German shepherds shed all year. Their shedding is more intense in spring and autumn, but cats can and will shed their underneath coat throughout the year.
A German shepherd may not be the right choice if you aren’t willing to deal with excessive shedding. The German shepherd sheds a lot, so expect your home to be covered in dog hair during shedding season.
It can be daunting and it will take a lot patience and perseverance to manage the coat shed by a German shepherd.
If you are absolutely committed to a German shepherd, it is possible to anticipate the amount of hair loss and take preventative measures. There are many ways to reduce the amount of shedding your dog does.
What makes German Shepherds shear?
German shepherds have a double-coated coat, just like other shepherds. They have two types of hair in their fur, a guard hair and an undercoat.
Guard hairs are those that can be seen when a dog is being looked at. They are straight and thick with a distinctive brown or black color. They don’t shed much and are usually the same throughout the year.
The undercoat is composed of thick, woolly hair close to the skin. The undercoat is often not visible when we look at dogs. You can only see the undercoat if you cut the fur with your fingers. The undercoat is what causes hair to “shed”.
German shepherds lose this undercoat as the seasons change. You can expect to find a few hairs scattered around your home in the spring and autumn. Your dog might shed during non-seasonal shifts.
It is almost impossible to live with a German shepherd without discovering hair at times.
Many German shepherd owners are shocked at how much their dog sheds. Spend some time with a German shepherd before you commit to buying one.
Keep in mind, however, that German shepherds may shed excessively due to certain health conditions. These problems include stress, dehydration and poor nutrition.
Consider giving your dog a vitamin to maintain a healthy coat if he sheds more than usual. If that doesn’t work, you should consult your veterinarian.
There are many reasons why a dog should shed a lot.
There are many reasons your dog might be shedding more than normal.
Hormones
Shedding is the loss of your dog’s undercoat and constant loss of fur.
The thyroid hormone imbalance may cause the undercoat to shed. This can lead to skin inflammation and brittle hair. It can begin as dandruff, but quickly turn into severe shedding.
Lergies
Dogs can shed easily due to allergies. You could have an allergy to shampoo, home cleaning chemicals, bug bites, or shampoo. It is possible that your dog has a dietary allergy, which could cause shedding.
You could introduce raw eggs to their food or a particular ingredient in their kibble.
You can take preventative steps to reduce allergies in your dog. First, identify the food allergy.
Ask your veterinarian to conduct a dietary elimination test.
This involves gradually eliminating each undesirable component and allowing enough time for you to assess if it has a significant impact on your dog’s coat.
You can help your dog avoid the problem food by correctly identifying it. This is a long-lasting remedy that can be very effective.
Stress
Anxiety can lead to a number of health problems, including hair loss. Dogs can also experience anxiety. You may notice that your dog sheds a lot when they feel scared at the vet or in the car. Why is this?
Your dog’s anxiety can cause hair loss by producing epinephrine (also known as adrenaline). Although it is not known why this happens, you can bet your Fido, Princess, or Prince will let their hair fly if they are scared.
Some dogs are suffering from chronic stress due to behavioral disorders or fearful events. This can be especially evident in shelter settings.
Stress can also be caused by a change in your household such as a move or the addition of a pet.
There’s usually nothing to be concerned about if the tension is temporary (e.g., car rides or vacuuming). If your dog is suffering from chronic stress due to a behavioral problem, it’s a different story.
Consult your veterinarian or a Veterinarian Behaviorist. Chronic stress can cause shedding and other health problems for your dog. It is important to seek professional advice.
How to Reduce German Shepherd Shedding
Here are some ways you can control the amount of hair your German shepherd (or any other dog) sheds.
Grooming
A good way to reduce the amount that your German shepherd sheds is to keep up with their grooming routine.
Keep them clean
Double-coated dogs like the German shepherd need to be brushed regularly. It is an important grooming routine for your dog because it sheds all year.
It is recommended to brush your German shepherd at minimum twice per week on regular days. Remove any hairs that aren’t needed during the shedding season with an undercoat brush.
To avoid skin problems and remove mats from the coat (commonly known as matting), brushing is important.
Do not brush your dog’s hair against the grain. This will cause skin damage. To avoid damaging the topcoat, brush lightly.
Make sure you use the right grooming tools
You should only use high quality tools for your dog. You must not damage your dog’s hair.
For removing any loose hairs from the undercoat, an undercoat rake will be necessary. It can cause pain for your German shepherd and make it more difficult to remove next time you brush it.
The undercoat rakes are large and have a lot of space between the teeth so it won’t cause any tugging that could be harmful to your dog.
Refrain from cutting their coats
You may feel tempted to trim or shave your dog’s hair if you notice it growing in length. German shepherds’ coats should not be cut or shaved without the approval of a veterinarian.
