Do you constantly vacuum your home to rid it of your dog’s fur that seems to never go away? Are your clothes covered in dog hair? De-shedding shampoos help manage your dog’s shedding so you may be able to put that lint roller away and not vacuum every waking moment to keep your house clean.
What Are De-shedding Shampoos?
De-shedding shampoos contain ingredients to help keep your dog’s coat clean and moisturized resulting in less shedding of your dog’s fur.
To see if a de-shedding shampoo is right for your dog , you must first determine why your dog is shedding and if it is normal.
Why Does My Dog Shed?
There are two types of shedders: those that shed year round and those that shed during certain times of year or seasons.
Shedding occurs due to dead hair coming off your dog to make room for new hair.
For those dogs who shed seasonally, this tends to happen twice a year: in the spring and fall. In the spring, your dog will shed to make way for a lighter coat and in the fall, your dog will shed to make room for a heavier coat for the winter.
The amount of shedding your dog does will depend on the breed of dog, the time of the year as above, and the type of fur they have (single or double coat). Single coated dogs tend to shed throughout the year. Double coated dogs still shed throughout the year, however, they will also shed seasonally to make way for their new coat.
What Is Normal Shedding?
What is considered normal shedding for your dog depends on the factors above: their breed, coat type, and time of year. But it is also determined by your individual dog. What is normal for your dog may be different from another dog of the same breed. Pay attention to your dog’s shedding from when they are young to determine what is normal.
If you notice excess shedding, hair coming out in clumps, or skin conditions in addition to the shedding, have your dog checked out by your veterinarian.
Other Conditions That May Cause Shedding
In addition to normal shedding, there may be other reasons your dog is losing hair. These may include:
- Allergies.
- Dry skin.
- Infection.
- Medical Conditions (thyroid).
- Poor Diet.
- Parasites (fleas, ticks).
- Stress.
If your dog is experiencing increased shedding that is not normal for them, see your veterinarian.
Can I Stop My Dog From Shedding?
You cannot stop your dog from shedding. It is a natural occurrence for dogs to shed. There are a few things you can do to help manage the amount of shedding.
- Healthy Diet. A healthy diet is one of the key ways to help keep your dog nourished from the inside out. This helps with shedding by providing your dog with vitamins and minerals needed to maintain healthy skin and their coat.
- Grooming. Having your dog groomed on a regular basis will help keep shedding under control. Brush your dog at least once a week, more if needed. This will help rid the fur of dead hair on a more consistent basis.
- Coat Maintenance. Keep your dog’s coat clean with a bath once a month, which will also help to get rid of dead hair and keep the coat healthy and moisturized. This also helps avoid dry skin which can lead to increased shedding.
Do De-shedding Shampoos Work?
De-shedding shampoos work by providing your dog with vitamins and minerals needed to maintain a healthy coat and moisturizers to keep skin soft. They also keep your dog’s coat clean and manageable for easier brushing.
What Are Common Ingredients In De-shedding Shampoos?
Some common ingredients in de-shedding shampoos include:
- Omega 3 and Omega 6 Fatty Acids. These provide building blocks to healthy skin and coat. They help moisturize dry skin, liven up dry and brittle hair, and give your dog a shiny coat.
- Vitamin E. Helps maintain a healthy coat and skin.
- Aloe Vera. Moisturizes dry skin and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Does De-shedding Shampoo Make Dogs Shed More?
While bathing your dog with a de-shedding shampoo, you may notice more fur coming off your pup than usual. This can be a result of you massaging the shampoo into your dog and loosening up the dead hair that would have fallen out naturally on its own.
How Often Can You Use De-shedding Shampoos?
Normally, you may want to bathe your dog once a month, but if your dog likes to get dirty and you need to bathe them more often, most de-shedding shampoos are safe to use once a week or more. Check with the manufacturer to be sure.
Tips When Using De-shedding Shampoos
Leave the shampoo on your dog for a few minutes to allow the product to penetrate into your dog’s fur. Massage your dog while you shampoo them. It will feel great and create a nice bonding experience for the two of you.
