15+ Proven Dog Shedding Home Remedies (Safe and Natural)

We all share special love with our dogs and understand how important they are in our lives.

But most good things in life come at a cost!

The happiness of owning a dog comes at a price of getting our carpets, furniture, and clothes covered in fur.

During shedding season, for instance, you are likely to leave your house with hair all over your clothes or be forced to hoover every single day to keep your carpet clean.

But to be honest, getting rid of all that loose hair can be daunting and time-consuming!

So, you might be wondering if there are steps you can take to stop your dog’s shedding.

Well, we’ve both bad and good news for you.

The bad news is that there is no real or proven way of completely stopping a healthy dog from shedding.

This is because shedding is natural and actually a ‘good’ thing for your pup.

Losing some dead hair and growing new ones is perfectly normal and healthy for dogs.

So, it is something you should get used to.

The good news is that there are ways you can leverage to significantly reduce shedding in your dog to a point that it is hardly noticeable.

And today’s post will cover one doggy hack that attracts the most queries on online dog community forums: how to stop dog shedding home remedy.

Many dog owners ask:  What home remedy can I give my dog for shedding?

Before we answer this question, you are probably wondering…what causes dogs to shed hair in the first place?

Let’s discuss that first…

Causes of Shedding In Dogs

There are several potential causes of shedding in dogs but the following are the most common:

• Infections like ringworm may cause skin irritation, which leads to hair loss.

• Infestation by parasites such as fleas, lice, or mites can also cause skin irritation and hair loss in patches.

• Chronic licking can damage hair follicles and cause secondary hair loss.

• Allergies can also cause skin irritation and hair loss.

• Skin conditions like dandruff and eczema can also cause hair loss in dogs.

• Nutritional deficiency or lack of the right nutrients to support the development of healthy skin and hair.

• Hormonal changes, especially during pregnancy and nursing.

• Stress: Anxiety from separation can manifest a wide range of symptoms, including scratching and licking, which eventually lead to hair loss.

Now that you have an idea of the things that can cause hair loss in dogs, let’s take a look at what home remedies you can give your dog to stop shedding.

Top 15 Proven Home Remedies to Manage Dog Shedding

1. Regular Brushing

Just as is the case with washing, regular brushing can help to prevent shedding in dogs by removing loose or dead fur from the coat.

Apart from removing loose and dead fur, brushing can also help to make the coat softer and cleaner, which can make it less likely to shed.

In addition, experts believe that brushing can stimulate the skin and help to distribute the natural oils produced by the skin, which can help to keep the coat healthy and reduce shedding.

Depending on the breed, you should brush your dog as regularly as possible – even daily for heavy shedders.

Related:

12 Best Brushes for Double Coated Dogs

10 Best Pin Brushes for Dogs

2. Regular Baths

Regular baths can help to prevent shedding in dogs by removing loose hair from the coat.

This can help to reduce shedding because the loose hair is removed before it has a chance to fall out and be shed onto furniture, clothing, or other surfaces.

Be sure to use a mild hypoallergenic shampoo when bathing your dog to avoid irritating the skin, which can lead to increased shedding.

For best results, go for an oatmeal-based shampoo because studies have shown that it has anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe the skin while also rejuvenating the coat thereby reducing shedding.

3. Get Rid of Fleas

Fleas are your worst enemy when you are trying to curb shedding.

See, fleas will irritate and inflame your dog’s skin and this will make them scratch and bite their skin more than usual thereby exacerbating the shedding.

Fleas can also cause anemia in dogs, particularly in severe infestations.

An anemic dog has fewer red blood cells which can result in a lack of nutrients being delivered to the hair follicles, which can cause the hair to fall out. 

Related: 50 Home Remedies to Get Rid of Fleas on Your Dog

4. Use Natural shampoos

Using natural shampoos can help prevent shedding in dogs by keeping the skin and coat healthy.

Natural shampoos are made with ingredients that are derived from plants, rather than synthetic chemicals.

