How to Stop a Dog from Shedding: Effective Tips and Solutions
Nov 21,2024 | puaintapets
Shedding is a natural part of a dog’s life, but excessive hair loss can be a nuisance for pet owners. While it’s impossible to stop shedding completely, there are effective ways to manage it and keep your home fur-free. In this guide, we’ll explore proven strategies to reduce shedding, from proper grooming to dietary changes.
Why Do Dogs Shed?
I. Normal physiological phenomenon
①Seasonal Hair Change
Most dogs will change their coats with the change of seasons. For example, in the spring, dogs will shed their thick winter coat and replace it with a light summer coat to adapt to the rising temperatures; in the fall, they will shed their summer coat and grow a thicker winter coat to keep warm. This is a natural physiological adaptation mechanism that helps the dog maintain a comfortable body temperature in different seasons.
②Hair Replacement During Growth
Puppies experience coat turnover as they grow. The downy coat of the puppy is gradually replaced by the coat of the adult dog, and hair loss will occur during this process. Similarly, with the decline of the body functions of the older dogs, the growth and renewal of the hair will also decline, the old hair shedding and new hair growth is slow, there will also be an increase in hair loss.
II. Health-related factors
①Unbalanced nutrition
If the dog's diet lacks essential nutrients such as protein, vitamins, minerals (especially zinc and biotin) or fatty acids (such as omega-3 fatty acids), it will affect the healthy growth of the hair. The hair becomes weak and brittle, which leads to hair loss. For example, long-term consumption of low-quality dog food, which may lack adequate sources of animal protein, can easily trigger hair loss problems.
②Skin Diseases
Skin infections are one of the common causes of hair loss in dogs. Bacterial, fungal or parasitic infections of the skin can cause an inflammatory reaction, leading to damage to the hair follicles and hair loss. For example, mange, a skin condition caused by the mange mite, can cause your dog to itch intensely and lose a lot of hair, while a Malassezia infection can cause redness, greasiness and hair loss.
Allergies can also affect your dog's skin and coat. Food allergies, environmental allergies (e.g., pollen, dust mites, mold, etc.), or contact allergies (e.g., allergies to certain fabrics, chemicals) can lead to itching, redness, and hair loss.
Related:Trematodes in Dogs: Understanding the Hidden Parasitic Threat
③Endocrine disorders
Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder that can affect your dog's metabolism, leading to thinning, dryness and hair loss. Hyperadrenocorticism can also affect hormone balance, triggering symptoms such as hair loss and thinning skin.
④Other Diseases or Conditions
Certain systemic diseases, such as kidney disease and liver disease, can affect the body's overall metabolism and nutrient absorption, indirectly leading to hair health problems and hair loss. In addition, stress or anxiety may also cause excessive hair loss in dogs. For example, a sudden change in the living environment or the owner being away from home for a long period of time may lead to psychological stress, which in turn affects the growth and retention of hair.
How to Know if Your Dog's Hair Loss is Abnormal?
I. The amount of hair loss
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Normal amount of hair loss
During the seasonal change of hair, the dog will have more obvious hair loss phenomenon, but it is gradual. For example, during the spring and fall coat change, which usually lasts for a few weeks, daily combing can reveal more hair loss, but there will not be a large area of hair loss in a short period of time or the hair is almost gone. Under normal circumstances, a small clump of hair may fall out with each grooming, just as human hair normally falls out in small amounts every day.
For growing puppies, the amount of hair loss is relatively small, mainly some fine and soft fetal hair is gradually replaced, and there will not be a sudden large amount of hair loss. In older dogs, although the ability of hair renewal decreases, normal hair loss is also slower and less frequent.
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Abnormal hair loss
If a dog suddenly loses a large amount of hair in a short period of time (e.g., within a few days), for example, by dropping a large amount of hair with a single scratch or experiencing a large amount of shedding similar to that of the moulting season during the non-moulting season, this is usually not normal. This may be due to skin diseases, endocrine disorders or other health problems.
