If you’re a new dog parent, you may be surprised by just how quickly dog hair can take over your home. One day, your couch is clean: the next, it’s covered in fur. You’ll find tumbleweeds of hair rolling across the floor, fur stuck to your clothes, and a fresh layer of fluff on the furniture shortly after vacuuming.
For many dogs, shedding is simply part of life. It can feel overwhelming at first but learning how to deal with dog hair can make managing it much easier.
Here’s what new dog parents should know about how to reduce dog shedding and when shedding may be a sign that something else is going on.
Why Do Dogs Shed?
Dogs naturally lose old or damaged hair as part of their normal hair-growth cycle, making room for new hair.
How much a dog sheds depends on several factors, including:
- Breed – Some breeds naturally shed more than others.
- Coat type – Dogs with thick double coats often shed heavily, especially during seasonal changes.
- Season – Some dogs experience noticeable increases in shedding during spring and fall.
- Age – Puppies eventually shed their puppy coats as they develop adult coats.
- Indoor vs. outdoor living – Indoor dogs may shed relatively consistently throughout the year because of artificial heating and cooling and consistent indoor temperatures.
- Overall health – Skin conditions, parasites, allergies, nutritional problems, and certain illnesses can affect the coat.
Some breeds are marketed as “non-shedding,” but no dog is completely non-shedding. Dogs with hair that grows continuously may shed less noticeably, but they still lose some hair.
How Much Shedding Is Normal?
There isn’t one amount of shedding that’s considered normal for every dog. A Labrador Retriever, for example, might leave more hair around the house than a Poodle, while a Siberian Husky can produce an impressive amount of fur during a seasonal coat change.
If you’re finding dog hair everywhere, but your dog’s skin and coat look healthy, there’s usually no reason to panic. Finding some fur on your furniture, floors, and clothing is an expected part of living with a dog.
The Best Way to Reduce Dog Hair
You can’t completely stop dog shedding, but you can manage how much loose hair ends up around your home. The best way to manage dog hair is to remove loose fur before it has a chance to accumulate.
Brush Regularly
Regular brushing is one of the simplest ways to control shedding. It removes loose hair from the coat before it ends up on your couch or floor. Brushing can also help distribute natural oils throughout the coat and give you an opportunity to check your dog’s skin for abnormalities.
How often you should brush depends on your dog’s coat. Short-haired dogs might only need brushing a few times a week, while dogs with long or thick coats could benefit from daily grooming.
If you’re not sure which brush to use, ask a professional groomer or vet for advice based on your dog’s coat type.
Bathe Appropriately
Bathing can help loosen and remove dead hair, but more bathing isn’t necessarily better. Bathing your dog too often can dry or irritate the skin.
Use a shampoo formulated specifically for dogs and follow your vet’s recommendations if your dog has sensitive skin or a diagnosed skin condition.
Regular brushing between baths is generally more useful for ongoing shedding management.
Product Spotlight: Soothe Dry, Itchy Skin at Bath Time
Bath time can be about more than keeping your dog clean. The earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Dog Shampoo and Conditioner set is formulated to help soothe dry, itchy skin while gently cleaning and conditioning your dog's coat.
Made with oatmeal and aloe, it can help keep your dog's skin moisturized and their coat soft and manageable. For pet parents looking for a gentle shampoo for routine grooming, this vanilla and almond-scented formula is a great option for helping dogs look, feel, and smell their best.
Feed a Complete and Balanced Diet
Healthy skin and hair depend on good nutrition. Feeding a complete and balanced diet appropriate for your dog’s life stage can help support normal skin and coat health.
Nutritional deficiencies can contribute to poor coat quality or hair loss, although excessive shedding isn’t always caused by diet. If you notice a significant change in your dog’s coat, talk with your vet before adding supplements. Some supplements can be inappropriate or harmful when given unnecessarily.
How to Keep Dog Hair Under Control at Home
Even with regular grooming, you’re probably going to find some dog hair around your home. The key is setting up a manageable cleaning routine rather than trying to eliminate every strand.
Try these strategies:
- Vacuum regularly – Frequent vacuuming prevents fur from building up on floors and carpets.
- Use washable furniture covers – Covers can make it easier to remove hair from couches and favorite sleeping spots.
