If your dog sheds a lot and you're asking yourself what to do, the short answer is: combing and brushing remove the loose hair, a consistent grooming routine keeps the coat healthy between shedding periods, and the nutrition behind the coat matters more than many think. Shedding is a completely natural process where the dog changes its coat to adapt to the seasons, and most dogs shed the most in spring and autumn. What you yourself can do is therefore less about stopping the shedding and more about managing it, collecting the hair before it ends up on the sofa, and giving the skin and coat the best conditions from the inside.

Below we go through, concretely, what you can do in everyday life, how to care for the coat correctly, and what role meals and good fatty acids play. We also look at when heavy shedding is no longer just natural, and where you should turn then.

Why is the dog shedding a lot right now?

Before you do anything, it helps to understand why. Shedding is the dog's way of renewing its coat, and most dogs change their coat most heavily twice a year, when the days grow longer in spring and shorter in autumn. Here the amount of loose hair can seem overwhelming, even in a perfectly healthy dog. Breed also plays a role: dogs with an undercoat typically shed more visibly than dogs with a single coat type, and dogs that live mostly indoors with artificial light and steady warmth may shed a little all year round, because the body's natural rhythm is evened out.

Besides the season and the breed, the coat is affected by the dog's general wellbeing. Stress, a period of illness or an unbalanced diet can all show up in the coat, because hair and skin belong to the things the body prioritises when there is surplus energy. Heavy shedding is therefore often a signal, not just a nuisance - and that's good news, because it means you can actually do something about it.

How do you get control of the loose hair with combing and brushing?

The most direct solution to heavy shedding is systematic coat care. By brushing the dog regularly you remove the dead hair before it falls out on its own, and at the same time you distribute the skin's natural oils through the coat so it stays shiny. During shedding periods it can pay off to brush daily, while a couple of times a week is often enough the rest of the year. Choose the brush according to coat type: an undercoat rake or a fine-toothed comb makes the biggest difference on dogs with a thick undercoat, while a softer brush suits short-haired dogs better.

A bath with a mild dog shampoo can loosen a lot of dead hair at once during a heavy shedding period, but don't overdo it, as too frequent baths can dry out the skin. Make sure to brush the coat thoroughly both before and after, so you catch the loose hair. A consistent, calm grooming routine also makes the situation more manageable for dogs with a high activity level as well as for dogs with a more moderate everyday life, because it becomes a fixed anchor rather than something you only tackle when the hair is already flying.

What role does the food play for coat and shedding?

The coat is built from the inside. Hair consists largely of protein, and the skin depends on the right fatty acids to function as a healthy barrier. If the dog gets meals with a solid content of animal protein and good, high-quality fats, the body has far better conditions for forming a strong, shiny coat - and healthy skin often sheds in a more controlled way than dry, irritated skin. The quality of the daily meals is therefore one of the most overlooked levers when a dog sheds a lot.

At ESSENTIAL FOODS, all dog meals are prepared from human-grade ingredients and fresh raw materials, put together so the dog gets a well-considered nutritional profile rather than unnecessary fillers. If you're unsure which nutritional profile suits your particular dog's coat, life stage and everyday life, you can find an overview in our complete range of dog meals and put together an everyday diet that supports the coat from the inside. If you want to try things out without committing to a large bag, most meals are also available as trial meals, so your dog can taste its way to a favourite.

Can omega-3 and good fatty acids help the coat?

Yes, fatty acids are a central part of the picture. Omega-3 fatty acids help keep the skin supple and the coat shiny, and they are often used as a supplement when a dog has a dry coat or sheds heavily. A supplement does not replace good daily meals, but it can support the nutrition the dog already gets. Our Omega 3 Oil is intended as just such a daily supplement, which you can drizzle over the meal and which over time supports skin and coat.

If you want to see the supplements we offer for everyday use, you'll find them gathered under daily supplements. Remember that the effect on the coat comes gradually: coat is formed over weeks and months, so give a new routine time before you judge whether it works.

What do you do if the dog has sensitive skin or stomach?

Some dogs shed more or develop dry, itchy skin because the stomach and digestion are out of balance, or because they react to certain ingredients. Here it can make sense to look at a gentler composition. For dogs with a sensitive stomach we have gathered relevant meals under sensitive stomach, where you'll find products chosen with digestion in mind. Note that BALANCE belongs here as a meal for the sensitive stomach - it is not a grain-free meal and should be kept separate from the grain-free range.

If you suspect that the coat or skin is connected to an actual allergy or intolerance, a grain-free meal without grain and unnecessary fillers may be a step worth considering. Our grain-free meals and the allergy-friendly range are put together with exactly that type of need in mind. Be aware that grain-free does not in itself solve a skin or shedding problem - it's about finding the composition your dog thrives best on.

Switch to new meals gradually

If you decide to adjust your dog's diet to help the coat, do it calmly. A sudden change of food can strain the stomach and give the opposite of the calm you're after. Blend the new meals in over about a week, gradually increasing the proportion of the new and reducing the old, so the digestion can keep up. That way you get a clear picture of how your dog reacts, without confusing a transition period with an actual effect on the coat.

If you're unsure how much your dog should have, or how best to plan a switch, ESSENTIAL FOODS' nutrition advisers are ready on phone, chat and email. They advise on feeding, food and nutrition and can help you find a composition that suits your dog's coat, life stage and everyday life.

When is heavy shedding a sign of something more?

Most shedding is completely normal, but there are situations where it's worth paying attention. If the dog suddenly loses hair in clear patches, develops bare spots, itches severely, or if the skin looks red, irritated or scaly, it's no longer just ordinary shedding. The same applies if the heavy shedding is accompanied by reduced appetite, lethargy or other changes in the dog's behaviour and wellbeing.

In those cases the right step is to contact your vet, who can examine the dog and find the cause. Nutrition and good coat care support a healthy coat, but they do not replace a veterinary assessment when something seems abnormal. If, on the other hand, your dog looks healthy and is simply shedding plenty in season, it's most often the course of nature - and then it's primarily about patience, a consistent grooming routine and good meals that give the coat and skin what they need from the inside.