The Best Dog Food for Shedding 2023 – See If Your Dog’s Food Is in the List

Shedding season or not, it helps to have a reliable partner that can aid us in stopping the omnipresence of hairballs in our house.

Good thing that when it comes to this problem, there’s one identified factor that always gets the blame – your dog’s diet. Hence, choosing the best dog food for shedding is crucial in solving this seasonal or even longstanding headache that we face as dog owners.

Normal shedding in dogs usually happens each time a new season comes. This helps a dog stay warm during winter, and cool during summer.

OUR TOP 3 PICKS FOR BEST DOG FOODS FOR SHEDDING

However, if your dog’s excessive shedding is present all year round, then, there’s definitely something wrong internally that must be addressed as soon as possible.  

Long-term problems can’t be solved by short-term solutions. While a Band-Aid solution will fix them temporarily, the same issues will reappear sooner or later.

A quick fix may come in handy, but what your dog needs is a long-term feasible solution. And when it comes to your dog’s excessive shedding, that should be his diet.

So, to help you in finding the best dog shedding solutions that you can try, we’ve gathered ten of the best dog foods for shedding in the market today. Read on to find which among these top picks are the most suitable for your pup.

Best Dog Food For Shedding

Normal shedding should be expected, and it’s something that can be managed by brushing, grooming, and bathing.

However, excessive shedding is a different story – it’s definitely something that you should worry about, and you should address with your vet as soon as possible.

Dry skin can cause unusual shedding in dogs. And if this happens, it’s usually related to the foods that they eat regularly.

So, when your dog is losing a significant amount of hair in a short time, it’s high time that you change his wet or dry dog food with something that can best address his shedding problems.

Below are ten of the most trusted and recommended dog foods that could help promote healthy skin and reduce shedding in dogs:

1. Ollie Fresh Pet Food
2. Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach
3. Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Formula
4. Taste of the Wild High Prairie
5. Whole Earth Farms Pork, Beef & Lamb Recipe
6. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula
7. American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe
8. ORIJEN Six Fish Formula
9. Merrick Real Texas Beef + Sweet Potato Recipe
10. Crave High Protein White Fish & Salmon

 

1. Ollie Fresh Pet Food

First 5 ingredients: Depends on the recipe you choose

Ollie partnered with many Vet Nutritionists with one goal in mind: To provide dogs a healthy alternative to both kibble and raw diets. It uses precise recipes of cooked food delivered to your door in manageable portion sizes. It uses human grade ingredients and recipes a lot like the raw food dogs would eat in the wild.

By doing this, they can ensure that each personalized meal is made with fresh whole ingredients, and targeted vitamins and minerals depending on your pet’s needs.

Ollie also uses restaurant-quality proteins and vegetables to guarantee that your pet gets all the nutrients that they need in a preparation that you, yourself can eat. Hence, one of their business philosophies is to not feed your pet something that you wouldn’t eat.

How does it work? On your first order, you’ll have to create a pet profile on their website, which will ask you basic information such as the breed of your pet, his current and ideal body weight, activity level and certain issues that you’d like to address such as being a picky eater or having allergies. Finally, you can choose from their four meals: Beef, Chicken, Lamb and Turkey.

Once again, each recipe that they make is personalized to your pet’s special needs; so, you can definitely expect to see favorable results from your dog’s shedding problem.

And based on feedback from their existing clients, you can expect to notice less dog shedding, as well as softer and silkier coats after four weeks.

Other changes that you can expect include increased energy and excitement at mealtime during the first week, and better breath and smaller stools by the second week.

By the third month, your dog will have reached his ideal body weight, and you can also notice his stamina increase significantly. By the ninth month onwards, you can expect to have an all-around healthy and happy pet.

If you want to give their service a try, go straight ahead to their website and make a pet profile. They are also giving away a 60% discount on all first orders.

2. Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach

First 5 ingredients: Salmon, Barley, Rice, Oat Meal, Canola Meal

Check out any major online shops and eCommerce platforms, and you’ll see Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach among their bestselling products.

But that’s not the only reason why we ranked it on top. More important than its popularity, is what it contains that makes it beneficial for dogs with sensitive skin and shedding issues.

