Does bathing a dog reduce shedding

5 Most Effective Ways to Reduce Shedding in Dogs

You wake up in the morningand walk to your kitchen. Your dog's hairballs roll by like tumbleweeds from the Western movie you watched as a child.

If this sounds like your house, then you definitely need to learnhow to reduce excessive sheddingin dogsthrough grooming and providing the right diet for them.

Shedding is very natural in dogs, and all dogs shed.

Some shed less, some shed more, but they all come with this problem. However, there are things you can do to improve the situation and reduce the amount of dog hair you find around your home.

If you've got a shedder dog, the first thing you may need to changeis how you are grooming your pooch.

A few preventative measures will reducethe amount of shed dog hair. Your dog may also enjoy it more than he likes you using apet hair vacuumor broom.

Before you can start reducingshedding in your dog, you need to know what kind of coat your dog has. If your dog is like one of my mutts, he may have acombination coat type.

For dogs with combination coats, you may need more than onedog grooming tool,and it may take a few more steps to rid his coat of all of its loose fur.

Let's go over the most popular methods of getting rid of extra hair and what coats these tools work best with.

READ/SEE ALSO:How To Groom A Dog at Home by Yourself

5 Ways to Reduce Excessive Shedding in Dogs

1. Special Dog Brushes

The first and most important dog grooming tool that will impact your dog's shedding is a good brush. Choosing not the best one butthe right one is vital.

The Furminator

This is a special dog grooming tool with teeth. Watch ourFurminator reviewto see exactly how it works.

Basically, the end is a sharply jagged edge that you comb through your dog's fur. It is great for dogs withdouble coats.

Double coats have a soft, down-like underlayer with longer, stiffer hair laying over the top.

My Australian Shepherd mix loves being groomed with the Furminator.

I would not recommend this for short hair breeds, though, as it may scratch their skin. However, it's great for reducing shedding on long-haired double-coated dogs.

Double Bristle Brush

A double-bristledog brush works great for dogs withmixed coats. We use one on our mixed dog.

The Furminator is great for his back and sides that have the double coat. But on the rest of his body, we use the dual bristle brush.

These dog brushesget in all the way to the skin and comb through the layers. Theyhave shorter bristles that smooth the top. Our dog loves it, and it leaves his coat soft and shiny.

Wire Brush

Wire brushes are one of the most populargrooming brushes and are good for dogs with thick,coarse dog hair.

They can really get in there to remove dead hair and mats.

Make sure you don't push too hard, though, as it can be uncomfortable going across your dog's skin.

This is more of a working brush than a pamper brush.

Soft Bristle Brush

On ashort-haired dog, a soft brush is usually all you need.

These kinds of brushes are very gentle, so they also are good for older dogs or dogs with skin conditions.

They are effective at removing some hair, so you can even use it on your other fur babies to reduce shedding and offer a soothing treat.

WATCH THIS:How to Stop Dogs from Shedding (A Video Guide)

2. Specific Foods and Treats

Not all dog foods are made equal. But a healthy diet is necessary to keep your dog's coat healthy too.

For great hair that is stronger with less shedding, feed your dog food with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids, such asfish oil supplementsthat have been scientifically proven to improve dogs' coats and skin and potentially reduce shedding.

If you are unable to change the dog food brand, you can supplement your pet's diet with treats.

While it's not recommended to give a dog table scraps, you can feed Fido fresh foods to reduce dog shedding by the way of homemade dog food cooking (as long as you consult with your vet and make it a well-balanced meal).

You can find tons of homemade dog food recipes for a healthy diet with videos here.

Pick the ones thatagree with your furry friend's digestive system, and I recommend working with your veterinarian or a canine nutritionist to find the best dog food and treats for your pup's needs.

3. Dog Supplements

There are many supplements available for your four-legged friend, just like they are for you.

If your Fido is receiving well-balanced food and snacks through commercial kibble, particularlytop-rated brands, then he doesn't need supplements in most cases.

