How to Stop Dog Shedding

If you live with dogs, you live with hair. It’s part of the deal. But when the amount of loose coat in your house starts to feel out of control, most owners start searching for ways to stop dog shedding.

The reality is that you cannot eliminate shedding completely. Every healthy coat naturally releases old hair as part of the growth cycle. What you can do is control how that hair comes out.

When the coat is properly maintained through brushing, bathing, and drying, most of that loose hair is removed during grooming instead of ending up on your furniture, floors, and clothes.

In professional grooming, shedding is managed long before it becomes a problem. With the right routine and the right products, even heavy shedding breeds can maintain clean, healthy coats that stay manageable between baths.

Why Dogs Shed

Dogs shed because hair grows in cycles. Each hair follicle eventually releases the old hair so new coat can grow in.

Some dogs shed lightly throughout the year. Others shed heavily during seasonal coat changes.

Double coated breeds are the most dramatic examples. Dogs like Golden Retrievers, Huskies, and Belgian Shepherds grow dense undercoats that insulate the body. When temperatures change, those undercoats are released in large amounts.

This process is commonly called “blowing coat.”

If the dead undercoat isn’t removed during grooming, it sits trapped in the coat and eventually sheds everywhere in the house.

The Grooming Routine That Reduces Shedding

The biggest secret professional groomers use to control shedding is consistency. A simple routine of brushing, bathing, and drying keeps loose coat from building up.

Step 1: Remove Dead Coat with Brushing

Brushing removes loose hair before it falls out naturally. Undercoat rakes and slicker brushes work well for dogs with dense coats, while short-coated breeds often respond better to rubber brushes or grooming mitts.

Regular brushing also distributes natural oils through the coat, improving shine and coat strength.

Step 2: Use a Proper Bath Routine

Many owners avoid bathing during shedding season, but bathing actually helps loosen dead coat so it can be removed during drying.

If you want a deeper explanation of bathing routines, read our guide:

How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog

Using the right shampoo matters here. A coat that is clean and properly hydrated releases loose undercoat far more easily.

If you're unsure which formula to use, this guide explains how to choose dog shampoo by coat type so the coat stays balanced and healthy.

For dogs going through coat change, many groomers start with a deep cleansing bath using Cindra Cleansing Shampoo. This removes oil, dirt, and product buildup that traps shedding hair in the coat.

After the coat is clean, follow with a hydrating formula like Cindra Moisturizing Dog Shampoo to support skin hydration and coat elasticity.

Step 3: Proper Drying Removes Most Loose Hair

Drying is where most shedding is actually removed.

Professional groomers use high velocity dryers to lift dead undercoat out of the coat while the hair is separated. This is why dogs often appear to shed dramatically after grooming appointments. The loose hair that would have fallen out over several weeks is removed all at once.

Supporting Coat Health Between Baths

Healthy coats shed less dramatically when the hair shaft stays flexible and strong. Dry, brittle coats tend to break and release hair more easily.

A lightweight conditioning spray can help keep coats manageable between baths.

Many groomers use a diluted leave-in conditioner like Cindra Maxi Care Leave-In Conditioner to keep the coat hydrated while brushing.

This helps prevent breakage and allows brushes to glide through the coat without pulling or damaging healthy hair.

When Shedding Is Normal

Some shedding is always normal. In fact, the heaviest shedding periods often happen during seasonal coat changes.

In spring, dogs shed their thick winter undercoat. In fall, they release lighter summer coat as a new winter coat grows in.

If you want to understand this cycle in more detail, see our article on Managing Seasonal Shedding in Dogs.

During these periods, brushing and bathing routines usually need to be increased to keep up with the coat change.

Dog Breeds That Shed the Most

Some breeds are naturally heavy shedders simply because of their coat structure.

• Golden Retrievers
• Labrador Retrievers
• German Shepherds
• Siberian Huskies
  

These dogs grow dense undercoats that must be regularly removed through grooming.

Dog Breeds That Shed Less

Other breeds shed far less because their coats grow continuously rather than cycling rapidly.

• Poodles
• Shih Tzus
• Maltese
• Bichon Frise

These coats require trimming instead of heavy deshedding grooming.