Do you love your dog but hate dealing with all of their extra fur?
Well, you’re not alone.
Keeping up with your dog’s shedding is no easy feat and no one likes to sit on a couch full of fur.
Of course, you could try to keep them off of the furniture, but then how would you cuddle with them during movies and at night before bed?
Rather than eliminate cuddle-time, you should deal with the problem at its source–namely, your dog’s luscious coat.
So check out these 15 awesome ways to keep your dog’s shedding under control and never deal with a house full of fur again.
And remember to refer to your vet before trying out any of these tips.
1. Brushing, brushing, and more brushing.
When it comes to staying in front of all that fur, brushing your dog is going to be your best bet.
Depending on the type of breed, you’ll want to brush them once a week, once a day, or even multiple times a day.
Do some research about your specific breed of dog and the different types of brushes out there.
You can check out the four main types of dog grooming brushes by clicking here.
And remember, there’s no such thing as too much brushing.
2. Bathe that dirty dog.
By bathing your dog, you’re not only cleaning their fur, but you are removing the dead hair as well.
But be sure not to bathe them too often.
Too many baths can backfire and will actually cause more shedding due to dry and irritated skin.
Bathing your dog about once a month should do the trick.
3. Combine brushing and bathing.
But not at the same time of course.
The goal here is to brush your dog after each bath that they receive.
By brushing after bathing, you’ll be collecting all of those loose hairs that were scrubbed away from the skin but not removed from the coat.
If you forget to brush them after their bath, all that scrubbed up fur will end up right back on the couch.
4. Dry that pooch the correct way.
Ok, so your dog is sopping wet after their bath and ready to run around the house.
Rather than using a bunch of beach towels to get them semi-dry, try drying your dog using a designated pet dryer.
These machines will actually remove excess hair from your dog so it doesn’t end up all over your towels and hands.
Check out some of these pet dryers here.
5. Feed your dog a healthy diet.
According to the American Kennel Club, “A dog who eats a complete and balanced diet will take in the vitamins and nutrients he needs to keep his hair follicles growing strong and resilient from breakage.”
Consider buying quality dog foods that are high in omega 3 fatty acids as well as plant-based omega 3’s.
You’ll want to stay away from cheap dog foods that use unhealthy fillers like rice and grains.
Stick with those quality meat-based foods and always consult your vet before feeding your dog anything new.
6. Lots of exercise.
It should go without saying that a healthier dog will have a healthier coat.
But exercising your dog will also cut down on their overall stress level.
And this means less time spent scratching and biting on their own skin and coat, and more time spent relaxing after a good walk or run.
7. More water intake.
If your dog isn’t drinking enough water then they will suffer from dry skin.
And dry skin means more shedding.
Make sure your dog is drinking enough water every day.
The general rule for how much water a dog needs is one ounce of water for every pound of body weight each day.
8. Shedding supplements.
Supplements that are high in omega 3 fatty acids can help reduce the amount of shedding in your dog.
But remember, there won’t be some magic pill that completely stops your dog from shedding.
Shedding is natural after all and some hair loss is healthy for your dog.
Be sure to consult your vet before giving supplements to your pup.
9. Natural home remedies.
Remember hearing about those Omega 3’s?
Well, olive oil and coconut oil are high in these fatty acids and by adding them to your dog’s food or rubbing them into their coat, you can help strengthen their hair follicles and reduce shedding.
Stopmydogshedding.com tells us that, “In most cases, a teaspoon will do the trick, but it does depend on the size of your dog, his constitution and the type of oil.”
Remember to check with your vet to see if this method is safe for your dog.
10. Control those fleas.
Almost every dog will deal with fleas at some point in their life.
It’s important to get these fleas in-check before your dog does too much scratching.
Scratching causes irritated skin and when they have irritated skin, they tend to lose a lot more hair than they need to.
11. Give them a hair cut.
Don’t be afraid to take your dog into the groomers and have them clip off a good amount of your dog’s coat.
This can be a great way to strengthen their coat as it grows back and is highly beneficial in the hot summer months.
It’s a win-win.
You get less fur in the house and your dog gets to be more comfortable as the temperatures rise.
12. Use a shedding tool.
Shedding tools are different than just your average dog brush and are specifically designed to remove dead hair from your dog’s coat.
They’re often equipped with metal pins or serrated teeth that are much more efficient as they remove hair from the topcoat and the undercoat in a single swipe.
Consider adding this tool to your de-shedding arsenal.
13. Choose a breed that isn’t a heavy shedder.
This one is for those of you that haven’t even purchased your dog yet.
If shedding is going to be an issue for you, consider breeds that don’t shed much at all like a poodle or a schnauzer.
There won’t be fur all over your house if it stays on your dog!
14. De-shedding treatments.
Consider using de-shedding shampoos and conditioners when you bathe your dog as these will moisturize your dog’s skin and strengthen their follicles to keep shedding to a minimum.
Make sure not to use cheap alternatives as these will likely dry out your dog’s skin and make their shedding situation even worse.
Spend that extra few bucks and save yourself a headache from cleaning up their loose fur later.
15. Check with your vet.
At the end of the day, your best bet is to consult a professional.
They will know what is safe for your dog to use and which tools and treatments are legitimate and which ones are scams.
And because some medical conditions can result in excessive shedding, it’s a good idea to have your vet take a look at your furry family member to make sure they are ok.
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