Reduce shedding in dogs and cats: Supplements, brushes, and routines

Do you find dog and cat hair on the sofa, your clothes, and even in your coffee cup? During spring and autumn, our four-legged friends shed the most, but regardless of the season, excessive shedding can feel challenging in everyday life. Fortunately, there are effective ways to drastically reduce shedding in dogs and cats. By combining the right nutrition from within with adapted coat care and smart routines, you can give your pet a glossier, stronger coat – while avoiding vacuuming around the clock.

1. Nutrition from within: Dietary supplements that strengthen skin and coat

A healthy coat starts from within. If the skin is dry or out of balance, hair strands come loose more easily, leading to increased shedding. By providing the right dietary supplements for a dog or cat's coat, you help the skin barrier stay soft and elastic.

• Salmon oil and Omega-3: The fatty acids EPA and DHA in salmon oil for dog coats and omega-3 for cats suppress inflammation, reduce itching, and provide visible shine.
• Biotin and zinc: Biotin for dog coats combined with zinc provides essential building blocks for the hair's structure. They strengthen the coat so the strands hold better and don't break prematurely.
• Changing food: If your animal suffers from persistent itching, dandruff, or sheds continuously, switching to a Sensitive Skin & Coat recipe can make a big difference in reducing shedding in both cats and dogs.

2. The right tools: Find the best brush for shedding

Regularly brushing out loose undercoat is the absolute fastest way to stop hairs before they end up on your floors. Which tool you should choose depends on the coat type your friend has.

For dogs with a thick double coat, an undercoat rake or a tool like a Furminator for dogs is fantastically effective. It reaches into the undercoat and removes dead hair strands without damaging the topcoat. When brushing a cat's undercoat, it is important to use a gentle cat undercoat brush or a soft slicker brush that suits their sensitive skin. By brushing regularly, you also prevent the cat from swallowing too much hair and suffering from troublesome hairballs.

3. Bathing and deshedding: Release the final coat in the shower

Many people miss how effective a bath can be during the worst shedding periods. By using a specially formulated deshedding shampoo for dogs, dead hair strands that would otherwise have fallen out over several weeks at home are loosened.

Massage the shampoo thoroughly down to the skin and feel free to follow up with a moisturizing conditioner. The conditioner helps detangle mats and makes the loose undercoat slide out more easily when you rinse. Remember to dry the dog or cat thoroughly afterward and brush through the coat when it is completely dry – you will be surprised at how much loose hair comes out all at once.

4. Smart routines that make a difference in everyday life

Getting control of shedding requires consistency. Here are three simple routines to incorporate into your everyday life:

1. Brush a little but often: 5–10 minutes of brushing a few times a week gives significantly better results than a long session once a month.

2. Keep an eye on health and stress: If you notice sudden or patchy hair loss in a dog or cat, it could be a sign of stress, allergy, or nutritional deficiency. Consult a veterinarian if the shedding does not decrease despite good coat care.

3. Simplify cleaning: Use a damp microfiber cloth or rubber glove to quickly pull pet hair off furniture and textiles between brushing sessions.

Do you want to give your dog or cat the best conditions for a healthy and glossy coat? Explore our carefully selected range at Alpha Zoo. With us, you will find nutritious salmon oil, strengthening supplements, effective undercoat brushes, and nourishing shampoos for both dogs and cats. Spoil your best friend with the right coat care today!