Dog Shedding: How to Manage It

Do you find yourself constantly vacuuming fur from all around your home? Dog shedding can be hard to manage, especially when it ends up everywhere including carpets, sofas and even your clothes! Some dogs may shed more than others, depending on the breed, fur type and the time of year, but we’ve got some top tips on how to manage this infurrriating problem!

If you are always wondering ‘why is my dog shedding so much’ and you aren't sure of the answer, there can often be multiple reasons!

Shedding can occur when fur is damaged or dead, allowing your pooch to make room for new, healthy fur to grow. Breed, health conditions and pregnancy can also all have an impact on how much fur your pooch sheds.

Dog shedding season is in full swing during spring and autumn, which is when you may notice excess amounts. Some may even shed during the summer when the weather warms up, and there are many dogs that shed all year around.

There is no way to stop a dog's shedding cycle, but there are plenty of ways to better manage it! From grooming to diet, you’ll find all the tips and tricks to help you below:

Dog shedding brushes get rid of dead hair and dirt and help the process of shedding move along quicker, which means less fur falling out all over your house!

There are a range of dog brushes to pick from, such as the FURminator for Dogs with Medium or Long hair, or the The Spa Medium Grooming Pin Rake. However, finding the best dog brush for shedding all depends on the type of fur your canine companion has, but the right one will make dog grooming so much easier.

Rubber brushes and mitts are suited to dogs with short coats, working to lift the dirt and loose hair to the surface, whilst also massaging the skin. Add some zen music and cucumber slices to the mix to give your pooch a real pamper session!

Rubber brushes can be used wet or dry and work perfectly when bathing your dog to brush out those tangles. Bristle brushes are also great for short-haired dogs, as they stimulate the skin and remove loose hair, so they are fantastic to smooth and add shine to double-coated breeds!

Slicker brushes like the The Spa Self Cleaning Slicker Brush are best for medium, long, wired and curly coated fur. Made from short wire pins that detangle the coat and avoid the skin, they’re great for coats prone to matting! When used on a regular basis, they will get rid of any loose hair and this will prevent any matting. However, it’s important to ensure that you only brush very lightly to avoid any discomfort for your furry friend.

Undercoat rakes also work great on double-coated breeds, whether they have short or long fur. The rows of metal pins help prevent matting and remove loose fur, as they're designed to reach the undercoat and get to the root of the hair. These types of brushes are available in different pin lengths depending on how long your dog’s fur is.

Pinhead brushes are best used as finishing brushes for breeds with long and wire coats, as they have wire pins with rubber tips to prevent any scratching and discomfort, and are great for removing dirt, detangling and smoothing the coat.

It's important to remember to always use these brushes gently on your canine companion to avoid any pain and discomfort, and always ensure that you have picked the right size brush for your pooch. If you have a larger dog, a bigger brush will make grooming so much easier!

Cleaning your brushes is also crucial, otherwise the bristles will get clogged with loose fur and dirt, but many brushes have retractable bristles such as the FURminator For Dogs Deshedding Tool to make cleaning a breeze!

Regular bathing ensures that your dog's coat is squeaky clean and also removes the loose fur that would naturally shed.

Shampoos and conditioners help to detangle and remove excess hair and there are also specialist de-shedding shampoos and conditioners available! These usually contain omega-3 fatty acids so that when you do give your pooch a bath, it keeps their skin moisturised and hydrated to keep their fur in tip-top condition.

Excess shedding isn't always healthy, and can be a sign of a medical issue such as stress, dehydration, sunburn, parasites and fungal infections. If your furry friend has any skin allergies or inflammation that result in itchiness, excess scratching encourages the fur to be pulled out, which can lead to extreme hair loss.

A balanced diet will help your canine companion to grow healthy and strong fur, as they are getting all of the vitamins and nutrients required. Make sure that your pooch is eating the correct dog food that includes all the nutrients they need, such as high protein food, or grain free food if your dog is sensitive to grains.

Additionally, omega 3 dietary supplements such as the Johnsons Cod Liver Oil Capsules are available and really helpful to promote healthier fur growth. These supplements decrease skin inflammation which is great for those itchy dogs that scratch away and will also keep the skin moisturised, protecting the fur from the roots which makes it stronger and silkier. It’s also important to ensure that your dog is drinking plenty of water!

Regular brushing and bathing is great at home, but some dogs need more care, so frequent trips to the groomers can do wonders.

Groomers will know what tools and methods work best for your dog’s coat, and can help to remove dead hair and matting to keep their fur in much better condition. Groomers also have access to professional products and can give you advice on what you can do at home to manage the shedding!

If you are thinking about getting a dog, but the thought of hair everywhere is a little too much for you, there are plenty of breeds that don’t shed so much, which is also better for those that suffer with allergies!

Some of the most popular breeds that don’t shed much hair include::

Breeds that shed less are also more suitable for people that are renting and want to keep the furniture in the best condition they can.

So, now that you have all of the infurrrmation you need to manage your dog’s shedding.rom brush types, bathing and diet, not only will your house be cleaner, but your pooch will have such a healthy, soft and shiny coat - it might even make you envious! Explore our range of dog grooming essentials and find everything you need to keep your pup’s coat in tip-top condition.