This high-protein adult dry dog food is formulated to promote skin health and digestive health, especially for adult dogs with sensitive stomachs.

It contains biotin, omega-6, and omega-3 fatty acids, which are all potent ingredients that can effectively reduce your dog’s excessive shedding, and help promote a healthy and shiny coat.

Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach is fortified with vitamins and minerals, and it doesn’t contain common allergens such as chicken meal by-products, as well as fillers like soy, corn, wheat, or artificial flavors and colors. In addition, it is also packed with prebiotic fiber that promotes digestive health.   

3. Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Formula

First 5 ingredients: Salmon, Fish Meal, Potatoes, Lentils, Peas

High-quality nutrition doesn’t always have to come with a high price tag. If you’re looking for a recipe formulated to resolve your dog’s hair loss but you don’t want to spend a fortune, consider this brand.

For only $38.99 per 30-lb bag, this grain-free dog food packed with natural ingredients is definitely giving your more bang for your buck.

This formula features wild-caught salmon as the main ingredient supplemented with fish meal as a concentrated source of animal protein. It contains a rich blend of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids as well as digestible carbohydrates

It is also loaded with vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and antioxidants that target the needed nutrition your dog needs for healthier skin and coat.

While it’s cheaper than the other major brands in this list, Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Formula doesn’t come short of the essential ingredients that can help reduce your dog’s shedding.

It’s definitely a perfect choice if you are looking for a cheaper alternative without compromised quality.

4. Taste of the Wild High Prairie

First 5 ingredients: Water Buffalo, Lamb Meal, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas

It may sound cheesy to say that a taste of the wild is what exactly your dog can taste when he eats this grain free dry dog food, but it is what it is.

This product is formulated to mimic the diet of the wolf, the ancestor to all dogs. This tasty dog food is different from most kibbles since it is formulated with novel animal proteins like buffalo and bison.

Aside from that, it is also loaded with highly digestible peas and sweet potatoes that all give a strong punch of energy to your pup.

Along with these ingredients, it is also crafted with omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and zinc, which all play a crucial role in promoting healthy skin and coat, and in reducing shedding in dogs.

5. Whole Earth Farms Pork, Beef & Lamb Recipe

First 5 ingredients: Pork Meal, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Canola Meal

Whole Earth Farms thrives on one principal belief, which is “Goodness from the Earth.” Simply put, all of the company pet foods are made using wholesome, all-natural ingredients. It is for this reason that many pet lovers swear by this brand.

The Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free natural dry dog food is your go-to option if you want to give your pup balanced nutrition with ingredients that come straight from the farm.

With multiple sources of meat from pork, beef, and lamb, it certainly contains one of the highest concentrations of proteins in this list.

It is packed with moderate amounts of fat and delivers omega fatty acids to promote healthy skin and coat and aid in reducing your dog’s shedding.

And it’s also fortified with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to boost your pup’s immune system and support his overall health.

You can also set your worries away, as this premium dog food is free from wheat, soy, corn, artificial flavors, colors, fillers, and animal by-product meals.

Hence, you are assured that your pup is getting dense nutrients to keep him in prime shape while keeping his shedding as controlled as possible.

6. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe

First 5 ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, Oatmeal

Named after a beloved pet who struggled with serious health issues, the Blue Buffalo company is dedicated to creating holistic premium pet food that addresses the various needs of dogs.

Blue Buffalo is one of the best dog food brands that always add real meat as their first ingredient. And in this particular dog formula, it’s deboned chicken, followed by whole grains, veggies, and fruits.

It also contains a precise blend of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and antioxidant-rich active ingredients chosen by selected holistic vets and nutritionists.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Dog Food is crafted with handpicked ingredients not just to provide optimal nutrition for all breeds of adult dogs, but also to support their well-being.

Hence, by shifting your pup to this diet, you won’t only notice a significant decrease in his shedding, but also an improvement in his overall health and wellness.  

This Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe features delicious, protein-rich deboned chicken and other natural ingredients for a healthy meal your dog will love.

