Sienna Brick Road

Editors note: Siennabrickroad welcomes the following post from R. Hudon of For Healthy Dogs.com

Shedding in dogs is the natural process of losing an old coat to make room for a new one. This is usually triggered by seasonal changes and varies from dog to dog depending on it’s living arrangements. Dogs that are kept outside more than others will most likely lose their coats twice a year, once in the spring when they lose their winter coats and then once again in late fall/early winter as the winter coat grows in. If your dog is kept mostly indoors, his body might not register the seasonal changes which can cause him to shed all year long. Although it’s normal for all dogs to shed, (and for some dogs to shed a lot), if your dog is shedding excessively or there is a sudden increase in her shedding, this could be the sign of a problem. It’s always best to check with your vet first to exclude any possibilities of illness. If you know your pet is just shedding naturally and there is no underlying cause of illness (sometimes it can be stress too!) there are a few things you can do to cut down all the hair.

 Of course, the number one most obvious thing you can do is brush your dog daily. That hair has to go somewhere. It’s either on your floor or in a brush! If you are brushing your dog everyday and you’re still finding hair everywhere in your house, you might want to ask yourself a few questions; What kind of food is your dog eating? Is it high in protein and omega fatty acids? If your dog isn’t eating a balanced diet with these key nutrients it can cause him to shed more.

 Are you using the right kind of brush? If you are brushing your dog every day and still getting no results, you may be using the wrong brush. If you have not tried the famous FURminator Brush, you might want to invest in one. How Often are you Bathing your dog? It’s good to give your dog a good bath every once in awhile but if you are bathing your dog more than once a month it can strip the natural oils in the skin which in turn can cause an increase in shedding. If you want to bathe your dog and help her coat, try using a natural oatmeal shampoo. Is your dog living in a dry environment? Some places are a lot dryer than others and this can be a major factor in how much coat your dog loses. Remember, dry skin equals shedding. If your dog is mostly kept indoors sometimes using a humidifier in the house can help.

Have you tried giving your dog supplements? If you have tried everything else and your dog is still losing an undesirable amount of hair, you might want to try giving your dog supplements. You can buy supplements specifically formulated with all of the key nutrients that are known for reducing hair loss. If you are interested in purchasing products that reduce shedding including vitamins and supplements, natural shampoos & conditioners, grooming tools and more, check out our Shedding page at http://forhealthydogs.com

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