Dog shedding is widespread in dogs. However, the amount of shedding varies from dog to dog. For example, the dogs that shed a lot are Labrador retrievers, Pekingese, and Newfoundlands. But some dogs, like Poodles, Border Terriers, and Dachshunds, do not shed.
Shedding mainly depends on the type of coat your dog has, and this is why it varies from dog to dog. Sometimes, dogs shed seasonally, while some dogs shed throughout the year. So, it is essential to know about your dog to manage your dog’s fur during shedding season.
Spring and fall are the seasons that are more likely to cause shedding in dogs that shed seasonally. It usually happens because spring shedding allows your dog to prepare its body for summer. And in fall shedding, your dog will shed to prepare its body for winter. You may notice your dog sheds too often, so brush them more often to keep their fur smooth and clean. However, brushing is still essential even if your dog does not shed too much because it involves a dog’s essential grooming.
Types Of Dog Shedding
Shedding is prevalent in dogs, and you cannot stop it because it is their natural way of welcoming new seasons and a way to groom themselves and allow new fur to grow. There are two types of shedding, and they are given below:
1. Year-Round Shedding
Depending upon their hormonal changes and growth factors, dogs regularly shed from small to large ratios. Every breed sheds differently depending on age, environment, and overall health. The length and texture of your dog’s hair will also depend on these factors.
2. Seasonal Dog Shedding
Spring shedding is essential for a dog because the days getting shorter or longer changes their hormonal balance, and they start to grow hair naturally. That is why it is vital to make space for new fur. Otherwise, your dog may suffer from other fur problems.
With the passing spring days, your dog’s hair will shed more and more and will become less dense. It will increase the oil production in its skin. Shedding promotes good air circulation and keeps your dog cool in summer.
Similarly, in fall, fur shedding promotes new hair production, keeping the dog's fur thick and warm for winter. Oil production also decreases during this time, helping the dog's body react to cold naturally. Dog shedding does not mean its coat will fall out of nowhere; it will slowly lose hair by hair throughout its body fur. So, there is no need to panic if you see your dog shedding hair.
Other Shedding Reasons
Dog shedding can be a sign of underlying health problems, which can be mistaken for seasonal or year-round shedding. It may be an alarming sign for you if your dog has finally come out of its seasonal shedding and starts to shed again without any reason.
It may be going through endocrine diseases, deficiencies in both nutrition and vitamins, skin problems, or metabolic disorders leading to hair fall. These problems may even affect your dog’s hair growth rate. Take your dog to the vet when you notice unusual hair fall signs.
Dog Shedding Tips
1. Nutritional Requirement
Dog shedding is common, but there are many problems your dog’s hair can tell you. If your dog’s hair looks weak and dead, it may be because of nutritional deficiencies, and you need to check the quality of the food that you are giving your dog.
Protein is vital for hair growth and maintenance, so provide your dog with a high-protein diet to fulfil its requirements. You can also give your dog supplements that have omega-3 fatty acids, which will keep your dog’s skin and hair full of moisture.
2. De-Shedding Tools
Brushing is vital for shedding season as it removes all the excess and fallen-out hair. However, in the case of coats of small length, you can use gloves or mitts to remove the hair. For dogs with very long hair, you can use brushes with long bristles that can get deep into their coat and remove unwanted hair.
Some tools that help remove the fallen-out hair are Shedmonster, Furminator, and FurGopet. These tools will remove every inch that is not a part of your dog’s coat anymore and make your dog’s coat smooth and healthy looking.
3. Vacuum It
Popular har brands like Dyson and Shark, etc., make vacuums that are specifically made for pets. Hair that is present everywhere in the house will be gone with the use of these vacuums, which will keep you and your dog healthy and clean.
4. Sticky Solution
Using a lint roller will remove the dog hair from any surface in your home. It is inexpensive to clean your space if you cannot afford a vacuum. However, it will require much more effort than a pet vacuum.
Shedding Along With Other Problems
1. Skin Redness
Dog shedding is a perfectly safe process and shows no signs of danger. But if you notice skin redness and hair fall, you must take your dog to the vet because it is a sign that something is wrong with your dog’s health.
2. One Area Losing Hair
If you notice that shedding only occurs in one place and leaves a patch behind, this is serious because natural shedding involves the entire body hair, not just one part or area.
3. Complete Hair Loss
Shedding removes unnecessary hair from your dog’s coat to maintain a healthy body temperature. But if your dog is losing its hair more than average, you must take it to the vet as soon as possible.
4. Flakes And Crusts
Flakes, bumps, or any crusts being a part of your dog’s shedding process is not a healthy and normal sign. Your dog needs a proper check to treat problems before they become severe.
Conclusion
Dog shedding is a common and healthy way to remove a dog's coat to maintain a healthy balance and body temperature. It is essential because it helps dogs enjoy every season and stay fit with healthy skin.
Shedding may be seasonal or year-round, but symptoms like skin redness, flakes, bumps, complete hair loss, or patch shedding are not healthy and need treatment immediately. So, when you feel like your dog is not shedding usually, could you take it to the vet as soon as possible?
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