Dog Shedding Prevention

Just like humans, dogs lose old hair (or fur) to make room for new growth. Although some dogs shed more hair than others, Dog Breed Info Center notes that the only dogs that do not shed are totally hairless breeds, such as the Hairless Khala.

  1. When Dogs Shed

    • Typically, dogs shed their hair seasonally, during their natural shed cycle. In the spring, they lose their heavy undercoat to make room for a lighter summer undercoat. In the fall, they lose that lighter summer undercoat, and it is replaced with a heavy winter undercoat. Dogs that live inside may not spend enough time outdoors for their bodies to register the change of seasons. According to Big Paws Only, when this occurs, a dog may shed at the same rate all year, regardless of the season.

    How to Lessen the Amount of Hair a Dog Sheds

    • Dog shed leaves hair on furniture, carpet and clothing. Loose dog hair around the house can be problematic for allergy sufferers. Regular brushing can help minimize the amount of hair the dog sheds. A dog brush or special shedding comb can be used. Shedding combs remove loose hair from the dog's topcoat and help remove loose hair from the undercoat. A tool called a shedding blade can be useful for grooming heavy shedding dogs. The shedding blade is a piece of metal with short teeth along the edge, which is bent into a "u" shape that meets at the handle. Use the shedding comb and shedding blade with care, as pressing too hard can irritate the dog's skin.

      Some dogs are considered to be light shedding dogs, because their hair falls out at a slow rate. Because they lose their hair slowly, the hair may get easily matted. These dogs need professional grooming to keep their coats neat.

      A sticky tape lint roller can be used to remove loose hair from your dog when you don't have time for a complete grooming session. Some owners have great success controlling lose pet hair by vacuuming their dog with a hose attachment. Not all dogs will tolerate being vacuumed. The noise from the vacuum will likely scare some dogs, so it may take several sessions to make your dog comfortable with the idea of being vacuumed. You should begin slowly, by first getting the dog used to having the vacuum very close to her. In subsequent sessions, turn the vacuum on while your dog is near, then touch the dog briefly with the hose. After several such brief sessions, your dog may tolerate longer vacuuming sessions.

      Some pet owners believe that giving their dogs oil supplements helps to improve the condition of the dog's coat so that the amount of shedding is reduced. If you decide to try using supplements, check with your veterinarian to determine the right supplement for your dog.

      Warm baths can also be effective in your efforts to reduce the amount of unwanted dog hair in your home. Be sure to keep the water temperature warm, as hot water can irritate and dry out the dog's skin. Also, use a shampoo formulated for dogs, not a shampoo for human hair, which can also be drying to your dog's skin.

    Abnormal Shedding

    • Although shedding in dogs is normal, a dog losing hair in a way that causes bald spots is not. Excessive hair loss can be caused by skin parasites, ring worm, mange or scabies, poor nutrition, and even stress. Dogs can experience stress when there is tension in the home, if the dog has puppies, or the dog relocates to a new home. If you suspect that your dog's hair loss is related to a health problem, contact your veterinarian.