The number one thing pet owners complain about is shedding. It seems like dog fur is just the reality of dog ownership. But it doesn’t have to be. While nearly all pets shed, there are ways to reduce shedding and dandruff and limit the amount of fur in your home and on your clothes.
While we can’t stop seasonal shedding, we can provide some tips to improve your dog’s coat and skin and reduce shedding throughout the year.
Tips for a healthier coat and skin
Frequent brushing
Most of our health articles include a paragraph on the benefits of brushing your dog. It’s something everyone should do for so many reasons. One of those reasons is that it helps remove dead hair and skin and reduces shedding in your home. Your dog’s fur will be softer and cleaner by removing dirt and debris and spreading natural oils throughout their coat. Depending on their coat, some dogs require more or less maintenance, but a good brushing every couple of days is a good place to start.
There are so many different types of grooming brushes and each has a different function and coat they are designed for. Consult your groomer for the best brushes for your dog’s coat.
High-quality food
A dog’s coat will reflect what they eat. If it’s practical for you, feed them high-quality food with good protein sources and fewer fillers. There are so many options to fit your budget and lifestyle. You can opt for nutrient-rich raw food, or top off a good kibble with human-grade health foods. Some of our favorite dogs foods include: Orijen (kibble), My Perfect Pet (whole food), Primal (raw/freeze dried), and Merrick (kibble & wet food).
Omega 3 supplements
One of the key ways to keep your pet’s fur off of your furniture and on your pet is to feed them plenty of omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids moisturize and hydrated skin, which reduces pet shedding. Omega-3 also has anti-inflammatory properties, supports heart health, relieves allergies and joint pain, and soothes itchy and flaky skin. List of AKC recommended supplements.
Regular grooming
Maintaining a regular grooming schedule has many benefits. Groomers have the proper tools to de-shed and brush out your dog as well as professional shampoos for your dog’s skin type. Groomers can also identify coat and skin issues and make recommendations, like how often you should bathe your dog or when your dog needs de-shedding.
We recommend scheduling a full groom (including bath/brush-out, nails, anal glands and ear cleaning) every 3 to 4 weeks. If your dog is active, a bath may be necessary every 1 to 2 weeks.
If you’re looking for a place to take your dog to get groomed, bring them into our Fitdog Club location for the ultimate spa experience. First-time customers will receive 25% of their first groom (Hours: 9am-5pm daily). Contact us to book an appointment or call us directly at 310.828.3647.
Sources: Doctors Foster and Smith, ASPCA, Cesar’s Way.
Originally posted on July 17, 2015. Updated July 23, 2020.