When do dogs shed?

Dog shedding is something that happens to every dog at least twice a year. It’s natural and can’t be avoided, but what’s the purpose of dog shedding?

Spring is almost here and it’s a time of changes. We can have more time outside with our dogs as the temperatures rises but it also means that shedding starts. Dog hair is all over the house and it can be very uncomfortable.

Dogs usually shed during spring and fall to adapt to the new temperature and light. They have a coat for the summer and a coat for the winter. It’s possible for some dogs to shed all year if they live inside a house with artificial temperature and light.

Shedding is a physiological process not common to all races, its intensity and duration depends of the type of hair in each animal. The dog’s coat, no matter the length; short, long or curly, can fit into two groups:

• Simple shedding:

Yorkshire terrier, caniche and other dogs with similar characteristics belong to this group. This type of dog only has one layer of hair that falls off and it’s important to comb it regularly to avoid tangles.

• Double coat shedding:

Dogs with this type of coat have a higher density of hair due to the secondary coat of hair located below the primary coat. Breeds with double coats include the German shepherd and mixed breed dogs that have similar characteristics.

To avoid having dog hair all over the house it is recommended to comb him often. Combing your dog will remove dead hair that is about to fall off, it is a simple solution that we often forget. There are many combs or brushes in the market to choose from; combs specialized for shedding, metallic brushes or rubber brushes. It is recommended to give the dog regular baths as well.

Shedding isn’t the only reason why hair falls off, there are other reasons that need to be considered. If we notice that a lot of hair is falling off when it isn’t shedding season it may mean that there is a health problem. Some causes include: allergies, stress, anxiety, nutritional deficiencies, lack of hygiene or parasites from scabies. Symptoms include: itching and licking compulsively, in this case it’s recommended to go to the vet.