February 16, 2012
Posted in Common Pet Conditions, Pet Food, Pet Health

Nearly all dogs shed. Many owners notice that their dogs shed twice a year, while other dogs may shed only about every two years. The amount and timing of the shedding can be linked to sunlight and temperature in many cases. These factors influence dog shedding because day length triggers the growth of a new coat and the shedding of the old. However, this timing is less important now, as dogs have moved into our homes. With limited amounts of natural light, dogs may experience increased continual shedding and less of an annual cycle – this fact probably will not surprise dog owners who climb under their fur-covered bedspread each night or wear black clothes covered in white hairs from their pooch. Luckily, if you have a breed that sheds a lot, there are tricks for reducing it.

The number one tip to reduce dog shedding is to groom your pooch regularly. If you brush it with pet products like the Resco Pro-Series Combo Brush once a week or more, you will remove the dead, loose hair, leaving less to cover the surfaces in your house. If regular brushes are not cutting it, you may want to try the FURminator deShedding Tool for Dogs, which collects the dead fur in your dog's undercoat, reducing shedding by as much as 90 percent.

While grooming is important, it will be hard to make headway if your dog's skin is unhealthy or it is having an allergic reaction to something. Unhealthy dogs shed more than healthy dogs. Parasites can rob them of nutrients their skin needs to thrive, so wormers like Revolution or Sentinel are important for skin health and shedding as well as overall health.

Nutrition can also play a large role in shedding. Many food allergies cause itchy skin, causing pets to scratch more and thus pull out more hair. If your veterinarian thinks your pooch has a food allergy, it may be a good idea to start feeding it pet food with limited ingredients like Go! Natural Salmon & Oatmeal Dry Dog Food. Other health conditions can also cause an unhealthy coat and skin, so make sure to check with your vet if you are concerned.

Even if your pooch does not have a food allergy, what is eats can contribute largely to the health of it's coat. Food like Candidae Grain Free Pure Sea Salmon Meal Dry Dog Food can help because it contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Another good source of these skin-nourishing acids is Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet. Certain moisturizing pet shampoo may also help restore a dog's coat. 

Related posts:

1. Reasons behind shedding
2. Helping your cat cope with hairballs
3. Understanding your dog’s coat
4. Helping your cat with hairballs
5. Busting myths about dogs