Here are some simple and inexpensive ways to prevent your dog from shedding hair whether it’s a better diet or home remedies that don’t involve the use of chemicals or drugs.
Diet
Digestible Ingredients
According to Marc Morrone, host of “Ask Marc, The Petkeeper” on Martha Stewart Living Radio, “A high-quality pet food is the first step toward reducing fur loss” and “The more digestible ingredients in the food, the better the pet’s coat will be”.
Meat and Flaxseed Oil
He recommends dog foods that have meat as their first ingredient, and no additives. He also suggests raw flaxseed oil added to your dog’s pet food.
As a simple home remedy just add a teaspoon (5 ml) of flaxseed oil for every 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of body weight.
The reason flaxseed oil is so good for your dog’s coat is because it contains omega-3 fatty acids which improve the health of a dogs coat, reduces dandruff and helps calm inflamed skin. You can purchase omega-3 dietary supplements for dogs.
Fish is also high in omega-3 fatty acids with Mackeral, Trout, Herring, Tuna, Salmon and Sardines being height in Omega-3 fatty acids. You could mix fish with their own pet food, but make sure to remove any bones first.
Also make sure your dog is kept hydrated as some dog food can be dry and lack moisture. You should consider mixing dry food with wet food, giving your dog a more diverse diet and keeping your dog hydrated.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has been used for years as a treatment for hair loss in humans. It can also be used to prevent hair loss in dogs. Coconut oil contains an ingredient called linolenic acid, which reduces hair loss and kills fleas. Also Coconut oil is known to mimic Sebum. Sebum is the body’s own natural oil that coats hair roots to protect them from damage.
Brushing
Why Brushing Reduces Dog Shedding
Morrone recommends brushing your dog with a stainless steel comb. It gets rid of any fur that’s ready to come out, makes the remaining fur more supple and less likely to fall out as it coats the fur with oil from the animal’s skin.
The Furminator
A popular product for reducing dog shedding which has 5 star reviews is The Furminator which it claims reduces shedding by up to 90% by reaching deep beneath your dog’s topcoat to gently remove loose hair. The product description claims to reduce shedding better than any brush, rake or comb.
Fleas
A common but often overlooked cause of dogs shedding fur are fleas as this can cause your dog to scratch and pull out their fur.
Ways to get rid of fleas include:
Washing: Throwing the pet bedding in the washing machine on hot wash and dryer as this will kill the larvae and eggs
Vacuuming:
Vacuuming areas that could be infested with fleas is another method that rids the house of flees. When the vacuum bag is full, dispose of it to ensure they do not return.
Flea Comb:
Using a flea comb you can remove fleas quickly and easily that may otherwise remain. Make sure you use the brush all over their body to ensure none remain.
Natural anti-Flea collar:
You could put drops of Eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil or lavender onto their collar. These strong natural smells will help keep fleas from returning.
Citrus spray:
Add a slice of lemon thinly to some water and heat until boiling point and leave it to seep for a few hours. Then spray it onto areas you suspect fleas are located.
Salt:
Salt dries up the fleas and their eggs and this will eventually kill them. Wet the tips of your hand with some salt but not so much that it could irritate your dog’s skin. Then massage the salt into your dog’s fur. Do this for a few days until the infestation is clear.
