How To Reduce Dog Shedding
Of course, no one likes tumbleweeds of dog hair floating across the floor. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to help keep your dogs coat, undercoat, and dander under control all throughout the year, regardless of their breed. It may surprise you to learn that most of these tips to control dog shedding will cost you little to nothing to implement.
How Much Shedding Is Too Much
If you notice your German Shepherd shedding more than normal outside of their seasonal coat blows and you cant identify the cause from the above list, its always a good idea to get a professional opinion from your vet about whether your dog is shedding too much.
If you notice any bald patches, excessive scratching, visibly inflamed skin, or dry/brittle fur, its definitely time for a vet visit.
You are your dogs best advocate, so its up to you to keep an eye on shedding levels and take action if you suspect a problem. However, as weve said time and again, German Shepherds shed prolifically, so dont be alarmed when you can pull out gobs of fur with your hands during shedding season.
How To Reduce Shedding In German Shepherds
German Shepherds are known for shedding a lot. They may not have the longest fur in the dog world, but they sure do lose it at record speed!
Sadly, there isnt actually much you can do to prevent shedding. Some dogs just shed and German Shepherds are one of them! You are never going to stop a German Shepherd from shedding completely.
However, there are a few methods that may help lessen the onslaught of fur.
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How Do I Know If My German Shepherd Is Shedding Too Much
How much do german shepherds shed? A lot!
But even then, there is such a thing as shedding too much!
Since there are skin conditions that can cause your dog to shed more than normal its important to know what to look for.
While entire patches of missing fur is obvious, there are some other signs that may not be as plain to see.
Here are some things to watch for:
- Skin that is inflamed and red
- Skin that is flaky and dry
- Any wounds on your dogs skin
- Discharge coming from the skin
- Missing patches of fur
- Excessive shaking and scratching
If you notice any of these symptoms, or suspect that your dog may have an underlying condition call your vet and make an appointment.
Its always better to err on the side of caution where your dogs health is concerned.
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Should You Hire A Groomer
Getting your German Shepherds shedding under control can feel like an overwhelming task, particularly when they begin to shed more than usual. If you have trouble staying on top of it, you can get a dog groomer to assist you.
Dog grooming professionals will have more sophisticated equipment, making it easier for them to get rid of excess fur. At the same time, they will be able to do a more thorough job as well.
You can take your dog to the groomer every six or so weeks to reduce the amount of grooming you have to do. If this is too much of an expense, only take them in when the shedding season sets in.
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What Time Should I Feed My German Shepherd
A: German Shepherds are a breed of dog that should be fed two to three times a day. It is best to feed them in the morning, before they go out for their walk, and then again at night. If you want to give your German Shepherd a treat, make sure you do it after their meal.
The german shepherd shedding brush is a tool that can be used to reduce the amount of shedding in German Shepherds. The tool can be found on Amazon, and its priced at $8.
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Bathe Your German Shepherd Regularly
Brushing and deshedding your German Shepherd will reduce shedding considerably, but regularly bathing him will give you even better results.
When you bathe your dog, the massaging movement on the skin will help loosen up all the dead fur. This means that after a bath, you will see more loose fur being shed, and deshedding your GSD is recommended to keep that dog hair from being wafted around your home.
Regular baths combined with deshedding will definitely help you deal with pet hair and keep your home clean.
Bathe your dog once a month and use a mild dog shampoo that won’t strip the coat from the natural oils that protect it. If bathing once a month will give your dog dry and itchy skin, try to use an even milder shampoo and bathe your pet less frequently.
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What Are The Best Grooming Tools For German Shepherds
Double-coated dogs like the German Shepherd will need an undercoat rake to remove unwanted and loose hair from its undercoat especially during shedding season. Deshedding shampoo and conditioner is also a good thing to have on hand. If you are looking for easier loose hair removal, high-velocity dryers such as those from K9 Dryers have become an essential grooming tool.
Try Out A German Shepherd Shedding Suit
Finally, if your German Shepherd can handle the potential embarrassment of wearing what amounts to long underwear, consider an .
They come in a variety of sizes and snazzy colors, so theres a onesie for every dog. Justtry not to laugh too hard when you put this thing on or your German Shepherds pride will be forever injured.
