Dog Hair Here, Dog Hair There, Dog Hair Everywhere! - Dog Shedding Guide
Practically every dog owner loves petting their dog, making it familiar for owners to know about dog shedding. Shedding can be an annoyance for any dog lover, especially when it gets on our clothes and furniture. Why your dog is shedding can range from being a natural function to something more severe such as a reaction to parasites or fungi.
Regardless, below is a quick guide on why your dog is shedding so much. We’ll highlight the month dogs shed the most and a few prevention tips and practices. By the end, you’ll have the information needed to know if your dog is shedding in a healthy capacity or if it’s something more severe.
Why is My Dog Shedding So Much?
If your dog is shedding a lot, you shouldn’t jump to conclusions immediately. There are plenty of reasons why a dog sheds. For example, some dogs shed all year round, while others do it at specific times of the year. It’s essential to look for patterns to shed and look for something out of the ordinary.
Natural Function
Shedding is a common way for your dog to free itself of the old, unnecessary, and harmed hair that makes up its undercoat. Many breeds develop thicker coats as winter advances and lose them in the spring to make it easier to manage their body temps. Be sure to look into the specifics of your dog’s breed.
Poor Nutrition
Though not as common, some dogs have aversions to certain ingredients, while others don’t get the nutrition needed to have a sound coat. Ensure you feed your dog with excellent, well-formed food made for dogs to help with their shedding issues. At that point, change their diet as needed.
Allergies
Like humans, dogs can develop allergies to a wide range of causes. Examples include seasonal allergies, food ingredients, and much more. If you fear your dog has an allergy, be sure to bring them to the vet to get an allergy test. That way, you know if their shedding results from an allergic reaction.
Parasites/Fungi
If your dog goes outside a lot and is shedding out of the ordinary one day, it may result from parasites or fungi. Insects, ticks, and mites in your dog’s hair or manifestations on his skin are good ways to look for these issues.
Look for the aggravation and any redness that makes him scratch, lick, or bite. Assuming your dog has ringworm, you might see unpredictably appropriated balding and issues around the ears, stomach, chest, and eyes. Generally speaking, you can ward away these issues with antifungal shampoos or other skin medicines or medications.
Skin Trauma
Skin trauma is a broad term referencing a stressor to the skin. That trauma can result from sunburn, contact with a burning or harmful material, or too much licking from your dog. Either way, most skin trauma instances require medical attention that vets should see as soon as possible.
Stress
Stress is a common ailment that plagues dogs just as much as it hinders our ability to live. There is a wide range of examples of why a dog is stressed. Examples such as moving, loud noises, changes of environment, new pets, and interaction with other animals or humans are common reasons.
Illness
Though illness can mean many things, shedding is a common symptom of countless illnesses that affect dogs. Remember that shedding is a common occurrence in dogs; excessive shedding is what vets recommend being alert about. Illness causation of shedding includes cancer, immune infections, kidney, liver, thyroid, or adrenal illness.
Pregnancy
If you have a female dog who recently mated, your dog may be shedding because of the pregnancy. If this is the case, your dog could be running low on the calcium and minerals expected to keep a proper coat. Your dog might shed a lot, shed out of season, or right after she gives birth.
What Months Do Dogs Shed the Most?
Most shedding happens in the spring and fall for dogs that shed on the season. In the spring, your dog’s jacket will become lighter in anticipation of the warm climate. Likewise, in the fall, in anticipation of winter, you will see a change of your dog’s coat with a higher frequency of shedding for thicker hair.
Dog Shedding Prevention and Tips
As great as it is to know why your dog is shedding and the standard months for shedding, none of that matters if you don’t know about prevention and tips. Though some examples are a common and natural way for your dog to change fur, there are a few things to be mindful of with this subject.
Consult Vet
The most important thing you can do about your dog’s health, including their fur coat, is consulting with a vet. A good vet will tell you what’s normal shedding-wise for your dog, what to expect, and signs to look for if there is an issue. Not to mention the vet's treatment and solution options your dog can provide.
Diet Adjustment
Diet is a huge part of why a dog sheds. Consider upgrading your dog’s eating routine to top-notch food that contains 100 percent proteinate minerals (high protein food), fresh meat, and oils, including fish and coconut oil. Omega enhancements may likewise help with dog shedding.
Brushing
Rather than let your dog shed endlessly throughout your living space, make sure you give them a good brush when you need to. Brushing helps alleviate clumps of their fur from falling out, making it less likely for their fur to get all over. Either way, talk to a vet for the best brush for your dog’s breed.
Want to Learn More About Dog Shedding? Visit Gateway Veterinary Centre
Hopefully, you learned a thing or two on dog shedding from this article. If you have any questions about why your dog is shedding and what you can do, contact us at Gateway Veterinary Centre. We’re located in the great city of Edmonton and have extensive knowledge related to shedding.