Does your dog leave a trail of hair around the house? You're in good company; many owners jokingly refer to the locks their pooch leaves behind as "puppy glitter". In this post, our Orange Park vets list some reasons your dog may be shedding and discuss what amount of shedding is normal. We also offer some advice on how to manage all that fur from your canine companion.
What happens when a dog sheds?
Your dog's fur is vital to their physical health. It helps regulate their body temperature and protects their skin from the sun and other environmental elements. When a dog's hair stops growing, they naturally lose it by shedding. This process also helps a dog's body remove fur it no longer needs for its body to remain warm or that's become damaged.
Do all dogs shed?
While most dogs shed, it depends on the breed. If you'd like a dog that doesn't shed (or sheds rarely), be selective when adopting. For example, Afghan hounds are low shedders, as they have a silky, long coat that more closely resembles human hair. However, they can still lose their hair sometimes (just like humans) and require frequent grooming.
The American Hairless Terrier is also considered a low-shedding dog because they have a very thin coat that rarely sheds. However, there are different varieties of hairless and coated dogs of this breed. Hairless pooches will need extra care to prevent sunburns and becoming too cold in lower temperatures.
Why do dogs shed?
When and how much hair your dog sheds will depend on numerous factors, including:
- Your dog's breed
- Your dog's health condition
- The current season and environment
So, if you're wondering, "When do dogs shed the most?", and "How often do dogs shed?", the answers to your questions will vary widely based on the factors we'll explore in this article.
When is shedding season for dogs?
Different dog breeds shed in different amounts and frequencies: while some shed seasonally, others shed year-round. The type of coat your dog has will determine how often it sheds.
Single Coat
Single-coated dogs only have one coat of fur covering their body. Known to shed less than double-coated breeds, they typically shed a consistent amount throughout the year and do not shed seasonally, as a double-coated dog would. They also tend to produce less dander. Single-coated dog breeds include the bichon frisé, border terrier, dachshund, poodle and Maltese.
Double Coat
Dogs with double coats typically shed during the spring and fall to adjust to upcoming temperatures. These dogs have a dense undercoat of short hairs (with a wholly texture) under a top coat of longer hairs referred to as guard hairs. When a dog appears to be fluffier, it means he has a denser undercoat. The top coat helps keep moisture and dirt from reaching the skin. Their cold-weather coats protect them from low temperatures. Their spring/summer coats allow for more air circulation to keep them cooler in the warmer months.
These dogs will require some more maintenance and regular grooming. With a double-coated breed, you can expect a good amount of shedding as the seasons change.
Double-coated dog breeds include the Labrador retriever, German shepherd, Bernese mountain dog, collies, Samoyeds, Alaskan Malamutes, Newfoundlands, Pekingese, Siberian husky, and others.
What months do dogs shed the most?
While the fall and spring months are peak shedding times for double-coated dogs, the exact months you can expect to find more hair around tend to vary depending on your dog's breed, age, sex, living environment, the weather, amount of daylight, nutrition, and health condition.
For example, the Alaskan Malamute tends to shed in the spring, around March, and in the fall, around October.
Outside Dogs
If your dog spends most of its time outdoors, you can generally expect them to start shedding their winter coat in spring around March and complete this process by June. Then, in the fall, they will likely start shedding around September and complete the process by November.
Indoor Dogs
This answer may be more context-dependent for indoor dogs. Exposure to artificial heating during the winter, air conditioning. in the summer, and interior lighting causes a disruption to a dog's natural shedding cycle, which is why indoor dogs shed more moderately year-round.
What may seem like heavy shedding can be completely normal for some dogs, but it can also be due to an underlying health condition.
Medical Reasons for Excessive Shedding in Dogs
Though the shedding process occurs naturally, your dog may also lose hair if they are experiencing stress or health issues. Here are some potential medical reasons for excessive shedding in dogs:
Skin Issues & Disorders
Some parasite infestations, like mites, lice or fleas, can cause itching and excessive hair loss. Your pup may scratch or bite specific areas, and chew or break hair off in the process. The chewed skin then becomes moist and susceptible to skin conditions and infections with bacteria, yeast, or ringworm.
Different parasites tend to attack specific areas; fleas target the back over the hips, lice often attack the back and back legs, and mites tend to focus on ears, eyes, mouth, and elbows. Additionally, watch for red, irritated, or bald patches on your dog's skin.
Age
Sadly, dogs don't remain young, healthy puppies forever. While many puppies begin shedding around four to six months of age, this isn't a defined rule. It may start as early as 12 weeks or as late as their second year, depending largely on their breed.
