Step 2: Identify Abnormal Shedding
So what if the weather is mild, and your dog seems to be shedding even more than normal for their breed? If that’s the case, here are several symptoms to keep an eye out for that may indicate an underlying medical condition:
If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, especially if they last more than a week, it’s time for a trip to your veterinarian to rule out any medical conditions.
Step 1: Understand Normal Shedding
All dogs shed (except, as you might have guessed, for the American Hairless Terrier). Some breeds shed more than others, and even within breeds, your dog may shed more than another dog of the same breed. The 9 breeds of dog that naturally shed the most are:
In addition to their breed, the weather may be to blame for your dog’s excessive shedding. Many dogs develop thick coats in the colder months of winter that are then shed as temperatures rise in the spring. Cold spells, followed by sudden and extreme warmth can also cause higher than average shedding, as well as long bouts of heat, especially for dogs with thick undercoats.
If you can trace your dog’s excessive shedding to their breed, the time of year, or the weather (and they seem their usual happy, healthy self), there’s likely nothing to worry about. However, if you still feel concerned, there are several ways to identify what constitutes abnormal shedding.
Year-round shedding
You’ve probably noticed already that your dog sheds year-round. That’s because all animals with hair shed regularly. Every hair goes through a natural life cycle of growing and then shedding. Factors such as breed, age, environment, health and hormones affect the rate of hair growth and shedding. Genetics and these factors determine the length and texture of your dog’s hair.
Some dogs have continuously growing hair – they shed very little in general due to the long lifespan of each hair shaft. Other dogs, with thicker undercoats and a shorter hair shaft lifespan, shed a lot.
Excess Dog Shedding? 5 NEW Effective Remedies
Is your dogs hair loss just normal shedding, or could it point to something else? Get the scoop on why dogs lose hair, when its healthy and when you might need to see a vet.
Is your dog shedding? Hair loss in dogs is very common. In fact, nearly every dog parent notices their dog losing hair at some point. Oftentimes, it’s just normal, seasonal shedding for your dog’s breed. Other times, hair loss in dogs can be caused by something else, such as parasites, stress, dog allergies or another health issue. Discover the possible reasons for a dog losing hair, and the most important facts about dog shedding.
Is your dog itching or scratching a lot too? Then you may also want to check out the causes and treatments for an itchy dog.