There’s no shame in being honest…
It’s just getting tiring to come home to a place covered in fur. Then, having to vacuum around again and again…
How about you try a different approach this time?
Focus on the source: your dog.
So, let me share home remedies to stop your dog’s shedding once and for all…
Keep reading to discover:
- Why does your dog shed so much.
- 11 home remedies to stop your dog’s shedding.
- How a healthy and balanced diet can contribute to healthy skin and coat in dogs.
- And many more…
Why does my dog shed so much?
Your dog sheds so much because they’re a breed of heavy-shedders. It can also be due to the season, usually spring or fall. But sometimes, they’re shedding due to stress. Other times, it’s a health issue like dermatitis or parasites. Then, allergies can also make your dog shed too much.
11 home remedies to stop dog shedding (how-to)
#1: Fish oil
This is something you should highly consider…
You must use fish oil to remedy your dog’s excessive shedding.
Why?
Well, fish oil is rich in this type of fat called omega-3 fatty acids.
And that greatly helps with your dog’s overall health…
Yes, not just with the shedding.
In fact, AKC says fish oil is among the best supplements you can give to your dog.
Benefits of fish oil in dogs
First of all, it promotes healthier hair in dogs.
The omega-3 fatty acid is believed to assist in fur growth.
According to this research, taking fish oil can increase hair growth. Then, it also reports a decrease in hair loss.
And although done in humans, experts assure us that it has the same effect in dogs.
Moreover, fish oil also promotes strong hair. All while it nurtures hair follicles.
And as I mentioned earlier, it doesn’t just help with shedding…
PetMD and AKC tell us that fish oil can also help with the following:
- Relieve allergies.
- Improve kidney functions.
- Aid joint pain due to arthritis.
- Lower the risk of heart disease.
- Strengthen the immune system.
Lastly, fish oil can also soothe your dog’s coat.
How?
As you know, shedding can also bring dry and flaking skin to dogs.
Moreover, you might catch your pooch scratching and biting themself.
But, fish oil comes to the rescue again…
That’s because it can reduce itchiness. It does so by minimizing dry and flaky skin.
How to use
Experts advise of one thing when choosing a fish oil for your pooch…
And it’s to consider the following factors in your dog:
- Size.
- Breed.
- Weight.
- Overall health status.
To help you out with choosing, you can consult their vet. Then, the professional can suggest the best choice for your pooch.
Moreover, its dosage will depend on the said factors. It can also rely on the product that you choose.
For example, there’s a liquid fish oil supplement. The usual rule here is 1 tablespoon per 20 lbs (9 kg) of the dog’s body weight.
Then, there’s also a fish oil chew supplement. The daily amount will also depend on your dog’s body weight.
So, check the labels on the back to find out the ideal dosage.
#2: Olive oil
Look at your pantry, and you might find this one sitting on it…
If you do spot an olive oil in your kitchen, you’re one step closer to a shed-free pooch.
Yes, you can use olive oil to fight your dog’s shedding.
Just like fish oil, olive oil packs an abundance of omega-3 fatty acids.
And I know I’ve already talked about this property in the previous section…
But vets prove to us that this fatty acid has so much to offer. So let me be specific…
Group | Benefits |
Puppies | Supports their developing immune system. With that, they’re less prone to infections and medical issues. |
Adult dogs | It helps in soothing wounds by controlling inflammation. Moreover, it improves their mobility. |
Senior dogs | Slows down degenerative diseases using their anti-inflammatory properties. |
Moreover, you can also expect large amounts of Vitamin E on it. But, I’ll talk about this component’s specific benefits further in the article…
Lastly, mites hate the odor of olive oil.
And those parasites can be a reason behind your pup’s shedding.
They can cause mange, which is a transmissible skin disease. That means you can get affected by it, too.
But with olive oil, you can prevent such from happening…
So all in all, olive oil can reduce shedding. It might also aid in the treatment of an underlying skin condition.
With that, your pooch gains a much healthy skin and coat.
How to use
Your dog’s goodbye to shedding starts with…
Just 1 tablespoon of olive oil per 10 lbs (2.5 kg) of their body weight.
You must give this to them daily by adding it to their dry kibble.
You might also want to ask: Why do dogs scratch themselves?
#3: Coconut oil
Why won’t I talk about and recommend the most famous choice?
Coconut oil is almost every dog parent’s go-to home remedy for their pup’s shedding.
Some claim that it works instantly.
Now, why is that?