The animal’s coat protects it from harmful elements and regulates its body temperature. The undercoat of an animal will become exposed to cold winter temperatures and heat rays from the sun in summer if it is stripped of its topcoat.
Bade-taking
Because of their thick coat, German shepherds don’t need to bathe as often as other animals. They only require a bath every 6-10 weeks. This is to keep their undercoats clean and fresh by getting rid of all hair that has fallen off.
Bathing your dog might cause it to lose vital oils that protect its skin and make it dry. Dry skin can cause irritation in pets, which will lead to more hair accumulation in your home.
To give your pet the opportunity to replenish lost oils, baths should only be taken once every six to eight week.
High-quality shampoos, like those listed here, can also be used to replace any nutrients and oils that have been lost.
After washing the hair, brush it with an undercoat-rake while it is still damp to remove any loose or dead hair.
High-velocity dryers are also used by professional groomers to remove unwanted hair. This grooming tool can reduce shedding for up to three weeks.
You can save money and avoid having to take your dog to the groomer. These dryers can reduce the hair volume in your home and cut down on drying time for your dog.
What ingredients to look for in dog shampoo
Shampoos with the following ingredients will give you the best chance of reducing the hair loss in your German Shepherd.
Vitamins
Vitamins can also be used to treat hair damage from the sun and to restore moisture. Vitamins A, D and E are the most common ones in shampoo. They are essential for skin health.
These vitamins can help prevent dry skin, rashes, itching, and dry patches. These vitamins can also help to moisturize the hair follicles which will promote hair growth.
You can make sure that they have all of these vitamins in their shampoo if you don’t have them. These vitamins can be found in foods like sweet potatoes, squash, carrots and squash.
B vitamins are also a popular ingredient in shampoos, as they are derived primarily from biotin which is an important component for hair health.
Green vegetables like broccoli, peas and peppers are rich in B vitamins, as well as liver and nutritional yeast.
Zinc is an essential vitamin that will keep your pet’s coat healthy.
Zinc will boost your pet’s immune system, help him/her battle sickness, and may even be able to prevent itchy skin or rash symptoms.
It also helps improve the neurological system by regulating enzyme production.
You can help your pet get enough zinc if the shampoo does not contain it by giving it food that contains real meat, such as chicken, lamb, and cattle.
Omega Fats
Many shampoos contain omega-3 and 6 fatty acids. These fatty acids help thicken the hair and reduce shedding. A stronger hair is less likely than weaker hair to fall out and end up on your furniture.
These omega fats soften fur and make it more flexible. They also condition skin, eliminating dry patches that could cause additional dander.
Excessive scratching can lead to dry skin, which could cause more hair loss. Omega fats can help your pet look healthier and more beautiful by restoring its natural gloss.
Oatmeal
Colloidal oatmeal can be found in many dog shampoos. It is made from regular oats that has been ground into fine powder. This powder may be used in cosmetics or pharmaceuticals.
Oatmeal is rich in saponin, which is a powerful cleanser that can deeply clean hair follicles.
It can be used on any skin type. Similar to aloe, it helps to form a protective layer to protect the skin from moisture loss. It helps to prevent skin from becoming dry and helps keep it healthy throughout the year.
loe Vera
Manufacturers often include additional ingredients that are known to strengthen hair and nourish skin. Many of our products contain aloe vera.
Aloe vera will moisturize the skin and protect moisture from drying out, which will reduce the likelihood of dry skin that can lead to excessive shedding and itching.
Dog shampoo ingredients to avoid
These are some things you should avoid when shopping for dog shampoos.
Chemicals and Dyes
Although most of the companies in our list use natural components, there are many other bands that use chemical compounds or artificial colours.
Dogs can be allergic to certain chemicals. Using them could cause skin irritations or other health problems. They can also cause harm to the environment if they get into the water supply.
Experts say that dogs can be allergic to a variety of colours.
The yellow 5, red 40, blue 2 and yellow 6 dyes can cause everything from skin irritation to behavior problems and even cancer.
Avoiding these substances is preferable, as most dogs can’t see them and therefore it is not necessary to include them in their diet.
lcohol
Although alcohol is common in shampoos for cats and humans, it can dry out the hair and skin quickly. Dry hair can easily break off and become fragile.
Dry skin can produce more dander which can trigger allergic reactions in people who are sensitive. Itchy skin can also lead to frequent and more severe scratching.
Increased scratching can lead to more hair falling onto the floor or furnishings.
Diet
While you may already take great care when choosing your German shepherd’s food, did you know that this can have a major impact on the amount of weight he sheds?
These are some dietary and supplement changes you can make to help your body shed more weight.