Jokes aside, the onesies are a good way to contain shedding for a short period of time, such as riding in the car or if someone with a pet allergy is visiting. The tight fit can also help alleviate anxiety, so its a double-whammy of benefits.
Still, its important to remember that the dog onesie should only be a temporary solution to short-term problems. The use of a onesie over a long period of time may be harmful as it could restrict healthy airflow to the skin and fur.
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Metro Air Force Quick Draw Dryer
- 18,000 feet / min.
- Compact and lightweight.
Includes 6 ft stretch hose, air concentrator nozzle, air flare tool, shoulder strap, and mounting hook.
This dryer delivers warm air without an auxiliary heating source. Some users think that this is not as powerful as some of the more expensive models but that it works well.
Some pooch parents noted that the noise level is high. But that goes for any high-velocity dryers.
You cant have a high-velocity airflow without a strong motor, and a strong motor makes noise.
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We like to keep things simple.
- Teach: We provide educational resources to help your dog get better, feel better, and stay better. From reducing shedding or successful recovery after surgery to aging comfortably into their golden years, we are your partner on your faithful companions journey.
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We look forward to getting to know you and your dog!
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German Shepherd Hair Loss
As a puppy your German Shepherd had a fluffy coat but that soon falls out to become their adult coat that sheds more.
The German Shepherd is a prolific shedder which means they shed year-round and especially twice a year when they blow their fur.
This high rate of shedding in German Shepherds is totally natural, although it could become a nuisance if uncontrolled. You cant stop your GSDs hair fall from stopping completely, but there are German Shepherd shedding solutions thatll help you keep your home cleaner.
German Shepherd hair loss is actually a sign of the good working of their coats, which keeps their coats from becoming tangled and dull.
But, keeping an eye on the amount of hair your German Shepherd sheds helps you to understand their overall health and condition. If your GSD sheds too much, too often, with dandruff and dry skin, then its time to change her grooming routine up and find a German Shepherd shedding solution that works.
Bath Your Dog With A Proper Dog Shampoo
Bathing is a great way to loosen and remove the old, dead hairs on your dogs coat, before they have a chance to fill your home, and to help keep his skin and hair in optimal condition.
However, there are some important caveats to this.
First, its important to use a good quality shampoo that doesnt contain a bunch of harsh chemicals that could dry out, or irritate, your dogs skin. This is why I personally avoid using a human shampoo, and stick with using one thats designed for dogs. Some are even designed specifically to loosen and remove the dead fur, while also reducing future shedding.
You could even try a homemade dog shampoo, like one made from oatmeal for example, if you want something thats really gentle on your dogs skin and one that adds moisture.
Second, try to avoid over-bathing. Because even if youre using a proper dog shampoo, bathing too frequently may diminish the natural oils on your dogs skin and lead to dryness.
How often you should bath your dog depends on a number of factors such as the breed, how messy he gets, what shampoo youre using and your own preference.
However, as a general rule, shorter haired dogs can be bathed less often than longer haired dogs that are more prone to mats and tangles.
In any case, bathing is a great way to manage shedding, just be selective about which shampoo you use, and how often you bath, to avoid drying out your dogs skin and hair.
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Stop German Shepherd Shedding
If you are the owner of a German Shepherd dog, you know that they can shed A LOT! However, keeping up with daily grooming can make a big difference. It can help stop German Shepherd shedding and significantly cut down on the amount of loose fur that ends up on your clothes and furniture.
As a German Shepherd owner, the FURminator is your best friend! It is the best and most useful dog grooming tool for GSD owners. Using a shedding blade can be tiresome and time consuming, but the FURminator will remove more loose fur than any other tool on the market.
The FURminators stainless steel deShedding edge reaches through topcoat to safely and easily remove loose hair and undercoat without damaging the coat or cutting the skin. This deShedding Tool can reduce your German Shepherds shedding by up to 90%!
Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush
Hertzko is another brand famous for manufacturing self-cleaning slicker brushes for your German Shepherd. To ease your dogs grooming, the company develops trailer-made Hertzko Self Cleaning products to ensure the best grooming experience.
