Dog Shedding: Why Does It Happen and What Can You Do About It

by Robert Johnson Blogs on Latest News

Dog shedding is inevitable: some breeds shed little while others shed a lot. Similarly, some shed during certain times of the year while others shed year-round. If you’re a new pet parent and you’re worried about dealing with dog shedding, this article is for you:

Why Do Dogs Shed:

Shedding is a normal process all dogs go through. During wintertime, thick coats keep dogs warm. But to prepare its body for summertime heat, a dog sheds its winter undercoat. Usually, dogs have two coats: a thick top-coat and an undercoat that’s soft and short. The thick undercoat is shed during the summertime to make way for a lighter coat, and the top-coat is shed during the fall to make way for the thick undercoat that’ll get the dog through winter.

Even dogs that don’t have a double coat regulate body temperature by shedding. Unlike us, dogs do not have sweat glands; instead, they maintain body temperature by adjusting internal heat gain and loss. During the summertime, shedding helps regulate a dog’s body temperature.

What Should You Do While Your Dog Is Shedding?

• Brush your dog daily: Give your pet a warm bath once every two weeks to help release the loose coat. Follow up with a pet conditioner and then blow-dry to get rid of the loose hairs. A dog brush is also good for removing dead and loose hairs. But not just any dog hair brush will do—you’ll need one that’s right for your dog’s breed. For example, if you’re looking for the best brush for a German Shepherd, King Komb’s dog de-shedder is the way to go—it’s designed specifically for pets that have thick undercoats.

• Understand why shedding happens: Check with your pet’s vet to see what normal shedding patterns are for your dog’s breed. If shedding patterns seem abnormal, take the dog to get examined. Excessive shedding could be because of a fungal infection, bacterial infection, or poor nutrition. Some people say adding olive oil to a dog’s food ensures they have a healthy coat while others say molasses does the trick. Consult your pet’s vet before feeding them either liquid.

What You Shouldn’t Do:

• Don’t shave your dog: As it was said earlier, dogs are homeotherms, meaning they constantly maintain internal body temperature. A dog’s fur not only keeps them warm during winter time but also prevents them from absorbing too much heat in the summertime. Without fur, your dog’s skin would be exposed to the sun, and such would cause a whole lot of problems. That’s why vets advise against shaving unless it’s medically necessary.

• Use King Komb tools: All you have to do is remove loose hairs. With dog de-shedder tools like those made by King Komb, you run the risk of shaving too much fur. Use a dog brush that does not cut your pet’s fur and remember to apply oil or shampoo after brushing.

How do you manage your pet’s shedding? Share your grooming stories with us!