All dog owners know the situation all too well, the seasons are changing, and with it, your pet is shedding their coat. This might not sound like such a big deal, us humans change our clothes all the time so what's the big deal with your dog wanting to do exactly the same? Well firstly, your dog isn’t going to clean up after themselves, so who’s left to clean up their shedded fur? Yes, you guessed it, you!
Luckily, if you’ve had enough of cleaning up after your lovable pal, there are a number of things you can do to prevent your dog from shedding, or at least to handle it slightly better. However, before we get on to how our expert deshedding tips, lets first discover why your dog is shedding in the first place?
So, why exactly do dogs shed?
As already mentioned, one of the main reasons that dogs shed is due to the changing of the seasons. Depending on the breed of your dog it’s likely your furry friend would have developed a thicker coat for the winter months. This is completely natural, however when spring rolls around, this thicker coat is just far too hot, and in order to prevent overheating, (remember dogs can’t sweat like us humans!) shedding their coat is completely normal.
Shedding is also a great way for a dog to lose old or damaged fur. This hair no longer has any use for your dog, and just like their thicker coat in spring, they shed it whenever they can.
Three ways to prevent your dog from shedding
Now you have a greater understanding of why your dog sheds their fur it is time to look at ways to prevent it. Although it is a completely natural behavior it can also be slightly frustrating when you’re finding fur all over your sofa and bed. Because of this, the tips outlined below offer a helping hand for your pet…
1. Brush your dog regularly
Although this step won’t prevent your dog from shedding its fur, it will offer a huge helping hand and mean you can collect your dog’s fur all in one place. We recommend brushing your dog every two to three days, particular at times of year when your dog sheds most.
As already outlined, not only will this mean that your dogs shedded fur can be collected easily but it means you can guard against mat and tangles as well.
2. Try an anti-shedding shampoo
If you want to keep your dog’s shedding to a minimum then your best bet is to try a dog shedding shampoo. These products are specially formulated to reduce the amount of fur your dog sheds, making them perfect for reducing those clumps of fur all around your home!
3. Why not try olive oil?
This tip is a little ‘out there’ but just as effective all the same. To try this method all you have to do is add a small spoonful of olive oil to your dogs food. This method is popular due to the omega fats found in olive oil contributing to a healthy skin for your pet.
However, we do advise that before making any changes to your pet’s diet do consult a veterinarian.