The best part is the brush is specifically designed to reduce shedding by upto 95% in grown-up dogs like GSD. It works fantastically on all types of hair lengths and efficiently removes unwanted hair, dirt, tangles, dander, and knots.
Besides, while grooming, your dog wont get hurt as the bent wires are designed not to scratch your dogs skin. Plus, the brush boosts blood circulation and works as a catalyst to provide healthy and shiny coats. The tool ensures comfort-grip and anti-slip handles and also features a fur-rejector button to get rid of the hair gathered into the brush.
Key Features
- Features comfort-grip and anti-slip handle
- Bent wires delicately designed to ensure comfort
- Comes with a one-click fur-rejector button
- Minimize shedding by nearly 95%
The Good
- According to some users, it may be worn-out faster
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Speak To Your Local Veterinarian
In most cases, shedding is normal. Even high amounts of shedding can be normal depending on the breed, time of year and individual dog, among other factors. And in most cases the tips mentioned in this post should be more than enough to help you get it under control.
However, excessive shedding can also be cause for concern.
For example, things like fleas, allergies, pregnancy, stress, skin conditions, or any number of underlying health issues, can lead to excessive shedding. So if you have any concerns at all, contact your local veterinarian for advice. Especially if you notice things like patchy shedding, redness, scabs and/or foul smelling spots on your dog.
Switch To Food That Targets The Skin And Coat
You may have already put in a lot of thought when picking food for your German Shepherd, but did you know that the type of food that youre feeding him plays a huge role in his shedding habits?
Cheap dog food is largely made of ingredients that some dogs have difficulty digesting, such as corn and grain, not to mention all the added chemicals, preservatives, and colorings. You should instead look for a dog food that has a high-quality protein source as the main ingredient:
It is reported that 25 to 30 percent of daily protein intake is systemically used solely for skin and coat renewal requirements. Any protein deficit quickly results in obvious effects on the coat.
If your German Shepherd is not receiving proper nutrition, the protein hes receiving will maintain muscle mass, leaving the coat to suffer. I have a top article on the best diet for German Shepherds if you are looking for more information on the various types of diet for your dog, nutrition, and exactly what he can and cant eat.
Sure, it costs more, but it will help your German Shepherd in many ways, not only by reducing his daily shedding but for maintaining a long and healthy life.
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The Bottom Line: Shedding Is A Way Of Life
At the end of the day, German Shepherds shed for their entire life no matter what you try to do about it. As a German Shepherd owner, you can only do your best to minimize it, but theres no stopping it. Hopefully, this article has provided you with a handful of tips for that matter.
If you have any other suggestions, feel free to share them with us in the comment below.
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Do German Shepherds Need To Be Groomed
German Shepherds have such beautifully thick coats that they without a doubt need to be well groomed regularly. Not only this, the German Shepherd is a double coated breed which means thats double the layers to take care of. The undercoat, plush layer of their fur is a thick layer, whilst the outer layer is harsher to keep them protected from all of the elements.
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Include Omega Fatty Acids In Your Gsds Diet
I already mentioned ways you can change your German Shepherds diet to reduce his shedding. Still, you can also add Omega fatty acids to your daily routine to reduce the amount of shedding that occurs year-round.
You can do this by selecting specific foods with Omega 3 fatty acids. Still, you can also achieve it by providing your German Shepherd with a daily supplement that includes these nutrients. Take a look at Zesty Paws Omega Bites from Amazon. They come in bacon and chicken flavor and get thousands of positive reviews. Always consult your vet first before giving supplements.
My German Shepherds cold-pressed dog food already contains fish oils and vegetable oil which keeps her skin and coat in tip-top condition, so I dont need to worry about this. You can find out what I feed her here.
If your dog food choice doesnt contain sufficient oils, you can try adding a little olive oil to his food. Olive oil contains omega-3 fatty acids that help to improve the skin and coat. Check with your vet on how much to give your dog.
Tip! I also often add a little tinned tuna or mackerel in oil to my German Shepherds food and she wont be far away whenever we have salmon for dinner!
Including Omega fatty acids in your dogs diet will mean much less shedding in the long-term, and your German Shepherd will be healthier at the same time!