Shedding Season 101: A Guide for Dog Owners

As the days get warmer, so does the furry mess inside your home, with dog hair clinging to your clothes, piling up in the corners and on the floor, and turning your furniture into a fur-covered masterpiece. Those drifting clumps of dog hair? They’re practically the tumbleweeds of shedding season.

If you feel like your lint roller is working overtime, your dog might feel the effects, too. Excessive shedding can lead to itchy, irritated skin and even discomfort. Dog owners often struggle with managing the constant shedding, especially during seasonal changes. Understanding why dogs shed and how to manage it can make life easier for both of you. What this blog covers:

• Understanding shedding season for dogs

• Why dogs shed and what affects their coat

• How to stop shedding dogs (or at least manage it!)

• Effective ways to care for your dog’s coat

• The role of nutrition in controlling shedding

• How Scenthound supports dog parents during shedding season

Understanding Shedding Season for Dogs

Shedding is a natural process for dogs, helping them get rid of old or damaged hair. Shedding is part of the natural hair cycle, which includes growth, rest, and shedding phases. Understanding the natural cycle of a dog's shedding is crucial, as it helps in recognizing what is normal and what might indicate a health issue. Some dogs shed lightly year-round, while others experience heavy seasonal shedding, especially in the spring and fall. If you’ve ever found yourself constantly vacuuming or lint-rolling your clothes, you’re not alone; many dog owners face the same challenges during shedding season!

Different breeds shed at different rates. Double-coated dogs, such as Huskies and Golden Retrievers, experience seasonal shedding, while breeds like Poodles shed very little. Understanding your dog’s coat type helps you manage shedding more effectively.

Why Do Dogs Shed?

1. Seasonal Changes

As temperatures shift, dogs naturally adjust their coats. Shedding occurs as a natural response to these temperature changes. In the spring, they shed their heavy winter coat to stay cool, and in the fall, they prepare for colder weather by shedding lighter summer fur and growing a thicker coat.

2. Breed and Coat Type

Certain breeds shed more than others due to their genetic makeup. Managing dog hair can be more challenging for breeds with thick undercoats. Dogs with thick undercoats, like German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers, shed heavily, while single-coated breeds, such as Boxers, tend to shed less.

3. Overall Health and Diet

A dog’s coat health is directly linked to their nutrition. A healthy diet, poor diet, allergies, or underlying health issues can cause excessive shedding. Ensuring your dog gets the right balance of nutrients can improve coat condition and reduce shedding. A diet rich in essential nutrients promotes healthy hair growth and reduces shedding. Monitoring your dog’s skin for signs of irritation or allergies can also help manage excessive shedding. Additionally, monitoring your dog's skin for any changes, such as excessive shedding or alterations in the coat, could indicate underlying health issues that may require professional attention.

4. Hormonal Changes

Shedding cycles can be triggered by changes in daylight and temperature, signaling your dog’s body to adjust their coat.

5. Indoor vs. Outdoor Living

Dogs that spend more time outdoors may shed in response to natural climate shifts, while indoor dogs often shed at a steady rate year-round.

How to Stop Excessive Shedding in Dogs (or Manage It!)

While you can’t completely stop a dog from shedding, you can minimize the amount of loose fur around your home with these tips:

1. Routine Hygiene

Routine hygiene including regular bathing is one of the most effective ways to manage shedding. When paired with regular brushing, it helps remove loose hair before it spreads around your home—keeping your house cleaner and your pup more comfortable. Use tools like de-shedding brushes for thick coats or soft bristle brushes for short-haired dogs.

2. Shedding Treatments

For pup’s who shed a lot, especially double-coated dogs they may need some extra care during peak shedding season. A shedding treatment consists of a de-shedding shampoo and conditioning treatment with a thorough brushing to remove excess hair and prevent matting that can reduce shedding and make a huge difference in managing the fur as well as your pup's comfort.

3. Proper Nutrition

A well-balanced diet rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids helps maintain a healthy coat. Look for dog food that contains coat-supporting ingredients and talk to your Vet about any concerns you have about their coat and diet. These nutrients not only support a healthy coat but also promote healthy hair growth.

4. Hydration Matters

Dehydration can lead to dry skin, increasing shedding. Always provide fresh water to keep your dog’s skin and coat hydrated.

5. Preventing Allergens

Dust, dirt, and allergens can irritate a dog's skin, leading to increased shedding for your furry friend. Wiping your dog’s paws after walks and checking their skin for irritation can help maintain overall coat health. Regularly checking your dog’s skin for signs of irritation can help prevent excessive shedding.

6. Regular Health Checkups

Excessive shedding can be a sign of stress, allergies, or medical conditions. Regular vet visits help catch any underlying health issues before they become a bigger problem and if you notice excessive shedding make sure to address it with your vet. Addressing skin irritation promptly can help reduce shedding and improve your dog's comfort.

Try A Shedding Treatment at Scenthound

Regular Shedding Treatments are the best and most effective method of controlling shedding by eliminating loose hair before it ends up on your furniture and clothes or worse – painfully matted on your dog's body.

We use a special de-shedding tool that gets deep into the undercoat removing large amounts of dead hair. De-shedding makes your dog more comfortable and keeps their coat and skin healthy and clean. Plus, this can translate to up to a 90% reduction of fur in your home!

In addition, shedding is an important indicator of wellness, and regular Shedding Treatments allow us to keep tabs on how much hair your dog is losing. Routine skin, coat, ears, nail and teeth or S.C.E.N.T. Checks will help us set a baseline for your pup's typical fur loss, a valuable health marker, as excessive shedding may be a sign of certain canine diseases.

Scenthound's Shedding Treatment includes a bath with shampoo and conditioner formulated to decrease shedding, a blow-dry, raking, and brush-out. Shedding can be well-managed with treatments every 4-6 weeks, depending upon the breed and other factors specific to your dog.

Shedding season for dogs doesn’t have to take over your home! By understanding why dogs shed and following a proper care routine, you can significantly reduce shedding and keep your dog’s coat healthy. Whether it’s maintaining a nutritious diet, establishing a brushing routine, or getting expert hygiene support, staying proactive makes all the difference.

Ready to make shedding season easier? Find a Scenthound location near you and give your dog the care they deserve!