German Shepherd Hair Loss And Baths
Be sure to brush your dog thoroughly before bathing them to remove any loose hair, dirt, and make the application of the hair fall shampoo easier. After bathing your dog, towel-dry him to remove excess water. A damp coat is a breeding ground for bacteria on the skin which can increase hair loss!
As your dogs coat dries, brush your dog to help eliminate the loose hair as they dry. Keep brushing and wiping them with the towel until they are no longer damp.
Groom And Bathe Your German Shepherd 3
So, I already went over that your German Shepherd will blow his coat twice a year once in the fall, once in the spring. Though you cant stop the fur clumps from eventually coming out, you can help to get rid of more of it at once by bathing and grooming him during these periods.
Rather than allowing his undercoat to gradually fall out as the two-week blowing period progresses, you can loosen up any remaining fur and get rid of it at bathing time.
Never over-bathe as this strips your German Shepherds natural oils causing dry skin which then causes further shedding.
There are also specific de-shedding dog shampoos and conditioners you can get to release the undercoat during the bath. You can even find ones enriched with Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids, such as the FURminator deShedding Ultra Premium Dog Shampoo that help reduce shedding from Amazon, and Ill cover the benefits of these at number 7 below.
Stress And German Shepherd Shedding
While Normal Shedding is healthy, excessive shedding is usually a sign of trouble. If you have been a German Shepherd owner for a while, or if you have owned another large dog thats also a heavy shedder like a Golden Retriever or a Husky, then you know what a normal shedding for a heavy shedder looks like.
However, if the shedding is too much to the point that your dogs coat is actually becoming thinner, then thats a sign of a problem.
The most common cause of excessive shedding is stress, and stress is a very real problem in German Shepherds as it is in humans.
What can cause Stress in German Shepherds?
- Too little Exercise
- German shepherds need lots of exercises and they need it daily, not getting enough exercise can cause your dog to be stressed and start shedding excessively.
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German Shepherds Have A Double Coat
All dogs have either a singe or double coat. Single coated dogs have only one top coat, and they lack an undercoat. Their hair undergoes a longer growth cycle, and this often leads to the mistaken impression that they do not shed.
But they do indeed shed, it is just not as noticeable.
In contrast, a double coated dog means that the dog has two layers of coats a short undercoat, and an outer coat consisting of longer hair.
The length of a dogs hair alone does not dictate whether a dog has a single or a double coat. Any length of coat or any texture of hair can be either a single or a double coat.
All German Shepherds have a double coat. Their outer coat consists of slick, somewhat oily, longer protective hairs. The undercoat of a GSD is composed of a fuzzy, wooly, and insulating undercoat.
This double coat serves as a natural defense against the elements and also protects a GSD from injury. Therefore, it is important that you never shave a GSDs hair, no matter how unnecessary it may seem, even in the hottest of weather.
Keep in mind that German Shepherds require more time and attention devoted to grooming than many other double coated dogs.
If you neglect to put forth the effort required, GSDs will often develop mats in their undercoat that are very difficult to brush out. Mats of hair are also very uncomfortable for your GSD to have brushed out of him.
Supply Clean And Fresh Drinking Water At All Times
Dehydration can lead to dry skin, which can cause shedding and illness. Make sure your German Shepherd has access to fresh and clean water at all times.
If your German Shepherd is not drinking enough by himself, you can always choose to incorporate moist foods into its diet.
Wet dog food contains up to 78% moisture compared to 10% for dry food. Another way to do this is to add warm water or chicken broth into kibbles.
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Why Do German Shepherds Shed
The coats of German Shepherds can vary in length and color. There are German Shepherds with a short coat and an undercoat, medium coat with an undercoat, long coat with an undercoat, and a long coat without an undercoat. This dog breed has two layers of coat: a topcoat or guard coat and an undercoat. Its topcoat is usually thick, straight, flat, and coarse and lies close to the body. It can also be wavy and wiry in texture. On the other hand, the undercoat is soft and thicker than the topcoat.
Just like many other dog breeds, German Shepherds also experience shedding. There are a number of reasons why their hair falls off but the most common reason is to protect them from the changing seasons. Their coat serves as protection from the harsh weather, be it the cold or the heat of the sun. It acts as a regulator for their body temperature.
Another reason for their shedding is their overall health. There might be times when your German Shepherd can experience excessive shedding and this might be because of an underlying health reason such as stress, allergies, pain, hormonal changes, or fleas, parasites, or ticks. If your dogs excessive shedding is caused by one of these reasons, you should already consult your vet for a proper consultation and medication.
