The Best Dog Food for Shedding: Help for Hair

Are you tired of finding a lot of dog hair in the house, making it appear as if you have 50 canines, but in reality, it is just one?

Some level of shedding is okay in dogs, and you should expect it to intensify significantly, especially in spring or when your dog is pregnant.

But, if your dog is shedding more than normal, it is a sign that something is wrong with their skin, and you need to act.

Although you cannot totally eradicate the shedding, selecting the right food can help to reduce the problem.

Because there are so many dog foods in the market, selecting the right one to address shedding can be a tough call.

Keep reading to find out our top nine best dog food for shedding and a guide to help you identify the perfect option for your canine.

The Best Dog Food for Shedding Are …

1. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken Recipe — Best Choice

When searching for pooch food for shedding, it is paramount to focus on the one that takes care of the animal’s skin, and that further promotes whole-body health.

This is why we selected Hill’s Science Diet as our top pick for canines with shedding issues. 

This dog food is prepared with natural ingredients, including omega-6 fatty acids that promote the development of a healthy and lustrous coat.

In some cases, shedding is a sign of vitamin deficiency, and Hill’s Science did a great job to address such a problem by including 400 IU/kg min of Vitamin E in this food.

As a limited ingredient diet, this food is a great option for dogs with sensitive stomachs. All the ingredients used to prepare it, including proteins, vitamins, and minerals, are easily digestible.

The food is also enriched with prebiotics that help to promote a healthy gut, making it easy for your canine to digest and absorb the nutrients.

Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dog Food | Chewy

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2. Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Sensitive Skin & Sensitive Stomach Formula — Runner Up

Purina Pro Plan Focus is a respected brand because of the relentless commitment to quality, and this focus is evident in this Adult Sensitive Skin & Sensitive Stomach Formula.

Like our first pick, this food is formulated with carefully selected ingredients that help reduce shedding and strengthen the canine’s immune system.

The first ingredient used to prepare the food is salmon, which helps to supply all the proteins that you canine needs for healthy cell development.

Other ingredients that make the food a great choice for a dog with shedding problems include omega-6 fatty acids, omega-3 fatty acids, and Vitamin E.

Another outstanding thing about this food is that the ingredients are easily digestible. The formula contains whole-grains, such as barley and oatmeal, which are pretty easy to digest.

You will also like the diet because it is free from ingredients such as soy and artificial additives that most dogs are allergic to.

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3. Nature’s Recipe Grain-Free Easy-to-Digest Recipe

When Nature Recipe is mentioned, most dog owners associate it with specialty pet diets, such as this Grain-Free Easy-to-Digest Salmon, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin recipe.

The food is rich in essential nutrients, making every bite a great source of freshness for your pooch. If your dog loves dry food, this is one of the best options for shedding and whole-body health.

Nature’s Recipe used salmon as the first ingredient and topped it with sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and other ingredients that your dog will find easy to digest.

Another outstanding thing that has made the food a common recommendation for canines with sensitive stomachs is that it is free from grains, artificial colors, and flavors that are known to cause allergies.

In addition to providing your canine with the energy and protein it needs, this food is also a great option for shedding because it is rich in essential vitamins.

Nature’s Recipe included an ample supply of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that will go a long way in reducing the problem of hair loss.

Other ingredients, such as omega-6 fatty acids and calcium, further help in the development of a shiny coat and healthy skin.

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4. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dry Food

Do you have a small dog breed, and you want to buy a formula that can help with shedding?

Look no further than this Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula, a rich diet that will give your canine a healthy skin and beautiful coat. The flavor is also lovely, and your dog will like it.

The food is prepared with deboned chicken as the main ingredient, ensuring that your pooch will get all the proteins that it needs to stay healthy.

Another awesome thing about the food is that it is prepared with whole-grains, essential vitamins, and minerals that are easy to digest, making it a perfect pick for whole-body health.

This formula is also unique because it is rich in chondroitin and glucosamine, which are essential in protecting your pooch’s joints.

Also, it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, and fiber that help to promote healthy skin development and a lovely coat.

If the problem of shedding has just started or is not intensive, this food might be all that you need to knock it down.

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5. Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food

For dogs that have serious food intolerances and allergies, one of the top diet options is this Simple Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food from Wellness.

The food is free from artificial preservatives, gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, and wheat that are known to cause allergies and itching that cause excessive shedding. It is also very tasty, and our dogs found it irresistible.

This dog food is prepared using lamb as the primary source of proteins to supply all the amino acids that your dog needs.

Other ingredients include ground rice, peas, and oatmeal, which supply additional amino acids and carbohydrates to power your canine.

To keep your dog’s skin healthy and shiny, the food also contains flaxseed, which is rich in fatty acids. Notably, all the ingredients are also easy to digest and absorb in the gut.

