Like people, what a dog eats can affect its health and shedding. Yes, all dogs do shed to a certain degree, but sometimes, a dog can shed excessively for several reasons.
When there is a change in diet, this may also give you a shedding dog in your household. Instead of using shedding protection in your home or vehicle, like a Ruff Rug Pet Cargo Liner, let’s take a look at how we can reduce pets from shedding so we can reduce clean-up.
Why Do Dogs Shed?
Before jumping into your dog’s diet, it is important to discuss why dogs shed. Dog hair goes through a normal four-step cycle where the hair grows, stops sheds, and repeats. It is normal for this process to happen because dogs need to shed their fur for many reasons.
When the seasons begin to change, your dog will shed, if it has two coats, it will shed its undercoat during the spring, so it is prepared for the warmer temperatures. Then, it will grow a thicker undercoat during the fall, so it is ready for the colder month.
Dogs also shed when they are allergic to something or for other health reasons. Like people, dogs can have allergies, so they will shed their hair when their allergies are acting up. Dogs can be allergic to the environment, food, bugs, and more. Also, if they were to contract a skin disorder, they may lose their hair.
This is because when a dog’s skin becomes itchy, scabbed, or covered in rashes, it will shed its fur. If you notice that your dog’s skin is covered in rashes, you should take it to the vet right away. They will be able to prescribe medication or treatment to help the dog get over its skin condition.
However, shedding can also happen because of food. Certain foods can cause dogs to shed, but a lack of certain ingredients can also cause a dog to shed. To find out more, continue reading below.
Foods That Cause Shedding
Every owner must check the ingredient list of the food they are bringing home. If it is something new, then it could disagree with your dog. Many dog foods with wheat, corn, hulls, or non-specific meat proteins are usually tricky for many dogs to digest. Also, these tend not to have enough nutritional value for your dog.
An unbalanced diet can cause deficiencies that will affect your dog’s health. When this happens, they may have dry or flaky skin, and this will cause your dog to shed more.
Dogs should stick to a meat-enriched diet to make sure they maintain a high level of protein. Often foods without protein can cause irritation of the skin that leads to excessive shedding and a dry-looking coat.
A dog hair shine is often an indicator that your pup has a great diet so even though they may be shedding a lot but have a great shine on their coat, you might just have a dog that sheds their normal amount.
All dogs can shed based on diet, season, and air temperature. Check with their veterinarian if you think their coat doesn’t look proper.
Food Allergies
If your dog has any food allergies, then the dog’s hair might end up everywhere. There are a lot of ingredients in dog food, so you want to make sure that your dog is not allergic to any of it. However, they can be allergic to corn, vegetables, meats, wheat, and more. You can figure out what your dog is allergic to by only giving it small amounts of it and seeing how it reacts.
However, you should always consult a vet to be on the safe side because they will be able to help you figure out what your dog is allergic to.
Low Omega Fatty Acids
Omega-3 and six fatty acids help with dog hair protection. This is because these acids contribute to healthy skin and dog hair.
If your dog does not have enough of these in its diet, it can have dry or flaky skin that will cause shedding. A portion of much higher-quality dog food has the right omega acids that your dog will need to help them with their fur.
Omega-3s enable a healthy body and help build strength. They are nutrients that are within food and vitamins (supplements) and make up the structure of every single cell of a dog.
Omega-3s are often described as a complete energy source and help the immune system to keep everything working the way it should. They also keep your dog’s heart, lungs, and blood vessels working as well.
Most dog foods contain Omega-3s and acids but the high temperatures used to make dry food and long storage food may reduce the effectiveness of these acids in the food.
Vets will often recommend adding to your basic dog food so you should add mackerel, salmon, or sardine oil to your dog’s food to give it the healthy acids it needs. Do you ever have meat table scraps after a meal? Combine these scraps with your pup’s nightly meal so they can receive the best of both worlds.
Conclusion
Shedding dogs can make a big mess everywhere because dog hair will get on everything. However, shedding is normal for a dog, so it is okay. The shedding may become excessive if your dog is allergic to a certain type of food or has a skin problem. Luckily, you can help your dog by giving it nutritional food filled with the right omega acids and real products.
If your dog is eating unhealthy food, then do not be surprised if your dog begins to shed more. If you find your pup shedding more than usual, take a look at their coat to make sure it has proper shine.
If it doesn’t and looks dry, make sure to look into their diet or check with your vet to see what nutrients they need. If you find they have a proper nutrient-enriched diet, possibly you just have an excessive shedding dog on your hands!