How to Reduce Excessive Shedding in Dogs

Nearly all dogs occasionally shed their coat. Prolific shedders, such as German Shepherds, shed year-round. Others like poodles have shed-resistant fur. Even though the fur doesn't fall off a shed-resistant dog, it stays entangled in the fur. Weather and seasons play a big role when it comes to how much a dog sheds, but the overall health of a dog is one of the biggest factors that influences how much hair actually falls out. A dog who is shedding more than the usual amount for the breed may have undiagnosed health issues.

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Feed a high quality diet. One of the best ways to reduce excessive shedding in dogs is to start with a healthy diet. Cheap dog food is made mostly of fillers that dogs have difficulty digesting, such as corn and grains. Better quality foods cost more but they do a better job controlling dog shedding because they are made with premium protein sources that are easily digested, which allows your dog to absorb more vitamins and minerals than cheap dog food. Keep in mind that better nutrition can help reduce shedding, but it won't eliminate shedding completely.

Add more human-grade foods into your dog's diet. Dogs who only eat dry kibble often suffer dry skin because of the lack of moisture in their diets. When a dog's skin is dry, hair falls out more easily. Increasing the amount of human grade, unprocessed whole foods adds more moisture into your dog's meals and results in better skin and coat. Consider adding unseasoned steamed and finely grated vegetables, eggs and raw meats without bones into your dog's diet a few times a week.

Add omega-3 oils into your dog's daily foods or administer as a supplement. When used in combination with other measures such as feeding a better diet, additional omega-3s can reduce dog shedding by calming inflamed skin, decreasing dandruff and improving overall coat texture.

Control fleas. Dogs with flea problems scratch incessantly which causes hair to fall out. Keeping your dog free of fleas will prevent irritated skin, dandruff and excessive fur shedding.

Brush regularly with a dog de-shedding tool. Certain dog grooming tools such as rakes help keep loose fur to a minimum. They prevent excessive fur shedding by raking loose undercoat fur out and away from the body. Use de-shedding tools just prior to spring when dogs' winter coats begin to fall off and again in the fall when winter coats begin growing in.

Give your dog regular baths. Regular baths encourage loose hair to fall out in the tub (or outside) instead of on your furniture. However over-bathing can cause dry skin, which causes fur to fall out. Read about your dog's breed to learn about the suggested bathing schedule or ask your veterinarian.

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If your dog's fur keeps falling out despite all of your fur shedding home remedies, make an appointment at the vet. A dog who sheds excessively may be suffering from an undiagnosed condition such as skin allergies or parasites.