Shedding is one of the worst parts of dog ownership, especially if you are a person who likes a neat and tidy home. Unfortunately, shedding is part of the equation when you welcome a dog into your life. Shedding dogs aren’t dropping their hair to upset you; it’s simply a natural function of the animal. If you are wondering how to stop a dog from shedding, there are several things that you can do.
Use the Right Tools
If you walk down the grooming aisle at your local pet shop, you will see dozens of brushes and combs in all types of styles and sizes. If you have shedding dogs in your home, the first thing to do is purchase the correct brush for your dog’s coat type.
Dogs with short, smooth coats, like Boxers, Great Danes, and Pointers, should be brushed with curry combs. Dogs with medium coats should be combed with a brush that has bristles long enough to reach the skin. Dogs with long or fine coats should be brushed with detangling combs.
There are special combs made for heavy shedding dogs. If you have ever questioned how to stop a dog from shedding, a de-shedding comb is the answer. These amazing combs can rid your dog of more fur than you imagine. Look for a brush called Furminator for dogs that shed heavily.
Bathe Your Dog
It’s a fallacy that you can’t bathe a dog frequently. If you use a shampoo that is formulated for dogs, you can bathe your dog every week. Shedding dogs lose a smaller amount of hair when they are bathed regularly. Bathing your dog correctly is the key to stopping it from losing so much fur.
Heavy shedding dogs, such as the German Shepherd, Alaskan Malamute, Saint Bernard, Bernese Mountain Dog, and Newfoundland, should be brushed out before they are bathed. Once your dog is brushed, give it a bath, towel dry it, and let it dry naturally. Once your dog is dry, brush it out again. You will get more fur out of your dog’s coat this way.
Food Additives
Don’t waste your money on any food additive for your dog that claims to reduce shedding. These products simply do not work. If you are considering how to stop a dog from shedding, putting additives in its food isn’t going to do it. Try giving your dog a fish oil capsule every day. Alternatively, you can add a squirt of fish oil made for dogs directly to its food. Fish oil is not only great for the skin and coat, but it can help lubricate the joints. There are multiple benefits to fish oil, not the least of which may be less shedding.
Beagles, Chow Chows, Bulldogs and Collies, among others, are heavy shedding dogs and will always shed somewhat. In fact, all but a few breeds of dog will shed. No matter how much brushing or bathing you do, your dog is going to shed. What you can do is stop some of that fur from hitting your floor and sticking to your furniture.
If heavy shedding dogs really bother you, research breeds before you choose one to bring into your home. Animals shed and dog fur is something every dog owner must learn to live with. The best you can hope is to reduce the amount of fur that your dog loses on a daily basis.
