How to Stop Dog Shedding (and When It's Not Normal)

Why Do Dogs Shed?

Each hair grows from a follicle that runs through a cycle. When an old hair is done, it is pushed out and a new one replaces it.^13,14

Most dogs have a telogen-heavy coat, with lots of resting hairs waiting to fall.^15,2 Poodles and other dogs that need regular haircuts have a growth-heavy coat, so their hair keeps growing and they drop less of it.^15,2 Every dog sheds some hair, though. No dog is entirely non-shedding.²

Coat Types and How They Shed

Coat type is the biggest factor in how much a dog sheds.¹ Many dogs have two layers: stiff outer guard hairs that shed rain, and a softer, denser undercoat of wool hairs.¹³ Huskies have a very thick undercoat, while Dobermans have almost none.¹³

When Do Dogs Shed the Most?

Dogs shed most in spring and fall. A shedding season usually lasts a few weeks to a couple of months.¹ Temperature and day length are the main triggers, acting through hormones.^13,1 Dogs that live mostly indoors, in steady light and temperature, often shed more or less all year instead of in two big bursts.^13,2 The exact months depend on where you live and how much time your dog spends outdoors.

A heavy shed can also follow a stressful event for the body. Illness with fever, anesthesia, pregnancy and nursing can push many follicles into the resting phase at the same time. The hair then falls out together, weeks to about three months later.^5,15,2 This usually grows back on its own, but ask your vet if your dog has bald patches or seems unwell.⁵

Which Dogs Shed the Most?

Double-coated breeds shed the most hair. Golden Retrievers, Labradors, German Shepherds and Siberian Huskies are typical heavy shedders.^16,1 Nordic breeds with plush coats can drop huge clumps of undercoat in a short time.^14,2

Breeds often suggested as low-shedding include the Poodle, Yorkshire Terrier, Bichon Frise, Maltese, Schnauzer, Portuguese Water Dog and American Hairless Terrier.¹⁸ Low-shedding means less hair on the floor, not less allergen. Allergists say there are no non-allergenic dog breeds, and coat length doesn't decide how much allergen a dog makes.^19,18 In the Dutch study, "hypoallergenic" breeds had more allergen in their hair than other dogs, and individual dogs varied more than breeds did.¹¹ If someone in your home is allergic, see allergy to dogs in people.

How to Reduce Dog Shedding

Brush on a schedule

Brushing is the main way to catch loose hair before it lands on your couch.^1,3 Groomers interviewed by NBC Select suggest:³

• Coats longer than about 1 inch: brush daily.
• Coats shorter than 1 inch: brush every other day.
• At a minimum: most dogs benefit from a weekly groom, and long, mat-prone coats need brushing at least three times a week.

In spring and fall, heavy shedders may need brushing several times a week or every day.¹

Use the right tool for the coat

• Slicker brush: the groomers' top pick for most medium and long coats.^3,1
• Undercoat rake or deshedding tool: pulls out loose undercoat in double-coated dogs during heavy shedding. Use gentle pressure with bladed tools, and work out tangles first with a steel comb or mat splitter.^1,3
• Rubber curry brush, bristle brush or grooming glove: best for short, smooth coats. Rubber curries aren't recommended for long or matted hair.^1,3
• Comb: a good finishing step for long coats, to find knots the brush missed.³

Brushing tips

• Brush all the way down to the skin, not just the top layer.³
• Don't brush a soaking wet coat. Do brush before and after every bath.³
• For a nervous dog, start by stroking with the back of the brush, pair it with treats and take breaks.³
• Give each dog its own brush and clean it, since ringworm can spread on grooming tools.⁶

Bathe in shedding season

A bath with a shedding-control shampoo can help loosen undercoat, especially when you brush well before and after.^1,3

Deal with the hair that gets away

Even with good brushing, a shedding dog leaves hair behind. See our tested picks for the best vacuum for pet hair.

Tools That Help, by Coat Type

None of these tools was found in a recent lab test, so we list who picked or tested each one. "Tested" means hands-on use by Your Best Digs (2023) or Canine Journal (2024); the others were picked by editors or groomers.^20,21,3 Prices are approximate and change often.

We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. We don't accept free products, and picks are based on independent tests and reviews.

FURminator sizing: the tool comes in versions for long and short hair and in several sizes. The link above is the long-hair version for large dogs, so check the listing and pick the one that matches your dog's coat length and size.^21,3 Use bladed deshedding tools with gentle pressure.¹

Does Diet Affect Shedding?

