About Your Dog's Shedding...

So no matter where your furry friend goes, the car, the couch, the outside stairwell, your lap; the pooch leaves a little bit of themselves behind. Every devoted animal lover knows that a little bit of hair around the house is pretty much unavoidable. But there are ways to keep it under control, even if it can be an almost constant problem.

The lint roller is your greatest ally. That wonderful invention of detachable tape sheets that apprehend every last strand and follicle...or so you think. There's always one or two stubborn ones that seem to avoid the sticky surface as you run it along the couch, the bedspread, your cute little black dress that somehow ended up on the floor. Despite those few missed hairs, the lint roller does the trick pretty well. But did you know, there are other ways to help curb the excessive hair loss of your pet? 

First of all, what are we talking about when we're dealing with shedding? It's the routine loss of hair that sheds the old follices to make room for new ones that are coming in. This is a perfectly natural thing for most every dog to go through; however there are some factors that could come into play if your pet is shedding more than usual or if you notice a fairly excessive amount of hair loss. Skin related issues such as infections, allergies or flea infestations are a common cause of overly aggressive shedding. Other things like stress and hormonal changes are also possible reasons to consider. 

Keeping these in mind, there are a few ways you can help lessen your dog's shedding. Routine brushing is probably your best bet. It will ramp up oil production of the coat and eliminate the dead hairs that are getting ready to fall to the ground or the bed anyway. So capturing them before that happens puts you ahead of the game. Plus, the chances are very good that your dog will L-O-V-E it. So it's really a win-win, as you don't have to worry about running the roller across the carpet and your pup will have a soft and shiny coat. 

There are grooming products you can buy that are specifically suited for your dog's skin and when purchasing something like this, be it a shampoo or a brush, always keep in mind which ones work best for different types of dogs. Dogs with long fur or short hair, big or small, all have their own unique ways of shedding and amounts over time. This is connected to how their skin reacts to a list of stimuli and irritants. Ask your vet or pet care professional for some advice on which products will be the most beneficial to keeping your pet's skin smooth and soft and their coat healthy. 

Of course, a healthy pet usually means a healthy coat. Diet plays an important part in maintaining your dog's coat and feeding your pet a highly nutritious diet will help to keep the shedding under control . Elements in your pet food such as Omega 3's, vitamins and nutrients, fatty acids and pure meats are all beneficial to your dog's nutritional regimen.