That’s because coconut oil is extremely moisturizing.
And this research proves the hydrating property of virgin coconut oil. They did so by testing its efficacy on people with xerosis.
What’s that?
It’s a chronic condition that causes dry skin.
In that study, xerosis had nothing against coconut oil.
Researchers observed improvements in terms of skin hydration.
Moreover, coconut oil can also ward off fleas and ticks.
Now, those parasites can cause shedding on your canine as well.
And with them gone, your pooch is less likely to scratch and bite themself.
They’ll also stop licking their body, especially the base of their tail.
All of those actions can aggravate the irritation on your dog’s skin.
Which then contributes to even more shedding.
That’s why coconut oil can be you and Fido’s best friend when it comes to fighting hair loss.
With that, you can be sure that you’d be saying goodbye to those.
Topical use of coconut oil
The first option is to use coconut oil topically.
All you have to do is pour a reasonable amount into your hands. A teaspoon would be a start.
So, rub it first in your hands, then on your dog’s coat.
Spread the oil by massaging their coat and skin thoroughly.
After every area is covered, let it stay for 15 minutes.
And don’t worry, coconut oil is edible for dogs. That’s why it won’t spell trouble when they try to lick themself.
And after waiting, it’s time to rinse the coconut oil off your dog.
For a much better result, I recommend you use a light shampoo made of organic coconut oil in rinsing them.
Feeding your dog coconut oil
Another way to give your dog coconut oil is to add it to their food.
According to PetMD, here’s how much you should give Fido daily:
Size of the dog | Daily requirement |
Small | 1 teaspoon (0.17 oz, 5 mL) |
Large | 1 tablespoon (0.5 oz, 15 mL) |
Here’s a dog parent preparing coconut oil for his dogs. Doing so helps him feed it easily to his canines:
Remember: It’s important that you strictly stick to this requirement. In using coconut oil, moderation is key.
And for more safety, it’s best to consult your dog’s vet about it first.
#4: Molasses
Oh, I hope you have this on your pantry as well…
I’m talking about the natural sweetener, molasses.
Experts say that it’s a healthier option than the usual table sugar…
But let’s not focus on that…
Instead, let’s talk about how it can help with your dog’s shedding.
You see, molasses is abundant in vitamin B16.
And anything rich in any variation of vitamin B is good news for hair growth.
Moreover, such a component can also help in the following:
- Digestion.
- Synthesis of red blood cells.
- Maintenance of amino acids.
All in all, those can contribute to making your dog healthy.
And when their health is intact, so will be their hair.
How to use
You can put molasses on their food daily. The requirement is:
1 tablespoon per 10 lbs (4.5 kg) of their body weight.
#5: Flaxseed oil
Yet another remedy for your pooch. And it’s also packed with omega-3 fatty acids.
Flaxseed oil can be the answer to your fur baby’s hair loss…
That’s because it carries the same enhancing properties for your dog’s skin and hair.
Moreover, it can even lessen dandruff on your pup’s skin.
Then, it also helps soothe inflammation due to their constant scratching.
Did you know? Research says flaxseed oil can be as effective as fish oil. And that’s why it can be an alternative to the latter.
Moreover, it can positively impact your dog’s cardiovascular (CDV) system.
Their findings say that flaxseed oil can help stop CDV disease.
How to use
Put 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil in your dog’s food per 10 lbs (4.5 kg) of their body weight.
#6: Apple cider vinegar
Some don’t believe this at first…
Apple cider vinegar can be a remedy for your dog’s shedding…
But given that it’s ringworms that’s been causing Fido’s hair loss.
So, let’s talk about it one by one, shall we?
Ringworms in dogs
Contrary to its name, this condition isn’t caused by a worm.
Instead, a fungal infection is behind it. And it leaves round and red lesions on the skin.
Now, VCA Hospital says some cases of the condition show no clinical signs.
But for a few cases, ringworm can bring shedding. That’s because the affected area might become hairless.
Remember: This condition is transmissible from humans to dogs.
Treating it using apple cider vinegar (ACV)
According to experts, ACV has potent antifungal properties.
With that, it can assist in treating ringworms.
How to use
You have to dilute the apple cider vinegar in water first.
And you should never skip that step.
That’s because pure ACV might hurt your pooch.
So, make a solution that’s half water and half ACV.
Then, you can use it to use your dog’s coat. Or you can soak a cotton ball in the solution and apply it to the affected area.
