
“Help!”
There’s fur on the bed…
There’s fur in the kitchen…
There’s even fur inside my bathroom!
It can become extremely exhausting to constantly have to clean your dog’s fur all day long.
No matter how much you brush your fluff buddy and try to lessen shedding, nothing seems to work.
And sometimes, it seems like shaving your pooch is the only option.
Should you do it?
Continue reading to learn:
- 5 reasons why you shouldn’t shave your dog.
- Why your dog seems to shed more than other dogs.
- 5 safer methods you can do to deal with your shedding pooch.
- And many, many, more…
Table of contents
Can I shave my dog to stop shedding?
You shouldn’t shave your dog to stop the shedding because this is not an effective way to deal with it. While it does make sense to remove all the hair, shedding is a natural process. This is something all dogs have to go through, and shaving your dog will just mess with their heat regulation.
5 reasons why you shouldn’t shave your dog to stop shedding
#1: Shedding is natural for dogs
It does make sense to shave your dog when they’re shedding so you won’t have to deal with all their hair.
But this may even bring you more problems.
“How come?”
In healthy dogs, shedding is a natural technique to get rid of old hair.
Their fur will grow thicker and thicker as winter goes on. But many breeds shed their coats in the spring to keep their bodies at a stable temperature.
So, shedding is a good sign for your dog. And this is a process they all need to go through.
Whether you like it or not.
Shaving them might appear like a temporary fix. But what you don’t know is that your dog will still shed… only with shorter hair.
What an epic fail.
Note: Some dogs don’t shed as much as other dogs do. So, don’t worry if your Corgi does not shed as much as your husky.
“Petya, are you telling me that there is absolutely no way I can stop my dog from shedding?”
Yes.
That is exactly what I am trying to say.
But there is still hope for those who are still not fur parents.
Are you currently looking to adopt a fluff buddy but don’t want to deal with the hassle of cleaning fur?
WebMD recommends that you adopt the following dogs:
- Poodle.
- Maltese.
- Schnauzer.
- Bichon Frise.
- Afghan Hound.
- Chinese Crested.
- Portuguese Water Dog.
They are classified as single-coated dogs.
These dogs have human-like hair, producing less dander than the other shedding-notorious dogs.
Single-coated dogs
They have the same type of fur all over their body. And because single-coated dogs have a longer hair growth cycle, they shed less than dogs with undercoats.
Therefore, they can be ideal for those allergic to dog fur.
You may be wondering: 7 Reasons Why Your Husky Is Shedding So Much + 9 Tips
#2: Shaving can alter a dog’s coat texture and color