These ingredients can be gentle on the skin and can help to nourish the coat, which can help to reduce shedding.

Natural shampoos may also be less likely to strip the coat of its natural oils, which can help to keep the skin and coat moisturized and healthy.

When the skin and coat are healthy, it can be less likely to shed.

It’s worth noting that some dogs may have sensitivities or allergies to certain natural ingredients, so it’s always a good idea to patch-test a small area of your dog’s skin before using any new shampoo, natural or otherwise.Top of Form

Related: 10 Best Tick Shampoo for Dogs

5. Natural Supplements & Essential Oils

Natural supplements and essential oils are other excellent home remedies that you can use to reduce shedding in your dog. My favorite options include:

I. Olive Oil

Olive oil has potent moisturizing properties, so including it in your dog’s diet will help treat any underlying skin conditions and reduce shedding.

It is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E, which condition and soothe potential irritation caused by severe itching.

Besides, olive oil can smother mites and mange that could be responsible for your dog’s hair loss.

Add about one tablespoon of olive oil per 10 pounds of your dog’s weight to your dog’s food every day.

Check with your vet to be certain of the correct dosage level for your specific dog breed.

II. Fish Oil

Fish oil is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for improving the condition of your dog’s skin and coat, calming irritation, and reducing shedding.

Most experts recommend 1 tablespoon per 20 pounds of your dog’s body weight but it is important to follow the serving recommendations on the fish oil bottle that you’ve bought for your dog.

Alternatively, feed your dog salmon, tuna, or any other fish that’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Just remember to remove all fish bones from any fish you plan to feed your dog as they can be a choking hazard.

III. Tea Tree oil

Tea tree oil is a potent disinfectant that can help you reduce shedding and treat many skin conditions in dogs.

It is also great for killing ringworms, which can cause shedding in dogs.

IV. CBD Oil

CBD oil is great for easing inflammation issues related to skin allergies and shedding.

It has also been shown to provide many other health benefits, including reducing pain, stimulating appetite, and helping fight cancer.

V. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is rich in linolenic acid, which is excellent for reducing air loss in dogs and killing fleas.

It can also boost immunity and mimic sebum, a natural oil in dogs that coats hair roots, protecting them from damage.

Give orally or apply topically on your dog’s skin as directed by the manufacturer.

The best coconut oil that we always recommend for dog owners is this Alpha Zone Coconut oil as you give it to your orally or apply it topically on his coat.

V. Oatmeal

Whether caused by infections or skin allergies, severe itching can cause a lot of shedding in your dog.

Finely ground oatmeal is one of the best remedies for itching in dogs.

Add oatmeal to your dog’s food or put it in warm water and let your pup soak in it for 5-10 minutes.

VI. Plain Yoghurt

Puppies are prone to yeast infections, which can also make them shed a lot.

Giving your dog a little plain yogurt will help prevent yeast infection, and ultimately reduce shedding problems. 

VII. Flaxseed

Like olive oil, flaxseed is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for boosting the health of your dog’s coat, reducing dandruff, calming inflamed skin, and reducing shedding.

Add 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil per 10 pounds of your dog’s body weight.

VIII. Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are also rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and can boost the health of your dog’s skin and coat.

Add them directly to your dog’s wet food.

Alternatively, soak them in water or bone broth and then feed your pup along with dry food.

IX. Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an excellent remedy for dry skin, which is one of the biggest culprits for excessive shedding.

Give your vitamin E pills orally or apply vitamin E oil directly to your dog’s coat.

Other experts also recommend adding vitamin E oil to the water you plan to bathe your dog with.

Always consult your vet on the recommended dosage if you decide to give your dog vitamin E pills.

 X. Molasses

Molasses is a natural sweetener that packs a lot of health benefits for humans and dogs.

For instance, it is great for shedding in dogs since it is rich in vitamin B16, which is great for digestion, amino acid, and hemoglobin synthesis, which all translate to healthy hair and skin conditions in dogs.