Picking dog supplements can be tricky, but they're essential when feeding homemade meals.

Too much of a good thing will be bad for the pet, so always check with your vet before giving your canine any additional vitamins, minerals, or herbal supplements.

4. Shampoos to Reduce Shedding

Non-drying Shampoosare the best choice to reduce excessive shedding in dogs.

Dry hair breaks easily. Something non-drying or moisturizing will help prevent breakage in your canine's fur and reduce (but not prevent) hair.

Samantha has done adog shampooround-up where she tested and compared all the types.You can also usehypoallergenic dog shampoostoimprove the condition of your dog's skin.

Bad skin can equal hair loss. Studies have proven thatvets now recommendoatmeal and aloe shampoos, which are great for the dog's skin and hair. These are often part of anti-bacterial/medicinal pet shampoos for dogs.

I know you've seen the commercials for human hair care featuring luxurious hair with a vitamin bursting on it. Vitamin-infused shampooworks for dog hair as well (provided it's safe). Just never use human shampoo on a dog. It is much too harsh for pets' skin.

Of course, you can also make your ownhomemade dog shampoothat's going to have only the ingredients you choose specifically for your dog. Check out theDIY shampoohow-to video, where Samantha walks you through the process.

Almost as important as what dog shampoo to use is the knowledge that dogs don't typically need frequent baths unless recommended for a particular skin condition.

Our vet recommends bathing a dog once a month, and so do many professional dog groomers. Bathing more often can lead to dry skin and brittle hair.

Make sure you know how to do it right and bathe a dog effectively yet not scare him off.

RELATED:5 Best Medicated Dog Shampoos

5. Address Your Dog's Skin Conditions Directly

Certain skin conditions will increasesheddingin dogs and make them lose hair more than usual.

In those cases, regular ways to reduce excessive shedding in dogs will unlikely work, and thesedog skin conditionsmust be addressed directly under the supervision of your veterinarian. Here are the top conditions that cause shedding.

Eczema

If your dog has eczema (something that lookslike this), it can cause dry, itchy skin, skin sores, and hair loss.

Dogs with eczema need anall-natural shampoothat is easy on the skin.

When it comes to fleas, not all options are good for dogs with eczema. For example, it's always better to useflea pills and chews and skip the topical flea medications too.

Flea Dermatitis

Some dogs are allergic to fleas. They get rashes similar to the ones caused by eczema and other allergies. Make sure that you are using agoodflea treatment.

If you treat your dog for fleas but still see them on your dog (or around the house), it is time to go to the vet and consider clearing the house of fleas.

The issue could be more serious. Here's a video on how toget rid of fleason your dog and inside your home.

Other Conditions

There are lots of other conditions that can cause hair loss in dogs.Mange, grass allergy, and allergies are just a few of the most common skin conditions in dogs.

If your dog is losing fur in patches or shedding more than usual, you need to see your vet. A steroid shot or other treatment may be necessary,as well as a good diet plan.

Reduce Dog Shedding Final Thoughts

Dogs shed seasonally. That's part of their natural process. But sometimes, we need to intervene to control dog shedding, especially if it becomes unnatural.

The important thing to remember is if the problem becomes worse or is bothersome, always go ahead and speak to your veterinarian before embarking on a journey of Google research and trying every potential dog supplies product out there.

It's okay to try natural remedies to reduce excessive shedding in dogs, but pets and people have allergies to natural things as well.

Also, if your furry family member has parasites, he needs to be treated before they spread to other pets or people in the house.

Yes, dogs shed. But that doesn't mean you can't do anything to help your dog maintain healthy hair growth and save you the trouble of constantly vacuuming loose hair.