Now let’s talk about double-coated dogs.
Double-coated dogs
These dogs have a dense undercoat of short hair. Their second layer has longer fur called guard hairs.
The guard hairs are essentially the fur you see. They operate as a barrier to keep water out and dirt out.
So these dogs appear to be fluffier.
Dog parents will notice that their double-coated dogs shed twice a year. These are the periods when you will see fur all over your home.
The rest of the shedding throughout the year is just natural hair shedding, common in most animals (including humans!).
Dog breed with double coats include:
- Corgis.
- Chows.
- Pomeranians.
- Border Collies.
- Great Pyrenees.
- Newfoundlands.
- Siberian Huskies.
- Golden Retrievers.
- German Shepherds.
- Labrador Retrievers.
- Australian Shepherds.
- Cavalier King Charles.
“Don’t these dogs feel hotter during the summer?”
All dogs will feel hot during the summer.
But like humans, they also have their natural way of cooling down.
So, you do not need to shave them in the summer.
When the undercoat is shaved to the skin, it grows back faster than the guard hairs.
This can change the texture and color of a dog’s coat.
And your dog will have an uneven and unappealing coat.
#3: Your dog can have sunburn
The coat of your dog functions as insulation that keeps them warm during the winter.
Their fur also protects them from the sun.
So, when you remove this layer of protection, you risk sunburn.
Warning: Sunburn in dogs can also lead to skin cancer.
A study says sunburn is more common in dogs with white or thin coats. So, hairless dogs are inherently more susceptible to the sun.
The signs of sunburns you should look for include:
- Itching.
- Flaking.
- Blisters.
- Redness.
When you see these signs, you should:
- Apply sunblock.
- Use a cold compress.
- Allow your pooch to cool down.
Warning: Severely sunburned pets may require pain medication, anti-inflammatories, and other treatment.
#4: Shaving changes your dog’s metabolism
It does seem a little unrelated at first.
But your dog’s coat and their metabolism are indeed related.
Metabolism is the body’s complicated process of converting food into energy that can be used.
Research found that dogs have a faster metabolism than people.
But when you remove their coats, it will be more challenging for them to regulate their heat and use their food as energy.
Note: Genetics also influences your dog’s general metabolic rate.
#5: This will bring more bug bites
Besides the shedding, fur parents also shave their dogs to remove fleas.
While shaving can aid with the effects of an infestation, it is not an effective solution.
Especially when you shave too close to the skin, this exposes your dog to all sorts of things.
Including bugs.
When an insect or bug bites your pooch, you should:
- Apply Aloe Vera gel.
- Give them an oatmeal bath.
- Use a paste of baking soda.
You should also be aware that shaving might cause other skin issues unrelated to bugs.
After the shave, your dog’s skin will be severely irritated from continuous licking and scratching.
Overall, shaving your dog will not give you the results you want.
5 effective ways to stop your dog from shedding so much
“Hooray!”
Thankfully, we have some good news.
Dealing with shedding is not an entirely hopeless case.
Do you want to lessen the loose fur inside your home?
If so, here are some methods you should try.
#1: Regular brushing

Do you brush your dog regularly?
If not, then pick up a high-quality dog brush and start brushing your canine.
This will get rid of dead hairs before they fall all over the place. Brushing will also prevent matting on your dog’s coat (which can be very painful for them).
Note: You should base your brush type on your dog’s coat. Because some pooches may need everyday brushing, while others only several a month.
The American Kennel Club says that the dog breeds that DO NOT need regular brushing include:
- Vizslas.
- Boxers.
- Beagles.
- Great Danes.
- Weimaraners.
- Italian Greyhounds.
- Doberman Pinschers.
#2: Know your dog
Let me repeat.
Some dogs have single coats, while others have double coats.
“Why is this important?”
Understanding the coat of your pooch will let you know how to deal with their fur.
Since double-coated dogs have fluffier and thicker coats, their fur may need to be trimmed once in a while.
Trimmed, not shaved.
And if you have a dog that does not shed much, you will not have to bother about this as much.
Learning more about dogs will also help you decide which pooch you will want to adopt. And this will set the expectations when you finally have them in your home.
If you want to know more ways to deal with a shedding dog, watch:
#3: Watch your pooch’s diet
Are you feeding your dog nutrient-rich food?
Good hair growth requires a lot of nutritious food and protein sources.
Without enough food, a dog’s body will use protein to keep its muscles strong, which will damage their coat.
A healthy, lustrous coat not only looks better but it also sheds less.
So you should focus on feeding your pooch meat, fruit, and vegetable-rich food for better coat health.
Some of the best food for shedding dogs include:
- Whole Earth Farms Grain Free Dry Dog Food.
- Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Real Salmon and Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food.
- Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach, High Protein Adult Dry Dog Food & Wet Dog Food.
#4: Routine grooming
Grooming your dog includes all the fancy things done to their fur.
Like:
- Styling.
- Cutting.
- Trimming.
- Nail clipping.
- Shampooing.
- Ear cleaning.
Regular grooming will make them look good and have healthier coats.
And if you want to form a bond with your pooch, you can opt for home grooming instead of taking them to a groomer.
You may also wonder: Yes, Corgis Do Shed! 15 Tips To Deal With Corgi Shedding
#5: Let your dog stay hydrated

We can go on and on about how important water and proper hydration is.
But to deal with a shedding dog, you should know this.
Dehydrated skin causes hair loss and increases the amount of loose fur to clean up.
“How much water should my dog drink?”
Most dogs should drink 1 ounce of water per pound of bodyweight every day. So, a 10-pound dog needs roughly two-thirds of a 16oz bottle.