogs can be an indication of health problems thus if your dog is not a heavy shedder and suddenly starts shedding, it might be advisable to visit the veterinary to ensure that everything is fine. Some shedding might not need you to visit the veterinary. There are some great home remedies that you can use to reduce or stop excessive shedding in your dog.

It is important to understand the different causes of excess shedding in dogs to be able to know what is causing shedding in your dog. By understanding the cause of shedding, you can be able to solve the problem. If your dog is allergic to certain foods or ingredients in the shampoo, stopping the diet or product can help resolve the shedding. Here are some of the most common causes of excess shedding in dogs.

Bad nutrition
Stress
Bacterial or fungal infections
Underlying health problem such as Liver, thyroid, kidney, or adrenal disease
Parasites like fleas, mites, or lice
Pregnancy or lactation
Self-induced trauma due to constant licking
Certain medicines
Food allergies
Immune disease
Cancer
Sunburn
Contact with irritating substances

If the shedding is not caused by medication or some of the health conditions we have indicated, you can easily stop and reduce the shedding. A visit to the veterinary can also help you determine whether your dog’s hair loss is normal or if there is an underlying condition. If your dog’s shedding is caused by medication or your dog has an underlying medical condition, we recommend you consult the veterinary prior to trying out any home remedies.

Top 10 Best Home Remedies for Shedding in Dogs

Some of the most causes of shedding in dogs can easily be alienated at home. We have tested and tried out some of the home remedies recommended to help stop excess shedding in dogs. Based on our test, we have provided you with some of the remedies that we found to be safe, reliable and effective in stopping excessive shedding in dogs. Here are 10 of the best home remedies for dog shedding.

#1) Nutrition

In most cases, excess shedding in dogs is caused by bad nutrition. It is important for dog owners to ensure that their dogs are taking a balanced diet that provides the dog with all the nutrients that he needs. Feeding your dog with cheap dog food that has high amount of fillers can cause your dog to shed excessively. Most fillers are hard for your dog to digest thus they do not provide your dog with any nutritional value.

If you do not know which dog food provides your dog with all the nutrients he needs, you can ask the veterinary to recommend food brands that suit your dog’s nutritional needs. The best dog food should be easy for your dog to digest and absorb. It should have the nutrients needed to boost the immune and health of your dog. A high quality dog food will ensure a healthy and shiny coat and skin.

#2) Alienate Allergens

If your dog sufferers from an allergy, shedding might be an indication of an allergy. Your dog can be allergic to an ingredient in the food you are feeding him which can cause excess shedding. Look out for ingredients list to identify any ingredient that might cause an allergic reaction in your dog. There are so many dog foods in the market that cater for food allergies in dogs. You can consider getting dog food that is ideal for dogs with stomach allergies.

A visit to the veterinary can also help you identify a food allergy and avoid any allergic reactions in the future. Some dogs can also be allergic to some components found in shampoos used to clean the dog. If you have introduced a new product or shampoo to clean your dog and he has started shedding excessively, the new product could be the cause. Stopping the use of the product will help stop the excess shedding.

#3) Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Including Omega 3 fatty acids to your dog’s diet cannot only stop excess shedding but it can also ensure that your dog has a healthy and shiny coat. Some dog foods include fish like tuna, salmon or other fish which are rich in fatty acids in their ingredients. These foods can be great for your dog since they can help ensure that your dog’s coat is healthy.

If you find it hard to include fish or fish oil in your dog’s food, you can include omega-supplements. It is however important for you to check with your vet as to which supplement is ideal for your dog and the correct dosage.

#4) Olive Oil

Olive oil is healthy oil that can be included in your dog’s diet to help with skin conditions such as dandruff as well as excess shedding. It is recommended to add a teaspoon for every 10 pounds of body weight. However; it is always safe to seek the advice of the veterinary prior to including olive oil in your dog’s diet. Olive oil can also be applied on the dry patches where your dog has lost the hair to moisturize it and avoid irritation.

#5) Water

Dehydration can also cause shedding in dog. Dog owners should ensure that their dogs get enough amount of clean water every day. During the summer or for dog owners that live in dry and humid areas, it is common for dogs to become dehydrated which can result in dry skin that can cause shedding and skin irritation.

If your dog is still hydrated even after taking water or if your dog does not like to take water, you can opt for wet dog food. Including wet food can help keep your dog hydrated and avoid skin irritation and excess shedding.

#6) Baths

Giving your dog baths regularly is another great way to avoid and stop excess shedding in dogs. A bath helps remove the loose hair and help get rid of dry skin. Using a shampoo and conditioner that not only helps clean the dog’s skin but also sooth the skin and avoid irritation can help heal the skin and prevent shedding.

#7) Grooming and Brushing

Grooming and brushing the dog’s coat on a regular basis can help remove loose and help redistributes the skin oils to ensure a healthy looking coat and less shedding. Brushing also help improve blood circulation on the dog’s skin to ensure that the coat and skin are healthy. Different dog breeds have different coat textures that require different brushes to groom and brush.

