How to Decrease your Pet’s Shedding

blackstrap molassasAll pets shed – even the nearly hairless breeds such as Mexican Hairless dogs. 

Dog and cat shedding usually occurs in between seasons. They shed during spring to let go of old hairs as new ones push their way through. They also shed in late autumn to get rid of their lighter undercoat in exchange for a heavy and dense undercoat for the winter season.  Many cat and dogs also shed when they are emotionally stressed or frightened.

We cannot stop our pets from shedding; however, we can do several things to keep stray hair to a minimum. As well, if your dog or cats sheds excessively, it may be an indication that his skin is not as healthy as it should be.

So what can You do?

Well, brushing, yes, but can we really reign it in a bit?  According to Dr. Andrew Jones, here’s what blackstrap molasses can do for your pets and yourself.spoon lick

Good for hair – One serving (two tablespoons) of blackstrap contains approximately 14 percent of our RDI of copper, an important trace mineral whose peptides help rebuild the skin structure that supports healthy hair. Consequently, long-term consumption of blackstrap has been linked to improved hair quality, hair regrowth in men and even a restoration of your hair’s original color!

Decrease in Dog and Cat Shedding– Dose it at 1 teaspoon/10lbs daily. If your pet’s hair is healthy, then it’s less likely to fall out prematurely. If your dog or cat is deficient in some to the nutrients required for healthy hair coat, then molasses can help with B vitamins, copper, iron, antioxidants.

Safe sweetener for diabetics – Unlike refined sugar, blackstrap molasses has a moderate glycemic load of 55. This makes it a good sugar substitute for diabetics and individuals who are seeking to avoid blood sugar spikes. Moreover, one serving of blackstrap contains no fat and only 32 calories, making it suitable for a weight loss diet.

Laxative qualities – Blackstrap is a natural stool softener that can improve the regularity and quality of your bowel movements.

Rich in iron – Two tablespoons of blackstrap contain 13.2 percent of our RDI of iron, which our bodies need to carry oxygen to our blood cells. People who are anemic (including pregnant women) will greatly benefit from consuming 1-2 tablespoons of blackstrap molasses per day.

High in calcium and magnesium – Blackstrap molasses contains a mineral profile that has been optimized by nature for superior absorption. For example, two tablespoons of blackstrap contains 11.7 percent of our RDI of calcium and 7.3 percent of our RDI of magnesium. This calcium-magnesium ratio is ideal, since our bodies need large quantities of magnesium to help absorb similarly large quantities of calcium. Both of these minerals aid the growth and development of bones, making blackstrap a good safeguard against osteoporosis and other bone diseases.

Additional mineral content – Two tablespoons of blackstrap molasses also contains 18 percent of our RDI of manganese (which helps produce energy from proteins and carbohydrates), 9.7 percent of our RDI of potassium (which plays an important role in nerve transmission and muscle contraction), 5 percent of our RDI of vitamin B6 (which aids brain and skin development) and 3.4 percent of our RDI of selenium, an important antioxidant.

Sweet…!