There is something quite disheartening about giving your furry friend the most loving bath, only to find that they are still shedding mountains of fur. A dog’s shedding season can be an especially frustrating time for the owners, what is the cause behind all of this hair? What should you do to prevent so much shedding and when should you furminate?
Dogs shed more after a bath because scrubbing can accelerate the natural shedding process. Baths do not increase hair loss, but it accelerates the natural shedding process. FURminator is a tool that helps remove loose undercoat hair and should be done 1 to 2 times a week for 10 to 20 minutes.
We have done the research and have everything you need to know about dogs shedding after baths and when to furminate! To understand more of what furminating is, the best way to bathe a dog, and how to cope with a dog’s shedding, continue reading below!
Why does my dog shed so much after a bath?
Dogs will shed more after a bath because the friction of lathering and rinsing will loosen their hair completely out of the follicle. The truth is that dogs will not shed more because of a bath or simply getting wet. Giving them a bath just speeds up the natural shedding process, not cause more of it! Water will cause the dog’s fur to stick together, so most of the excess hair will fall or be brushed out after a good bath and the hair is completely dry. Because bathing speeds up the process by cleaning your dog’s coat, removing, and loosening dead hair that is stuck in the undercoat, baths can be helpful if your dog’s shedding is out of control.
You can also visit a professional dog groomer, or purchase the materials yourself, and give your furry friend a de-shedding treatment. De-shedding shampoos and conditioners moisturize and hydrate your dog’s skin which in turn creates healthier and stronger dog hair follicles. This can mean less shedding, but these treatments mixed with proper grooming must be done more frequently to combat excessive shedding.
To make the grooming and de-shedding process associated with something positive, take your dog on a walk or play a game with their favorite toy. This will not only strengthen the bond you have with your furry friend but perhaps make a calmer and happier dog in the process.
What is Furminating and should I use it during a bath?
The FURminator is a de-shedding brush tool that reduces the amount of shedding. It reduces loose hair by 99%, keeps the dog’s fur and skin completely healthy, and maintains a mated and tangle-free animal. This brush does this without cutting the dog’s coat. It is used by professional dog groomers or even by a dog’s owner. The FURminator works when your dog has no mats or tangles as this brush is meant to reduce shedding instead of removing knots.
It is better to use the FURminator de-shed tool before your dog’s bath. Grooming before the bath means there is a good chance of removing and preventing knots and mats that may tighten while wet. Brushing before bath also removes excess dirt, debris, and bacteria, and prevents cross-contamination to different body parts, especially more susceptible areas such as the eyes, ears, and nose.
Again, it is best to remove large and tangled amounts of fur before the dog hair gets wet and becomes an untamable monster. After the pre-grooming is done, bathing will easily remove the existing and less demanding hair follicles, as well as any dirt that was left behind from brushing. The FURminator will also allow the dog shampoo and conditioner to be more effective since it can easily reach the skin and be rinsed off easily. If you would like to brush your dog during the bath, FURminator has a Bathing Brush for purchase.
Finally, gently use the FURminator after the bath to remove any loose hair that was left behind. But remember that it is crucial to fully dry the dog after the bath before brushing. Fully drying is important to prevent skin irritation and hair from clumping and matting once more. Here is a step-by-step of everything we talked about below.
How to do an at-home de-shedding treatment
- Brush before the bath with the FURminator
- Shampoo and condition with a de-shedding treatment
- Fully dry your dog with a low-heat hair dryer
- Brush once more with the FURminator to gather any leftover or missed hair
How often should I brush my dog and when is too much shedding?
Another way to prevent shedding besides bathing and doing a de-shed treatment is to have a consistent grooming schedule. The FURminator de-shedding tool should be used 1 to 2 times a week for 10 to 20 minutes per session, however, regular grooming should be done 1 to 3 times a week for 10 minutes per session, depending on hair type, breed, and amount of tangled hair.
Unfortunately, there is no “normal” amount of shedding for dogs. Each shedding amount depends on the dog’s breed type, age, and hair type. There are some breeds of dogs that have fur and shed, such as Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, or German Shepard. However, breeds such as Poodles have dog hair as opposed to dog fur, meaning that it does not shed. Sometimes shedding can be the signal of a poor diet, so changing your dog’s food or eating schedule may help with shedding. Seeing a professional groomer regularly may also help.
The only way to manage a dog’s shedding is to keep up with the grooming or look for signs that your dog is unhealthy and that his shedding is a signal of an underlying illness. Illnesses that cause shedding include diabetes, thyroid disorders, poor nutrition, and skin disorders. If you see your dog itching by rubbing up excessively on people or objects, have patchy hair loss, skin lesions, or signs of generalized illness, take them to the vet as soon as possible.
Isabelle Justice 