When you wash your dog, it is important to rinse. You should spend more time rinsing off your dog than shampooing them. Make sure to get all of the shampoo off your dog. Any residue left on your dog will dull the coat and might cause a skin reaction.
Dry your dog. Leaving them wet after a bath increases your dog’s chance of developing a fungal infection. It can also lead to matting and tangling of their fur.
Brush your dog afterwards to get out more of the dead hair and keep up with it at least once a week or more.
Can I Use Human Shampoo On My Dog?
It is not a good idea to use human shampoo on your dog. Dog’s skin is formulated differently than a human’s. Dog shampoos are pH balanced to better suit their skin. Human shampoos are too harsh for dogs and may cause dry, itchy skin for them. This can lead to scratching, which can make your dog vulnerable to infection.
Best De-shedding Shampoos For Dogs
These are some of the top rated deshedding shampoos for dogs according to users. The product information is from the manufacturer.
All of these shampoos worked well for most dogs who were bathed with them. They helped decrease the amount of shedding, while producing soft, shiny coats.
***There is always a chance your dog may be allergic to an ingredient in a product. Read the ingredients carefully before purchasing. If you are in doubt about a product, ask your veterinarian or groomer which product may be best for your dog. If your dog does experience any negative effects, see your veterinarian.***
Isle Of Dogs Coature No. 20 Royal Jelly Dog Shampoo
- Formulated with Royal Jelly-a protein rich botanical that stimulates hair growth, repairs damage, and reduces shedding.
- Increases volume of the existing coat.
- Apple Blossom Honey scent.
- Made in the USA.
Wahl Shed Control Pet Shampoo
- Shampoo concentrate.
- Lemongrass, Sage, and Oatmeal scent.
- Reduces excess shedding.
- Contains lemongrass, sage, oatmeal, and aloe to reduce shedding and dander.
- PEG-80 free.
- Alcohol free.
- Paraben free.
- pH balanced.
- Made from plant based cleansers.
- Made in the USA.
Nature’s Specialties EZ Out Deshedding Shampoo For Dogs
- Removes excess hair and undercoat.
- Reduces shedding.
- Promotes healthy skin and coat.
- Cruelty free.
- Non-toxic.
- Biodegradable.
- pH balanced.
- Made in the USA.
FURminator deShedding Ultra Premium Dog Shampoo
- For dogs over 6 weeks old.
- Contains omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids and proteins.
- Non-drying.
- Reduces shedding.
- Promotes a healthy skin and coat.
- Hypoallergenic.
- Paraben free.
- No chemical dyes.
- Made in the USA.
Nature’s Miracle Shed Control Shampoo For Dogs
- Citrus scent.
- Contains keratin and Aloe Vera.
- Freshens and moisturizes coat.
- pH balanced.
- Neutralizes odors.
- Made in the USA.
Earthbath Green Tea & Awapuhi Pet Shed Control Shampoo
- Good for dogs over 6 weeks old.
- Contains organic shea butter and omega 6 fatty acids to nourish and detoxify skin and coat.
- Uses Green Tea Leaf, Ginseng, & Awapuhi to control excessive shedding, dander, and allergens.
- pH balanced.
- Soap free.
- Gluten free.
- DEA free.
- Paraben free.
- No synthetic dyes.
- Sulfate free.
- Phthalate free.
- Cruelty free.
- Made in the USA.
TropiClean Lime & Coconut Deshedding Dog Shampoo
- For dogs 12 weeks and older.
- Exfoliates skin.
- Conditions coat.
- Contains omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.
- Cruelty free.
- Soap free.
- Paraben free.
- Dye free.
- Made in the USA.
Having a dog that sheds can cause time consuming vacuuming and constantly cleaning hair off your clothes and furniture. De-shedding shampoos can help decrease the amount of hair your dog sheds, while giving your dog a soft, manageable coat and decreasing your time vacuuming up all that hair.
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.