7. American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe

First 5 ingredients: Deboned Salmon, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Peas, Sweet Potatoes

American Journey grain free dog food is perfect for canines with shedding issues, easily irritated skin, and food sensitivities.

It features real, deboned salmon meat with high amounts of proteins, fatty acids from fish oil, and other essential nutrients to support your dog’s overall health.

Additionally, it contains a moderate amount of chicken fat, as well as zinc, flaxseed, and vitamin E that supports the role of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids in promoting coat and skin health.

This kibble does also use chicken and turnkey meal to bolster its protein content, which could be of some concern to dogs with food allergies. In those cases, you would be better off going with American Journey's limited ingredient range.

As mentioned earlier, one of the root causes of shedding is poor skin health. So, by preventing it, you also relieve your dog from the horrors of excessive shedding all year round.

And as its name implies, this premium dog food is also grain-free. Hence, it doesn’t contain fillers such as corn, wheat, and soy, which can easily irritate dogs with sensitive stomachs.

Overall, American Journey has produced a well-balanced kibble offering that is sure to give your dog the luxury experience, at an affordable price. Another quality dog food at an affordable price.

8. ORIJEN Six Fish Formula

First 5 ingredients: Whole Mackerel, Whole Herring, Monkfish, Acadian Redfish, Flounder

Give your dog a biologically appropriate diet that contains 85% of quality fish ingredients.

With its stunning concentration of whole animal ingredients in WholePrey™ ratios, this food delivers concentrated nutrition in the form your beloved pet was made to consume. Protein-rich fish makes up 80% of the food.

Orijen Six Fish is filled with a diverse source of nutrients, which come from not just 6, but ten kinds of wild-caught fishes mostly from the Pacific.

Two-thirds of the meat in this food is fresh or raw, and the remaining third of that meat is dehydrated at around 194°F.

This low-heat processing locks in the nutritional value of the food, in part making it possible for this recipe to include only minimal vitamin and mineral supplementation.

With its primary sources of nutrients, you are guaranteed that your dog is nourished with a high amount of protein in his diet, DHA, and omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, which are all essential in promoting healthy skin and coat.

It also contains peas and lentils to boost your dog’s energy, as well as superfoods such as kale, spinach, beet greens, and apples to help strengthen your dog’s immune system.

9. Merrick Real Texas Beef + Sweet Potato Recipe

First 5 ingredients: Deboned Beef, Lamb Meal, Salmon Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes

Satisfy your dog’s cravings for a tasty meal without sacrificing the nutrients that he can get with Merrick Grain-Free Adult Dog Food.

Merrick never uses ingredients from China and all of their products are hand-crafted and produced in Hereford, Texas using locally sourced ingredients.

They also offer the Merrick Five Star Promise which guarantees local growers, real whole foods, company-owned kitchens, balanced nutrition, and health you can see.

This natural dog food is made with 65% protein and healthy fat, primarily from deboned beef, lamb, and salmon.

With these ingredients, you can guarantee that your pup stays healthy and strong all day every day while also keeping his shedding to a bare minimum.

The remaining 35% of this premium dog food consists of vitamins, minerals, fiber, omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, and several other important nutrients that all help in keeping your dog healthy, strong, and at optimal weight at all times.

The synergistic effects of these essential nutrients also help in promoting your dog’s skin and coat help, as well as in strengthening his hips and joints.

10. Crave High Protein White Fish & Salmon

First 5 ingredients: White Fish, Chicken Meal, Lentils, Split Peas, Chicken Fat

Fill your pup’s stomach with nutrient-dense and grain-free dog food to keep his body in prime shape while also spoiling him with tasty food that he could wolf down come mealtime.

Crave’s high-calorie recipe is based on meals wild wolf ancestors of modern dogs may have eaten. The recipe is protein-rich (34%) with salmon as the first ingredient.

This high-protein dog food is ideal in providing canines of all breed sizes with the nutrients that they need to maintain a lean, healthy, strong, and energetic body.

Whitefish is the first ingredient and the primary source of protein in this grain-free dog food, but it is also packed with salmon, chicken, and pork.

It is also loaded with omega-6 fatty acids from its fish ingredients, as well as added vitamins, and minerals that all help in promoting not just your dog’s skin and coat health, but his all-around health and wellness, too.

