Why do dogs shed? – Animals Meal

dogs with soft, fluffy furs are snug and cute. However, as any dog ​​owner can attest, that coat also has drawbacks. After all, who likes to constantly pick dog hair from their clothes or have to brush dog hair from the sofa during company visits?

One of the few practically universal complaints about dogs is how much they shed. Unfortunately, shedding is universal for all dogs — even those marketed as “non-shedding” or “hypo-allergenic” — so it’s something all dog owners should be able to control.

So, why do dogs shed – and what can you do about it?

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Understanding dog hair and how it grows

Fur is one of the many things that make dogs so cute. However, its purpose extends far beyond aesthetics. Fur helps dogs control their body temperature, helping them stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Their coats also protect them from the sun and other potentially damaging environmental factors. In winter, for example, a good coat can keep moisture at bay.

To get to the bottom of why dogs shed, it helps to understand how their hair grows. Dogs usually have three types of hair:

• Primary Hair: Also known as the outer layer. Primary hair is longer and coarser than the underlying coat in most dogs. It generally grows slower than the hair below it.
• Secondary Hair: Also known as the undercoat. Secondary hair is below primary hair. It tends to be softer. It also usually grows faster than the primary hair. In most breeds, he molts twice a year.
• Tangible Hair: Tangible hair is hair that dogs use to gather more information about their environment. Whiskers are the best example of tactile hair as they allow dogs to work their way through tight spaces more efficiently.

All animals have hair shafts that go through phases of growth and loss. These phases are influenced by the growth rate of certain hair shafts, and this rate varies depending on factors such as race, hormones, health, environment and age.

Some dog breeds have long-lasting hair shafts. The resulting hair grows continuously but slowly, causing such breeds to shed very little compared to others. You will notice this phenomenon in breeds such as Yorkshire Terriers and poodles.

The hair shafts of other dog breeds have a much shorter lifespan, giving them a thicker undercoat and, by extension, more frequent shedding. Varieties like huskies and labs they are known to shed a lot more than many other types of dogs.

How much loss is normal for a dog?

Because dogs vary so much by breed and other factors, there is no such thing as a “normal” amount of shedding. Shedding occurs to remove damaged, dead fur to make room for a strong, new, healthy coat to grow, and it is universal to all breeds.

The frequency with which dogs shed their fur depends on many factors, including breed, general physical health, pregnancy status, environment and season. There is therefore no correct answer for how often a particular dog may shed its coat. Once you get to know a dog, it’s easier to detect if they’re shedding more than usual, which can indicate underlying health conditions.

When do dogs shed their fur?

All dogs go through a normal shedding cycle. However, not all breeds shed heavy consistently. Some breeds shed year round regardless of the weather, and others tend to shed more seasonally. For example, some breeds lose a lot of hair in the spring and fall in preparation for changing temperatures.

Main factors that affect how much a dog loses its coat

Some of the major factors that affect how often and how much a dog sheds its coat include the following:

• Race: Some breeds of dogs are more productive shedders than others. Heavily shedding breeds include: beagles, border collies, German Shepherds, Akitas, Saint Bernards, Golden Retrievers and Alaskan Malamutes. Low shedding breeds include miniature poodles, Maltese, Airedale Terriers and Irish Terriers.
• Season Loss: Most dogs shed or shed more in the spring and fall due to seasonal temperature changes. Sometimes called a “blowing coat”, this means that the heavy winter undercoat is shed in the spring and the lighter undercoat in the fall. outside dogs are more subject to seasonal variations than indoor dogs, which are less affected by changes in sunlight and temperature in winter and summer.
• Voltage: Stress-induced loss is a common phenomenon that most dogs experience at some point in their lives. A major environmental change — moving to a new home, for example — can cause excessive loss. Going to the vet’s office can cause a dog to shed more due to stress. Sometimes anxiety and other underlying issues can cause more loss than usual. Vets can prescribe anti-anxiety drugs and other treatments to address such problems.
• Skin issues: Sometimes dogs start shedding more than usual due to underlying skin problems. In such cases, you may notice areas of thin hair — or even bald spots — caused by parasites such as mites, lice, and fleas. Conditions such as dermatitis, ringworm and various fungal infections can also lead to excessive hair loss in dogs. Underlying immune disorders and diseases such as cancer can also affect the skin, causing hair to shed more heavily and more often.
• allergies: Allergic reactions are sometimes responsible for excessive shedding in dogs. These reactions can be caused by many things, including certain foods, personal care products, medicines, or household cleaners. If your dog is shedding more than usual, a vet can help identify and treat underlying allergens at work.

Other Factors That Can Affect Shedding in Dogs

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addition to the factors listed above, a few other symptoms can cause excessive shedding in certain dogs. One of them is pregnancy. During pregnancy, a dog is more likely to have nutritional deficiencies that cause excessive hair loss. Low calcium is a common culprit, but pregnant dogs can also be deficient in other crucial nutrients.

Contrary to popular belief, puppies can and do shed. Most breeds are born with charges that are soft, delicate and fluffy. Most puppies lose their newborn fur around four to six months of age, and their thicker adult coats begin to come in. With some breeds, it can take a while for the adult coat to fully develop; for example, it can take up to two years for pomeranian.

Tips for Dealing with Shedding in Dogs

Shedding and dogs go hand in hand. Most dog lovers are more than willing to take this small amount of “bad” with so much good. There are also many ways to minimize shedding. Keep these tips in mind to minimize shedding in your dog:

• Do not shave his fur: While shaving a dog’s coat may seem like a logical way to keep shedding at bay, it’s one of the worst things you can do to a puppy. Shaving a dog’s coat disrupts his natural self-warming and self-cooling mechanisms, making it harder for him to stay comfortable.
• Groom your dog regularly: Getting your dog properly groomed on a regular basis is one of the best ways to keep shedding to a minimum. Use a good oatmeal shampoo for dogs, or whatever type your groomer recommends for your breed, to keep their coat strong, shiny, and healthy — and less likely to shed.
• Brush your dog often with the right tools: Consult a professional groomer or veterinarian for advice on the types of brushes to use on your canine friend. Make it a point to brush your dog regularly to minimize the amount of fur they shed. As a general rule, bristles are ideal for dogs with coarse coats, and brushes for dogs with long, silky hair.
• Feed your dog a healthy diet: Since underlying nutritional deficiencies can wreak havoc on a dog’s skin and hair, it pays to help them maintain a healthy diet full of essential nutrients. Fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6 acids, are beneficial for maintaining healthy skin and hair. Many supplements and foods contain these fatty acids along with things like vitamin E and zinc. Coconut oil, which contains healthy fats known as mid-chain triglycerides, or MCTs, is also helpful in this regard. You can add small amounts to your dog food for healthier skin and coat.
• Control Fleas and Allergies: As noted earlier, excessive excretion can occur as a result of various allergic reactions. Fortunately, a vet should be able to locate the problem and provide appropriate treatment. Excessive scratching by fleas and other pests can lead to excessive molting, so be sure to keep your dog with a good tick and flea treatment to keep such problems at bay.
• Avoid Gimmicky Treatments: Finally, while solutions like dog ejector suits sound promising, most pups hate them and feel miserable wearing them. Therefore, as tempting as it may be to invest in it, it is generally best to stick to the techniques and options described above – and accept that loss is a fact of life for dogs.

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