Almost all dogs shed, probably except those hairless dogs such as Peruvian Inca or America Hairless Terriers that are considered non-shedding dogs. Human sheds too. Hair loss usually results by environment change and genetics. "Blowing the coat" or shedding is important to prepare the body from season change and give way for new coats to come. Most dogs will shed between seasons, either to prepare for dealing with the summer heat, or to shed a lighter undercoat for a heavy, dense undercoat for the wintertime. Dogs also shed in a similar fashion as humans, in order to get rid of damaged or broken hair on their coat. Shedding dogs that are not properly groomed may be prone to matting.
Some breeds have a seasonal shedding season in the spring, as their winter coats are lost. But if your dog is an indoor dog it may not be outside enough for the dog's body to register the change of season, so he may shed all year round. Lack of needed skin vitamins, skin problems or any internal health problems also causes shedding. Knowing the right ways to deal with shedding will benefit you both from keeping your dog healthy and eliminate those hairs easily.
Regular Grooming. Proper and constant grooming is the key for a healthy dog coat and skin. Keeping in mind that the hair is going to fall out regardless, and it is best to remove it yourself and throw it in the trash rather than to let the hair fall out naturally all over your house. Brushing your dog once a day will greatly reduce the unwanted hair all over your clothes, carpet and furniture, especially during shedding season. Depending on your specific breed, you will need to do brush your dog at least weekly. Others may have to do it on a daily basis. Using a slicker brush will keep hair from falling all over the place during the process. That way you won't have to vacuum it up afterwards.
Healthy Diet. The diet of a dog becomes essential, as dogs that are fed an unhealthy diet may have more problems with their coat than dogs that are fed the right dietary foods. For many dogs the amount of fat content is essential to maintain a healthy coat of hair. This does not just account for a shiny haired canine, but dogs need this oil for their skin which in turn holds the hair follicles in place. Dog's sebaceous gland needs oil to properly produce for hair to be healthy.
Dietary Supplements. This helps a lot for dogs that are shedding too much. Omega 3 and 6 fatty acid supplements work best. A lack of omega 3 and 6 in your dog's diet can cause dry skin, dull coats, and excessive shedding. These supplements usually take at least a month before you can see a noticeable improvement in the amount of shedding.
Control Skin Problems. Ensuring a healthy skin is important. Dry skin can lead to dog shedding problems. Therefore, you should make sure your dog doesn't have any skin conditions. These skin conditions can be very itchy or painful and prompt your dog to scratch himself excessively. Treat dog skin infections with medicated shampoo or an oral medication.
Physical Problems. There are physical problems that can cause large, abnormal amounts of shedding such as ringworm, skin infections, stress, mange, thyroid imbalance and cancer. If your dog's hair loss is abnormal you will see bald spots. If you see bald spots or you think your dog is shedding abnormally, take your dog to the vet to perform some blood tests.
About The Author:
Hannah Serrano is a passionate writer of http://www.americaoutdoor.com, an informative website about dog beds and petsafe containment systems for dogs, pets and animals.
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