Omega Fatty Acids
Numerous oils are rich in omega fatty acids. Dog meals are often enriched with oil to increase their omega fatty acids. However, this is not the case for all foods and it is not required by the AAFCO.
Many German shepherds might not be getting enough omega-fatty acids as a result.
Although research has not been done on omega fatty acid and shedding, it has been shown to be linked with better skin and coat health.
It is therefore obvious that increasing your dog’s omega fatty acid intake will decrease shedding.
However, there is a catch. These oils can only reduce shedding to a certain extent. It is impossible to keep adding oil to eliminate shedding. This is not the way it works, and can make your dog sick.
It is unlikely that your dog will need more omega fatty acid supplements if their diet already contains high amounts. If your dog’s diet does not contain any omega fatty acids, you can supplement it by adding oil to their food, or switching to a different type of cuisine.
Supplements
A variety of supplements are available that are specifically designed to help dogs who shed excessively. Some of these supplements can contain more powerful components than others.
These are often oils and/or brewers yeast, which have been repackaged to sell for a higher price. It is likely that you will be able to buy the materials separately if this is true.
Brewer’s Yeast
Brewer’s yeast has high levels of biotin, B vitamins, and omega 3 and 6, as well as Omega 3 and 6. Brewer’s yeast is often considered an excellent supplement to maintain a healthy dog’s coat. This could include reducing shedding. You can buy Brewer’s yeast tablets made for dogs.
Plenty of water
Dry skin and flaky hair can be caused by dehydration. It is important to always have fresh water available. This is good for your dog’s health and helps to reduce shedding.
Some dogs have a hard time staying hydrated even with plenty of water. Dogs may be less able to drink in hot weather, while dogs with medical conditions may have difficulty staying hydrated.
You should switch to moist dog food in these situations. These foods can contain up to 78% moisture compared to the 10% found in regular dry dog food. This extra moisture can provide your dog with a significant amount of water that he needs to thrive.
It’s also healthier than other methods of increasing your dog’s water intake such as flavoring it.
Eliminate Allergies
Fleas and allergies can both cause excessive shedding. Excessive itching can sometimes be caused by food allergies, especially around the dog’s feet. If your dog is extremely itchy, a visit to the clinic may be necessary.
Itching can lead to hair fall. This would not be considered shedding. It would be just hair loss. Your dog may have bald spots that itch and scratch.
Itchy skin can also be caused by parasites or fleas. Fleas can cause itching in dogs. Itching typically occurs on the stomach and legs of the dog. It is technically possible to have it appear anywhere.
Fleas can be treated at home by a groomer or at the animal’s place, but allergies should only be managed by a veterinarian.
The Best Ways To Clean Up Dog Hair
Even if you have reduced the amount of hair your German shepherd sheds, there’s still a chance that some hair will remain in your home.
Lint Roller
Before you put it in the washer, remove any pet hairs from your clothing using a lint roller.
This will eliminate pet hair and prevent it from clumping up in your washer. You can also use rubber gloves or a sponge to remove pet hair. Run your pet hair along the clothing to get rid of them.
Vacuum
This will remove large amounts of pet hair from your floor and upholstery. Make sure to use the upholstery attachment.
There are many pet hair vacuums available on the market. However, it doesn’t matter if you own one or a basic vacuum, make sure you empty it regularly to remove pet hairs from it.
Dryer sheets
You can add one to two dryer sheets, and the anti-static properties of the dryer sheets will resist hair.
For approximately 10 minutes, turn the dryer to low heat or no heat. You don’t need heat; just run the clothes through the tumble cycle to loosen pet hair and materials.
Protect Yourself
Cover your cat or dog’s favorite spot to lay or sit with a machine-washable blanket.
Use a humidifier
For those who live in cold climates, a humidifier is particularly useful in winter. They not only keep your skin moisturized but also prevent stray hair from sticking to surfaces.
Sticky Tape
Apply adhesive tape to your palm sticky side down. Then, brush it onto clothing or furniture. Pet hairs will adhere immediately.
Rubber gloves
Rubber gloves can be used to protect your hands while cleaning and also for removing pet hair. To lift hairs, simply put on the gloves and soak them in water.
It works well on both long and short hairs, which is a great thing about it. Simply roll it up and wipe off the remaining surface.
Summary
German shepherds are friendly, loyal, fearless and easily trained dogs. However, they are notorious shedders. Although shedding can be frightening for some people, it is an inevitable part of dogs’ lives.
If you use the right grooming tools and follow proper grooming techniques, managing your German shepherd’s shed will be easy. You can also give your German shepherd supplements and omega fatty acid.
Is it possible to stop a German Shepherd from shedding? Dog Food Smart.
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