SHED HAPPENS!
As we leave winter behind and temperatures start to rise, you are likely to find more and more loose dog hair billowing about your home.
Seasonal changes, as well as a dog’s environment, breed/mix, age, health, nutrition, and stress levels all factor into how much they will shed throughout the year. Some breeds are known to “blow coat” and do a big shed a couple of times per year, while most will shed year-round, especially if they spend a fair amount of time indoors.
WHAT’S NORMAL?
What is considered a “normal” amount of shedding can really vary between dogs.
Many people falsely believe a shorter coat means a dog will shed less, or that “non-shedding” breeds will not shed at all, but that is simply not the case. What’s more, dogs that are not fully mature may not shed as much as they will once their puppy coat is fully replaced.
Every dog’s coat grows in cycles, in what is called a mosaic pattern, which helps a dog’s body avoid bald patches while allowing them to grow or shed hairs to adjust to environmental and other changes. Dogs that have shorter and/or denser coats go through this process of dormancy, hair loss, and regrowth much more quickly, producing a lot of shed hairs, while dogs that have longer coats shed individual hairs much more slowly like humans do.
COAT CARE
Frequent bathing and brushing can help keep shedding hair on your dog, and thus around your home to a minimum. There are numerous products available, from specialty shampoos and conditioners, to various deshedding tools that a professional groomer can help you select for your dog’s coat type that will make at home care, between grooming appointments, more enjoyable and efficient.
You might also want to ask your dog’s veterinarian about appropriate supplements, such as various oils, that can support the natural process of shedding, and help keep your dog’s skin and coat looking great!
