How To Reduce Short Hair Dog Shedding

Filed in Dog Health by on January 19, 2022

how to reduce short hair dog shedding

Do you have a short hair dog whose hair constantly covers your clothes or furniture? While shedding is usually a trait associated with long hair dogs, short hair dogs can also shed a lot of hair.

Shedding is a normal part of your dog’s hair cycle. However, shedding can also be influenced by various factors, including grooming, nutrition, and certain medical conditions.

Excess shedding can be frustrating for pet owners and often causes a significant mess. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to help address this problem. In this article, I’ll discuss five ways to reduce short hair dog shedding.

While this article is written by a veterinarian, you should consider this information to be general in nature. Speak to a vet for specific concerns about your dog.

Top Tips to Reduce Short Hair Dog Shedding

1. Invest in Quality Grooming Tools

Many pet owners overlook the importance of grooming dogs with short hair. Although short hair dogs don’t have to worry much about mats or tangles, grooming is still an essential part of keeping your dog’s coat healthy.

Grooming can help remove dead hair and stimulate your dog’s natural oils.

To step up your dog’s grooming routine, start by investing in quality grooming tools. Your dog’s grooming tool needs will depend on their hair texture and length.

Below are recommendations for selecting the right brush depending on various types of short hair coats.

Wiry Mane Coat

Slicker brushes are an excellent option for dogs with short, wiry hair. These brushes have a unique bristle angle that helps remove any loose hair. If you have multiple dogs, slicker brushes are a great tool for many different hair types.

Fine or medium tooth combs can also be helpful for wiry hair dogs. These combs work best as a finishing tool after you have gone over the hair with a slicker brush

dog brush tools

Smooth Mane Coat

Dogs with smooth hair are pretty simple when it comes to their grooming tools. Stiff bristle brushes are the best tool for this type of hair coat. Metal slicker brushes and combs are often too aggressive. Stick to grooming tools that provide a gentler touch.

Grooming gloves and rubber curry combs can also work great for dogs with thinner coats. These tools help remove dead hair while also providing a relaxing massaging motion.

Double Mane Coat

Dogs with double hair coats require specific tools to address their topcoat and their undercoat. Slicker brushes and medium tooth combs work well for the topcoat of double-coated dogs.

However, you should also consider using an undercoat rake. These are sometimes referred to as de-shedding tools and help remove loose hair in your dog’s undercoat.

If you’re ready to invest in new grooming tools, you can learn more about Dog Endorsed’s top picks for the best brush for short hair dogs.

Once you have acquired the right grooming tools, it’s important to make grooming a part of your pet’s regular schedule. You should brush your short hair dog at least twice a week.

When the seasons change, so will your pet’s hair cycle. You may want to consider brushing your dog more frequently during these seasonal changes. This can help reduce the amount of hair your dog sheds throughout your house.

2. Make Baths a Part of Your Pet’s Routine

bathing your dog

In addition to regular grooming, baths can also be a great way to remove dead hair and reduce short hair dog shedding. Short hair dogs should be bathed once a month but may benefit from more frequent baths.

Your pet’s bathing schedule will depend on various factors, including their hair length, hair texture, and any skin sensitivities.

When bathing your pet, always use pet-safe products. There are a variety of pet shampoos and conditioners available, including special de-shedding formulas.

For the best results, take your time massaging the shampoo into your pet’s hair and work up a healthy lather. This will help loosen dead hair, stimulate the hair follicles, and remove any dander from their coat.

For any medicated shampoos prescribed by a vet, make sure to follow the directions. On average, this usually means letting the lather sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing.

3. Evaluate Your Pet’s Diet

Nutrition is a critical part of keeping your dog’s coat healthy. Dogs require a well-balanced diet of protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and essential amino acids.

When your dog isn’t receiving proper nutrition, their hair can become brittle and dull. The hair follicle will become weak and cause the hair to fall out.

Evaluating your pet’s diet can help reduce shedding caused by nutritional deficiencies. Start by checking the nutritional label on your pet’s food. Look for statements such as “complete and balanced” or “AAFCO approved.” Remember that AAFCO doesn’t actually “approve” diets. Instead, they set forth the requirements to which a diet must adhere in order to be a complete and balanced food.

These labels ensure your pet’s diet meets the nutritional standards set by the Association of American Food Control Officials.

If your dog’s food doesn’t contain these statements, you may want to consult with your veterinarian. Your vet can help you evaluate the quality of your pet’s diet and make recommendations to help improve their coat and overall health.

4. Consider Adding Nutritional Supplements

Even with a well-balanced diet, some pets benefit from the addition of certain nutritional supplements to help reduce short hair dog shedding. Vitamin E, Omega3, and Omega 6 are known for their ability to improve your dog’s skin.

When your dog’s skin is healthy, it produces more natural oils and encourages healthy hair growth. As a result, your dog may experience less hair breakage and shedding.

Keep in mind that it’s always best to check with your veterinarian before adding a new supplement to your pet’s diet.

5. Schedule an Appointment With Your Veterinarian

dog vet

In some cases, excess hair loss can be the result of a medical condition. If you notice your pet is losing hair in certain areas or their shedding has increased, consider scheduling an appointment with your veterinarian.

They can evaluate your pet’s overall health and take a closer look at the condition of their skin and hair coat.

During your pet’s appointment, your veterinarian may recommend additional diagnostic testing to determine the cause of your pet’s increased shedding.

Some common causes of hair loss include parasites, fungal infections, and hormonal imbalances. Once these conditions are under control, you should notice your pet’s coat improve and the shedding decrease. In the case of hormonal imbalance issues like hypothyroidism, it can take several weeks, if not months, for lost hair to regrow.

Conclusion 

Excess shedding can be a frustrating problem for pet owners. While some shedding is normal, increased shedding can be an indication of poor grooming, nutritional deficiencies, and certain medical conditions.

You can help reduce short hair dog shedding by investing in quality grooming tools and incorporating baths into your dog’s grooming routine.

However, you may also need to consult a medical professional to reduce shedding associated with your pet’s nutrition or health.

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