- Keep a lint roller handy – Store one near the door or wherever you get ready so you can quickly remove fur from clothing.
- Try rubber gloves – Slightly damp rubber gloves can help gather loose hair from some upholstered surfaces.
- Use pet hair removal tools – Specialized brushes, rollers, and upholstery tools can make it easier to remove stubborn fur.
- Consider an air purifier – An air purifier with good filtration may help capture some airborne particles, including dander, although it won’t replace regular cleaning.
Product Spotlight: Clear the Air for You and Your Pet
Pet hair, dander, and everyday odors can quickly build up in a busy pet-friendly home. The Purivortex HEPA Air Purifier is designed to help improve indoor air quality with a True HEPA filter that captures airborne particles like pet dander, dust, pollen, and smoke.
It also features a dedicated Pet Mode, automatic air quality monitoring, and a quiet Sleep Mode, making it a convenient addition to homes with dogs and cats. For pet parents dealing with shedding, dander, or lingering pet odors, this air purifier can help keep the air feeling fresher and cleaner.
Grooming Tools Worth Having
The right grooming tool can make a significant difference, but there isn’t one “best” brush for every dog.
Common options include:
- Slicker brushes – Useful for many medium, long, curly, or thick coats.
- Undercoat rakes – Designed to help remove loose undercoat from dogs with dense double coats.
- Bristle brushes – Often useful for short or smooth coats and for finishing the coat.
- Deshedding tools – Can remove loose undercoat from certain dogs when used appropriately.
- Grooming gloves – A convenient option for some short-coated dogs and dogs that dislike traditional brushes.
Avoid aggressively scraping or repeatedly brushing the same area. Over-grooming can irritate the skin and damage the coat. When in doubt, ask a groomer or vet which tool and grooming frequency are right for your dog.
Product Spotlight: Make Grooming Easier and Reduce Shedding
Loose fur, mats, and tangles can make grooming a challenge, especially for dogs with thick or long coats. The Maxpower Planet Dog Rake and Brush Set combines a deshedding rake and self-cleaning brush to help remove loose undercoat hair, detangle mats, and keep your dog's coat looking its best. Designed for gentle grooming, it's suitable for many medium- and long-haired dogs and can even be used on cats.
Can You Stop a Dog from Shedding?
Unfortunately, there’s no reliable way to completely stop a healthy dog from shedding. Shedding is a normal part of the hair-growth cycle, and trying to eliminate it entirely isn’t realistic.
The goal is to manage shedding rather than prevent it.
Regular grooming helps remove loose hair before it falls around the house, while consistent cleaning keeps the remaining fur under control. Over time, you’ll find a routine that works for both you and your dog.
If you’ve recently brought home a dog, it may take some trial and error to figure out how much grooming your particular pup needs. That’s completely normal for a new dog parent.
When Is Shedding a Sign of a Problem?
Normal shedding shouldn’t cause obvious changes to your dog’s skin or leave bald spots. If your dog’s shedding suddenly becomes much heavier or is accompanied by other symptoms, it’s worth checking in with your vet.
Contact your vet if shedding occurs along with:
- Bald patches or noticeable hair loss
- Persistent itching or scratching
- Red, inflamed, or painful skin
- Scabs or sores
- Hair coming out in unusual clumps
- Weight loss
- Changes in appetite or thirst
- Visible parasites
- Changes in energy or behavior
Allergies, parasites, infections, hormonal disorders, nutritional problems, and other medical conditions can cause hair loss. If something about your dog’s coat or skin seems different from their usual pattern, your vet can help determine what’s happening.
Shedding Is a Normal Part of Having a Dog
Dog shedding is a normal part of life with most dogs, and it can take some getting used to when you’re a new pet parent. While you can’t completely stop dog shedding, regular brushing, appropriate bathing, good nutrition, and a consistent cleaning routine can make managing dog hair much easier.
The amount of fur you find around your home will depend on your dog’s breed, coat, age, environment, and individual shedding pattern. During dog shedding season, you may need to up your grooming and cleaning temporarily.
Most importantly, learn your dog’s normal shedding pattern. If you notice sudden excessive shedding, bald patches, skin irritation, itching, or other changes, talk with your vet. Otherwise, embrace the occasional tumbleweed of fur and focus on enjoying life with your new pup. After all, a little dog hair is just part of the package.