II. Patterns of hair loss
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Normal pattern of hair loss
Normal seasonal moulting is generalized, although the hair is shed relatively evenly. For example, during the spring hair change, the dog's hair from the back, abdomen, Ⅳ and other parts of the body will gradually change, and there will not be a large amount of local hair loss while other parts of the hair is normal.
Puppies also experience a gradual turnover of hair as a whole, with new hair slowly growing from all parts of the body to replace the fetal hair.
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Abnormal Hair Loss Patterns
If your dog is experiencing localized hair loss, such as a large amount of hair on one area of the head, neck, or back, while the rest of the coat is normal, this is most likely not normal. Localized hair loss may be caused by local skin infections (e.g. round hair loss patches caused by ringworm infection), parasite bites (e.g. flea activity in the local hair loss) or local skin allergies.
III. Condition of hair and skin
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Normal hair and skin condition
During normal hair loss, the dog's skin should be healthy and free of redness, itching, scabbing, increased dander and other symptoms. The new hair growth should also be of normal texture and color. For example, during the moulting season, there is hair shedding but the skin remains smooth and shows no signs of inflammation.
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Abnormal Hair and Skin Condition
If along with hair loss, the dog's skin shows red spots, pimples, blisters, pustules, itching (frequent scratching, biting and licking of the skin), a large increase in dandruff, or thickening of the skin, this indicates that the hair loss is abnormal, and is most likely to be caused by a skin disease (such as dermatophytosis, allergies, etc.) or endocrine disorders and other health problems.
IV. Other related factors
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Recent life changes
If your dog's hair loss is related to a recent major change in life, such as a change in diet, moving to a new environment, contact with new pets or people, etc., then the hair loss may be caused by stress or an allergic reaction to something new, which is abnormal hair loss. Under normal circumstances, with a stable living environment and healthy dietary management, the dog's hair loss should be in line with normal physiological patterns.
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Overall health condition
Observe other health indicators of the dog, such as appetite, mental state, weight, etc. If the dog is experiencing loss of appetite, depression, weight loss, etc. in addition to hair loss, this usually indicates that the hair loss is due to an underlying health problem rather than a normal phenomenon.
How to Stop a Dog from Shedding?
I. Diet
Balanced nutrition
Make sure your dog's food contains enough high-quality protein, vitamins and minerals. For example, quality dog food usually blends these nutrients in scientific proportions. You can choose a dog food rich in fish oil, which helps to improve your dog's skin and coat health and reduce hair loss.
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Foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids help to improve skin health and reduce inflammation, thereby reducing hair loss. You can feed your dog Omega-3 rich foods such as Ⅲ salmon and flaxseed oil.
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High Quality Protein
Protein is an important part of the coat, and making sure your dog gets enough high-quality protein can help maintain a healthy coat. Chicken, beef and fish are all good sources of quality protein.
Egg yolks are rich in vitamin A and B vitamins, as well as animal lecithin, all of which contribute to a shiny coat and reduced shedding. You can feed your dog 1-2 hard-boiled egg yolks per week.
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Carrots
Carrots are rich in vitamin A, which is very beneficial in maintaining a healthy coat. You can cook carrots and feed them to your dog as a supplement.
Also Read: Are Carrots Good for Dogs
Supplement with specific nutrients
Sometimes dogs may be deficient in certain nutrients leading to hair loss. You can supplement your dog with vitamin E, which has antioxidant properties and promotes healthy skin. Follow your veterinarian's recommendation to supplement in moderation, typically 10 - 20 IU (International Units) per day for small dogs, 20 - 40 IU for medium dogs, and 40 - 60 IU for large dogs.
II. For daily care
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Regular combing of hair
Use a comb that suits your dog's coat type, such as a pin comb or row comb. For long-haired dogs, comb once a day; short-haired dogs can be combed 2 - 3 times a week. This removes dead hair, prevents tangles and reduces the amount of shedding.
