Dog food for shedding
Some shedding is completely normal in dogs, particularly around seasonal coat changes in spring and autumn, and diet has a genuine but modest role to play through skin and coat condition rather than stopping shedding outright. Food and supplements built around omega fatty acids and named protein sources can support a healthier coat, but heavy or sudden shedding outside the normal pattern is worth a vet check rather than a different bag of food.
What 'coat and skin' food actually means
Recipes and supplements marketed for coat condition are usually built around omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, often sourced from fish oil, alongside a named protein and sufficient overall protein content. These support the skin barrier and coat quality from the inside, in the same general way a good diet supports any other part of a dog's body.
None of this stops the normal seasonal shedding cycle, where a dog's coat naturally sheds more heavily as it adjusts to the change in daylight and temperature. What diet-linked coat support can help with is a coat that looks dull, dry or excessively shed beyond what is typical for that dog and breed.
Reading the label properly
Look for a named oil source such as salmon oil or fish oil listed reasonably high in the ingredients, rather than a vague 'added oils and fats' line, and check that a specific meat protein rather than a generic 'meat and animal derivatives' appears near the top of the list.
Coat supplements sold separately from food, often as a liquid or capsule added to a meal, are another route some owners use alongside a good complete diet rather than switching food entirely — either can be a reasonable approach depending on what your dog is already eating.
Breeds and individuals that shed more
Double-coated breeds such as German Shepherds, Huskies and Labradors shed heavily as a normal part of their coat type, and diet will support that coat's condition without eliminating the volume of shedding, which is largely genetic. Regular brushing does more to manage the amount of hair around the house than a food change alone.
A dog shedding in patches, developing bald spots, or scratching alongside the shedding is showing something different from a normal seasonal coat blow, and that combination is worth a vet visit rather than assuming a change of food will resolve it.
What we stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Forthglade Cold Pressed Small Dog Turkey
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for small dogs and puppies, built on turkey
£16.99
Pooch & Mutt Salmon Oil
Scottish salmon oil for dogs, dosed by weight from toy breeds to giants
£13.99
Harringtons Just 6 Dry Dog Food Lamb
Grain-free lamb dry dog food in 2KG and 12KG sizes, with size-specific formulas
From£13.99
Harringtons Adult Dog Salmon & Potato
Complete salmon and potato dry dog food with 21% protein in a 1.7KG bag
£6.25
Forthglade Cold Pressed Natural Turkey
Cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs from 2 months, soft enough to mix with water for young pups
£45.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Salmon
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for dogs, built on fresh and dried salmon
From£16.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Duck
Cold-pressed grain-free duck food with fruit and botanicals, in two bag sizes
From£16.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Chicken
Cold-pressed grain-free chicken food with fruit and botanicals, in three bag sizes
From£16.99
Burns Puppy Junior Original Chicken Rice
A complete puppy and junior food with dried chicken 31% and controlled fat at 15%
From£14.99
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Turkey
A lightly baked complete dry food, 50% turkey, for adult dogs of any breed
From£12.49
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Chicken
A grain-free complete dry food for adult dogs, lightly baked and built on 50% chicken
From£12.49
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Lamb
A lightly baked complete dry food, 50% lamb, for adult dogs of any breed
From£12.49
Common questions
- Can changing my dog's food stop shedding completely?
- No. Normal seasonal shedding is a natural coat cycle and will happen regardless of diet. A good diet can support skin and coat condition, which may reduce excessive or dull-coated shedding, but it will not stop the normal cycle.
- What ingredients help with a dog's coat condition?
- Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, often from fish oil, alongside a named, sufficient meat protein source, are the main things to look for on a label when choosing a food or supplement aimed at coat condition.
- Why is my dog shedding more than usual?
- Seasonal coat changes in spring and autumn are the most common cause and are entirely normal. Sudden or unusually heavy shedding, especially alongside bald patches or scratching, is worth mentioning to your vet rather than assuming it is purely seasonal.
- Do coat supplements work alongside a dog's normal food?
- Yes, many owners use a fish oil or coat supplement alongside a complete diet rather than switching food entirely. Introduce any new supplement gradually and check with your vet first if your dog has an existing health condition.
- Does brushing help with shedding as much as food does?
- Regular brushing removes loose hair directly and has a far bigger visible effect on the amount of hair around the house than any food change. Diet supports the coat's underlying condition, while brushing manages the shedding itself.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.