Shedding Dogs: What to Do?

By Leslie Brown

Every dog sheds--some more than others, but they all shed. Dog shedding can certainly be frustrating –hair everywhere, on clothes, on the furniture and carpet, in your car, and even in your food!

What can you do to help get your dog's fur loss under control? Keep brushing your dog. His hair is going to fall out anyway, so it's best to remove it yourself and throw it away, rather than let the hair fall out all over you and your house. Brushing your dog greatly reduces unwanted hair, especially during shedding season. Heavy shedding takes place twice a year, once in the spring and another in the fall. At this time, if you do not remove the shedding coat, you will most likely see it all over the place for about a month or so.

Shedding varies greatly from breed to breed. Some dogs appear not to shed, while others shed so much that you could make a blanket from their discarded fur. The growth rate of fur is based on genetics (the breed of your dog), nutrition, and environment. It is a natural process of eliminating (shedding) dead hair to allow a new coat to come in and to allow for seasonal changes in temperature.

Once old fur gets removed, new hair can come in. The growth of hair occurs in three cycles. First, the hair grows, which is the phase of active hair-follicle production. Then, after the fur has grown to a specific length, it temporarily becomes dormant. Finally, after a short period of time, the fur goes through a non-growing stage. At any point, about 90 percent of a dog's hair is in the growing stage.

Because your dog's hair growth and loss is a continual cycle, there is no real starting point. When dogs run in the wild, they brush up against bushes, trees, and plants. This removes old hair naturally. But because we have dogs that don't live in the wild, they need brushing to accomplish this same purpose and to prevent large amounts of hair from accumulating in their coat. Brushing is good for your dog. It helps to prevent skin parasites, such as mites, fleas, and ticks, and keeps mats from forming. It not only decreases the amount of hair on your clothes and furniture, it also stimulates the blood supply to your dog's skin.

Sometimes it can seem that your dog sheds all year round, and it’s actually possible! Shedding in dogs is influenced by the amount of time that they spend in the sunlight and by temperature changes. Year-round dog shedding typically occurs with indoor dogs because they have more insulation from extreme outside temperatures. Outdoor dogs usually shed their thick undercoat in the spring to prepare for warmer weather. Indoor dogs shed all year long but in smaller amounts, because they are exposed to a more constant temperature and consistent light source. In addition, indoor temperatures that are too warm will affect your dog's shedding. With the artificial climate inside, natural body regulation gets thrown off balance. When your dog goes outside and experiences a sudden change in weather, they will have only a continuous light shedding. This does not mean you should start leaving your dog outside all day long in hopes of stopping the shedding!

It is best to brush your dog two to three times a week, whether they have smooth or rough hair. Brush in the direction of hair growth. Long-coated dogs, such as Yorkshire terriers and Afghan hounds, should be brushed daily. These breeds may appear to shed more, but it is really just the length of their hair that gives that impression. To brush them thoroughly, grab a handful of hair and brush from the skin outward. Pay special attention to mats. Dogs with double coats, such as Alaskan malamutes and Pomeranians, have a thicker undercoat that can get trapped in the outer coat during shedding. They have a soft undercoat and a much coarser topcoat. It is also best practice to brush these types of dogs daily during shedding, and otherwise two to three times weekly.

Some female dogs shed more fur after they have been in heat. Dog breeders sometimes refer to this period as "blowing their coat." A dog's shedding cycle may also change as your dog gets older or becomes sick. There are some physical problems that can cause your dog to have large and unusual amounts of shedding, such as ringworm, skin infections, stress, mange, or cancer. If you see bald spots on your dog's hair, or you think your dog is shedding abnormally, make sure to take your dog to the vet.

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