Having a dog often means dealing with regular shedding around your house. It is normal for canines to lose their dead or damaged fur as it is how they grow back a healthy coat.
However, it can be exhausting for you to clean the house! Moreover, too much shedding can cause allergies and various other issues.
This inconvenience encouraged us to do some research into the causes of hair loss in your furry pal and the multiple ways you can minimize shedding, most notably with the power of homemade dog shampoos!
Make sure you read all the way to the end to find our step-by-step guide to making a homemade dog shampoo for shedding.
Why Dogs Shed
As previously mentioned, there’s no need to fret when your dog’s fur sheds. Just like in humans, it is their way of growing back their healthy hair. And it has nothing to do with the length of their hair.
Another common reason as to why dog’s shed is because of the season. Some dogs develop thick coats during winter and lose them in spring.
Excessive shedding is a whole different topic. This is when the situation becomes abnormal for many reasons, including the ones listed below.
Factors That Affect Your Dog’s Shedding
Often, the amount or frequency of hair loss is altered by different factors. Here are the most common ones.
Stress
Dogs are very much like us humans! Their feelings of anxiety can contribute to hair loss due to hormonal changes, so it is necessary for you to observe the things around them that can cause their stress.
Do what you can to identify and minimize your dog’s stress and you might save precious time cleaning up after your pup!
Diet
The nutrients that your dog consumes can also affect the amount of shedding. This is also applicable to their supplements and medications. For instance, a lack of nutrients results in a poor coat.
The right amount of fatty acids such as omega 3 and omega 6 in chicken, sunflower oil, flaxseed oil, and fish can help in making your dog’s fur shinier and stronger.
Put your pup on a good diet to help minimize shedding and keep them healthy.
Dog Breed
The dog breed is also a factor to consider. This is why there are known hypoallergenic dog breeds. Here are some of them:
- Maltese
- Poodle
- Shih Tzu
- Afghan Hound
- Dachshund
Meanwhile, dog breeds that are known to shed excessively include the following:
- Chow-chow
- German Shepherd
- Labrador
- Golden Retriever
- Border Collie
Prevention and Treatment of Shedding in Dogs
Shedding is normal and healthy, so you cannot and should not fully eliminate it. Still, there are ways for you to control and reduce the amount of fur that comes off your dog. Consider the options below.
Consult the Vet
There’s no harm in talking to an expert for you to fully understand how to limit the fur frenzy. Your vet may recommend meal plans, vitamins, and the best products that can limit the shedding.
Furthermore, your vet may suggest lab tests for suspected infections and health conditions.
Choose the Right Brush for Your Dog
Brushes and other grooming essentials can aid in reducing the amount of fur that is scattered on your floor.
Remember that different brushes have different uses, so you should choose a dog brush that best suits your pooch’s needs.
As an example, natural-bristle brushes are ideal for dogs with short coats like Beagles and Pugs, while slicker brushes are more suitable for furry friends like Poms and Poodles.
Always initially brush in the opposite direction of the hair growth to catch the detached fur!
Tick and Flea Management
If your dog’s shedding seems more excessive than normal it could be because of parasites. Ticks and fleas cause your dog to scratch their skin, irritate it, and shed even more.
You may need to give your dog preventative treatments, especially during the warm season.
The Benefits of a Homemade Dog Shampoo for Shedding
Who doesn’t love an all-natural product? We encourage the use of homemade dog shampoos. These DIY shampoos that target shedding dogs are very easy to make and sometimes even offer more benefits than the store-bought ones!
We love how going back to mother nature still beats mass production! Anti-shedding dog shampoos are so easy to make in your own home, and they can even be more effective than the most popular products.
Moreover, there are other advantages, check them out below.
Safe and Natural Ingredients
With a shampoo formulated by you alone, there will be no worry about what ingredients you lather on your pet’s skin and coat. You won’t have to worry about toxic chemicals having direct contact on your dog because you can use ingredients that are all-natural and organic.
They can help also speed up the treatment since there are no side effects from chemicals or toxic ingredients!
You Save Money
Most homemade dog shampoos for shedding only need 3-8 ingredients, and you’re fortunate if you already have them in your kitchen! Although it may cost you some time and effort in perfecting the mixture, it will save you money spent on those expensive “specially formulated” dog shampoos.
DIY Dog Shampoo for Shedding
Various natural ingredients specialize in reducing hair loss in your dogs.
Here is a sample recipe intended to manage your dog’s falling fur. You will need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup of wheat flour
- 3 cups of oatmeal
- 2 eggs
- ⅙ cup of olive oil
- ⅙ cup of honey
- ¾ cup of milk
- 1 banana
Method:
Put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Remember to use lukewarm water and rinse rigorously.
This gentle oatmeal shampoo will satisfy almost all of your dog’s skin needs by treating infections, itchiness, and even hair loss. For instance, oatmeal soothes irritations by balancing the pH level to cure psoriasis and eczema. This ingredient is also easy to mix with egg, a product rich in calcium and fatty acids for treating flaky skin.
Milk and honey are known for their antimicrobial properties that can clean, condition, and moisturize your dog’s hair to avoid all the shedding problems.
Dog soaps, sprays, and dry shampoos that also target the same problem can be easily made with only a few natural ingredients!
Wrapping It All Up
Shedding in dogs is a fact of life, yet there is a fine line between what is normal and what is unhealthy. It is your responsibility as the caretaker to reduce hair loss not only for the sake of your home’s cleanliness but also for your dog’s physical health.
Treatment can be done in many ways, such as making sure your furry friend isn’t stressed and giving them a balanced diet. However, it is important to be more critical of the products you put on their skin.
Opt for homemade and all-natural grooming essentials, like the oatmeal dog shampoo that can cure excessive shedding, skin conditions, and keep your dog’s coat healthy and shiny!