As they age, their skin and coat will become weaker. If you notice an increase in shedding in your senior dog, understand that this is a normal part of the aging process as a dog gets older.
Allergies
Another common cause of shedding in dogs, allergies to certain foods, household cleaners, medications, grooming supplies, and environmental factors like pollen can trigger irritation, excessive shedding, and hair loss. Your veterinary dermatologist can perform allergy tests to identify the offending allergen and determine the most effective treatment.
Breed
Even non-shedding breeds shed a little. These puppies will grow their hair for long periods of time (maybe even years), then shed their puppy coat. Shorthair breeds may not shed much, but the amount of fur they lose varies from dog to dog. Longhair breeds may have patchy or shaggy hair at some point. This is temporary, and should only last for a few months while their adult coat grows in.
Diet
Nutritional imbalance can cause excessive shedding, among other signs and symptoms. Dogs require a steady diet of fats and proteins, including omega-3 fatty acids, to stay healthy. A poor diet can also cause skin issues such as dry, flaky skin. Your vet can recommend the most suitable dog food for your four-legged friend
Diseases
Unfortunately, similar to us, dogs can develop diseases that lead to declining health, and signs like hair loss and hair follicle damage. Kidney disease, thyroid disease, liver disease, immune diseases, various cancers, mange, alopecia, thyroid conditions like hypothyroidism, and Cushing's disease are among these.
Infection
Reaction to Medications
Many oral, topical, and injected medications cause hair loss. For example, high does or long-term use of oral, topical, or injectable steroids can cause hair follicles to shrink and hair to fall out. Hair growth will be delayed until the high steroid levels no longer influence the follicles.
Some topically applied flea medications cause hair loss where they are applied, and some injectable vaccines cause hair loss at the injection site. some pets will also have further, widespread hair loss over the next few months. Fortunately, this type of hair loss is rare. With all these medications, hair is lost from the follicle as opposed to being bitten off.
Stress or Anxiety
Significant changes in your dog's environment can cause them to shed more hair than they would normally. Dogs also tend to shed more in stressful situations, such as visiting your vet's office.
If you suspect your dog may be experiencing anxiety or stress-induced shedding, contact your veterinarian or veterinary dermatologist. They can prescribe medications or over-the-counter supplements and may recommend increasing exercise, mental stimulation, and more bonding time between the two of you.
Sunburn
Sunburn can cause a dog's skin to peel and flake, similar to how your skin would react to this condition. You may notice your dog's skin become dry and they may shed more than normal.
What is a normal amount of shedding?
Since every dog is unique and there are so many variables that can change during your dog's lifetime, there is no "normal" amount of shedding. The best way to determine whether your dog's shedding points to a health issue is to book an appointment with your primary care veterinarian or veterinary dermatologist and discuss your dog's health status and any signs of skin or health issues your pooch is experiencing.
When should I see my vet about my dog's shedding?
Though sometimes dogs may shed a lot of fur naturally, if you notice any signs of skin irritation (rashes or red bumps), balding, excessive scratching, open sores, or severe coat thinning, you need to make an appointment with your vet as soon as possible so they can diagnose and treat your dog's condition.
Your vet may also refer you to our veterinary dermatologist in Orange Park for a comprehensive exam, allergy testing, and advanced diagnostic testing and treatment. You can also contact us directly to book an appointment. We have extensive experience in diagnosing, treating and managing skin and coat issues in dogs.
When do dogs stop shedding?
Many dogs will shed to some degree year-round, as hairs mature, die, and are replaced by new ones throughout their lives. However, shedding may be most noticeable in the spring and fall.
How can I manage my dog's shedding?
While it's impossible to completely stop a dog from shedding, there are ways you can keep the fur from becoming overwhelming.
Regularly groom (brush and wash) your dog according to their specific needs and shedding patterns, business the appropriate brush for their breed and coat type. Every dog has a different coat type and dietary needs, meaning each will have different grooming requirements. Ask your vet how often you should brush your dog and which tools to use.
Grooming your dog regularly according to their needs doesn't just minimize shedding, it also helps prevent painful matting, and allows you to check for fleas, ticks and parasites, as well as signs of skin problems. You'll also help distribute the natural oils produced by their skin, and prevent skin irritation and other health conditions.
You might also consider taking your dog to a professional pet groomer, who has the training, tools and supplies required to safely groom your dog and help them look their best. Professional groomers will also note any signs of skin conditions or diseases early, and perform the gross cleaning tasks you may dread such as getting rid of skunk odor and anal gland expressions.
Our veterinary dermatologist also recommends making sure your dog is drinking enough water to keep their skin hydrated and feeding your pup a healthy diet. This will strengthen their hair follicles and make them more resilient.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.