Bristle brushes are ideal for short haired breeds that have a smooth coat such as Pugs, most terrier breeds, Dachshunds, and Greyhounds. Slicker brushes on the other hand have tiny, tightly-packed short wire pins and are therefore ideal for breeds with medium or curly coats such as spaniels, poodles, and Yorkies.

Rakes are good for dogs with long hair and thick undercoats, such as German Shepherds, Newfoundlanders, Chows, and Collies. If your dog has thick and long coat, ensure that the brush pins are as long enough to reach the undercoat for best results. Using the ideal type of brush to groom your dog can help get rid of loose hair and ensure distribution of oil on the dog’s skin for a healthy and shiny coat. Removing the loose hair ensures that the remaining fur is more supple and less likely to fall out since it coats the fur with oil from the animal’s skin.

#8) Vacuum

Having a quality vacuum that is capable of picking even fine pet hair can keep your house free of hair. Sometimes a poor vacuum that does not remove all pet hair from your floors and carpets van make it seem like your pet is shedding excessively. Investing in a high-quality vacuum with a powerful suction can help you remove all pet hair on your carpet and floors.

#9) Flaxseed Oil

Raw flaxseed oil added to your dog’s food can help stop excess shedding and help improve the health of your dog’s skin and coat. If the dog food you purchase does not contain flaxseed oil, you can add a teaspoon (5 ml) of flaxseed oil for every 10 pounds of body weight to the dog’s diet. Flaxseed has omega-3 fatty acids which improve the health of a dogs coat, reduces dandruff and helps calm inflamed skin. You can purchase omega-3 dietary supplements for dogs.

#10) Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has been used for years as a treatment for hair loss. The oil can also be used to moisturize the dog’s skin and prevent shedding. It contains linolenic acid, which reduces hair loss and kills fleas which could be the cause of excess shedding. Coconut oil also acts like sebum which is the body’s natural oil that coats hair roots to protect them from damage. Coconut oil can soothe the skin and prevent any irritation.

#11) Blow-dry

Using a blow-dryer after a wash can help you get rid of loose hair to avoid the illusion of excess shedding. However; it is important to ensure that your dog is not irritated by the noise and the sensation of a blow-drier.

#12) Get rid of Fleas

Fleas is a common problem that can cause shedding and bald patched on your dog’s coat. Fleas cause irritation on the dog which makes him scratch and pull out his hair. There are so many products in the market to help you eliminate fleas on your dog. If you are reluctant to use chemical based flea solution on your dog, there are some great home tips and remedies you can use to get rid of fleas.

Vacuuming

Vacuuming the dog house and his mat and blanket can help get rid of fleas. When emptying the vacuum bag, dispose it carefully to ensure that the fleas do not return. Look for a powerful vacuum that pick out dirt particle hair and fleas on your dog’s mat and blanket.

Flea Comb

Using a flea comb can also help you remove fleas from your dog’s fur and coat. There are so many flea combs available in the market that vary in prices, shape and design to suit different coats. Ensure that the flee comb you select is capable of penetrating deep into the fur to remove fleas and their eggs.

Natural anti-Flea collar

An anti-flea dog collar can also be an effective way to get rid of fleas on your dog’s skin and fur. You can purchase flea collars from pet stores or you can make a natural flea repellant solution at home and put some drops on the dog’s collar to get rid of fleas. Eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil and lavender oil are great natural flea repellant that can be added on the dog’s collar to get rid of fleas.

Salt

Salt is also a great solution to get rid of fleas and their eggs. Massage some salt into the dogs fur every day until the flea infestation is gone. Avoid using too much salt since it can cause irritation on the dog’s skin. If your dog has a skin condition or a sensitive skin, you need to be cautious about using salt. You can consult your veterinary.

Homemade Citrus Spray

You can also make a homemade citrus spray to get rid of fleas on your dog’s skin, mat or house. Slice a lemon thinly and add it to some water. Heat the water until boiling point and leave it to seep for some hours. Sieve the water and pour it in a clean spray bottle. Spray the water on your dog’s fur on the areas with flea infestation.

Conclusion

When looking for a solution to stop excess shedding in dogs, it is important for you to first understand the cause of the shedding. If the cause of the shedding is an underlying medical condition, visiting the veterinarian is advisable. However, if you realize that the excess shedding is cause by poor diet or fleas, you can easily correct the problem and ensure that your dog has a healthy coat and skin.

We have provided you with some of the great tips and home remedies that can help you stop and prevent excess shedding in dogs. We strongly advise you to consult with your veterinarian prior to adding some of the things we have mentioned in your dog’s diet or using it on your dog’s skin especially if your dog has a health condition. We hope that you have found this article to be helpful and that you can now get rid of excess shedding of your dog’s coat at home.