On top of helping your dog to reduce shedding and develop healthy skin, this food is also excellent in strengthening the immune system.

It contains a rich blend of vitamins, essential minerals, and antioxidants that help to keep the dog’s immune system healthy.

Therefore, you can expect to make fewer trips to the vet because the dog will fall ill less often.

Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food

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6. Annamaet Grain-Free Sustain Formula Dry Dog Food

If you notice hairballs on the couch or surface, it is time to look for the right pooch food for shedding, and this Annamaet Grain-Free Sustain Formula is one of the top options in the market.

The food is easy to digest and further helps to promote effective metabolism in your dog. The poultry flavor is also good, and even the pickiest pooch won’t dare to say no.

The most notable thing about this food is that it is rich in proteins, which are sourced from wild-caught cod and humanely reared poultry.

Furthermore, the food contains essential vitamins and minerals that are needed for an effective immune system, healthy bones, and strong ligaments.

With this food, you are sure of turning your dog into a healthy and energetic athlete.

To keep your dog’s coat soft, healthy, and reduce shedding, Annamaet used microalgae and cod that help to supply omega-3 fatty acids.

Furthermore, the food is also rich in fibers that promote a healthy digestive system and is free from common allergens, such as artificial flavors. 

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7. Hill’s Prescription Diet z/d Original Skin/Food Sensitivities Dry Dog Food

If the problem of shedding in your dog has advanced so much, or you have tried other options with little success, do not give up before using this formula from Hill’s Prescription Diet. 

The food is formulated to work well with your pooch’s metabolism, offering a balanced diet for better health.

So, in addition to addressing the shedding problem, you should also anticipate a stronger and happier dog.

This food contains hydrolyzed proteins from chicken liver and carbohydrates single-sourced from corn starch.

Even if your dog is very sensitive, its system will not react to the ingredients in this food, meaning that the nutrients will be absorbed into the body, and no irritation will happen on its skin.

The food is also enriched with essential vitamins and minerals to help strengthen your dog’s immune system.

Hill’s Prescription Diet went a step ahead and included ingredients that your dog needs for healthy skin.

For example, the food is rich in omega-6 fatty acids and vitamins to keep the skin healthy and make the coat shiny and attractive.

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8. Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet for Small Breeds

Are you looking forward to buying the best pooch food for shedding for your small dog breed on a budget?

Your answer might be in this Limited Ingredient Diet, a unique formula from Instinct that has become increasingly popular with pet owners.

The food uses turkey as the primary ingredient to provide your dog with all the protein it needs, and other carefully selected ingredients that are easy to digest.

It is also free from grains, eggs, dairy, chicken, beef, corn, and artificial colors, among other ingredients that result in sensitivities.

In addition to reducing sensitivities, Instinct also enriched the food with omega fatty acids, which can help to strengthen the skin and give your pooch an attractive coat.

The food is also rich in essential vitamins and minerals, which your dog needs to thrive. We must also mention that every bite of this food also contains Chondroitin that helps to strengthen the joints and ligaments of your dog.

Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Dog Food | Chewy

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9. Solid Gold Hund-n-Flocken Dog Food

One of the conditions that have been linked with excessive shedding is hypothyroidism.

While there is no specific food that might be formulated for hypothyroidism, you can help to reduce the problem by selecting a well-balanced diet, such as this Hund-n-Flocken from Solid Gold.

The food is formulated to meet The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) requirements, which helps to promote the healthy functioning of canines.

Another notable thing about the food is that it is rich in omega fatty acids to promote the development of the shiny coat of your dog.

It is also enhanced with zinc and biotin, which are also very important in the development of healthy skin.

The food contains a decent quantity of proteins sourced from lamb and essential vitamins that are perfect for an average adult pooch’s daily needs.

Because of its low-fat content, it also helps to prevent the problem of obesity in dogs.

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Buying Guide

There you got them – some of the best doggie foods that help with molting in one place. Now, all that you need is selecting the best one for your pooch.

However, we understand that it can be challenging to select the right diet because all the formulas promise top-quality ingredients and balanced nutrition.

To make the process of identifying the best food, here is a comprehensive guide:

What Causes Excessive Shedding In Pooches?

Shedding in pooches is normal. Most of the dogs shed in spring as a method of removing winter hair.

It is also important to appreciate that some dogs, such as Siberian Huskies and Australian Shepherd, shed more than others.

If your dog is pregnant or nursing newly born puppies, it is likely to shed more because of hormone fluctuations.

If you discover that your pooch is shedding more than normal for a specific period of the year, the chances are that something is wrong with diet.

Therefore, you need to relook at the ingredients in the pooch’s diet and change them.

