The Best Treatment for Hair Shedding on Dogs

Indoor and outdoor dogs shed when it is time to replace their coat for the season. However, excessive shedding can mean a larger problem with skin and coat health. For dogs that have excessive shedding, a committed three-layer approach will have any dog's coat glistening in no time. The best treatment for hair shedding on dogs is to know and understand your dog's grooming and nutritional needs for healthy skin and coat.

  1. Nutrition

    • Nutrition is the number-one defense against shedding. Poor quality foods do not have the necessary proteins to build strong hair and replace damaged hair. Grain fillers such as corn and barley can also cause skin allergies that dry the skin out, which causes dandruff, skin flakes and shedding. Quality dog foods can reverse poor skin, coat health, and improve the overall health of the dog. Quality dog foods include whole meat ingredients first on the ingredient list and have few additives, colors and sugars.

    Grooming

    • A committed grooming schedule keeps dead hair and dirt from clogging up hair follicles that can result in a dull or unusual amount of shedding. Daily grooming pulls out dead hair and massages the hair follicle to remove debris. A good weekly grooming disperses the oils naturally produced by the hair follicle, which helps protect the hair from breakage. A monthly grooming schedule to bathe the dog's skin and coat refreshes and hydrates the skin with natural oils and conditioners; hypo-allergic pet-safe oatmeal shampoos and conditioners work well with all breeds.

    Supplements

    • Supplements such as fish oil and other protein-based ingredients improve both skin and coat health. Add them to the dog's food or wrap them in a treat as a reward; they work wonders to reduce shedding. Low-fat natural dog treats fortified with skin and coat supplements make it even easier to incorporate skin and coat care into the dog's daily routine. Adding pet-safe organic dog food to a regularly dry kibble diet is another way to incorporate supplements into your dog's skin and coat health regimen.

    Considerations

    • Any dog that is losing large clumps of hair or shedding to the point of exposing bare skin, take to the veterinarian immediately. Chronic skin disorders, parasites and allergic reactions can all lead to hot spots, skin sores and rashes that can cause unusual amounts of shedding. In such cases, it is best to allow a veterinarian to determine the cause and assess a plan of care that directly addresses the cause of hair loss.