Most pet owners will say that the pro's of owning a pet far outweigh the con's, however shedding is one con we can all attest to.
One thing we may not be aware of is that although most breeds will shed some hair, there are measures that can be taken to reduce the amount. We've put together a list of things you can do to reduce the amount of hair flying around your house:
-
Food: The higher the quality of food you feed your pet, the healthier their coat is going to be. The healthier and more nutrient rich the coat, the less they shed.
-
Oil: along the same lines as your pet's food, adding nourishing oils to their diet will moisten the skin and therefore reduce shedding. Oils such as olive oil and flaxseed oil work well added to the food; one teaspoon per kg of body weight is a healthy amount. These oils calm inflammation, create softer and less porous hairs, and reduce skin breaking.
-
Water: Make sure your pets' water is clean and fresh, and easily accessible. Dehydration is a common cause of dry skin, which then makes it easier for your pets' fur to fall out.
-
Grooming: Breeds that have longer coats (such as Australian Shepherds) or coats that are more prone to shed (such as Jack Russels) need to be regularly washed and brushed to ensure that loose hair is removed before it can fall out in the home.
- If you are grooming your dog at home, you need to ensure you use treatments and brushes that encourage a soft coat and healthy skin.
For recommendations on food, treatments, and grooming to enhance your pet's skin and coat, visit your local
Just For Pets store.
