Dogs shed for many perfectly healthy reasons. Most animals, including humans, shed old hair and replace it with new growth. Some dog breeds have thicker coats to shed; some, especially in cold climates, grow heavier coats in winter and shed the excess in summer. You can̵7;t stop the process, but you can do several things to minimize excessive shedding without resorting to chemical-laden shampoos or medical intervention. The best ways to control excess shedding are simple and natural.
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Grooming
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Regular brushing is the single most important way to control shedding. In effect, you̵7;ll be capturing dead, damaged, and excess hair before it̵7;s deposited all over your house and furniture. Choose the right type of brush for your dog̵7;s coat; slicker wire brushes, shedding blades, and mat breakers, for example, are designed for specific purposes. Even with frequent brushing, you should bathe your dog occasionally, especially in summer. Use a natural oatmeal shampoo, no more than twice a month, to soothe the skin and keep the coat clean and healthy. Just don̵7;t overdo it. Too much bathing can deplete natural skin oils.
Diet
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You know that high-quality food, with plenty of easily digestible protein, is necessary for your dog̵7;s overall health, and that includes skin and coat. Avoid commercial dog foods that contain ingredients to which your dog might be sensitive. Preservatives BHA, BHT, Ethoxiquin, or even salt may cause a problem; so can added coloring. Some grains are better than others, as well: rice and oatmeal are fine; avoid corn.
Give your dog a daily dose of fatty acids to shine up his coat and help prevent dry skin. Supplements made especially for dogs combine vegetable and fish oils for a balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. You can also try as much as a teaspoon of virgin olive oil every day.
Stress Management
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Even dogs feel stressed out when things go wrong. When they do, they may shed more. See if you can identify any particular changes in your dog̵7;s routine: a new baby or a new pet in the family, the death of a loved one (human or animal), a move to a new home or some other traumatic situation. Then try to soothe your dog̵7;s distress with extra attention, affection, and exercise. If the problem is too severe to handle this way and you want to avoid using medication, therapy is another option.
Regular Checkups
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Sometimes disease or other health problems, such as allergy, can cause excessive shedding. If proper grooming and diet don̵7;t get your dog̵7;s shedding under control within a month or two, take a trip to the veterinarian to find out whether it is being caused by a more serious problem. Otherwise, keep in mind that regular checkups can help you to catch problems before they become a major health issue. To keep your dog̵7;s health care as natural as possible, look for a holistic veterinarian.
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