No food or supplement stops normal shedding. Diet matters mainly when something is missing. Poor nutrition, particularly too little protein, can cause hair loss.⁵ But skin disease from nutrition is uncommon in dogs fed modern, complete and balanced diets.⁴

• Omega-3 fatty acids: may improve coat shine in some dogs, but won't stop shedding. In the 30-dog trial, three oils worked the same and the season may explain the changes seen.¹² An earlier fish-oil study cited by those authors saw the best coat benefit around 8 weeks, and it faded after the supplement stopped.¹² Ask your vet before adding fish oil.
• Zinc and other minerals: Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes can have an inherited zinc-responsive skin disease, with crusts and scaling around the eyes and mouth.^4,25 Too much calcium, or over-supplementing vitamins and minerals, can actually cause zinc problems in fast-growing pups.^4,25 Don't add minerals or vitamins without your vet's advice.
• Water: we found no evidence that drinking more water reduces shedding.

Should You Shave a Shedding Dog?

Don't shave a double-coated dog down to the skin.¹⁶ The undercoat traps air that helps keep the dog cool in summer and warm in winter, and the outer coat protects against sunburn.¹⁶ The AKC's chief veterinary officer says shaving may make a dog more prone to heat stroke, though we found no study measuring this.¹⁶

Shaving can also damage the coat. The undercoat may grow back faster than the guard hairs and crowd them out, leaving a patchy coat with a different texture or color.^16,26 Some dogs develop post-clipping alopecia, where hair doesn't regrow for months. It's most common in Nordic and plush-coated breeds such as Huskies, Malamutes, Samoyeds and Keeshonds.^8,17,15

• Normal regrowth takes about 3 to 4 months.^8,9
• With post-clipping alopecia, complete regrowth can take 12 to 24 months, though most dogs regrow within a year.^8,17,15
• In a middle-aged or older dog, slow regrowth can be the first clue to a hormone problem, so ask your vet to check.^8,15

Better options: brush often so air can move through the coat, and give plenty of water and shade. In hot, humid climates, a belly shave or a trim is fine. Shaving is appropriate for thick mats, hot spots, skin infections or a medical procedure.²⁶ Single-coated dogs should keep at least 1 inch of hair.¹⁶

When Shedding Isn't Normal

Shedding is abnormal when it causes obvious thinning or bald spots.⁵ Causes include infections, parasites, allergies, friction from a poorly fitting collar, nutrition and hormone problems.⁵ A vet should confirm the cause. Common patterns:

Hypothyroidism is common in mid to large breeds such as Golden Retrievers, Doberman Pinschers, Irish Setters, Cocker Spaniels and Miniature Schnauzers, and is diagnosed with blood tests.⁷ Cushing's is a common hormone disease of adult and older dogs, usually caused by a pituitary tumor (85% to 90% of cases) and sometimes by long-term steroid medicine.²⁹

What your vet will check

Your vet will ask about the pattern and timing of the hair loss and may do skin scrapings, flea combing, fungal cultures, blood and urine tests, or a skin biopsy.⁵ Treating the cause, whether fleas, mites, an infection or a hormone problem, is what brings the coat back.⁵

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my dog shedding so much?

Most heavy shedding is normal coat change, especially in spring and fall and in double-coated breeds. Shedding can also jump weeks to a few months after illness, surgery, pregnancy or nursing. If you see bald spots, itching, redness or sores, see your vet, since fleas, allergies, mange, ringworm and thyroid disease can all cause it.

What months do dogs shed the most?

Dogs shed most in spring and fall, and each shedding season lasts a few weeks to a couple of months. The exact months depend on your climate. Indoor dogs often shed lightly all year.

What can I give my dog to stop shedding?

Nothing stops normal shedding. A complete and balanced diet keeps the coat healthy, and omega-3 fatty acids may add shine in some dogs. Ask your vet before giving any supplement, and never add minerals such as zinc on your own.

Is there a dog food that stops shedding?

No. Any complete and balanced food supports a normal coat. A poor diet, especially one low in protein, can cause hair loss, but a better food won't stop healthy shedding.

How can I decrease my dog's shedding?

Brush often with the right tool for the coat: a slicker brush for most coats, an undercoat rake or deshedding tool for double coats in season, and a rubber brush or glove for short coats. Bathe with a shedding-control shampoo in peak season and brush before and after.

Which dogs shed the worst?

Double-coated breeds such as Golden Retrievers, Labradors, German Shepherds and Siberian Huskies shed the most. Nordic breeds such as Malamutes and Samoyeds can drop huge amounts of undercoat at once.

Should I shave my dog to stop shedding?

No. Shaving a double coat doesn't stop shedding, removes insulation and sun protection, and can leave a patchy coat. In some dogs the hair takes many months, occasionally a year or more, to grow back. Regular brushing and trims are better.