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German Shepherds are also known as the “German Shedders” – they don’t earn this name for no reason. It is because they shed 365 days a year – as a way to adapt to the seasonal change around them, at the same time refreshing their coat to guard against fleas and ticks.
German Shepherds shed for their entire life and there’s no way you can stop it from happening. But with proper diet and care, you can make it manageable when shedding season comes.
In this article, we will first understand why GSDs shed the way they do. Then we will go through some tips on how to minimize shedding with proper feeding and grooming. Whether you are a current GSD owner or an owner-to-be, I hope by sharing these tips with you will let take the shedding more easily and accept that it is actually the way of life for you and your GSDs.
Why do German Shepherds shed (so much)?
All dogs shed. Some breeds shed more than others. German Shepherds are known to shed heavily. But why?
We have to understand German Shepherds are double-coated. In other words, they have two layers of coats for different purposes:
- The outer coat: This is the top layer that you see and feel for the most part. The hairs are thinker here than the inner coat. This is a protective layer that traps dirt or fleas and serves to protect their skin from any tick or flea. The outer coat sheds daily. Depending on the age, weight, size, lifestyle, or diet, the outer coat can shed more or less.
- This inner coat: This is the inner layer of soft fur in medium length, designed to keep your German Shepherd warm and water-resistant. The inner coat sheds twice a year, usually towards the end of winter and fall.
How much do GSD shed? Watch this video to see it for yourself:
You may have probably heard of the term “blowing” when it comes to German Shepherd shedding. This means, for twice a year, a German Shepherd will “blow” his inner coat all at once – to prepare for a seasonal change.
This usually happens over the course of a couple of days or a week.
Together, these two layers of coats work hand-in-hand to protect the German Shepherd from nearly anything weather or environmental conditions.
Shedding is a natural and constant process that replenishes fresh and new coats to keep your German Shepherd healthy.
Reasons for excessive shedding in German Shepherds
While a certain amount of shedding is natural, there are other factors such as poor diet, dehydration, stress, or skin allergies, that can make the shedding even worse.
Excessive shedding in German Shepherds can be a signal of potential health issues such as:
- Poor diet with cheap dog food
- Dehydration
- Lack of exercise
- Skin allergies, e.g fleas or fungal or bacterial infections
- Hormone or immunity disorder
- Stress under a new environment
- Pregnancy/lactation
How do I know if my German Shepherd is shedding too much?
So how much is too much? Here are some things to watch for:
- Skin that is inflamed and red
- Skin that is flaky and dry
- Any wounds on your dog’s skin
- Discharge coming from the skin
- Missing patches of fur
- Excessive shaking and scratching
(Source: VETGEN Pharmaceutical)
If you notice any of these symptoms or suspect that your dog may have an underlying condition, consult a veterinarian for a full check-up.
How to reduce shedding in German Shepherds?
While you cannot stop your German Shepherd from shedding, there are several ways you can do to reduce it, including proper feeding and grooming.
Let’s take go through some tips:
#1 German Shepherd diet
1. Feed your German Shepherd with a meat-based dog food
One of the most effective ways of reducing shedding is to feed your German Shepherd with high-quality dog food.
Cheap dog food is largely made of ingredients such as corn and grain that is difficult for any dog to digest.
Look for dog food that has meat as the main ingredient. Sure, it costs more, but it is beneficial to your German Shepherd in lots of different ways.
Dog food with meat as its main ingredient is easier to digest and absorb.
Not only will it help to maintain a healthy coat and reduce shedding, it is also good for the overall health of your German Shepherd.
Must read:
2. Add olive oil or flaxseed oil to your German Shepherd’s food
Start out by giving 1 tsp. (5 ml) per 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of body weight. Olive oils contain Omega-3 fatty acids that help calm inflamed skin, decrease dandruff, and improve overall coat texture.
Check out the best selling flaxseed oils on Amazon:
Other ways to increase your German Shepherd’s Omega-3 intake:
- Adding Omega-3-rich fish to the diet: Tuna or salmon are rich in Omega-3
- Using Omega-3 dietary supplements: They can come in different shapes and sizes (e.g. powder form or capsules). Ask your vet to figure out the best choice for your German Shepherd.
3. “Treat” your dog with “human food” occasionally
Bananas, cucumbers, sliced apples (without seeds), and lean meats like chicken breast are all moisture-rich foods that help your German Shepherd keep hydrated.
If that wasn’t good enough, they also contain lots of healthy nutrients that help your German Shepherds coat stay shiny and smooth and reduce shedding.
However, only 5-10% of your German Shepherd’s daily food intake should be treats of any kind – the rest should be the before-mentioned meat-rich dog food.
