You brought home a rescued Black Lab from the community shelter five weeks ago, and she is the nicest, brightest, most lovable dog you have owned your entire life. Unfortunately, she also sheds more than the other three dogs you have owned put together. You've never seen so much shed fur. There is black fur all over the place. You are vacuuming every single day and still you're not keeping up.
You recognize, of course, that part of the problem is that it's spring, the previous owner kept her chained up outside over the winter, and she's shedding her winter coat. A friend told you last week, though, that labs are heavy shedders even at the best of times. Clearly you are going to need some strategies.
## Bathing
There is a tendency to want to increase a shedding dog's bathing schedule but this, in fact, is not usually a good idea. Excessive bathing and shampooing can strip oil from your dog's skin and actually increase shedding. A healthy dog does not need to be bathed even once a month. In fact, if your dog is an enthusiastic water dog (and most labs are) you may not need to bathe him more than four or five times a year. If, when you bathe your dog, you are using warm water, stop. Dog shedding is reduced when your dog is bathed in cool water.
## Diet
It's worth making sure that your dog's diet agrees with him. Sometimes a slight dietary adjustment can make a big impact on the health of his coat. Adding an element which is rich in fatty acids (like salmon, for instance) can often be of benefit.
## A good brushing routine
The best way to keep excess fur from ending up on your carpets and furniture is to proactively strip it from the coat ahead of time through a good brushing routine. There are special grooming combs available at most pets stores specifically designed to thin out coats. It is important not to brush too much or too often though as this can lead to drying out of the skin and increase shedding.
## Shampoo
If you can find a good organic dog shampoo that's specially formulated to combat shedding you ought to consider it. A shampoo that is specially formulated to target itchy dog skin will also help to reduce the amount of fur ending up in the air. It is critical to read and follow all the instructions and recommendations on any product you use. Overuse of even a beneficial shampoo will dry out your dog's skin and lead to more shedding.
It's essential to acknowledge that shedding is, in fact, totally natural and not something you can hope to stop. Dog shedding is, nonetheless, something which can be managed. Just because you are the proud owner of a big healthy indoor dog doesn't mean you must be shackled to your dust buster. It merely means that you need to be mindful of how best to manage your dog's coat.
You recognize, of course, that part of the problem is that it's spring, the previous owner kept her chained up outside over the winter, and she's shedding her winter coat. A friend told you last week, though, that labs are heavy shedders even at the best of times. Clearly you are going to need some strategies.
## Bathing
There is a tendency to want to increase a shedding dog's bathing schedule but this, in fact, is not usually a good idea. Excessive bathing and shampooing can strip oil from your dog's skin and actually increase shedding. A healthy dog does not need to be bathed even once a month. In fact, if your dog is an enthusiastic water dog (and most labs are) you may not need to bathe him more than four or five times a year. If, when you bathe your dog, you are using warm water, stop. Dog shedding is reduced when your dog is bathed in cool water.
## Diet
It's worth making sure that your dog's diet agrees with him. Sometimes a slight dietary adjustment can make a big impact on the health of his coat. Adding an element which is rich in fatty acids (like salmon, for instance) can often be of benefit.
## A good brushing routine
The best way to keep excess fur from ending up on your carpets and furniture is to proactively strip it from the coat ahead of time through a good brushing routine. There are special grooming combs available at most pets stores specifically designed to thin out coats. It is important not to brush too much or too often though as this can lead to drying out of the skin and increase shedding.
## Shampoo
If you can find a good organic dog shampoo that's specially formulated to combat shedding you ought to consider it. A shampoo that is specially formulated to target itchy dog skin will also help to reduce the amount of fur ending up in the air. It is critical to read and follow all the instructions and recommendations on any product you use. Overuse of even a beneficial shampoo will dry out your dog's skin and lead to more shedding.
It's essential to acknowledge that shedding is, in fact, totally natural and not something you can hope to stop. Dog shedding is, nonetheless, something which can be managed. Just because you are the proud owner of a big healthy indoor dog doesn't mean you must be shackled to your dust buster. It merely means that you need to be mindful of how best to manage your dog's coat.
About the Author:
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