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How to Handle Your Adult Dog’s Shedding
How to Handle Your Adult Dog’s Shedding-mobile

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How to Handle Your Adult Dog’s Shedding

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If you own a dog, chances are, you deal with the nuisance of shedding fur. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to help keep your dog's shedding to a manageable level.

If you own a dog, chances are, you deal with the nuisance of shedding fur. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to help keep your dog's shedding to a manageable level.

 

Bred to Shed

The main factor related to how much your dog sheds is which breed you own. Certain breeds, such as Yorkshire Terriers and Poodles, hardly shed at all, and are especially well suited for people who suffer from dander-related allergies. But if one of these hypoallergenic breeds is not your dog of choice, then chances are you deal with some amount of shedding. Here are some practical tips to deal with all of that hair.

 

Bad Hair Days

Many dogs are seasonal shedders. As the temperatures begin to drop, so does the fur. Dogs shed their summer coats in the fall as their winter coats come in. The best way to deal with this is to be prepared. Brush your dog more often and vacuum more frequently. This will keep that extra hair from becoming too unmanageable.

 

Dogs also will go through their own version of spring cleaning. When the temperatures begin to rise in the spring, dogs will begin shedding that extra winter hair. Again, preparation is the key. Regular brushing and vacuuming will help you get through these “hairy” times.

 

Less Shedding Through Nutrition?

Between the millions of strands of hair constantly growing, some breeds of dogs grow up to a total of 100 feet of fur per day! But, while your dog might not boast those kinds of hair-growth numbers, constantly replacing fur still places a demand on a dog’s system. Thirty percent of a dog's protein needs go toward hair growth. If a dog is not receiving proper nutrition, the dog's body will put the protein he's receiving toward maintaining muscle mass, leaving the coat to suffer.

A healthy, shiny coat is not only a sign of proper nutrition, but it also sheds less than an unhealthy coat. Premium dog food like IAMS™ ProActive Health™ provides dogs with the nutrients they need to keep their coat healthy, which means less shedding.

 

High Time for Hygiene

Brushing doesn't have to be a necessary evil. Train your dog to enjoy brushing, offering frequent praise during the process, and maybe even a treat at the end. This is easiest done from the time your dog is a puppy, but older dogs can be taught to enjoy brushing as well. The importance of brushing cannot be overemphasized. Just look at all the hair that ends up in the brush, and realize if it weren’t in the brush, it would be on your couch, floor, and perhaps, bed.

Be sure you're using the right kind of brush for your dog's coat. Breeds with thick undercoats need a specific type of brush, while longhaired breeds need a comb.

Last but not least, make sure to give your dog an occasional bath. Aside from the obvious benefit of having a clean, good-smelling pooch, your dog's coat will also benefit. Be warned though: Bathing your dog too frequently washes away the natural oil on his skin and coat, resulting in dry skin and, you guessed it, more shedding.

 

A Little Extra Time Goes a Long Way

Committing the time to maintaining your dog's coat will help keep his shedding under control. Frequent brushing and vacuuming, and feeding your dog a balanced diet such as IAMS ProActive Health Adult MiniChunks will have you worrying less about an overabundance of hair and more time enjoying your furry friend.

  • The Labrador Diet: Are You Feeding Your Lab Retrievers The Right Food?
    The Labrador Diet: Are You Feeding Your Lab Retrievers The Right Food?-mob
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    The Labrador Diet: Are You Feeding Your Lab Retrievers The Right Food?

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    So as a pet parent, how do you make sure your Lab is eating well-rounded meals? One way to do that is to find dog food that is tailored to suit the Labrador diet. The best dog food for Labrador Retrievers will always contain the following elements…

    Animal-based protein

    Labrador food should always include lean and quality proteins from sources like poultry to help strengthen and maintain their muscles.

     

    Vegetables and grains

    Ingredients like beet pulp, corn, wheat, barley and maize are not only packed with nutrients but they also aid digestion. Labrador food that contains digestible ingredients helps when it comes to supporting a healthy gut.

     

    Healthy fats

    Moderate and controlled amounts of fat in addition to Omega 6 and 3 fatty acids are necessary to support a healthy coat as well as healthy skin. These ingredients are important for Labradors to ensure they do not suffer from issues like flaky and itchy skin.

     

    Supplements that support weight management

    Labrador Retrievers are susceptible to obesity. Therefore, an important supplement to look for in Labrador food is L-Carnitine. L-Carnitine is known to help with metabolism and also supports healthy weight management.

     

    Supplements that support healthy joints

    Labradors are fun, playful and active dogs. To facilitate these characteristics, the labrador diet must consist of supplements like Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulphate that support healthy joints.

    If you’re looking for dog food that is specific to the Labrador diet, IAMS™ Labrador Retriever dog food will not let you down. It is a premium-tailored recipe that contains all the ingredients that support the unique nutritional requirements of a Labrador Retriever. By switching to this dog food, you are ensuring your Lab is at its healthiest and best, always!