Like olive oil, add about 1 tablespoon per 10 lbs of the sweetener to your dog food.

6. Apple cider vinegar (ACV)

ACV is a natural remedy for killing ringworms, which can cause excessive shedding in your dog.

Add a small amount of ACV to your dog’s drinking water or make a water-ACV solution and rinse your dog’s coat with the solution.

7. Invest in a Humidifier

A humidifier can help with the shedding problem in two ways.

First, it keeps the air warm and moist which reduces the chances of your dog having dry and flaky skin.

When your dog has dry and flaky skin, he will scratch and shed more.

Secondly, the humidifier will ensure you do not have extremely dry surfaces in your house and this will reduce the chances of loose hair from your dog clinging to the surfaces.

 This is only a temporary solution and you will still need to vacuum to get rid of the hair that will inevitably shed from your dog.

8. Plenty of water

Besides a healthy diet, good hydration is vital for the health of the skin and coat of your dog.

Water promotes hair growth by keeping the skin moisturized and conditioned, resulting in a healthier and shinier coat and skin.

Proper hydration also reduces itching and flaking as well as the amount of shed hair.

Knowing how much water your dog needs is a challenge to most dog owners, but the general rule is to give your dog an ounce of water per pound of his body weight a day.

If you notice that your dog is suffering from mild hydration—common signs include panting, dry mouth, and loss of skin elasticity—consider giving him Pedialyte.

While drinking water will help replace the lost electrolytes, Pedialyte is specially formulated to quickly replace minerals like sodium and potassium.

And if you are concerned that your pup is not drinking enough water, consider increasing the amount of wet food in his diet.

Wet food contains up to 78% moisture compared to dry food which has up to 10%.

9. Novel or Hydrolyzed Protein Diets

Allergies can cause a wide range of health problems in dogs, ranging from irritation to inflammation, which can lead to dry skin and shedding.

However, food allergies are considerably easy to correct as all you need to do is change your dog’s diet from those that are troubling your pooch to more hypoallergenic options.

Common allergy-triggering foods include soy, wheat, corn, artificial flavors, and colors. 

So, avoid giving your dog these foods if he shows any signs of allergy.

Some dogs are also allergic to some proteins, including eggs, chicken, and beef.

If your dog falls in this category, consider giving him novel proteins or hydrolyzed protein diets. 

10. Fruits and Vegetables

Adding fresh and natural ingredients to your pup’s diet can go a long way in boosting the quality and strength of their fur.

Fruits and vegetables, for instance, are rich in a wide range of nutrients that can improve your dog’s overall skin and coat health, ultimately reducing shedding.

They also have high moisture content, which can prevent shedding too.

Pro Tips

I

If you don’t get better results after trying some of the above-highlighted remedies or you suspect that the shedding problem may be due to an underlying problem, feel free to contact a local vet.

If you are seeing redness, scabs, balding, or if you notice foul-smelling spots on your dog, for instance, you may be having a bigger problem than shedding.

Hormonal issues like thyroid imbalance can also cause inflammation and brittle hair, increasing your dog’s chances of shedding.

II

If you have the budget, consider investing in a few grooming supplies as these can help you do basic grooming at home.

One of the best tools we recommend is a de-shedding tool that can help you get rid of dead hair on your dog hair while making the process fast, safe, and hassle-free.

In fact, there are de-shedding tools that are capable of reducing shedding problems by up to 90%.

Check out this post for some of the best de-shedding tools in the market right now.

Final Thoughts

Reducing shedding in your dog is important because eliminating hair from your furniture, clothes, and every corner of your house is a big hassle.

Hopefully, this how to stop dog shedding home remedy list will help you.

While they won’t completely stop your dog from shedding, they can significantly reduce the amount of fur coming from his coat. 

And while you may need to purchase some of the home remedies if you don’t have them already, it is a worthwhile investment as you’ll spend less on grooming and vet bills in the long run.