Dog care guides

Deshedding: how to manage a dog that sheds

A fluffy double-coated dog with a healthy coat in warm light

If your dog leaves a fur tumbleweed in every corner of the house, welcome to the club. Shedding is normal for many dogs — you can't stop it, but you can manage it so most of the hair ends up in a brush instead of on your black trousers.

Shedding is normal

Dogs shed to swap old hair for new. It happens year-round, and for many dogs it ramps up at the change of seasons — double-coated breeds in particular "blow" their undercoat a couple of times a year, which can look dramatic but may be normal when the loss remains diffuse and the skin looks unaffected.

What to expect from your dog's coat

  • Single coats — usually shed less dramatically, though they still lose hair.
  • Double coats (huskies, retrievers, shepherds and the like) — the big shedders, especially during a seasonal coat blow.
  • Wiry or curly coats — often shed less but need regular grooming or clipping to stay tidy.

The right tools

Good tools make a huge difference:

  • Slicker brush — lifts loose hair from most coat types.
  • Undercoat rake or deshedding tool — can help remove loose undercoat when used gently according to its instructions; avoid pressing hard or repeatedly working the same area.

One important don't: don't shave a double coat simply to reduce shedding or cool the dog. Shaving can alter regrowth and expose the skin; severe matting or medical clipping should be handled with a groomer or veterinarian. (Grooming basics are in our home grooming guide.)

A simple routine

Little and often beats occasional marathons. A quick brush every day or two keeps loose hair and mats down, with a longer, more thorough session each week — and daily during a seasonal blow. Brushing also spreads the skin's natural oils, so the coat that stays on your dog looks better too.

Skin health from the inside

A healthy coat starts with a healthy dog. Feed a complete, balanced diet and keep fresh water available. Discuss supplements or significant diet changes with your veterinarian.

When shedding isn't just shedding

Routine shedding is generally diffuse. Bald patches, focal thinning, sore skin or a sudden change warrant veterinary assessment — those can point to something the brush won't fix.

At Tidbit: for a double coat, a FURminator deshedding tool, a ZeeZ undercoat rake or a slicker brush from our Grooming range do most of the work.

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Sources reviewed 12 August 2026. This guide is general information, is AI-assisted and human-edited, and is not a substitute for individual veterinary advice. For skin, ear or nail problems, or anything that isn't settling, see your vet. Read our editorial policy.