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What to Do About Your Dog’s Excessive Shedding

January 1, 2019

For most dog owners, some shedding is a part of life. However, if you think there’s a little too much fur flying around your home, it’s best to get things under control before they get any worse. Below, your Carlisle, ON veterinarian tells you what to do if you think your dog is shedding too much.

Nutritional Changes

When a dog has a poor diet, one of the first things to suffer is the coat. The skin becomes dry, the coat gets coarse and dull, and more hair falls out. For many dogs who are shedding excessively, an upgraded diet is all that’s needed to turn things around! Ask your veterinarian if your dog’s food choice is up to par; if it’s not, he or she can recommend a great choice for your dog’s needs.

Brushing Regularly

One of the simplest ways to control your dog’s shedding is by brushing them on a daily basis, or perhaps every other day. Brushing traps loose fur in the brush itself, preventing hair from winding up all over your carpets, furniture, clothing, and floors. Plus, brushing moisturizes the entire coat naturally by spreading skin oils throughout the fur. What’s not to love?

Dietary Supplements

Some dogs benefit from dietary supplements that are designed to improve skin and fur health, such as Omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil, or coconut oil. Before giving such a supplement to your dog, check with your vet—that way, you’ll know for sure you’re benefitting your dog’s skin and fur health, and not giving them something they don’t need.

Veterinary Visit

If you can’t seem to get your dog’s shedding under control, or if your dog has suddenly started to shed like crazy, it’s time to see the vet. A variety of medical issues could be the root cause of your dog’s excessive shedding, including skin infection, parasitic infestation, disease, and more! You’ll want to have your dog examined in order to find any health problems early on.

Changes at Home

Some dogs simply shed more than others. If your dog is a naturally heavy shedder, you can take a few simple steps at home to make things easier on yourself. Try training your dog to stay on one floor of the home, or only get up on one piece of furniture. This makes cleaning up pet fur a lot easier!

Contact your Carlisle, ON vet to learn more.

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