How To Minimize Dog Shedding And Keep Your Home Clean

Welcome to Pet Peeves, a monthly series that aims to provide pet care solutions and expert advice for challenging scenarios that involve your beloved animal companions.

If you have dogs, chances are you spend quite a bit of time sweeping up pet hair and picking it off your clothes. It’s one of the only not-great things about pups: They can shed a lot. If you’re wondering how to reduce dog shedding, just know that you can’t fully stop fur from accumulating on your floors and furniture—but there are tools that can help keep it to a minimum.

For those ready to take meaningful action against pet hair, I chatted with two experts about the best ways to minimize dog shedding, plus what you should consider to rule out any underlying issues that may be causing your pet to shed more than usual. (While seasonal shedding may lead to more fur flying around your home during certain parts of the year, it’s important to make sure the hair loss isn’t indicative of a larger issue.)

You can also trust my own advice: As someone who’s lived with dogs, cats and rabbits for basically their entire life, I’ve had my fair share (read: decades) of experience cleaning up pet hair from every corner and crevice of my home. Below, I’ve pulled together some items to help keep your space as fur-free as possible, from a powerful vacuum to a dog deshedding tool that works wonders.

Consider Your Individual Pet And Their Norm

The range of what can be considered “normal” shedding is vast—and not always directly related to a dog’s hair length or breed. “Perfectly healthy pets normally shed copious hair or very little to none,” says Richard Patton, an animal nutritionist. I’ve lived with multiple bully-breed mixes, for instance, and some didn’t shed at all, while one dog regularly left my all-black wardrobe covered in a flurry of short white hair. So it’s important to be attuned to what is typical for them so you can notice any patterns that deviate from the norm.

“Normal shedding happens regularly and is often influenced by the season or the breed of the dog or cat,” says Dr. Lisa Lippman, a veterinarian and director of virtual medicine at Bond Vet. She notes that while many pets may shed more heavily in the spring and fall, there are also particular breeds (like German shepherds and huskies) who regularly shed quite a bit by nature.

Be Aware Of Excessive Shedding And What It Could Mean

Lippman says that if your pet is shedding more than usual, this could signal a variety of health problems: “Shedding becomes a concern when it’s excessive, patchy or accompanied by symptoms like redness, bald spots or skin irritation. If a pet is excessively licking or scratching, or the hair appears to fall out in clumps, it’s important to investigate further.”

Culprits include allergies (environmental, food or flea-related), hormonal imbalances (like hypothyroidism or Cushing's disease), parasites like fleas or mites, nutritional deficiencies, skin infections or stress. Underlying medical conditions, such as kidney or liver issues, can also manifest as changes in your pet’s skin or coat.

If you’re worried at all, you should consult your vet to rule out any of the above and treat any diagnoses accordingly. And if your dog isn’t on a flea and tick preventative, it’s wise to start one to make sure they’re protected against them all year long. (I use Bravecto.)

Feed Your Dog A Diet That Promotes A Healthy Coat And Skin

“A balanced, high-quality diet is crucial for maintaining a healthy coat and minimizing excessive shedding,” says Lippman. What this looks like varies from dog to dog and depends on their needs, lifestyle and any food sensitivities or allergies; but it’s important to make sure they’re getting all the right vitamins and minerals on a daily basis. A well-balanced diet can be store-bought or homemade, or you may want to opt for a dog food delivery service.

In addition to Pet Plate fresh food, I feed my dogs both We Feed Raw and Maev raw food; their coats are so soft and glossy, and both have significantly improved since I adopted them a year and two years ago, respectively. Patton also notes that a balanced, raw meat–based diet can “promote healthy skin and hair coat.” He adds that “a known complication of a copper deficiency is color loss and brittle hair”; some good sources of copper for dogs include beef liver, whole grains and flaxseed.

Giving your pup supplements like fish oil or omega-3 fatty acids from a reputable brand (as well as products with algae) can also promote a healthy coat. Just make sure to “consult with your vet before introducing new supplements, as shedding could also be diet-related if the food doesn’t meet the pet's nutritional needs,” Lippman says.

Use A Shampoo Suited To Your Dog’s Needs

When bathing your dog, Lippman suggests using shampoos that contain oatmeal, aloe or omega fatty acids, as these can help reduce shedding and support skin health. Additionally, “look for products that are hypoallergenic and free of harsh chemicals,” she says. “Deshedding shampoos and conditioners can help remove loose fur during baths and prevent buildup, while also soothing the skin. A medicated shampoo may be necessary if there is an underlying skin condition or infection contributing to the shedding.”

How often to bathe your pet is dependent on many factors, including their lifestyle and coat type. While dogs typically may not require bath time as often as we think, you of course want to bathe dogs with allergies or medical issues according to your vet’s recommendations. Lippman also notes that dogs with oily coats or those who spend a lot of time outdoors might need more frequent baths.

Invest In Products To Keep Your Home Clean

Ultimately, if you have a dog, regardless of how much they normally shed, the reality is that there will be some level of pet hair that accumulates in your home. If you’re looking for products to help keep things clean, investing in a high-quality vacuum cleaner can be a game changer. We at Forbes Vetted tested the best vacuums for pet hair and think the Dyson V15 Detect is well worth its price; for a more budget-friendly option, you can’t go wrong with the Shark Navigator Powered Lift-Away NV352. If a robot vacuum is more your speed, we named the iRobot Roomba j7+ as the overall best robovac for pet hair.

For floating dog hair and reducing allergens and odors, you might also want to consider an air purifier. We rounded up the best air purifiers for pets and think the Levoit Core P350 Pet Air Purifier is the best option for most households with pets.

A good brush can also help rid your pup of excess fur before it winds up all over your house; a go-to of mine is the Furminator deshedding tool. It not only comes in several different sizes but also in different options best-suited for either long-haired or short-haired pups. (There’s also a Furminator for cats if you’ve got those, too.)

Lastly, a lint roller is a simple but mighty product that works wonders not only on clothing but also on couch cushions and certain linens. I’ve been using the Evercare sticky roller for years and it’s never let me down. Consider grabbing a travel-sized one to keep in your bag or desk drawer of any errant hair stuck to your outfit. Finally, you should be washing your pet’s bedding on a regular basis; the best dog beds have a removable cover that you can easily clean to remove any excess hair stick in its fibers.