#2 German Shepherd Grooming
1. Use a de-shedding tool
Instead of letting the hair find its way around your house, removing the loose hair will directly minimize the amount of furball you have to pick up everywhere.
This can be achieved easily by using a FURminator (or similar de-shedding tool) that can reach the undercoat to remove loose hair easily.
Designed by a professional groomer, this tool reaches beyond the topcoat to remove loose hair from the undercoat. It pulls away loose hair without hurting your dog’s skin or damaging his undercoat.
Check out this video to see the real result for yourself:
FURminator Long Hair Dog Deshedding Tool (Arguably the “best” brush for German Shepherd)
- Features a stainless-steel edge that reaches beneath the long topcoat, removing undercoat and loose hair.
- The curved edge delivers a comfortable experience for your dog by conforming to her body and the ergonomic handle delivers a comfortable experience for you as you groom!
- May help significantly reduce loose hair from shedding with regular use.
- Patented technologies designed by a groomer for paw-fessional results.
Less Hair, Less Cleaning
FURminator deShedding Tools can help cut down on your cleaning time by removing loose hair before it ends up around the house.
That’s because most of the hair you get stuck cleaning up—yes, including those furry tumbleweeds—is mostly from your dog’s undercoat. This hair gets trapped under the topcoat and then sheds pretty much everywhere—and that is where the FURminator can help.
Brushing your dog could also be a way to bond with him. The touching, petting and cuddling involved can be the best way to show your love and care to your pet pal. Every owner should enjoy doing it.
2. Use moisturizing shampoo
It’s nothing new that some shampoo includes ingredients in their formulas to help moisturize the skin – which means less shedding.
As a typical adult German Shepherd only needs a bath three or four times a year, a bottle of shampoo can last for years to come.
FURminator DeShedding Ultra Premium Shampoo For Dogs, 16-oz bottle
- Promotes healthy skin and coat to reduce shedding
- Enriched with Omega 3 & 6 Fatty Acids, Calendula Extract and Papaya Leaf Extract
- This blend of natural ingredients helps protect against excessive shedding leaving a healthy and shiny coat
- For topical use on dogs and cats over 6 weeks old
- Contains no parabens, artificial colors or chemical dyes, made in the USA!
#3 Hydrate your German Shepherd at all times
1. Maintain suffcient water intake
Dehydration can lead to dry skin, which can cause shedding and (worse) illness. Make sure your German Shepherd has access to fresh and clean water at all times.
If your German Shepherd is not drinking enough by himself, you can always choose to incorporate moist foods into its diet.
Wet dog food contains up to 78% moisture – compared to 10% for dry food. Another way to do this is to add warm water or chicken broth into kibbles.
2. Maintain proper indoor humidity
Dogs cannot use a moisturizer or cream like we humans do when it comes to dry and itchy skin. If you live in a place where humidity is lower than 50%, you should create a moisturized environment that reduces shedding.
Description
Create a moisturized environment that reduces shedding with this 6-liter Cool Mist Humidifier.
Smart & Voice Control: Connect the smart humidifier to the free VeSync app for remote control and connect to third-party voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for hands-free control.
Easy to Refill and Clean: No need to flip upside down—the top-fill humidifier makes cleaning and refilling quick and spill-free. Easily see current water levels through the transparent tank
#4 Invest in a powerful vacuum
Vacuums, however, cannot reduce your German Shepherd from shedding, but can surely make your life easier in removing the furball around the house.
Trust me, no one on earth can survive the non-stop shedding at home without a powerful vacuum.
Heck yes! It is all too common for GSD owners to own multiple vacuums.
Look for a vacuum that can pick up lots of large clumps of hair without getting clogged. Sometimes it can be a challenging task.
Don’t worry, you are not alone.
We have actually asked current GSD owners for their suggestions. Check out this post to see the entire list:
The bottom line: shedding is a way of life
At the end of the day, German Shepherds shed for their entire life no matter what you try to do about it. As a German Shepherd owner, you can only do your best to minimize it, but there’s no stopping it. Hopefully, this article has provided you with a handful of tips for that matter.
Further questions
When do dogs shed most?
For dogs that shed seasonally, you’ll notice that most shedding occurs in the spring and fall. In the spring, your dog’s coat will become lighter, in preparation for the warm weather. Similarly, in the fall, in preparation for winter, you will see a change in your dog’s coat and a higher incidence of shedding. (AKC)
Do dogs shed in the winter?
For most dogs, the major shedding occurs during the transition in and out of the warmer seasons (aka spring and fall), though some experience moderate shedding during winter too.
What are the worst shedding dog breeds?
According to vetstreet.com, these are the top 5 dogs that shed the most as suggested by veterinary professionals:
- Alaskan Husky
- Alaskan Malamute
- Labrador Retriever
- German Shepherd Dog
- Golden Retriever