#7: Vitamin E
Remember I said I’ll go in-depth about Vitamin E?
Well, here it is…
While vitamin B helps with hair growth…
Here’s vitamin E that aids dry skin.
And as I’ve been saying, dry skin is among the many reasons to blame for shedding.
So, keep your pooch moisturized using vitamin E.
It has an oily base that’s perfect for the skin.
Moreover, professionals say it also puts a stop to inflammation in the skin.
Not only that, but the oil it has can seep through cracks due to dryness. Thus restoring the damage done.
How to use
You can feed your dog vitamin E pills. Or you can also apply vitamin E oil to your pup’s fur.
But just like every treatment, you should give the proper dosage to your fur baby.
And again, it’s best for your pooch that you consult your vet for advice.
Their doctor will also give you a clear idea of how much does your dog needs.
#8: Plain yogurt
You might be thinking…
“Plain yogurt for dog shedding?”
Well, only if the reason behind the shedding is a yeast infection…
And before I justify that, let’s talk about this first…
Yeast infection in dogs
PetMD says that yeast will always be present in your dog’s skin. But, they exist in low numbers only.
Then, an infection occurs when the amount of yeast increases.
Moreover, this condition is more common than most people think.
And that it can happen anywhere on your dog’s skin.
The clinical signs of yeast infection in dogs are:
- Flaky skin.
- Greasiness.
- Constantly itching.
- Redness of the skin.
- Musty or sweet smell from the affected area.
Moreover, another symptom of this condition is hair loss…
With that, let me make the connection now…
Plain yogurt as a treatment
You see, plain yogurt is the best probiotic to give to your dog.
Moreover, probiotics can assist in preventing or fighting yeast infections.
And when it does its job…
Your pooch would surely get to keep their coat smooth and their skin in good shape.
Try it now by giving your pooch 1 to 2 teaspoons of plain yogurt a day.
#9: Oatmeal
Oh, this one’s quite odd at first…
But hear me out…
Oatmeal baths are actually quite popular in the dog world.
And it’s an effective remedy that can ultimately reduce shedding.
How?
First of all, this will work if your dog is shedding because of constant itching.
Canine atopic dermatitis can cause that itchiness. That condition describes skin irritation.
Now, PetMD says that oatmeal is a skin protectant.
It can also help with inflammation in the skin. Thus it calms irritated skin and reduces itchiness.
So, not only is it effective…
But it might be within your reach as you might have this in your kitchen.
How to use
Step #1: Process the oats in your food processor or blender. Do so using the highest setting as you need the oats to be as fine as they can get.
To check, stir 1 tablespoon of the oat powder in warm water.
See if it gets absorbed in the water.
And what you wanna get is a milk-looking substance.
If you don’t get that, continue processing the oats.
Step #2: Once the oats are fine, pour them into a tub of warm water.
Then, stir it until it’s totally incorporated into the water.
Step #3: Place your dog in the tub and use a cup to pour the solution on them.
Not only that, but you can also directly rub oatmeal on their body. But, you must do so gently.
Step #4: After massaging their body, it’s time to soak your pooch on the solution.
Let them stay on the oatmeal water for 10 minutes.
Step #5: What comes after soaking is rinsing them off with warm water.
And after that, you can dry your pooch using a towel.
#10: Chia seeds
Just when you thought you’d heard the last of omega-3 fatty acids…
Well, this will be the final one on this list that contains it…
Chia seeds bear the same benefits that can reduce shedding.
It can also improve the appearance of your dog’s coat.
How to use
You can give chia seeds to your dog, given that you soak them first.
Do you feed your pooch wet canned food?
If yes, then you can directly add chia seeds to that.
The rule is 1/4 teaspoon per 10 lbs (4.5 kg) of their body weight.
And if you feed them dry food, then soak them first before adding to their food.
#11: A healthy and balanced diet
Approaching this problem using remedies is a great way to face it…
But, there’s also a long-term solution for this…
Not only will it help reduce shedding, but it’ll completely improve your dog’s health.
And it’s none other than providing your dog with a healthy and balanced diet.
To start, don’t forget to keep your pooch hydrated.
A properly-hydrated pooch bears healthy skin.
So, make sure you always fill their water bowl with clean and fresh water.
As for the diet, provide the highest quality food.
Avoid those with too many additives. Such can cause poor nutrition to your pooch.
And most of all, incorporate fresh food into your dog’s diet.
Give them fruits and vegetables…
And you’ll see, this would all go a long way.