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Proper Bathing
Don't bathe your dog too often, too frequent bathing will destroy the oil layer of your dog's skin, leading to dry skin and hair loss. Generally small dogs are bathed every 2 - 3 weeks, medium and large dogs every 3 - 4 weeks. Use mild, dog skin-friendly body wash and avoid using human bathing products.
Ⅲ. Health management aspects
Internal parasites such as roundworms and hookworms, and external parasites such as fleas and ticks can affect your dog's skin health and lead to hair loss. Deworm your dog both internally and externally on a regular basis as recommended by your veterinarian. For example, common external dewormers are used once a month and internal dewormers are used at different frequencies depending on the age and weight of the dog.
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Treating Skin Diseases
If your dog suffers from skin diseases, such as dermatophytosis and allergies, it is important to take him to the veterinarian promptly. For example, if it is a fungal infection, the veterinarian may prescribe anti-fungal medication; if it is an allergy, identify the allergen and avoid contact with it, while anti-allergy medication may be given.
How to Treat Dog Skin Disease Hair Loss?
Types of Skin Diseases |
Treatment |
| Fungal skin diseases | Topical antifungal sprays or rubs (e.g., Minute Maid Antibacterial Spray), elimination of hair around lesions, medicated baths (using bath products with antifungal ingredients), and oral antifungal medications in severe cases. |
| Bacterial skin diseases | Topical antibacterial drugs (such as erythromycin anti-inflammatory drugs), medicated baths (such as the use of cleansing lotion), oral antibiotic medication, when the condition is serious with the medicated baths as well as oral antibiotic medication, and at the same time, to prevent the dog from licking the affected area. |
| Mite skin disease | Use transdermal or subcutaneous injections of medications for mites (e.g., ivermectin), antibiotics to prevent secondary infections, steroids or antihistamines for itching and anti-inflammation, and medicated baths (use of medicated baths for mites). |
| Pyoderma gangrenosum | Clipping the hair, cleaning and disinfecting the infected area, using antibacterial sprays (e.g. Puanter skin spray), applying ketoconazole ointment or taking anti-inflammatory medication (e.g. itraconazole tablets) with vitamin tablets, and preventing the dog from licking the wounds (Elizabethan collars can be worn). |
| Mixed infections | (e.g., mixed fungal and mite infections) Administer medicated baths, oral medications for fungal and mite infections, and spray skin sprays after the medicated baths. |
There are several things to keep in mind when treating hair loss in dogs with skin conditions.
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Confirm the cause of the disease
Before using any medication, it is best to take your dog to the vet for a skin scraping or other relevant tests to determine the exact type of skin disease so that targeted treatment measures can be taken.
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Adherence to treatment
The treatment of skin diseases usually takes some time, and it is usually recommended to treat for about 28 days. During the treatment period, the medication should be administered on time to prevent the dog from developing drug resistance.
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Prevent licking
During the treatment process, in order to prevent the dog from licking the affected area, which may aggravate the condition or cause drug poisoning, it is usually necessary to wear an Elizabethan collar for the dog.
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Environmental cleanliness
Keep your dog's living environment clean and dry, and disinfect it regularly to avoid re-infection.
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Nutritional supplementation
During the treatment period, you can give your dog nutritional supplements to improve skin resistance, such as feeding some foods rich in protein, vitamins and minerals, such as chicken, egg yolks, broccoli, carrots, etc. You can also add pet-specific nutritional supplements in moderation.
FAQs
Conclusion
While shedding is a natural part of owning a dog, proper care can significantly reduce the amount of hair your pet leaves behind. Regular grooming, a nutritious diet, and a clean living environment can make a noticeable difference. If shedding becomes excessive or is accompanied by other symptoms, consult your veterinarian to rule out health issues. With the right approach, you can keep your home cleaner and your dog happier.
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