It’s a grain-free formulation that’s designed for all breeds and for pups that may be food sensitive.

What Causes Excessive Dog Shedding?

As mentioned earlier, dog shedding is normal and should be expected. And for most dogs, shedding is an important aspect of their fur and skin health. It’s their body’s mechanism to get rid of damaged hair to make way for new ones. 

However, it’s completely different when the shedding becomes excessive causing significant hair loss to your pup. And while it’s true that some breeds shed more than others, we still can’t remove a dog’s diet into the equation.

Nutritional deficiency or even the excess of some harmful ingredients (such as salt) in a dog’s body can directly or indirectly contribute to his shedding problem.

Other common causes of excessive shedding or hair loss in dogs include seasonal shedding, food allergies, thyroid hormonal imbalance, parasites like fleas or mange, bacterial and fungal infections, skin irritation, and even stress.

Seasonal Shedding

If your dog sheds all year round but is generally healthy as evaluated by your vet, then, there’s no reason to worry. As mentioned earlier, some dog breeds naturally shed more than the others. In particular, heavy-shedding breeds include Labrador Retrievers, Border Collies, Beagles, and German Shepherds.

Poor Diet

Keeping your dog healthy doesn’t have to be costly. In the same way, just because your dog eats expensive foods doesn’t necessarily mean that he is getting enough nutrients that could prevent him from shedding excessively. As a dog parent, you should look beyond the price and brand of dog food, and carefully look into the label.

Also, when it comes to your dog’s coat health, you should go for a premium dog food that contains a good ratio of protein, fat, carbohydrates, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. You should also avoid super-cheap dog food that is filled with fillers, artificial preservatives, and even artificial flavors and colors.

Skin Issues

Skin issues caused by an infestation of parasites such as fleas, mites, or lice, can also cause excessive hair loss in dogs. Other medical conditions like dermatitis, cancers, immune diseases, and fungal infections such as ringworm can also cause hair loss.

If you suspect that your dog’s skin issues are caused by an underlying medical condition, then, it’s best to consult your veterinarian immediately. Signs that you should watch out for aside from excessive shedding include scratching, bumps in the skin, rashes, and scabs.

Allergies

Dogs can be allergic not just to certain food ingredients, but also to other things such as pollens, animal dander, household cleaners, medicines, and a lot more. And when they do, one of the common manifestations is excessive hair loss.

Talk to your vet immediately if you suspect that your dog is allergic to something.  He can run some tests to pinpoint the allergen and give you the best treatment accordingly. The sooner the cause of the problem is identified, the sooner your dog will be relieved of his uncomfortable symptoms.

Stress

Yes, just like us humans, dogs can get stressed, too. And when they do, one of the common side effects is excessive hair loss even when it’s not shedding season, yet.

While they don’t get anxious or stressed about paying their bills or meeting deadlines as we do, a routine veterinary visit may do.

Other stressors for dogs include a sudden change in their living environment, moving to a new house, presence of loud noises, crowded places, new people, changes in their routine, and short-term or long-term separation from their primary caregiver.

If you suspect that your dog is suffering from stress or anxiety-induced shedding, talk to your veterinarian. He can refer you to a certified veterinary behaviorist, or an expert vet specializing in dealing with these kinds of problems.

What Are Some Non-Shedding Dog Breeds?

While there are breeds that shed a lot, there are also those with significantly reduced shedding. Non-shedding dogs are usually those with only a single coat, such as the following:

• Afghan Hound
• American Hairless Terrier
• Bichon Frise
• Irish Water Spaniel
• Maltese
• Poodle
• Schnauzer
• Havanese
• Yorkshire Terrier
• Lhasa Apso
• Shih Tzu
• Basenji

 

How Can You Reduce or Prevent Excessive Shedding in Dogs?

Dog breeds shed differently, but all dogs shed. Problems come in, though when the shedding becomes too much that it already causes significant hair loss.

Whether you have a low-shedding dog like a Bichon Frise or a heavy-shedding double-coated dog like Collies, there are always steps that you can do to reduce the shedding.

