How to Reduce Dog Shedding at Home
Having a dog typically means resigning yourself to the fact that your house is going to be covered in hair due to shedding. No matter how often you vacuum, there are always going to be tumbleweeds floating across the floor when you’ve got a fluffy pup—and the need to find the lint roller any time someone visits and dares to show up in black. Relatively short-haired dogs can also shed a surprising amount, as Lab owners know all too well.
If you’re surprised by just how bad your puppy or dog’s shedding is, you might be wondering: Can you do anything to reduce dog shedding at home? And should you be concerned…or is this just normal?
For the most part, shedding is normal and to be expected, especially when you have a double-coated breed like a Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, or Siberian Husky. Sometimes, though, excessive shedding could indicate your dog has a deeper health problem that needs treatment.
There’s no “how to stop dog shedding” trick. It’s impossible. But you can make your life easier by making sure your dog has a healthy diet, keeping up a regular grooming routine, and taking some advice from veterinarians and professional groomers.
Read on for everything you need to know about how to reduce dog hair in the house from shedding.
Why Dogs Shed
Shedding is a natural process for dogs. Year-round, they shed old and damaged hair to allow new, healthier hair to grow in. A full coat helps protect dogs’ skin and keep them warm.
A few factors can influence just how much a dog sheds:
- Their breed (it’s genetic for some dogs)
- Their coat type (double-coated breeds have a full undercoat to shed every spring and fall)
- Hormonal shifts
- Stress
- Diet
- Underlying health issues
Just how much shedding is “normal” depends on the individual dog. Hair loss is considered excessive when it’s abnormal for your dog, their breed, and the season.
Breeds That Shed the Most
For some dogs, heavy shedding is just in their genes. Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers, for example, are notoriously heavy shedders.
Other heavy-shedding breeds include:
- Akitas
- Chow Chows
- Corgis
- Dalmatians
- German Shepherds
- Siberian Huskies
Double-coated breeds like Huskies naturally “blow their coats,” or release their winter undercoats on a seasonal schedule, with peak shedding in the spring and fall.
How to Reduce Dog Shedding: Dog Deshedding Tips
Regular grooming is one of the best dog shedding solutions. You can’t stop shedding, but you can collect hair before it hits the floor.
What to do:
- Brush your dog every other day or at least once or twice a week.
- Use the best tools for dog shedding: a bristle brush to remove loose hair and a slicker brush to lift undercoat, mats, and tangles.
- Bathe your dog every 2 to 4 months using moisturizing or deshedding dog shampoo to strengthen hair and reduce shedding.
- Avoid human shampoos, which are too harsh for dogs, and use lukewarm water, as hot water can remove protective oils and irritate skin.
- For double-coated dogs, consider professional grooming for extra help during high-shedding stretches.
Product Spotlight: FURminator Undercoat Deshedding Tool
For heavy shedders, brushing alone often isn’t enough. The FURminator Undercoat Deshedding Tool is designed to reach beneath the topcoat to safely remove loose undercoat hair before it ends up on your furniture. It’s especially useful for double-coated breeds like Huskies, Shepherds, and Labs during peak shedding season.
Product Spotlight: DermaPet DermaBenSs Shampoo
Healthy skin is the foundation of a healthy coat, and the right shampoo can make a noticeable difference in how much hair ends up on your floors. DermaPet DermaBenSs Shampoo is formulated with sulfur and salicylic acid to help remove excess oils, loosen flaky skin, and support dogs with dandruff or seborrhea—two common contributors to excessive shedding.
Product Spotlight: Shelandy High-Velocity Pet Dryer
Professional groomers often rely on high-velocity dryers to blast loose undercoat hair out after baths, and pet owners can use the same strategy at home. The Shelandy High-Velocity Pet Dryer helps remove excess fur while drying your dog faster than a towel alone, which can be especially useful during seasonal coat blowouts.
Keep in mind that overbathing or shaving double-coated breeds can sometimes worsen coat issues. Only bathe dogs when they’re dirty or it’s been more than 2 months since last time and consult with a professional groomer before making any drastic moves with a razor.
