Your dog is an essential part of your family, and it’s important to ensure that they’re well cared for to live a long, happy life. Exercise and nutrition are key components to a dog’s health, but the shampoo you use to clean your dog can also have a major effect on their skin health. By being informed and considering a few key factors about your dog, you can make a balanced decision to find the best dog shampoo for shedding.
Why Do Dogs Shed Their Hair?
Shedding is a completely natural process for dogs. It’s influenced by many different factors, such as breed, age, general health, and even the season. Dogs adapt to their current environment, and they will naturally grow thicker coats during for the winter and shed more to prepare for summer based on the temperature. Since this process takes time, dogs tend to shed the most during spring and fall so that their coats can be properly suited to summer and winter respectively.
Dogs can also shed more when there is a medical issue interfering with their normal hair growth processes. Be aware of how much your dog sheds during various parts of the year, as all that extra hair may be your pet’s way of saying that they need your help. If you think your dog is shedding too much, speak with your veterinarian.
What You Can Do
Although most pet owners quickly grow accustomed to finding their beloved friend’s fur on furniture and clothes, the age-old question is, “How can I manage my dog’s shedding problem?” While you may have a few products and preventative measures at your disposal, the truth is that dogs need to shed to lead a healthy life.
Allow us to shed a bit more light on this…
Due to the fact that shedding is a completely natural and healthy process, there’s not anything that can be done to outright stop it. However, brushing your dog regularly can minimize the effects of shedding within your home while still allowing their natural hair growth pattern to take effect. Always be sure to ask a professional groomer or veterinarian before implementing the use of any products, as there are some factors in play which may cause complications related to your dog’s skin and fur.
Hormonal imbalances, nutritional problems, skin disease, and an array of other medical issues can contribute to an extreme case of shedding. If your dog seems to be dropping off more fur than usual, consider taking them to the vet for a check-up to assess if it’s a symptom of a larger issue.
Furthermore, cleaning up hair in a timely matter can save you some hassle down the line. If hair sits in place for too long, it gets lodged into curtains, carpet, and any textile where you don’t want the hair to accumulate. Regular attention to cleaning and vacuuming may seem obvious, but removing hair promptly can make a big difference in the long run.
Here’s a tip for keeping your floors free of dog hair. Buy a robotic vacuum and have it clean the floor twice per day. Just be sure that your dog does not attack your new friend!
The Top 7 Best Dog Shampoos For Shedding Reviewed
Here are some of our picks for the best shampoos for shedding dogs.
1. SynergyLabs SHED-X Dermaplex Shed Control Shampoo
This shampoo fortifies your dog’s skin with a host of healthy substances, such as Omega 3 & Omega 6, Vitamins A, D and E, oat proteins, and aloe vera. Not only is it effective at cutting down on severe shedding, but it promises to leave your dog’s coat looking sleek, soft, and healthy. Check price here.
2. Pet Hed Deshed Me
Deshed Me by Pet Hed works to minimize shedding through a dual effect: it removes extra hair while also flattening hair follicles down to slow rapid hair growth. After using this shampoo, your dog’s fur will look clean and kept. It is suitable for all lengths of dog hair and is perfectly safe if your dog should accidentally ingest a small amount by licking it. Check price here.
3. Wahl 100% Natural Pet Shampoo Shed Control
In recent years, Wahl has been one of the leading makers of dog shampoo. This dog shampoo contains herbs such as sage and lemongrass along with soothing aloe. This shampoo is 100% natural, containing no manmade chemicals which might be harmful to your four-legged friend. Beyond that, Wahl Shed Control is both inexpensive and highly concentrated. The bottle won’t break the bank and will also last a long time. Check price here.
4. Oster Oatmeal Naturals Shampoo Shed Control
What makes this shampoo unique is the fact that it has a 100% oat protein base. As a result, it’s very gentle, great for your dog’s skin, and naturally lifts dirt from hair and skin to leave a nice, shiny coat after each use. Aside from being one of the best shampoos to control fur-shedding, it can even be used on cats that may leave too much hair around the house. Check price here.
5. FURminator deShedding Ultra Premium Shampoo
FURminator has become a huge name in the market for dog shampoo, and their deShedding Ultra Premium formula has become immensely popular. Its special blend of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, calendula extract, papaya leaf extract, aloe vera, blueberry, kava, Vitamin E, cranberry, and sunflower seed oils treat your dog’s skin while leaving their coat smooth and silky. All of that combined with the fact that it uses no dyes or parabens makes it a great shampoo. Check price here.
6. Earthbath All Natural Pet Shampoo
Earthbath is particularly great not only for dogs who shed but we particularly recommend it for pets who suffer from irritated skin. It contains a powerful combination of aloe vera and oatmeal to soothe and heal dry, damaged skin. Did we mention that it’s 100% biodegradable AND cruelty-free? Using this shampoo will be like giving your pooch a day at the spa. Treat your dog to a shampoo that’s both effective and ethically-sound with Earthbath All Natural Pet Shampoo. Check price here.
7. Burt’s Bees for Dogs Shampoo
When one thinks of using Burt’s Bees, the first thing to come to mind is a soothing relief by the use of effective, natural ingredients. That’s exactly what you can expect from this dog shampoo. It is made with Omega 3 and Vitamin E, so it strengthens fur to prevent excess hair loss. It’s also pH balanced, so it’s safe for use on all kinds of dogs—even puppies! Check price here.
What to Look for in a Dog Shedding Shampoo
Without getting too scientific, one fundamental thing you should know is that dog shampoos are less acidic than human shampoos. Basically, there is a layer of acid on both human and dog skin which acts as a wall between the body and harmful things like bacteria and other unwanted microscopic troublemakers. The human layer is an average of no more than 6.2 on the pH scale, whereas the dog layer comes in at an average high of 7.5. That’s a huge difference!
What this translates to in terms of shampoo choice is that if you were to use a shampoo designed for human skin on a dog, it would be too acidic and start to overpower and wear down their skin’s natural acidic layer. This can lead to dryness, rashes, and all other sorts of dermatological problems, not to mention the fact that it would allow easier access for bacteria to enter your dog’s body through their weakened skin.
Besides the proper pH balance, a good dog shampoo will also include soothing essential oils and minerals to help clean the skin, such an aloe vera and Vitamin E, and oat protein. Each of these brings a different benefit to the table, from more effective skin moisturization to repairing and strengthening the fur itself. Be sure to check the label and consider all contents before buying. Your furry friend will definitely be grateful for your thoughtful consideration.
Conclusion
Choosing a shampoo for your dog may seem like a trivial, mundane decision for some, but it’s imperative that dog owners understand the effects that this choice can have. Not only can the wrong shampoo cause irritation and skin problems, but in the worst cases, it can actually weaken your pet’s immune system. You wouldn’t use a product on yourself that you knew nothing about, and it pays off to be informed about what product you’re using to wash your dog as well. Also, bear in mind that you can never fully prevent shedding, but routine cleanup of loose hair is essential to maintaining a healthy living space.
Always keep in mind the pH level of the shampoo that you’re considering buying for your dog. Your veterinarian can help guide you in selecting an anti-shedding shampoo which is best-suited to your dog’s breed, hair type, and overall health. Take all of this into consideration, and you can choose the ideal shampoo today so that your dog can have a happy, healthy tomorrow.