Below are some home remedies that can help give your dog a healthy coat all year round:

Brush your dog’s coat

It might be trivial, but regularly brushing your pup is one of the most effective ways to reduce dog shedding. However, you shouldn’t simply use any brush that you can reach with your hands.

Dogs can have different types of coats, so, it’s also important to choose the right brush according to your dog’s fur.

There are four common types of dog brushes available in the market: bristle brushes, wire-pin brushes, slicker brushes, and rubbery combs.

If you don’t want to go wrong with your choice, you can go for bristle brushes since these are the ones usually used for all coat types.

They come in several varieties depending on the space between the bristles. If you have a long-haired dog, go for long bristles. Otherwise, you can use a stiff brush.

Wire-pin brushes are the ideal choice for dogs with long, curly, and wooly hair that easily tangle, such as the German Shepherd. You can easily identify these brushes since they have bristle tips with either rubber or plastic coating on them.

Slicker brushes are a great choice for dogs with medium to long coats just like the Bearded Collies. These brushes are most often used to remove hair tangles, and they can be easily identified with their rows of wire bristles.

Finally, rubbery combs are a perfect choice for short-haired dogs, and they can also be used to pamper your dog with a relaxing massage.

These types of combs help remove old hair, dander, and dead skin. And most dogs also love the feeling of being brushed with a rubbery comb as it feels like a gentle massage.

Bathe your pup regularly

Bathing your dog regularly won’t only keep your dog clean and fresh, but it can also remove excess and damaged hairs before they fall off.

Bath time can also serve as a bonding time between you and your pup, and even as a physical exam that can help you identify the presence of bumps in his skin, bald patches, infections, and so on.

During summer, you can bathe your dog once a week. It also helps to choose a shampoo that won’t strip your dog’s coat with its oil as this can increase shedding.

You can also ask your vet for an anti-shedding shampoo, or use products that contain aloe vera, tea tree oil, and oatmeal. 

Groom your dog

Aside from regularly bathing your dog, it’s also helpful to have him groomed by a professional. Trimming your dog’s coat can help address issues with fleas since these parasites thrive easier in longer coats.

If you want to groom your pooch by yourself, you can also do so with hand-help clippers. However, it’s still preferable if you can bring your pup to a groomer.

Keep your pooch hydrated

Always make sure that your dog has access to clean and fresh water. Keeping your dog hydrated is essential for his overall health.

Also, dehydrated skin is one of the causes of shedding in dogs, so, it’s just logical to address this issue by encouraging your dog to always drink water.

Prevent ticks and fleas

The presence of ticks and/or fleas is one of the most common causes of significant hair loss in dogs. Hence, before these parasites even manifest, it’s best to avoid them by keeping your pup clean at all times, and by avoiding contact with other animals that may be infested with fleas or ticks.

You can also use essential oils to repel these insects or add two teaspoons of raw apple cider vinegar to his drinking water. Supplementing your dog with probiotics, vitamins, and essential oils is also beneficial in preventing the attack of these insects.

Give your dog a healthy and balanced diet

When your dog’s body is nourished with enough nutrients from the food that he eats, his hair follicles will also be stronger. And stronger hair follicles can help prevent excessive shedding caused by an undernourished coat.

Hence, when buying dog food, always check the label for its nutritional content. As mentioned earlier, it’s best to look for protein rich dog food that also contains enough amounts of essential vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and omega oils.

Also, stay away from those with many fillers (such as corn, wheat, and soy) and artificial preservatives.

How to Change Your Dog’s Food

Successfully transitioning your dog to a new food can be even harder than determining what dog food is right for him. But don’t worry your pup will come along eventually. You just have to be patient as this process takes time.

Once you’ve selected a new dog food for your pup, don’t get too excited by shifting all his food totally in one go.

Instead, you have to introduce the new food gradually. You can mix it with his old food to prevent digestive problems, and so he can have a taste of it little by little.

Start by adding ¾ of his old food and only ¼ of the new food to his daily meals. After a week, you can increase the portion of the new food by 25% and decrease the portion of the old food.

Continue doing this until you manage to successfully shift your dog to his new food without any issues or hesitations from your pooch.