READ NEXT:Deshedding A Dog 7 Best Methods

Does Bathing a Dog Help with Shedding

Shedding isnt a huge concern for dog ownersuntil it gets out of control. Our Chesapeake Bay Retriever was the biggest shedder. We used to call the balls of fur that rolled around the floor tumbleweeds. As a family, we didnt care so much about them (until it got crazy) but we didnt particularly like when people who visited saw them. Thats why we wondered about the answer to the question: Does bathing a dog help with shedding? We did the research and here is the answer.

Does Bathing a Dog Help with Shedding?

Yes, bathing a dog does help with shedding. When a dog sheds a strand of hair, one of two things happens:

• The hair falls out from beneath the skin.
• The hair breaks above the skin.

The reasons for the two ways dog hair sheds differ.

When Hair Sheds from Beneath the Skin

Dog hair that falls out from beneath the skin has lived its life. Dead hair falls out to make room for new hair growth or to regulate body temperature. Thats why dogs shed so much during the spring and summer. As the weather warms up, dogs lose hair so they have a thinner coats. Its a lot like a person swapping a heavy coat for a lighter one.

When Hair Breaks Above the Skin

Dog shedding that comes from dog hair that breaks above the skin happens when the dog scratches or the dogs skin isnt healthy enough to support the hair. Thats why the health of a dogs skin is so important. Itchy skin makes dogs scratch and also causes hair to dry out and become brittle.

Another way that hair breaks above the skin is due to loose hair getting tangled in other hair. As it gets tangled, it can pull other hair out. The dog may scratch because of the tangles and that pulls out the dead hair and healthy hair.

How Bathing Helps Dogs with Shedding

Dog owners should bathe their dogs at least once every month. A dogs coat can become dirty quickly, especially if he/she spends a lot of time outdoors. Some dogs require a bath or shower more frequently due to getting dirty.

Bathing helps with dog shedding in the following ways:

• The water removes loose hair from the body. The pressure of the water can loosen the hair from other hair. This leaves room for new hair growth.
• A bath can be an effective way of removing a double coat after the winter months. Special shampoo for shedding dogs can help make the natural process faster and easier.
• Rubbing a dog during the bath can also help with a dogs shedding process. Bath time is a great time to give your pup a massage and while thats being done, dead hair will come out and any brittle, unhealthy hair will, too.

Brushing Your Dog Before and After Bath Time Helps with Shedding

In addition to bath time, brushing your dog with the right brush can promote a healthy coat.

Dog owners should invest in a bristle brush, wire-pin brush, or a slicker brush. They are great to use on all breeds and coat types. When used regularly, brushing can reduce excessive shedding significantly. It removes loose fur during bath time and in between baths.

Effective Ways to Decrease Your Dogs Shedding

In addition to bathing your dog to help with shedding along with regular brushing, you can help your dogs shedding by doing the following.

Improve Your Dogs Diet

Healthy skin and coats come from a healthy diet. Dog Ownership Guide recommends a fresh raw dog food diet. It makes it easy to ensure your pup gets all of the nutrition he/she needs for overall health.

For pet owners who dont want to feed a fresh or raw dog food diet, there are fish oil supplements that can help with shedding.

Use a Dog Shirt for Shedding

Dog shirts for shedding can help contain pet hair to keep it from taking over your home. Dog shirts or dog onesies are clothes that comfortably fit around your dogs body.

Trim Your Dogs Hair

Longer coats are more apt to break, so trimming it can help excess shedding. This isnt to say that short-haired dogs dont shed. Our articles on whether or not Yorkies shed and Maltipoos shed discuss that. Short hair is easier to manage with brushing, bathing, and cleaning your home.

See also:De-Shedding Your Dog with an Air Compressor

Summary: Does Bathing a Dog Help with Shedding?

Now you know the answer to the question: Does bathing a dog help with shedding? Go ahead and bathe your dog at least once a month. It will help reduce excessive shedding, especially with regular brushing.

If dog baths are not your pups idea of a good time, you may want to read this article:How to Bathe a Dog That Hates Water

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