Another cause of shedding is sensitivity or allergy that results in skin irritation. Therefore, you avoid ingredients that cause sensitivities, such as soy, corn, and artificial preservatives.

Although some foods like chicken, fish, beef, and daily products might be your doggie’s favorite, it is not uncommon to see it becoming allergic to them.

Stress on your dog is another common cause of abnormally high levels of shedding in pooches.

For example, things such as introducing a new pet, arguments in the house, and moving to a new home, can all stress your dog.

Other causes of shedding in pooches include:

• Fleas
• Skin infections
• Liver or kidney disease
• Hypothyroidism
• Immune diseases
• Cancer

Ingredients To Look For When Selecting The Best Dog Food For Shedding

When looking for a formula to help address the problem of shedding in your dog, it is important to focus on the following ingredients:

Fatty Acids

Fatty acids, especially omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, have been proven to have a positive impact on the skin and hair of dogs.

Since most canines cannot generate ample fatty acids on their own, it is crucial to select foods that can supplement them.

Omega fatty acids help to make a dog’s skin healthier and fur fuller, and if provided in the right quantities, the results become evident within a short time.

Notably, omega fatty acids are probably the most important when addressing the problem of shedding in pooches.

Proteins

If you do not provide your dog with ample proteins, it is likely to suffer from a wide range of issues, including muscle loss, itchy skin, and excessive shedding.

To avoid the problem, make sure to provide your doggie with foods containing high-quality proteins.

The best proteins are those from animal sources, such as lamb and turkey, because they are easy to digest and also quench your dog’s craving for meat.

Vitamins and Minerals

Like other animals, dogs also need the right blend of vitamins and minerals, preferably from natural sources.

If the diet is deficient in minerals and vitamins, your canine friend is likely to suffer from issues such as poor immune system, attack by common ailments, and excessive shedding.

To supply your doggie with the vitamins and minerals that it needs, consider the foods with natural ingredients, such as fruits and vegetables.

Biotin and Zinc

Biotin and zinc are essential minerals that have been demonstrated to help address excessive shedding in dogs.

The good thing is that the two crucial minerals can be found in foods prepared with natural ingredients.

For example, foods prepared with organ meat, red meat, and sweet potatoes are rich in Biotin, while those made using shellfish, whole grains, and eggs contain enough zinc for your pooch.

How To Switch To New Dog Food

If you establish that the problem of excessive shedding is caused by diet and you want to change it, it is important to exercise caution.

If you shift to the new food too fast, there is a risk of your dog suffering from other problems such as constipation, bloat, or diarrhea.

So, here is how to do it (the entire switchover should take approximately seven days):

• For the first few days, only give the dog a little of the new food while continuing with the old diet
• Gradually increase the new food as you decrease the old diet
• Once you reach about 50% of the old food, start serving the new food most of the times
• Continue reducing the old food until the new food takes 100% of every serving

When Should You Consider Seeking Help From A Vet?

There are times when excessive shedding in a pooch is an indicator of something worse. In such situations, the problem cannot be easily rectified using a diet or supplement, and you should consider seeking help from a vet.

Here are some of the signs that indicate the problem of shedding is more severe, and you need assistance from a vet:

Open Sores

If you notice that your pooch is scratching progressively, take a closer look to see if there are open sores.

In some cases, the sores might be oozing with pus, which can be an indication of a problem such as skin ulcers.

Bald Spots and Rashes

If your pooch is suffering from shedding that is accompanied by rashes or bald spots, they are likely to be indicators of a variety of diseases, pest infestation, or allergic reactions.

A vet will diagnose the dog further to determine what prescription food or additional medication might be helpful.

Thinning Coat

When your dog’s shedding results in thinning of the coat, it is important to visit a vet immediately because it can be a sign of Cushing disease or flea bites.

Easily Removed Hair 

If you notice that the fur of your canine easily comes off the skin when touched, there is a danger that just using pooch food for shedding might not be enough.

Regular Face Rubbing

In most cases, excess face rubbing is an indication of allergies. Whether the allergies are coming from the environment or the food that you provide your dog, it is important to visit a vet for immediate examination.

The vet might recommend changing the environment, such as removing a specific item or using a particular diet.

Final Thoughts

The problem of excessive shedding can be a serious cause of discomfort and pain to your dog, and a nightmare to you as hairballs scatter everywhere.

The good thing is that you can use the best pooch food for shedding that we have reviewed above to reduce the problem.

The foods have carefully selected ingredients, and are made by top brands. So, you can trust them to help you address the problem of shedding in your canine friend.

Although we stand with the top nine best dog diets we reviewed above (they are awe-inspiring), the Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken Recipe was the best of them all.

It is formulated using carefully selected ingredients to reduce sensitivities and promote the development of a healthy coat.