Does dog food really help with shedding? Let’s find out

If you’re a pup parent, you’re probably used to finding your dog’s fur around the house. From the furniture and floor to your clothes and their bed, pet hair gets everywhere! While this is perfectly normal, it can be a nuisance if you like a spotless home. Happily, proper nutrition should minimise the issue by supporting the condition of your mutt’s skin and coat. In this post, we discuss why our canine friends moult, and the link between diet and fur health. This should help you know what to look for in a dog food that helps with shedding.

Why dogs shed – and what’s normal

The first point to note is that almost all pups moult. How much hair they lose and how often depends on several factors, including their breed, the season, and their health. So, while it’s possible to get dog food that helps with shedding, you won't find one that eliminates it completely.

Your pooch’s fur is vital for many reasons. It allows them to regulate their body temperature and protects their skin from the sun, insects, and other hazards. Shedding is a natural process through which their body replaces old, dead, or damaged hairs with healthy new ones. Most pups also experience seasonal shedding in the spring and autumn. This is when they lose their thick winter coat in favour of a lighter summer one and vice versa. Such moulting is important for keeping your pet comfortable as the weather and temperature change.

However, if your mutt is shedding excessively, it could be a sign of an underlying health problem. For example, this might be stress, poor nutrition, allergies, a skin condition, or a more serious disease. Because the amount of hair animals naturally shed varies from individual to individual, it’s imperative to establish your pup’s baseline. Knowing how much fur they normally lose enables you to spot any changes.

If you think your pet is shedding excessively, it’s a good idea to take them to the vet. This is especially important if you notice bald patches, skin abnormalities, or differences in weight or temperament. The vet will be able to determine the cause and recommend any necessary treatment.

Even for healthy pups, choosing a dog food that helps with shedding may make hair loss more manageable. Let’s take a closer look at the reasons why.

The connection between diet and coat health

The meals your pup eats affect all aspects of their wellbeing, including the condition of their coat. Poor nutrition can result in dull, dry, and brittle hairs that break and fall out more easily. That’s why the notion of a dog food that helps with shedding isn’t necessarily a gimmick. Our pets need specific nutrients to support the health of their fur – and diet is how they get them.

For starters, your pooch’s fur is primarily made up of a type of protein called keratin – just like our hair.(1) While they can produce keratin themselves, their body requires a sufficient supply of amino acids to do so. That means your pup needs to obtain high-quality protein in their diet to maintain a healthy coat.

And that’s not all. A dog food that helps with shedding should also be rich in essential fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids like EPA and DHA strengthen hair shafts, while omega-6 fatty acids like linoleic acid keep fur moisturised.(2) All of which is crucial for your pooch to have a soft and shiny coat.

Furthermore, the health of your dog’s skin directly affects the condition of their fur. Not only are the hair follicles located in the skin, but so are the sebaceous glands. These produce sebum, an oily substance that helps keep your pet’s coat silky, moisturised and glossy. Nutritional deficiencies can cause skin issues like dryness and itchiness, which may have a negative impact on fur health.

Some of the key nutrients for both skin and coat health include vitamins A, C, and E, as well as several B vitamins. Minerals like zinc, copper, selenium, iodine and manganese are also important in a dog food for shedding.

Can dog food reduce shedding?

We’ve seen that nutrition has a direct influence on the condition of your pet’s fur and skin. And when your pup’s skin and coat are healthy, their hair is less likely to break or fall out. All of which means that it is possible to get dog food that helps with shedding. More specifically, you want to choose a high-quality food that’s rich in the key nutrients discussed above. This will support the health of their coat and skin, and should lessen excessive hair loss.

Yet this isn’t the only way the meals you feed your pooch could decrease the amount of hair they shed. Food intolerances and allergies are another common cause of excessive moulting. They can result in skin conditions like itchiness, dryness, redness, swelling and infections, which may contribute to fur loss. If you suspect a food allergy is the reason that your mutt is losing their hair, speak to a vet. They might recommend an elimination diet to try and ascertain what your pup is allergic to. Having discovered it, switching to a food free from the ingredient in question should help to prevent excessive shedding.

What’s the best dog food for shedding? It’s impossible to say. Many companies offer special ‘anti-shedding’ foods that they’ve specifically created to tackle this issue. While you don’t need to choose one of these, they could be a good place to start. Just remember to go with a reputable brand and pick a food that’s appropriate for your pet’s age and needs.

So, how do you know you’ve found a dog food that helps with shedding? There are a few key things to keep an eye out for on the ingredients list.