Easy German Shepherd Shedding Solutions To Reduce Hair Loss
Did a pile of dog hair just whirl past your feet like a tumbleweed from the Wild West?
Are you struggling to find a German Shepherd shedding solution that works?
Youre in luck!
Ill show you exactly how to use these easy shedding tips to take back your house, clothing, furniture, and sanity.
Excessive shedding might be a fact of life, but you can learn how to help control a German Shepherd losing its hair while keeping your dogs skin and coat healthy.
Lets get started with these helpful, quick tips for German Shepherd hair loss to make both of your lives easier.
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Will Bathing My German Shepherd Dog More Frequently Help To Reduce Shedding
Yes, and no. You should give your dog a routine bath in order to combat shedding. Routine means that you give a bath on a regular basis whether that is once a week, once every two weeks, or once a month.
The bath itself may help to remove some of the loosened hair, but it will not remove all of it, nor is it a cure-all for shedding. However, it will help to prevent hair from just randomly falling anywhere and everywhere in your home.
It is of the utmost importance that you use a shampoo that is specially made for dogs, and that the shampoo is all-natural.
Look for a shampoo that is a dull yellow color, appears almost watery in consistency, and does not possess a very strong fragrance. Anything different from these criteria is likely to contain added chemicals that can harm your dogs skin.
Do German Shepherds Shed More About Shedding In This Breed
Do german shepherds shed?
There are plenty of reasons why the German Shepherd ranks as one of Americas most popular breeds.
Known for being loyal, courageous, and confident, this iconic dog possesses a noble bearing and a fearless stance.
Muscular and agile, the German Shepherd stands up to 26 inches, with an outline of smooth, graceful curves.
Since this highly intelligent dog can be trained to do just about anything, they lead the pack when it comes to service work.
Theyre ideally suited for many roles, including guide dog, police and military work, search and rescue, drug detection, and protection.
While their coats can be long or short, theyre almost always double-coated.
If youre thinking of bringing this beautiful dog into your life, you probably have a lot of questions.
At the top of the list might be, Do German Shepherds shed?
In this article, well focus on the answer to that question and give you plenty of information about why dogs shed, when they shed, and how to deal with all that fur.
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What Grooming Tools Do You Need
Brushing your German Shepherd with just one brush wont be enough. This breed has a double coat and you will require several different brushes to reduce shedding.
The first brush that you need is the slicker brush. This is what you will use most often. The main purpose of the slicker brush is to dislodge loose fur mostly in the outer coat and reduce matting.
The other important brush is the undercoat rake. As the name suggests, this allows you to remove loose fur trapped in the bottommost layers. This brush is used less frequently but its an important tool to keep overall shedding under control.
Finally, there is a de-shedding tool. The most recognizable feature of this is the Furminator. Use a brush that is specifically made for the length of your dogs coat. It works best when your German Shepherd enters their shedding season. This drastically cuts down on fur around the house.
Some people choose to use Furminators as undercoat rakes as well. When utilized too often, though, this brush can cut or damage the coat. An undercoat rake is the better option for regular use as it only gets rid of excess fur.
Feed Your German Shepherd With A Meat
One of the most effective ways of reducing shedding is to feed your German Shepherd with high-quality dog food.
Cheap dog food is largely made of ingredients such as corn and grain that is difficult for any dog to digest.
Look for dog food that has meat as the main ingredient. Sure, it costs more, but it is beneficial to your German Shepherd in lots of different ways.
Dog food with meat as its main ingredient is easier to digest and absorb.
Not only will it help to maintain a healthy coat and reduce shedding, it is also good for the overall health of your German Shepherd.
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Why Do German Shepherds Shed So Much Hair
Here are some of the reasons why your German Shepherd might be shedding so much hair
- Double Coat: Like other breeds such as the huskies, German Shepherds have a double coat. This is a soft wooly undercoat, and thin long protective hairs. Also, the coat serves as a defense against disease, injury, and infection. So, if youre thinking of shaving your dog because you cant keep up, just dont do it.
- Regular shedding: There are two phases of shedding you need to be aware of as a German Shepherd owner. The first is called regular shedding. GSDs do this throughout most of the year, and they could shed a lot of hair. The new hair grows out to replace the old one. For a person, it may seem like the dog is shedding a lot, but it basically has the same amount of hair.
