Creature Companion July Edition | Seite 25

A healthy and balanced diet provides your dog with all the necessary vitamins and nutrients that it needs to grow healthy hair and fur and also to prevent it from breakage blade with a serrated border or a brush with closely-spaced tines that help in removing the undercoat. It is recommended that you use shedding tools only on dog breeds that shed. Do consult your veterinarian if you are unsure whether your dog has an undercoat or not. PROVIDE A HEALTHY DIET A healthy and balanced diet provides your dog with all the necessary vitamins and nutrients that it needs to grow healthy hair and fur and also to prevent it from breakage. Feed your dogs with supplements that are enriched with omega-3 fatty acids which not only promote healthy hair growth but also boost immunity and keep the joints and heart healthy. You should speak with your veterinarian before starting your dog on supplements, to determine if it would benefit your dog. HYDRATION IS ESSENTIAL Your dog needs to be hydrated so that they can maintain healthy skin because dehydrated skin is one of the biggest causes of hair loss in your pet. Keep a keen eye on the water intake of your dog to prevent dehydration. A dog should ideally drink an ounce (around 30 millilitre) of water per pound of body weight every day. DESHEDDING TREATMENTS AND BATHS Bathing not only provides your dog with a clean coat but also helps to discard the dead hair. Use good quality deShedding shampoos and conditioners while bathing your dog to tackle the shedding menace. These shampoos and conditioners contain moisturisers and omega fatty acids which help to hydrate your dog’s skin and fur and create healthier and stronger follicles. Bathing your dog frequently and using the right brushes or a deShedding tool to groom him can considerably combat shedding. CONSULT A VETERINARIAN Certain medical conditions such as fungal infections, parasites, stress or sunburn also cause excess shedding. Hormonal issues as a result of a thyroid imbalance cause skin inflammations and make the hair brittle which leads to excessive hair loss. If your dog suffers from skin allergies then it may lead to chronic skin inflammation which causes itchiness of your dog’s skin. When your dog scratches it causes even more hair fall. If your dog shows signs of unusual hair loss or patchy skin then you need to take it to a veterinarian for a full check-up. Now that you are equipped with the knowledge about your dog’s shedding, you can implement these and keep your dog’s shedding in control. * Creative Content Writer, ABK Imports Pvt. Ltd