Your pet’s coat can tell a lot about their overall health. If you’ve ever owned an animal with fur, you’ve probably dealt with your fair share of shedding. Some shedding is viewed as perfectly normal, but during certain parts of the year (fall and spring), hair loss can veer into questionable territory. How much fallen or loose hair is “too much” during seasonal shedding periods? We can help you determine when it’s time to call the vet.
Normal Shedding
A healthy pet typically has a healthy coat that is supple, shiny, full, and free of dandruff, brittle or dull-looking hairs, excessive oil, odor, or bald spots. Tasked with regulating body temperature and protecting the skin, a pet’s coat naturally thins itself out. That said, regular grooming and supportive skin care measures can go a long way toward maintaining a healthy-looking coat that also feels great.
Known Factors
The factors for pet shedding include considering medical conditions that affect the diet, skin, and coat, the time of the year, location, climate, and home environment. Some pets simply shed more than others. Some only shed seasonally, while others shed all year long.
- Single-coated dogs typically shed less than double-coated breeds, and seem to shed a consistent amount throughout the year.
- Double-coated pets are known for spring and fall shedding cycles (March and October) as a way of preparing for colder and warmer seasonal temperatures, humidity, and precipitation. Double-coated pets require consistent grooming to look and feel their best.
Pet Coat Health in Spring
Shedding in dogs can also be explained by elements within the home environment. Heating, cooling, and artificial lighting inside the home can influence the natural cycle of shedding and lead to a more consistent, year-round result. Dogs that spend the majority of their time outdoors may respond to the changing seasons by shedding abundantly in spring and fall.
Seasonal Pet Grooming Tips
To stop shedding from taking over your life and household every spring and fall, stay on top of your pet’s grooming. Brush them out several times a week and keep up with a hypoallergenic shampoo schedule to remove any build up of dirt, debris, or skin oil. Promote hydration with extra bowls of clean water.
We can help you change the look and feel of your pet’s coat by supplementing their diet with products containing omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, biotin, and vitamins A and E.
When to Worry
Because excessive shedding can be linked to an underlying health condition, it is important to schedule a wellness exam if you think your pet is losing too much hair. Reasons that we commonly see pets with shedding issues or skin problems include:
- Parasites
- Allergies
- Atopic dermatitis and secondary skin infection
- Age (skin problems and coat dullness can stem from the aging process)
- Nutritional deficiencies or inadequacies
- Sunburn
- Kidney disease
- Cancer
- Hypothyroidism
- Cushing’s disease
- Reactions to oral, topical, or injected medications
- Stress or anxiety
Every pet is unique. If you have questions or concerns about their coat’s quality or appearance, our staff is always happy to help at Sky Canyon Animal Hospital.