My cat sheds a lot, what can I do? Why is my dog shedding so much? Many pet owners understand the frustration of having a pet that seems to shed everywhere. But what causes shedding in dogs and cats? Shedding is a natural and healthy process in both dogs and cats, but the good news is shedding can usually be controlled with a few steps.

Brushing to Reduce Cat and Dog Shedding

Does brushing or combing a cat or dog help reduce shedding? The answer is Yes! When it comes to how to control cat shedding, brushing your cat or dog on a regular basis is a great way to manage shedding. Brushing a dog or cat helps limit shedding by removing all the loose fur and hair in your pet’s coat. Combing with a Greyhound comb can lift loose hair and untangle mats in the coat. Different breeds and hair types require different brushes, so make sure you choose a brush or comb that is suitable for your pet’s coat type and length. You may also need to use more than one type of brush to remove all of your pet’s dead hair.

Bathing to Control Dog and Cat Shedding

When it comes to how to reduce dog shedding, regularly bathing your dog or cat and blowing out the coat with a high speed blower will also help control and manage shedding because a clean skin and coat usually results in less shedding. Using a Metro Air Force® Master Blaster® Pet Dryer will minimize shedding on your carpet and furniture. Similar to brushing, bathing will help remove loose hair, but it also helps by moistening the skin and preventing dryness. Usually dry skin causes more shedding, so moistening the skin should help reduce shedding. For dry and itchy skin, we suggest trying EquiShield AO (Aloe & Oatmeal) to soothe and moisturize the skin.

Does a Pet’s Diet Affect Shedding?

Hair loss and excessive shedding can be a sign of an insufficient diet. If a poor diet is causing your dog or cat to shed more, feeding him a higher-quality food with the right balance of vitamins, fatty acids, protein, and fats might also help in reducing shedding. Doc Roy’s Absorb More is a digestive enzyme supplement that helps maximize nutritional absorption from your dog or cat’s food. In addition to more nutritious food, your pet will also benefit from a fatty acid supplement. A supplement with fatty acids will promote a healthy skin and coat, plus it helps reduce flakiness, itchiness, and shedding. Doc Roy’s Derma Coat Plus is designed to enhance your dog’s skin and coat while also reducing skin cell damage.

Do Allergies Make Dogs and Cats Shed More?

Grass, trees, pollen, bug bites, and fleas can all cause environmental allergies in pets. If your pet gets overtaken by allergies and can’t fight them off, he may be tempted to scratch and lick at the irritated area. Eventually, the pet scratches so much that he starts losing hair and the infected area becomes raw. Using a medicated shampoo like Pramoxine Anti-Itch Shampoo can help soothe skin irritation and give your pet relief. You can also use a supplement like Omegaderm-3 for an anti-inflammatory effect and to give relief from scratching. If fleas and ticks are the issue, controlling these pests is key to stop the skin issues. Use our flea and tick finder for more help selecting the right product for your pet.

Other Complications that Cause Pet Shedding

Although shedding is a natural process for pets, there are certain conditions that cause pets to excessively shed. There are many diseases such as ringworm and mange that can have negative effects on the skin and coat. If your pet is excessively shedding or losing hair, you should take your pet to the veterinarian for a check-up.

If your pet’s shedding is natural and more of a nuisance than a concern, you can easily reduce natural shedding by brushing your pet’s hair, bathing him on a regular basis, and providing him with a nutritious diet.

If you need help with how to stop your dog or cat from excessive shedding, call a Revival Animal Care Specialist at 800.786.4751.