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Dog hair on the furniture is always a problem, particularly if your pet is of the long-haired variety. Brushing the dog helps by grabbing all that loose hair and keeping it from gathering on the sofa, chairs and carpets around the house.

Even the dogs who are shed resistant, such as poodles, still shed their fur, but the only difference is that the shed fur remains matted in the coat. This can create a problem with grooming later on, so poodles should be regularly groomed and trimmed. This is one way to reduce shedding in dogs.

Reduce excessive shedding by feeding the dog a healthier diet. Healthy dog foods are made not with fillers but with high quality proteins that dogs have no trouble digesting. While shedding can be reduced by improving the dog’s nutrition, he will still shed as it is natural for dogs to do so.

Also, feeding your dog whole and unprocessed people food is helpful by putting more moisture into the dog’s meals and subsequently into his skin, helping to keep his coat healthy. Steamed vegetables, eggs and boneless raw meats are good additives to the dog’s diet.

If the dog’s skin is itchy or inflamed from being dry, it helps to not only change his diet but to also mix Omega-3 oils into his food. Some dogs might take the oils in capsule form but not all dogs are willing to take pills that well so for the rest of them, simply eating the oil with the food should help heal dry skin. This is important for keeping the coat pliable and the follicles as moist as possible.

Another great idea is to make sure your dog never gets fleas as the biting insects will cause irritation and scratching, which can lead to hair loss.

Dogs have seasonal fur coats. In the fall they grow in their heavier winter coats and in the spring, they shed those heavier coats in preparation for summer weather. When this happens the dog needs to brushed more often to gather up all of that extra loose fur. There are dog brushes called ‘rakes’ that work to actually capture the loose fur and contain it during the brushing process. In this way it’s easy for the dog’s owner to remove the extra fur without it getting all over the place.

Follow your veterinarian’s advice on a proper bathing schedule for your dog. Regular bathing can help the loose fur to fall into a tub rather than on furniture or carpeting.

The bathtub can be used but the loose hair will clog the drain. A small, outdoor portable tub filled with warm water is more efficient if possible. Just remember that the dog’s skin will dry out more if he is bathed too often. This is why the veterinarian should be consulted prior to working out a bathing schedule.

Following these easy steps should help reduce shedding in dogs and keep your home a bit cleaner when it comes to dog hair.