All dogs shed. Now, dogs that have hair that grows continuously such as Poodles, Bichons, Shih Tzus, and Yorkies shed very little, and what they do shed tends to get trapped in the rest of their hair instead of winding up on your sofa, but they do shed a little bit. Some breeds of dogs shed A LOT, usually with the change of the seasons, such as Golden Retrievers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Shelties, and German Shepherds. Other dogs just shed all the time, like Labs, Pugs, and other short-haired dogs.
Any dog that sheds a lot will require brushing at least a few times a week. Professional groomers have special tools that can get out even more undercoat than you can (for example, a high-velocity dryer can blast a massive amount of hair off your dog without irritating your dog’s skin the way too much brushing can), but sometimes even that only helps so much.
For each breed and each individual dog, there’s a normal amount of shedding and then there’s an excessive amount of shedding. If your dog seems to be shedding more than usual, you should first talk to your vet to make sure your dog doesn’t have an underlying health issue. Assuming your dog is in overall good health, you may consider supplementing your dog’s diet with essential fatty acids.
According to Dr. Steve Marsden, DVM, writing for VCA:
“Fatty acid supplements can reduce shedding, promote growth of the undercoat, reduce tendencies to inflammation, and help resolve inflammation.”
A lack of dietary fat can lead to excessive shedding. Essential fatty acids, as the name implies, are necessary for your dog, and he can’t make them on his own. Many commercial dog foods claim to have omega-3 essential fatty acids, but the truth is that the high heat required to make dog food often destroys the omega-3, and what’s left can go rancid pretty quickly. That’s why adding an omega-3 supplement can help reduce your dog’s excessive shedding.
Omega 3-6-9 Select Grain Free Skin & Coat Chews with Pure Antarctic Krill Oil
Happy, Healthy Omega 3-6-9 Select Chews were formulated by veterinarians to provide an unparalleled boost to your dog’s health in the most natural, sustainable way possible in a supplement. These tasty chews contain several different fatty acids, including EPA, DHA, and GLA and are made from sustainable krill, which tends to be lower in mercury than fish that are higher up in the food chain.
The grain-free, soy-free, gluten-free formula is ideal for pets that suffer from food sensitivities or allergies and our cold-press extrusion system preserves the active ingredients. Plus, dogs love the taste! If that isn’t enough, each purchase provides 14 meals for shelter dogs!
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional.