- Seasonal Shedding: The second, the seasonal shedding, is the one most people observe easily, but it doesnt last long. This happens when the dog molts his undercoat as it gets ready for the season change. This typically occurs in spring and fall for 2-4 weeks and is a massive shedding.
- Health issues: while shedding is a natural occurrence, factors like stress, dehydration, poor diet, irritation, or skin allergy affect the rate of shedding. If you notice or think your dog is shedding unnaturally, contact your vet as soon as possible.
Whichever kind of shedding your dog is experiencing, you are sure to notice loose fur all-around your home if you bring the dog inside.
How To Stop Excessive Gsd Shedding
You cant stop any dog from shedding completely, this is a normal and natural process that most dogs go through. However, you can reduce excessive shedding and minimize how much of the hair ends up floating around your home.
And, in a healthy GSD, this mostly comes down to grooming him properly and making sure his diet is optimal. So lets explore each of these further.
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Healthy Dogs = Less Shedding
Finally, their diet can be a huge culprit when it comes to excessive shedding.
Do your homework and choose a high quality dog food which is best suited for your German Shepherd based on age, activity level, and any health concerns such as allergies. Talk to your vet about supplementing their food with omega fats or selecting the right dog food.
Besides food, German Shepherds are active dogs that require daily exercise and mental stimulation, along with a stress-free environment.
Why Is My German Shepherd Shedding So Bad
Why do German Shepherds Shed? The simple fact is this breed sheds heavily. While a certain amount of shedding is natural, there are other factors such as stress, poor diet, skin allergies, and dehydration that can make it even worse.
Why does my German Shepherd shed so much? There are certain factors that can influence the amount of shedding. For example, poor diet, stress, dehydration or skin allergy and irritation. Having these aspects in mind could help if you want to reduce your dogs shedding. As you scroll down, youll discover why German shepherds shed this much and how to reduce and maintain it.
Is German Shepherd shedding bad for your dog? Certainly not! However, German Shepherd shedding need not wreck your nerves nor the house interior. See here what the elite GSD owners do about the most severe dog shedding. And: with their dogs shed hair! But first, the weather. The sky was cloudy today, wasnt it? Or so we might think! But no! Its just the bottom half of this pic.
Why you should not shave your German Shepherd? The coats purpose is to defend the dog from disease, infection and injury. This is the reason why you shouldnt shave your German shepherd. Year-round shedding. Some dogs shed only seasonally, when their new hair grows out and they replace the old one with it. German shepherds, however, grow hair all year long.
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Get A Tool Designed For German Shepherds
The best way to groom your German Shepherd is with a de-shedding tool designed specifically for German Shepherds. These tools take your German Shepherds thick undercoat into account and dig out any loose hairs that otherwise would find themselves scattered across the floor in your home.
You need to pick a comb or brush tool that will reach all the way through your German Shepherds fur and be able to latch onto any hair that might just be sitting there. They are ideal to use when your dog is blowing his coat.
I use the FURminator undercoat de-shedding tool from Amazon. It really does a good job by removing all the dead and loose hair as it reaches through your GSDs topcoat without cutting his skin or damaging the outer coat. You can get this tool from any good pet store, and there are a ton of 5-star reviews that you can read on Amazon if you prefer online shopping.
Check out this video below showing an elderly German Shepherd being de-shedded, also with the FURminator tool. This dog hadnt been de-shedded or brushed for around 6 months! Theres enough fur to make a woolly sweater!
German Shepherd Hair Loss Thats Not Normal
Does your GSD show any of these signs?
Its important to remember that shedding is a normal and necessary function of your dogs life. Regular hair loss is designed to maintain your German Shepherds coat and skin in healthy condition.
But how and when this hair loss takes place depends on your German Shepherds overall health, genetics, and lifestyle. German Shepherds are heavy shedders and their coat requires regular maintenance to show optimum health.
Watch out for hair loss and skin disease that needs to be addressed and treated by your vet.
Ger your dog evaluated by a veterinarian when you see any unusual hair or skin problems.
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Keeping Your German Shepherds Coat Healthy
Grooming is a great way to strengthen your relationship with your dog. Some people might think that German Shepherds are high-maintenance when it comes to grooming but they actually are not. Shedding is inevitable and you cannot stop it from completely happening. But with proper and strategic planning, you can manage it when shedding season comes. In order to deal with the shedding of a German Shepherd especially during the shedding seasons, below are some tips that you can follow: