In this knowledge-based article, we will be discussing how to stop Labrador from shedding. You must be wondering how you are going to care for your Labrador when you finally get one.
And this encircles how you are going to groom their eye-catchy coats and how to cater to them when they are shedding.
One must note that Labradors are popular breeds and dog lovers won’t be disappointed when they have one in their company.
This article is centered on how to cater to your Labrador when they start shedding. Labradors are natural shedders due to their double-layered coats, which they shed yearly. Their shedding changes with the weather.
For instance, their shedding becomes heavy in the fall and spring seasons because their coats form clumps under their dense coats.
A dog breed with a heavy coat won’t be far from shedding, like the Labrador retriever, even though they have short hairs.
A Labrador owner needs to get the full scope of their dog’s nature. This has to do with the reasons they shed and what to expect when you have a Labrador, that would get you prepared for the dog’s world.
Why do Labradors shed?
Why would you think that a short-haired dog would shed so much? This phenomenon is a surprise. Once you are a lover of this breed, be expecting to see their clumps of fur everywhere, even in places you would never think of.
You need to understand the type of coat your breed has that makes it shed so much.
Labradors shed heavily due to their double-layered coat. Their coat is made of a topcoat and undercoat where the topcoat is rough, wiry, and waterproof and the undercoat is made up of fine soft hairs that provide cooling in summer and insulation during winter.
The old and damaged hair molt as they go through this cycle. Double-layered dogs have two layers of fur. Dog coat genetics will tell you that their hair follicle will have 1 to 2 topcoats, termed as a guard (hairs), and several undercoat hairs.
Puppies have a single coat till they grow into adults, thus they develop the adult coat from 3 months of age till one-year-old.
Why do Dogs Shed so much?
Shedding is natural among living things. Just like humans, dogs also shed all year round. A dog needs its coat for survival, which protects the skin and regulates the body’s temperature.
Shedding is not bad; it is a way to tell us that at some point in life, you need to get rid of unhealthy and damaged hair which in turn tends to keep your skin clean and healthy.
Shedding typically depends on the breed, the dog’s health status, the weather, and other factors. As a dog owner, you should be able to tell if your dog’s shedding is a little too much or not. This way, you get to know how to tackle it when your dog gets to experience it.
Is Shedding a good thing?
Shedding is a regular and healthy occurrence since all living things usually go through this phenomenon. As discussed early on, when a dog sheds, it means it is shedding unwanted fur that is clumped undercoat.
Labradors are a double-layered breed so this phenomenon is expected. However, if your Labrador sheds too much then should you be concerned about your Labrador shedding? The answer is Yes!
Does this then pose the question; at what stage should you be concerned about your Labrador shedding?
Unfortunately, if this is to occur, a Labrador owner should be abreast of the fact that a lot of factors come into play to affect how your Labrador sheds.
The negative side of this is that it would be difficult to detect whether your Labrador is shedding normally or there is something actually at play and this is why you need to know your Labrador very well.
Below are the underlined factors that can cause excess shedding in Labradors.
- Too much stress
- The usage of the wrong shampoo
- Parasites in the skin
- Underlying diseases
- Hormone imbalance
The above enlisted is difficult to notice, and the best way to go about it is to suspect if your pet is shedding excessively or scratching its body. Consult your vet for treatment if this happens to your pet.
Do Labradors shed too much?
When you compare dog breeds in terms of shedding, there are likely that other breeds shed more than others, and Labradors are among the list of breeds that shed excessively.
This is due to the fact the Labradors are double-layered and, as a reason, they shed throughout the year when the seasons begin to change.
For instance, during spring, Labradors shed a lot of hair to lose their winter coat just to prepare for the summer. And when it gets to Fall, their hair is regained to prepare them for the winter temperatures.
When Do Labradors shed the most?
As discussed earlier in the prior paragraphs, it is to be known that Labrador shedding has been aligned with the seasons. Labradors shed in spring to get rid of their heavy coat, indicating that excessive shedding would occur between March and May.
Additionally, Labradors shed the same summer coat and prepare for winter when the fall starts. This indicates that a Labrador owner should expect excess shedding again between October and December of the year.
In simple logic, your dogs put away their summer dressing and begin shopping for winter jeans. Later on, when it begins to warm up, you put away your winter clothing and order your summer clothing.
Now, let’s dive into the main topic – How to Stop Labrador from Shedding. From the first paragraph till this line, we are fully aware that Labradors do shed a lot and you may be wondering how you would reduce your Labrador from excessive shedding.
However, since this is a natural phenomenon, you can’t get rid of the shedding completely- it is impossible. Due to this, we developed some helpful tips to direct you in this endeavor.
How to Stop Labrador from Shedding.
Tip #1: Labrador Water Therapy:
One must not forget that dehydration is one of the leading causes of excessive shedding in your Labrador.
Increase your Labradors water intake regularly to prevent skin dehydration. If your Labradors love to drink water then you are good to go but if it is otherwise, then spicing the water up with bone or chicken broth would be a better deal for your Labrador.
Tip #2: Diet Plan:
A healthy diet plan ensures a healthy life for your Labrador. You must make a change in your Labrador’s diet if you notice any excessive shedding. A dog owner must know that a poor diet would cause too much shedding in your Labrador.
If you notice any signs of excessive shedding, then provide good and healthy supplements to help reduce the excessive shedding.
Avoid buying cheap foods for Labradors since they don’t come with a quality nutrient requirement such as animal protein or minerals that would help keep your Labradors health in check.
Studies show that the food you provide your Labrador should have a certain right amount of nutrients in them as they grow.
Ideally, the food you provide should have proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, fats, and minerals in the right amounts for their diet:
- Proteins: Roughly 30%
- Fats: Should be between 10% and 25%
- Carbohydrates: Starchy grains and vegetables
- Vitamins: Should be B12, A, E, C, and D
- Minerals: Phosphorus, calcium, potassium, and iron
With this knowledge, accept the fact that not all food brands would have the exact amount of nutrients stated above, however, the key thing to note here is the quality of the food.
Tip #3: Incorporate dog baths:
Bathing your Labrador wouldn’t only reduce that pungent smell of your dog, but the water would help wash away furs that stuck up in the coat.
While others argue that your Labradors should be bathed once every couple of others, others are of the view that once a month is ideal.
However, when it comes to Labrador’s bathing schedule, unfortunately, there is none but that doesn’t stop you from bathing your Labrador when you need to.
Tip #4: Usage of the Deshedding tool:
Since the Labradors have a double-layered coat which makes them thick, it is hard to rake through without the use of the Deshedding tool even with your pet brush.
There are some brands of Deshedding tools that only work on the topcoat, which indicates that the undercoat is not raked.
The best Deshedding tools touch the undercoat and clear off any loose or broken furs that are clumped under the coat for a while.
It is advisable to incorporate the use of the Deshedding tool at least twice a year when there is a change in temperature like in the fall and spring.
During this stage, your Labrador is either shedding or developing thicker fur for the incoming cooler months, and do your best to brush your Labrador between those periods.
Conclusion
Since you know your Labradors shed a lot, follow the above tips to reduce excessive shedding and keep your Labrador in good shape and health.
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