What to look for in a dog food for shedding

It’s not always easy to know what dog food helps with shedding. Manufacturers may make all kinds of claims about a product, and we have no way of knowing if they’re true. Fortunately, checking the list of ingredients on the packaging should offer a clue as to how effective it might be.

For example, a dog food that helps with shedding should have named animal proteins at the top of the list. The first ingredient ought to be something like beef, chicken, lamb, or fish – not a vague term like ‘animal derivatives’ or ‘meat by-products’. You also want to see healthy fats like fish oils and vegetable oils that contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Other beneficial additives for your pooch’s skin and coat health include vitamin E, biotin, and zinc.

Conversely, try to avoid foods crammed with cheap filler ingredients that offer little nutritional value. These include artificial preservatives and colourings, low-quality soy, and corn syrup and other sugars.

If you want to start feeding your pet a new dog food that helps with shedding, make the transition slowly. Abrupt changes in diet sometimes cause tummy troubles in animals. Mix the old and new foods together and gradually increase the proportion of new food until that’s all they’re eating.

What can I feed my dog to stop shedding?

You don’t necessarily have to buy a new dog food that helps with shedding to tackle your pooch’s hair loss. There’s also the option to create your own by adding extra ingredients to your mutt’s current grub. At Boosie, we offer a range of functional foods to support pet wellbeing, including the health of their coat.

For instance, sea buckthorn is rich in several fur-friendly nutrients, such as linoleic acid, vitamin E, and omega-7 fatty acids.(3) It could help to decrease inflammation and oxidative stress, plus repair damaged hair and keep skin hydrated. All of which supports a shiny, healthy coat.

Chia seed oil is also a fantastic option for topping up your pup’s levels of vitamin E and linoleic acid. Plus, it’s bursting with alpha-linoleic acid (ALA) – a form of omega-3 – which supports both skin and fur health.

Another reason this approach could be helpful is if your pet’s excessive moulting is due to stress or anxiety. This isn't an issue a dog food that helps with shedding is likely to solve. Instead, you might want to try mixing some organic ashwagandha powder into their meals. Studies show the ingredient can reduce stress responses and signs of fear and anxiety in nervous pooches.(4) We’ve also got a detailed article about calming pups who have separation anxiety that may help your furry friend.

We recommend speaking to a vet before adding any functional ingredients to your mutt’s diet. That way, you can check that the food in question is suitable for their individual needs. This is especially important if they’re on any medication or have an existing health condition.

Different nutrients and their benefits for coat health

Here’s a quick overview of the key nutrients you should have in a dog food that helps with shedding.

Complete and balanced dog foods should contain all these nutrients in sufficient quantities. You can also add extra ingredients to your fluffy friend’s meals to make sure they’re getting enough. If you’re concerned that your pet may be deficient in any vitamins or minerals, speak to your vet. They’ll be able to let you know if your pooch would benefit from supplements.

Other shedding solutions

Nutrition aside, there are plenty of other steps you can take to keep your pooch’s moulting under control. In addition to feeding your pup a dog food that helps with shedding, you could:

• Brush your mutt frequently to help remove loose hair before it ends up all over your house. The best brush to use will depend on the type of coat your fur baby has. Brushing has the added benefit of distributing natural oils throughout your pet’s fur, keeping it shiny and healthy. You could also consider taking your pup to a professional groomer.

• Choose a vacuum cleaner with a special attachment for dealing with pet hair to make tidying up easier. Air filters can be helpful too.

• Give your dog regular treatment to prevent fleas and other parasites. Fleas can cause itching, allergic reactions, and other skin conditions that may lead to fur loss.

• Bathe your pooch regularly. Like brushing, this removes loose hair and also keeps your pet’s skin healthy. You could consider using a specific deshedding shampoo to further decrease moulting. How often you should bathe your mutt depends on factors like their breed and how muddy they get on walks!

• If stress is contributing to your dog’s fur loss, try creating a safe and quiet space for them at home.

• Take your canine companion for regular checkups at the vet to ensure you catch any health issues early.

• Make sure your pet always has access to fresh, clean water. Staying hydrated helps keep their skin healthy and avoid excessive hair loss.

Final thoughts on reducing dog shedding

Your mutt moulting is a natural part of life, and nothing is going to stop it completely. It’s what you signed up for as a pup parent! However, there are tactics you can use to lessen and manage their hair loss. These include grooming your pet regularly and feeding them a healthy and balanced diet. When it comes to choosing a dog food that helps with shedding, look for options with high-quality protein, essential fatty acids, zinc, biotin, and vitamin E. Your pooch will soon be saying goodbye to bad fur days!