Although there are some dog breeds that don’t shed, most do. Many coat types mean that dogs are going to lose hair through different seasons or weather conditions. However, some things can help if you feel overwhelmed by the amount of hair all over your home. Here’s what to know and how to control dog shedding:

What is Shedding?

When a dog sheds, it means the coat is getting rid of old hair, hair that has detached from their skin, or is damaged. Once this hair sheds, there’s room for healthy hair to grow. This is what keeps your dog’s coat looking full and keeps them warm.

This is a completely natural and normal process in dogs, but it can feel overwhelming when it feels like all you do is sweep or vacuum up piles of hair! Some dog breeds shed more than others.

This amount of shedding depends on a few different factors, including breed, a dog’s diet, any potential allergies, and weather conditions. There are different dog coat types so shedding will also depend on what type of coat your dog has.

4 Tips to Control Dog Shedding

It is possible to help manage shedding with frequent grooming and a good diet. However, you may find your dog still sheds a lot. Thankfully, there are a few tips to help control dog shedding. While following these tips for controlling dog shedding will not completely eliminate the problem, it should help mitigate some of the issues.

1. Groom Regularly

Brushing your dog regularly is one of the best things you can do to help control excess shedding. Brushing helps pull any dead fur from your dog’s coat, giving way for new hair to grow. Removing the excess bulk will not only make your dog feel lighter and cooler, but it will also lower the chance of your dog leaving random tufts of fur around the home.

What constitutes regular brushing will depend on your dog’s breed. Breeds like Newfoundlands tend to shed quite frequently. These breeds may require daily brushing to help control shedding. However, breeds like Poodles and Dachshunds tend to shed very little. Poodles need to be brushed every day to keep their curly coats free of tangles and to help prevent mats.

Regular brushing for other coat types may mean once every few days. Regular brushing is also a great way to spend some time with your dog. They will feel loved and cared for, which is a great way to build a better bond with your dog!

2. Use the Right Brush

Not all dog brushes are equal. There are some common types of dog grooming brushes available and each brush serves a different purpose. Remember, what works on one dog, may not work as well on another. Each type of brush works with a different type of fur.

A slicker brush with wire pins is great for dogs that have woolly or long-haired coats. This allows a brush to cut through all the fur to get down to the undercoat and remove dead hair. If your dog has a shorter coat, a rubber curry comb is the best bet for their fur type.

Bristle brushes are usually suitable for all types of dog coats. However, dogs that have longer hair may require stiffer bristles. Undercoat rakes are great for dogs like Labrador Retrievers who have a double coat.

3. Use Other Shedding Tools

Depending on how much your dog sheds, you may not be able to simply rely on brushes to get the job done. Using the right tools is a useful dog grooming tip and using shedding tools along with brushes is wise. Even if your dog only sheds seasonally, shedding tools are a great way to control excess shedding.

There are a few different options available for you to try. Shedding tools are designed to remove the dead fur from the undercoat but keep the top coat intact. If you’re not sure which shedding tool is right for your dog, talk to an experienced groomer or your vet. These experts will be able to point you in the right direction and offer tips on how to properly use these tools.

4. Bathe Your Dog Regularly

Most dogs are not a fan of taking baths. Unfortunately for your dog, bathing is a great way to cut down on shedding. While frequent baths aren’t required to help control shedding, a regular bath is helpful.

Talk to a groomer or vet to help you figure out how often your dog should be bathed, either at home or at a groomer. If taking your dog to the groomer feels like the easier option, ask friends or your vet for a groomer recommendation. This is a helpful tip for choosing the right dog groomer so you have a few options to research.

Bathing can help get rid of dead hair and help your dog’s skin feel healthy and conditioned. There are some shampoos specifically to help de-shed a dog which is another helpful way to control shedding. These baths will also help your dog smell fresh and clean!

If you don’t want to take your dog to a groomer frequently, there are some helpful dog bathing tips to make bathing easier at home. Making sure your dog is rewarded with treats is a great way to reinforce some positive feelings with the activity.

This is an overview of how to control dog shedding. If you feel like you are overrun with your dog’s fur, try some of these tips. Hopefully, there’s a lot less fur floating around your home and your dog will feel lighter and have a healthy coat.