Training and Home Strategies to Manage Shedding
Grooming’s great, but it’s not a joy for every dog. You may need to desensitize your dog to brushing and bathing sessions. Adjusting your environment to the reality of your dog’s shedding can also help make it more manageable.
To reduce dog hair buildup in your house, follow these tips:
- Ease into grooming by slowly introducing your dog to tools, allowing them to sniff them, and starting with short sessions.
- Consider teaching your dog to stay off furniture that hair clings to, rewarding good behavior with treats, toys, playtime, and praise.
- Create designated resting areas and cover them with washable blankets.
- Use air filters to reduce the impact of dog dander if you have household allergies or asthma.
- Vacuum regularly (a robovac could help).
While you don’t need to stock up on all that much, a few products could make your life a little easier by cutting down on shedding and making the removal process smoother.
Product Spotlight: PetAmi Waterproof Pet Blanket
If your dog has a favorite spot on the couch or bed, a washable protective blanket can save you a lot of cleanup. The PetAmi Waterproof Pet Blanket creates a barrier against fur, dirt, and moisture while giving your dog a cozy place to rest. When shedding ramps up, it’s much easier to wash a blanket than deep-clean your furniture.
Product Spotlight: Scotch-Brite Extra Sticky Pet Hair Roller
Even with regular brushing and vacuuming, dog hair has a way of sticking to clothes, furniture, and car seats. Scotch-Brite’s Extra Sticky Pet Hair Roller is designed to grab stubborn pet hair quickly, making it a useful backup for those in-between cleanings or right before guests come over.
Product Spotlight: Dyson Pet Grooming Tool Attachment
If you already own a compatible Dyson vacuum, a pet grooming attachment can help capture loose hair before it ever hits the floor. This Dyson grooming tool removes loose fur directly while you brush, pulling it straight into the vacuum. For dogs comfortable with the sound, it can cut cleanup time dramatically.
Nutrition and Skin Health for Shedding Control
Grooming and cleanup supplies help, but one purchase you might be underestimating is your dog food. One of the most common reasons for a dull coat and shedding, according to veterinarians, is a poor diet. Dogs need essential vitamins and nutrients like Omega-3 fatty acids to keep hair follicles strong and reduce breakage.
Knowing whether your dog food is covering all bases is as simple as looking for the keywords “nutritionally complete” on the food label, which indicate that what you’re feeding your dog is up to the highest standards on the market, set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
Otherwise, always talk to your veterinarian before considering supplements or making any other significant dietary changes.
When Excessive Shedding May Be a Medical Problem
Sometimes, excessive shedding in dogs isn’t just a matter of picking up the right kibble. In some cases, it could signal a deeper health issue, such as:
- Allergies. Sensitivities, both to food and triggers in the environment, can cause itchy skin, hair loss, and excessive shedding.
- Parasites. Fleas, ticks, and mites can trigger excessive itching, scratching, and hair loss.
- Hormonal imbalances. Hormonal issues can cause inflamed skin, brittle hair, and an uptick in shedding after a dog gives birth, is spayed or neutered, or develops thyroid disease.
- Fungal infections. Ringworm, along with other infections, can also cause excessive shedding along with flaky or crusty skin and scratching.
- Stress. If you’ve had some major life changes recently—a move, a new cat—stress can also increase shedding due to a surge in the body’s stress hormones.
Warning signs that require veterinary attention include:
- Dull, dry hair
- Sudden dramatic hair loss or bald patches
- Excessive itching or licking
- Red, inflamed skin
- Scabs, sores, or unpleasant odor
- Visible parasites
- Increased thirst or urination
- Changes in weight or behavior
When in doubt, reach out to your veterinarian for support. They can help you identify and treat the root cause.
Some Shedding, No Stress
There’s no magical trick for how to reduce shedding in dogs—it’s a fact of life—but regular grooming, a healthy diet, and consistent cleanup routines can help you get a handle on your situation. If shedding is sudden, odd for your dog, or accompanied by other signs of illness, don’t ignore it, and contact a veterinarian for help.
As a long-time Lab owner, I’ll leave you with this: the most helpful tip might be a mindset shift. Rather than trying to conquer the shed, focus on taking good care of your pet and lowering your expectations. No matter how well you vacuum, there’s always more tumbleweed.