Does your pet’s shedding leave your home and clothing covered with fur? Many pet owners know the frustration of dealing with pet shedding. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to reduce excessive shedding.
Here is everything you need to know about shedding and information from our team at Gables Animal Clinic on how to manage it.
Why Do Pets Shed?
Shedding is a natural part of your pet’s biology. Dogs and cats naturally shed so that they can grow new fur or adjust to the changing seasons. In hot weather, pets shed to stay cooler.
Some breeds naturally shed more than others. You may notice more pet shedding with animals that have thick coats, such as huskies.
Explore the Causes of Excess Shedding
Some shedding occurs naturally, but what should you do if your pet has excessive shedding? In some cases, excessive fur loss can indicate a medical issue such as:
- Poor nutrition
- Fleas or other parasites
- Allergies
- Hormonal conditions like Cushing’s disease
- Stress
- Skin infections
A veterinarian can help you determine the cause of excessive shedding and provide you with treatment options if the shedding has a medical root cause, or is dermatology related.
Steps to Reduce Your Pet’s Shedding
If you’d like to reduce the amount of pet fur you find on your furniture and floors, the best thing to do is bathe, groom, and brush your pet.
Try grooming your pet regularly. Brushing your pet’s coat removes dirt from their fur and can also help spread their natural oils, which keeps their skin clean and coat free of tangles.
Baths can also help reduce shedding. Your dog needs baths less frequently than brushing. You can go one to three months between baths for the best results. Washing your dog’s fur will free up loose hair and remove built-up dirt and debris from its coat.
How to Prevent Excess Shedding
You can take steps to prevent your pet from developing a long-term issue with excess shedding.
1. Brush Your Pet
Brushing helps remove dead or damaged fur and reduces shedding.
- For long-haired breeds, use a long-bristled or wire-pin brush to help with detangling.
- For short-haired breeds, use a stiff bristle brush or rubber curry comb to remove excess hair and massage the skin.
Veterinarians recommend that you brush your dog once a week.
2. Feed Your Pet a Healthy Diet
Sometimes, excessive shedding is a result of problems with a pet’s diet. You can try switching to healthier, more balanced pet food to prevent nutritional deficiencies that may lead to shedding.
3. Hydrate Your Pet
Your dog may also experience excessive shedding due to dehydration. You can encourage your dog to drink more water by providing them larger water bowls, adding water to their wet or dry food, and changing the location of their water bowls to a spot where they may feel more comfortable.
4. Give Your Pet Key Dietary Supplements
Finally, you can add a few supplements to your pet’s diet to prevent heavy shedding in some instances. Both omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids can improve your pet’s health and reduce shedding. You may need to wait about four months to see the results of added supplements to your pet’s diet.
Contact Gables Animal Clinic for Help with Pet Shedding
If you have concerns about your pet’s shedding, contact us at Gables Animal Clinic. Members of our team can identify the cause of your pet’s excessive shedding and offer advice about regular grooming and helpful supplements. Find out more or book an appointment today by calling us at (305) 381-5694.
