{"id":13743,"date":"2022-09-22T19:54:28","date_gmt":"2022-09-23T00:54:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.diamondpet.com\/?p=13743"},"modified":"2023-08-04T10:13:36","modified_gmt":"2023-08-04T15:13:36","slug":"diamond-pet-foods-guide-dog-shedding-hair-grooming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.diamondpet.com\/blog\/grooming\/shedding\/diamond-pet-foods-guide-dog-shedding-hair-grooming\/","title":{"rendered":"A Diamond Guide to Dog Shedding, Dog Hair and Dog Grooming"},"content":{"rendered":"

Being a proud dog parent is great, isn\u2019t it? There\u2019s almost no downside to owning a dog, until you think about dog hair. When you share your home with a dog, one thing you\u2019ll never lack is dog hair \u2014 it\u2019s on your clothes, furniture and even in your food. Some dogs shed seasonally, and some dogs shed all year round. To properly control dog shedding, you need to keep their coat healthy while remembering that a dog\u2019s skin plays a role in excessive shedding as well. So how do you do that? Here\u2019s our guide to all you need to know about your dog\u2019s hair, which breeds shed more than others, and how to keep dog shedding under control.<\/p>\n

Shedding Control from the Inside Out<\/h2>\n

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There\u2019s no way to truly stop your dog from shedding, but you can minimize the fallout by ensuring your dog is properly nourished. But before we get too far down that road, let’s learn just a little bit more about dog hair and why dogs shed.<\/p>\n

Shedding Is a Normal Process for Most Dogs<\/h2>\n

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Shedding is a natural process by which dogs lose their old or damaged hair. The amount and frequency of shed hair is influenced by several factors, including day length, environmental temperature, health status and animal breed. Dogs who spend most of their time indoors tend to shed more lightly and evenly throughout the year.<\/p>\n

Hair growth occurs in cycles. The time needed to complete a full cycle varies between species and even between breeds.<\/p>\n

Food for Fur<\/h2>\n

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Your pet\u2019s skin and hair affect their need for nutrients, especially protein and fat. So the condition of your pet\u2019s fur reflects the quality of the food he or she eats. That\u2019s because the skin and coat form the largest organ of adult dogs and cats, accounting for 10 to 15 percent of their total body weight. Dog hair is made mostly of protein, ranging from 65 to 95 percent protein depending on its moisture content. According to Small Animal Clinical Nutrition<\/i><\/a>, a long-coated, small-breed dog may use as much as 30 percent of the protein in their food to maintain daily hair growth, while a larger, short-haired dog may use only 10 percent. Pets whose diets don\u2019t meet their nutritional needs will have a dry, brittle and dull coat and often will shed excessively.<\/p>\n

When choosing a dog food in an effort to manage shedding, veterinary nutritionists and veterinarians recommend selecting a diet that\u2019s rich in high-quality, highly digestible protein, essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins A and E, and zinc. Diamond Naturals<\/a> dry formulas for dogs provide easily digested, high-quality protein and a blend of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to help keep your dog\u2019s coat shiny and skin healthy.<\/p>\n

When Should You Talk to Your Veterinarian?<\/h2>\n

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What may seem like excessive shedding could actually be normal for some dogs. But it also can signal stress, poor nutrition or a medical issue. You should speak with your veterinarian if you think your pet is shedding more than normal or if you notice any of these changes:<\/p>\n