American & English Cocker Spaniel Shedding Solutions

Table of Contents

Do Cocker Spaniels shed a lot

How badly do Cocker Spaniels shed? Generally Cocker Spaniels are considered a low shed bred compared to other dog breeds. However, every Cocker Spaniel is an individual and some will shed lightly while other may shed a lot more.

This is why you will get a variety of answers when you ask how much a Cocker Spaniel sheds. A Cocker Spaniel is not a breed that sheds it’ coat in order to maintain it in the way a double coated breed like a Golden Retriever does.

Regular visits to a professional dog groomer may be required to manage the length of their coat. This should be around every two to three months. More frequent appointments are necessary to prevent matting if you are not brushing them yourself regular.

Which sheds more – American or English Cocker Spaniel

The amount of hair an American Cocker Spaniel sheds in comparison to an English Cocker Spaniel is roughly about the same. There will be more differences between individual dogs rather than whether they are a American or English Cocker Spaniel.

Although there is little difference in the volume of shedding on average, a American Cocker Spaniels coat does require more work unless they are clipped short.

Cocker Spaniel shedding season

Cocker Spaniels will shed some coat at all times of the year. However, they typically shed more in Spring and Fall (Autumn) as the temperature and season start to change.

During these times of increased shedding, daily brushing may be required. This is not only to reduce the amount of hair they leave around the home. Increased shedding can also cause their coats to become matted more easily.

Are Cocker Spaniels Hypoallergenic

People often want to know about Cocker Spaniel shedding as they are looking for a hypoallergenic breed due to them or members of the family having allergies.

Despite being a low shed breed, The Cocker Spaniel is NOT hypoallergenic.

In fact, there is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog despite how much they shed. This is because all dogs produce allergens in their saliva, fur, and dander. It is not actually the fur a dog shed that cause allergic reactions. It is the proteins not only in their fur, but also in their dander, urine, and saliva.

Abnormal shedding in Cocker Spaniels

If you notice your Cocker Spaniel is shedding excessively or more than normal, it may indicate an underlying issue. Especially if the heavy shed results in bald spots or irritated looking skin.

Possible causes of excessive shedding may include pregnancy or lactation, parasites such as flea or mites, allergies, or a hormonal imbalance. If your Cocker Spaniels coat is looking patchy or they are scratching a lot, consult your vet.

Best brush for Cocker Spaniels

Finding the right brush for grooming your Cocker Spaniel can be confusing if you don’t have dog grooming knowledge.

Having the right tools for any job will make it easier and you can do a much better job. Just as a carpenter will not just use a hammer, having a selection of brushes with different functions will be much more effective.

For brushing and de-matting your Cocker Spaniel I recommend using a good quality slicker brush, a steel comb, and some type of de-matting tool. These are some suggestions for the best brush to use for grooming a Cocker Spaniel.

Slicker Brush for Cocker Spaniel

The slicker brush is a pin brush which is used mainly as a dressing brush. This puts a shine on the coat and works well to loosen tangles and break the coat up to allow the other tools to finish the job.

It is well worth spending a few extra dollars on a good quality slick brush. Not only will it last longer as the pins or bristles on these type of brushes wear down and fall out over time. A better quality brush will have better quality pins and will be more effective.

You will also find that when brushing your Cocker Spaniel the pins on a slicker brush will fill up with fur. You can use your comb to remove the accumulated fur. An easier option is to use a self-cleaning slicker brush. With these, you push a button and the fur is lifted out from between the pins.

My top pick for a Cocker Spaniel is the Pro Quality Self Cleaning Slicker Brush available here from Amazon.

Steel Comb for Cocker Spaniel

A good comb is an essential tool for anyone who grooms a dog. Once you have gone over the area with the slicker brush first, ran the comb through to remove any tangles.

My personal choice is a 50/50 Comb which has two different width teeth. View 50/50 Steel Comb on here on Amazon.

Run the comb thought your dog’s coat first with the wider teeth and then again with the finer teeth. If you can’t run the finer teeth of the comb through the coat without resistance the coat is not fully brushed out. Repeat the process until you can.

There are other types of steel comb available including some with a handle that some people find more comfortable to hold.

