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German Shepherds, like the rest of the dog breeds, also shed fur. Do you know when your pooch’s rubbing its body on your clothes? Well, they’re not showing love. They’re simply shedding their hair on your clothes.
While your dog will never completely stop shedding there are things you can do to reduce it. Today we will discuss how to reduce shedding in German shepherds.
Why do German Shepherds Shed?
It is natural for dogs to shed fur, but if your dog is shedding excessively, it can be because they are under stress. It can also be skin allergies or dehydration which can make shedding worse.
Aside from huskies and malamutes, German shepherds are also one of those dogs that carry a double coat. That means they have an under-the-shelter wooly fur and an outside protective coat.
Some of you may be wondering, “When do German shepherds start shedding”? While this type of dog always sheds, it is stronger during summer and fall. The fall shedding helps prepare the dog for the cold winter months by shedding the outer coat, while summer shedding gets rid of the undercoat to help cool the dog in hot summer months. This process is called coat blowing and can last several weeks each time.
18 Best Ways to Minimize Shedding
Here are the best things you can do to try to reduce shedding in German shepherds:
- Change your dog’s diet: The quality of most products, particularly dog food, is the main reason for heavy shedding in dogs. If you are feeding your pet animal food that is not nutritionally balanced, it gives no benefit to the animal’s digestive system. In fact, when your dog consumes this type of food, it can deteriorate your dog’s skin health. It’s a good idea to give protein-rich diets to your dog for the best results.
- Blow dry your dog: After washing your German Shepherd, use a blow dryer to remove the last of its dead skin. Even between baths, a 1-minute blowing on a cold setting can remove the dead skin and keep their shedding low.
- Visit a professional groomer: It is a good idea to groom your dog with a professional from time to time. They have excellent tools to give helpful trims to the dog’s hair.
- Add Omega fatty acids to diet: Omega oils can promote healthy skin and coat. It can help reduce excess shedding and relieve allergy-related itching.
- Use an undercoat rake: You can use an undercoat rake to remove tangles from your dog’s hair. Tangled hair is more prone to shed than properly combed hair. The plus is that it will also keep your dog clean.
- Use a magic coat curry brush during bathing: During the shedding season, your dog’s fur will already be loose. You can use a magic brush to remove that fur easily when the hair is wet. It will also condition the hair with oils and prevent excess shedding.
- Use a slicker brush: A slicker brush also does the job of removing loose hair. Brushing your dog’s hair regularly will help distribute natural oils in their skin. This will remove dead skin and flakes from your dog’s coat.
- Use an anti-shed shampoo: There are several gentle anti-shed shampoos on the market that can prevent excess shedding. These shampoos nourish the dog’s hair and strengthen the roots.
- Use a high-velocity dryer: Once you have washed your dog, use a dryer with high velocity to eliminate loose hair. This can be very useful during the shedding season of your pet.
- Maintain a regular exercise schedule: Regular physical activity may help in reducing stress levels in dogs therefore preventing excessive shedding
- Use a Furminator: A Furminator is a particular type of brush that is used to get through the top coat and pick up on any loose hairs that are about to fall off.
- Consider a hypoallergenic diet: In case your German Shepherd’s hair loss is because of allergies then you might want to try changing its diet with hypoallergenic food.
- Use a rubber grooming mitt: A rubber grooming mitt can gently and effectively remove loose fur, especially when your dog is shedding heavily.
- Keep your home cool: Because German Shepherds shed more when it’s hot, keeping the house cool will reduce shedding considerably.
- Try a leave-in conditioner: Leave-in conditioners can keep pets healthy and prevent shedding. Look for one specially designed for reducing-shedding.
- Avoid stressful situations: A happy dog will have a nice and shiny coat of hair. Keep your dog happy and you’ll have a bright-haired German Shepherd running around your house.
- Regular health check-ups: With regular health check-ups, you can see if the shedding is caused by some underlying health issue and take action accordingly.
- Consult a vet: If your pet starts shedding more hair than usual or has any change in the skin, it is recommended that you see a veterinarian.
How Do I Know if My German Shepherd is Shedding Too Much?
Since there are skin conditions that can cause your dog to shed more than normal it’s important to know what to look for.
While entire patches of missing fur are obvious, there are some other signs that may not be as plain to see.
- Skin becoming red and itchy
- Dry Skin
- Wounds from too much scratching
- Secretions coming out of the skin
- Bald patches
If you spot any of these symptoms, call your vet to book an appointment with them. When it comes to our dog’s well-being, it is always good to be on the safe side.
Conclusion
German Shepherds are faithful dogs for a large family. If you’re having second thoughts about adopting a German Shepherd just because they shed a lot, think again. These loving creatures can make your life happy. And about the shedding; you don’t have to worry about that anymore! We have the best tips and tricks to keep the shedding to a minimum.
You may want to invest in one of the best dog supplements for dry skin because it happens to be one of the main reasons why dogs might have excessive shedding. VetGen Pharmaceutical has come up with Maximum Skin & Coat. It caters to all size breeds and helps relieve itchiness in any dog’s skin. You’ll keep your German shepherd’s fur looking great as well as healthy with this product!
