Does it feel like your pup sheds an entire dog’s worth of fur daily? If you can relate to the picture above, your dog might be experiencing excessive shedding.
What’s Causing My Dog to Shed So Much During Warmer Months?
While there are many possible root causes for heavy shedding, oftentimes diet is the main culprit. Despite the convenience of commercial dog food kibble, one of its major drawbacks lies the inability to retain the quality and potency of a vital nutrient: Omega Fatty Acids.
Known as essential fatty acids, a dog’s body is unable to produce Omega-3 and Omega-6 fats, and therefore they must be obtained through their diet (hence the name essential).
In recent years, science has begun to understand a myriad of benefits from essential fatty acids. According to Dr. Steve Marsden, DVM, writing for VCA, “Fatty acid supplements can reduce shedding, promote growth of the undercoat, reduce tendencies to inflammation and help resolve inflammation.”
But Doesn’t My Dog’s Food Contain Omega Fatty Acids?
While many dog foods claim to contain Omega fatty acids, they often cannot survive the tremendous heat and pressure required to produce dog food kibble, and therefore are not biologically available to your dog. Even if they do survive manufacturing, they have the tendency to become rancid in the dog’s food before they are consumed. For this reason, many turn to other options besides commercial dog food for supplementing their dog’s needs.
What Makes a Good Omega or Fish Oil Supplement?
One of the most popular supplements for many dog owners is pure salmon oil. While salmon oil has its benefits, we tend to lean towards fish sources lower on the food chain (like krill or anchovies), and therefore are less prone to the accumulation of heavy metals like mercury in the fish.
Many pet owners are also turning to omega krill soft chews due to their palatability, and the ability to supplement other nutrients that also benefit the skin and coat.
In addition to diet, there are many other methods of controlling your dog’s shedding. Be sure you brush your dog regularly, bathe them enough (but not too much) and use flea prevention.
Remember, shedding in itself is not a health problem, but excessive shedding might be a sign of more serious issues at play. Be sure to consult your vet about your dog’s shedding issues. There may be other issues at hand such as high stress, immune problems, hormonal imbalances, fungal infections, or parasites.
Learn More About Supplementing Your Dog’s Diet with Our Project Paws® Omega-3 Select Soft Chews
Our dogs love the Omega-3-6-9 Select krill chews for dogs. A bottle normally costs $24.99-39.99, but right now the folks at Project Paws made available some trials sizes for only $7.99. It’s a great opportunity to see if they work for your dog!
The End of Fur Covered Everything
Shedding is a natural part of life for most dogs, but excessive hair loss can sometimes signal that your dog’s skin or nutritional needs deserve closer attention. Supporting your dog’s coat with quality Omega fatty acids, regular grooming, a balanced diet, and routine veterinary care can help promote healthier skin and a fuller, shinier coat. Every dog is different, so finding the right combination of daily care and nutrition is key. With a consistent routine, you can spend less time cleaning up loose fur and more time enjoying life with your four legged companion.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional.
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