Dematting Tool for Cocker Spaniel

9 Tooth Dematting Comb

The 9 tooth de-matting comb is used to splice matts and tangles in the coat. There are various de-matting tools available but this is my preferred tool. It works well for removing knots and tangles and also works well to remove bulk undercoat.

The trick is not to rip the matt out with this tool but to roll your wrist when you meet resistance and gently slice through the knot.

Best Shedding brush for Cocker Spaniel

There is quite a range of different deshedding brushes available. This can be confusing. These are our recommendations for the best deshedding brush for a Dalmatian.

Shedding Blade

The shedding blade is my personal favorite for doing a quick regular de-shedding of a Cocker Spaniel. It can be held in one-handed or the handle splits in two so you can use two-handed. Also great for dragging excess water off your dog after the bath.

It is best not to overdo it. Six to eight strokes in one area are sufficient. Overuse in the same area can irritate your dog’s skin and even cause brush burn. By using a tool like this daily or a few times a week for five or ten minutes will go a long way to reducing how much fur your Cocker Spaniel drops around the home.

View Shedding Blades here on Amazon

Mars Coat King

The Mars Coat King is my number one pick for removing undercoat and dead coat from your Cocker Spaniel. Works really well even on very thick and bulky areas. It leaves a nice shine and finish on the coat as well.

View Mars Coat King undercoat Rake on Amazon

Furminator Undercoat Deshedding Tool

I have included the Furminator as it is the most popular and best known of the deshedding tools for dogs. The Furminator is a grooming tool you either like or don’t like. From my personal experience, it is not as effective as the Mars Coat King. I have also found the blades can cut the guard coat and doesn’t leave such a nice finish and shine.

How do I stop my Cocker Spaniel shedding

You will never be able to completely stop a Cocker Spaniel. However, the amount of coat that they leave around the home or on your clothes can be reduced. These are some tips to help reduce the amount of coat your Cocker Spaniel dog sheds.

Regularly brush your Cocker Spaniel

The main thing you can do to reduce shedding is regularly brushing your dog. Brushing helps to remove excess and loose fur. It also redistributes your dog’s skin oil into the fur helping it to stay in place.

Ideally, you should brush your Cocker Spaniel daily to minimize how much fur they leave around the home. Even 10 minutes a day will achieve more than trying to do a big session less often.

There are numerous other benefits to regularly brushing your Cocker Spaniel in addition to reducing shedding. These benefits include:-

Brushing removes dirt and any items such as leaves and twigs caught up in their coat. This keeps them cleaner and smelling nicer longer between bathing.
It helps distribute the natural oils in your dog’s skin and coat. This keeps their coat healthy, shiny, and looking it’s best.
It is a great way to monitor your dog’s health. You may discover any lumps and warts, fleas and ticks, cuts, grass seeds, skin irritations, and anything that looks unusual.

Removes tangles and knots which can be uncomfortable for your dog. These may cause broken blood vessels, skin infections, and may cause sores to form.
Brushing aerates and hydrates your dog’s skin and fur and stimulates circulation. This enables their coat to perform its natural function of regulating body temperature.
Promotes bonding between you and your dog and builds trust. Helps your dog get used to being touched in various places and being handled without feeling anxious about it.

If you want to keep your dog’s coat longer it avoids disappointment when being told by the groomer that it needs to be clipped off as it has become too matted.

For a guide to how to brush a dog see here.

Regular bathing of your Cocker Spaniel

Regularly bathing will also help to loosen dead undercoat. Refer to How to bathe a dog for more information on how to bath. I recommend using a soap-free shampoo or a shedding reduction shampoo as you don’t want to dry out your dog’s skin and strip out the natural oils in your dog’s coat.

A lot of the fur will come out in the bath instead of on your furniture. Towel dry your dog with firm but gentle rubbing which will also help remove dead fur. Finally, blow-dry your dog using a low heat setting.

You can give your dog a good brush once dry and you will find it is easier to brush a clean coat than a dirty one. If you don’t have the time, energy or facilities to bathe and brush your dog regularly use a grooming service.

Also, keep up to date with flea treatment for your dog as constant scratching will also make coat come out.

Best shedding reduction shampoo

FURminator deShedding Ultra Premium Dog Shampoo

It contains Omega 3 and six fatty acids, papaya Leafs, and calendula extracts work to reduce shedding of your dog’s fur and maintain the health of its skin.

