Dog Shedding a Lot? De-Shedding Shampoo Routine for Malaysia

Short answer: you cannot stop a healthy dog from shedding, but you can get the loose undercoat out in the bath instead of on your sofa. Brush first, wash with Davis De-Shed Shampoo (dogs) or De-Shed Plus (cats), finish with De-Shed Rinse, then blow-dry and brush again. Shampoo and rinse are always used as a pair: see the De-Shed Series Combo.

Davis De-Shed Series Combo: De-Shed Shampoo and De-Shed Rinse to reduce shedding in dogs and cats
The De-Shed pair: De-Shed Shampoo and De-Shed Rinse.

Which routine fits your pet

Double-coated dogs: Golden Retriever, Husky, Corgi, Pomeranian

Brush, de-shed wash, rinse, blow-dry, brush again

De-Shed Shampoo (10:1) + De-Shed Rinse (10:1)

Short-coated dogs that leave hair on everything

De-shed wash + rinse

De-Shed Series Combo, short hair set

Cats

Cat-specific de-shed wash + rinse

De-Shed Plus (cats only, 10:1) + De-Shed Rinse

Between baths

Brush 2 to 3 times a week

Davis Slicker Brush + Davis Grooming Comb

Why dogs shed so much in Malaysia

Breeds like Huskies, Golden Retrievers and Pomeranians carry a thick undercoat built for cold weather. In Malaysia's heat many of them shed through most of the year instead of in two big seasons, so owners see a constant stream of loose hair rather than one big seasonal moult. Indoor dogs in air-con can shed on an even less predictable cycle.

The loose undercoat does not fall out by itself. It stays trapped under the top coat until it either mats or ends up on your floor. A de-shedding bath loosens it so it rinses and blows out in one session.

Before and after: cat with loose fur and rough coat, then a neater coat after the Davis De-Shed Series
Real result, cat: loose fur before (left), neater coat after (right).
Before and after: dull dark dog coat with loose hair, then a smoother, shinier coat after the Davis De-Shed Series
Real result, dog: dull coat with loose hair (top), smoother and shinier after (bottom).

The de-shed bath, step by step

  1. Brush before the bath. Remove what is already loose. Wet mats tighten, so work them out dry.
  2. Wash with De-Shed Shampoo diluted 10:1. Massage against the direction of the coat so it reaches the undercoat. Leave 3 to 5 minutes, then rinse.
  3. Apply De-Shed Rinse diluted 10:1 and work it through the coat. Leave 2 to 3 minutes, then rinse.
  4. Blow-dry with the coat lifted. This is where most of the loose undercoat comes out. Groomers use a high-velocity dryer. At home, a hair dryer on a cool setting and a slicker brush work well.
  5. Brush again once fully dry. Expect a lot of hair on the first bath. That is the trapped undercoat leaving.

Repeat every 2 weeks during heavy shedding. Brush 2 to 3 times a week in between.

Davis de-shedding 3-step routine: Lather-A-Pup Citrus Shampoo, De-Shed Shampoo, De-Shed Rinse
Groomer version for dirty or oily coats: a deep-clean wash with Lather-A-Pup Citrus first, then De-Shed Shampoo and De-Shed Rinse.

Mix it right

All three de-shed products are 10:1 concentrates: 1 part product to 10 parts water. In the 500ml Davis dilution bottle that is about 45ml, then top up with water. More product does not loosen more coat. It only makes rinsing harder.

What is in the bottles

  • De-Shed Shampoo (dogs): protein and amino acids. 10:1.
  • De-Shed Plus Shampoo (cats only): panthenol, protein and amino acids. 10:1.
  • De-Shed Rinse: natural proteins. 10:1.

When shedding is not normal

Even shedding all over the body is normal. Bald patches, broken hairs, red or scaly skin, or hair loss with constant scratching are not. See a veterinarian before you start a de-shed routine if you notice any of those.

Shedding FAQ

Does de-shedding shampoo really reduce shedding?

It does not stop the coat from growing and shedding, which is natural. What it does is loosen the dead undercoat so it comes out during the bath and blow-dry, which means less loose hair around the house in the days after.

What is the best shampoo for a Husky or Golden Retriever that sheds a lot?

A de-shedding shampoo and rinse used together, followed by a proper blow-dry. Our routine is Davis De-Shed Shampoo and De-Shed Rinse, both diluted 10:1.

Why does my dog shed more after a bath?

The bath loosens undercoat that was already dead and trapped. Brushing and blow-drying after the bath removes it in one go instead of over the next few days.

How often should I bathe a shedding dog?

Every 2 weeks during heavy shedding, with brushing 2 to 3 times a week in between.

Is there a de-shedding shampoo for cats?

Yes. Davis De-Shed Plus Shampoo is made for cats only. Pair it with De-Shed Rinse.

中文简介

狗狗掉毛很严重?健康的狗一定会掉毛,但你可以让底毛在洗澡时掉,而不是掉满沙发。洗前先梳,用 Davis De-Shed 去浮毛洗毛精(狗用)或 De-Shed Plus(猫专用),再用 De-Shed Rinse 护毛素,三样都是 10:1 稀释。洗完一定要吹干,边吹边梳,大部分底毛就是这时候出来的。哈士奇、金毛、柯基、博美这类双层毛的狗在马来西亚几乎全年都在换毛,掉毛期每两个星期洗一次,平时一个星期梳两三次。如果有一块块秃掉、皮肤红或一直抓,请先看兽医。

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