Dogs shed their hair as a natural process, but for some owners with allergies, this can become problematic. All dogs shed their hair, some breeds more than others. If you have a problem with dog hair, there are several ways to control a dog’s shedding hair.

Brushing your dog on a regular basis is the best way to manage shedding. Careful brushing daily will remove all the loose fur and prevent hair from ending up on your clothes or furniture.

You’ll need to buy a brush or comb that is suitable for your dog’s coat type and length. Petco and PetSmart sell a variety of brushes for any type of dog’s hair. If you’re unsure of which brush or comb is best for your dog’s coat, be sure to ask because using the wrong type of brush could pull out your dog’s hair and cause injuries.

Short haired dogs will need less brushing, while long or wiry-coated dogs need brushing daily.

Bathing your dog also helps to control shedding. A clean coat and skin results in less shedding. While bathing your dog, it becomes much easier to remove loose hair.

Most dogs should be bathed once a week or every two weeks. Some breeds require less frequent baths and can be bathed once a month. The frequency will depend upon several factors including whether your dog is strictly an indoor one or whether it spends most of its waking hours playing or resting outside.

During the summer a dog needs more frequent baths due to the heat and humidity. If you give your dog a bath once a week it will moisten your dog’s skin and prevent dryness. Dry skin leads to more shedding, which is what you’re trying to avoid. Using a gentle shampoo will nourish the dog’s skin and reduce shedding.

Many people don’t realize that their dog’s diet can also contribute to the amount of hair shed. A dog with a poor diet sheds more hair so it’s best to feed your dog a balanced diet rich in protein, fat, and fibers, but fewer carbohydrates.

Dogs benefit from a diet rich in Essential Fatty Acids, yet most dog’s diets lack these necessary nutrients. Their systems lack the ability to produce needed Essential Fatty Acids on their own. An excellent high quality EFA supplement like Omega Glo-Coat 3/6/9 helps produce a healthy coat and also reduces shedding. Fatty oils are important for a healthy coat and a hydrated skin.

Ticks and fleas and other parasites will cause a dog to scratch excessively and this may lead to more shedding than normal and result in bald patches on the skin. Fleas and ticks will need to be removed with special formula shampoos.

It surprises many people to learn that a stressed-out dog will lose more hair than usual. Stress in dogs can caused by simple things like a change in the dog’s environment or the loss of a fellow pet or family member.

If you notice that your dog is shedding hair a lot more than usual, schedule a visit to the vet to check for any medical condition that could be causing the excess shedding. Common diseases that cause shedding, besides skin problems, are ringworm, mange or even worse, cancer.