The shampoo is also compatible with the FURminator conditioner to achieve the best results. You can get the FURminator shampoo and conditioner as a package deal here at Amazon.

How often should you bathe a Cocker Spaniel

How often your Cocker Spaniel should need bathing will depend on how dirty and smelly they get. Ideally, you should not bathe your Cocker Spaniel more than once every two to six weeks.

Over bathing will actually dry out their skin and reduce their coat health. This will actually cause your Cocker Spaniel to shed more.

Provide your Cocker Spaniel a high-quality diet

The third thing you can do is to ensure your dog’s coat remains healthy and they shed less is through a high-quality diet. These may cost a little more in the short-term but will improve your dog’s overall health and save on vet bills in the long-term.

Deficiencies in essential fatty acids are thought to cause excessive shedding. Protein deficiency makes dogs shed more than normal. this is rare as most dog foods contain sufficient protein levels. The exceptions are pregnant or lactating dogs whose protein needs are high. Puppies also require a high protein diet because they are growing fast.

Dogs with food allergies or sensitivities are particularly prone to diet-related shedding. You may need to experiment with a few different foods before you find one that’s right for your dog.

In addition, you can add Salmon oil, olive oil or flaxseed oil to your dog’s food. One teaspoon (5 mL) per 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of body weight is a good place to start. These oils contain omega-3 fatty acids that help calm inflamed skin, decrease dandruff, and improve overall coat texture.

You can also increase your dog’s omega-3 fatty acid intake by feeding it salmon, tuna, or other fish rich in these fatty acids. Finally, remember to ensure your dog has access to fresh water at all times.

Dehydration can lead to dry skin, which can cause excessive shedding and even illness. Make sure your dog always has access to as much clean, fresh water as it wants.

Cleaning tips for Cocker Spaniel shedding

There are two aspects to dealing with Dalmatian shedding. Dealing with the fur still on your Dalmatian and cleaning up the fur everywhere else in the home and your car.

A good quality vacuum is essential for picking up the Dalmatian fur on your carpets and furniture. Seat covers for your furniture and car seats are also a good idea. You will probably need a lint roller for your clothes.

Some more helpful cleaning tips are:-

Vacuum, vacuum, and vacuum some more.
Remove the hair as soon as possible. This is especially important with textured fabrics so that the hair doesn’t get embedded.

Use a damp sponge or wear a rubber glove to quickly remove hair from upholstery.
Squeegees work well for getting fur off the carpet.
Wet mopping works well for getting up fur off solid floors.

Pumice stones or Furr Zoff work great for couches and car upholstery.
Use washable dog towels or blankets over the dog’s bed for easy, frequent washing.

Does clipping a Cocker Spaniel reduce shedding

People often want to have their dog shaved or clip as they believe it will reduce shedding and keep their dog cooler. Un fortunately, clipping a dog’s coat does not do either of these.

When the weather is colder a dog produces more undercoat and when warmer this coat dies off and is shedded. This is by nature’s design and functions well. Regular brushing helps to remove this dead coat and prevent matting.

When a Cocker Spaniels coat is clipped it grows back thicker and coarser over time often resulting in an increase in the amount of fur they shed. It can also result in the coat being more prone to becoming matted.

Many people do have their Cocker Spaniel clipped, but this should not be for the purpose of reducing shedding. A short clipped coat obviously requires less maintenance by the owner. If a Cocker Spaniels coated is severely matted, a dog groomer may be left with little choice.

Some Vets recommend clipping or shaving the coat if your dog as bad skin issues so the skin can have better airflow. This is something best to discuss with your vet.

Summary – American & English Cocker Spaniel shedding

Cocker Spaniels are a relatively low shedding breed compared to other dog breeds. The amount an individual Cocker Spaniel sheds will vary from dog to dog. Some Cocker Spaniels will shed very little, while others may shed more.

Cocker Spaniels will shed some coat at all times of the year. However, they typically shed more in Spring and Fall (Autumn) as the temperature and season start to change.

Although you can not completely stop your Cocker Spaniel shedding, the amount of fur they shed can be reduced with regular brushing and bathing. By providing quality nutrition and keeping their coat healthy you can also reduce shedding.