Dog Hair Loss Home Remedies
Updated: July 14, 2022"Dogs whose hair is growing continuously like the Yorkshire Terriers and Shih Tzus have stronger hair shafts and experience only a little shedding."
Dog hair loss home remedies
A beautiful dog and a clean home is what we all want. But there is this thing we call dog hair loss that can throw a wrench in those plans. We want our dogs to have beautiful coats but dog shedding season is always around the corner. Though dog shedding is a normal process most dogs go through, especially those with thick coats (German Shepherds, Siberian Huskies, Bernese Mountain dogs, Golden Retrievers), hair loss sometimes can be excessive and extreme.
In this article, we've come up with a thorough discussion on dog hair loss, the cycle of dog shedding, what causes hair loss in dogs, and dog hair loss home remedies so you can control your dog's hair loss and promote dog hair growth.
The natural cycle of dog shedding
All animals, especially our dogs, go through shedding on a regular basis. It's one of their lives' many natural cycles. The hair shafts of your fur-baby go through two processes: growing and shedding. And these phases play an important role in determining the rate of dog hair growth in dogs and can vary according to breed, age, health condition, environment, etc.
Dog hair growth can happen continuously in certain breeds. Dogs whose hair is growing continuously like the Yorkshire Terriers and Shih Tzus have stronger hair shafts and are generally considered to be low shedding dogs.
Meanwhile dogs like the Huskies, Malamutes, and Retrievers have weaker hair shafts and have teeming undercoats, causing them to shed more. Double coated dogs will usually appear fully and shed more often. Examples of double coated dogs include Australian Shepherds, Huskies, Golden Retrievers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Labrador Retrievers. Keep in mind that a Bernese Mountain Dog shedding will draw substantially more fur than low shedding dogs, but it can still be considered a normal amount for the breed. Although they can have a lot of fur, you should not shave double-coated dogs as it can damage their natural coat.
According to the American Kennel Club, for dogs that shed seasonally, you'll notice that most of the heavy shedding occurs in the spring and fall. In the spring weather, your dog's coat will become a little bit lighter, in preparation for the warm weather, even in low shedding dogs.
Causes of excessive hair loss in dogs
What causes hair loss in dogs? As mentioned, shedding in dogs is normal during changes in seasons and weather. But sometimes excessive dog hair loss happens and there may be underlying reasons for it.
Stress. One reason why your fur-baby is shedding abnormally is stress. When your dog is super stressed out, this leads to their hair falling out. If you notice your dog losing hair without a change in seasons and weather or losing much more hair than normal, it could be a result of stress.
Allergies. Allergies are also one reason for excessive hair, according to Hill’s Pet. Just like humans, dogs can develop allergies. Some of the most common signs of allergies in dogs are itchy skin and hair loss. If you suspects that your dog has allergies, your vet may recommend flea control, medication to control the itching, avoiding allergens, or a diet change to rule out food allergies. Dog skin allergies can be easy to spot if you know what to look out for.
Poor nutrition. Another reason why you are getting wayward hair from your dog is poor nutrition. Your dog may not be getting the proper nutrition they need to keep and maintain a healthy and shiny coat.
Rubbing collar. Dog hair loss under collar or harness areas around their neck and shoulders can be a result of rubbing. You might notice your dog’s hair loss under their collar during bath time or when you remove their collar. If your dog is experiencing hair loss under their collar or harness, consider removing them when inside and when they go to sleep to help the hair grow back.
Underlying health conditions. Excessive shedding in dogs can also be a sign of an undiagnosed health problem. Health issues in the liver, kidney, thyroid, and adrenal glands include symptoms of hair loss and excessive shedding in dogs.
Other reasons for excessive shedding in dogs include:
- fungal infections
- bacterial infections
- allergies due to inhalants or food
- allergies to medications
- excessive licking on certain body parts
- direct contact with harmful and irritating substances
Home remedies to manage hair loss in dogs
Management of a dog's excessive shedding greatly depends on the cause/s. We came up with some general dog hair loss home remedies to stop dog shedding. Here are some hair loss remedies to help with existing conditions and to help prevent hair loss in your dog.
Brush regularly. Brushing relieves the pup off all the excess hair and creates a bonding experience with your pup. If your pet does not want to stay in place, make sure you have something they can chew on like Gnawtlers® to make it a more pleasant experience for both of you.
Provide a stress-free environment. If too much stress is what's causing your fur-baby to shed excessively, providing them with an environment that's free from stress triggers can greatly help. If your dog gets sensitive to loud noises, then make sure they stay in a quiet room for them to calm down. If your dog hates traveling, then don't force them to go with you just because you want to. Try to hire a trusted pet sitter to look for your dog while you're away.
However, sometimes you can't control when those triggers will come about. For example, if your baby doesn't like to travel but they need to go to the vet. Try our Pet Parents® Calming SoftSupps® that contains a branded form of L-theanine for dogs, Suntheanine®, and taurine for dogs to help support balanced behavior and a sense of relaxation during stressful situations.
Treat Allergies. Allergies in dogs are very common and usually very treatable. Provide your dog with Pet Parents® Allergy SoftSupps® which provides 50% more active ingredients than other leading brands. These natural allergy supplements for dogs can be given like a treat and help maintain normal histamine levels.
Adding Foods to the Diet. Proper nutrition is key to everything. One of the best home remedies for a shiny dog coat is to make sure they eat right and get the right amount of nutrients. You can add eggs, tuna, salmon, etc. to your dog's daily diet as these foods are profitable to a dog’s coat a skin health and balance out their nutrition levels.
Keeping Your Home Clean. Dealing with pet hair in your home, you can frustrating, especially when it ends up all over your clothing and laundry. You can add FurBall® to your washer and dryer to help remove pet hair from your laundry without any chemicals. FurBall® not only helps reduce static and wrinkles, but it knocks the fur off of your clothing or laundry to keep your load fur-free.
Skin and coat supplements
One most talked about ways of dog hair loss home remedies is by providing you’re a fur-baby skin and coat supplement for dog hair loss. Skin and coat supplements have become one of the fastest-growing products in the pet industry to manage hair loss. You can incorporate Pet Parents® Skin and Coat Supplements into your dog's daily diet. It can help keep your dog's skin and coat healthy. And it’s a great home remedy for a shiny dog coat! Supplements also contribute to the reduction in your dog's hair loss, will help prevent itching & irritation, and can even aid in regrowth of hair in bald areas!
One of the major ingredients used in our skin and coat supplements is salmon. Pet Parents® uses this as the main ingredient, compared to other brands that use chicken, as a lot of dogs are allergic to chicken. It contains Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil that's rich in Omega-3 fatty acids that support healthy skin & coat. A bonus is that it has been presented to aid in decreasing inflammation and benefit organ function as well.
"Skin and coat supplements have become one of the fastest-growing products in the pet industry to manage hair loss."
Hair loss is part of everyday life with a dog. But excessive hair loss in dogs, however, could be a sign of an underlying health issue that could require attention and care. You can be a proactive parent by implementing dog hair loss home remedies. Identify the causes of excessive shedding in dogs and do your part to help address any problems and promote dog hair growth to make sure your dog can live a happier and healthier life.
- Featured Products
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FurBall®
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Gnawtlers®
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Skin & Coat SoftSupps®