Now that the weather is getting warmer you may notice fur piling up more than ever around the house. So, why does your dog shed so much? Mainly, like our own hair and skin, dogs shed to allow new growth of healthy fur. All dogs will shed to some degree, but some shed more than others.
Main factors of shedding:
- Environment (such as weather or stress)
- Breed
- Age
- Hormones
- Overall health
Breeds that need to be groomed more often such as shih-tzus, poodles, terriers and schnauzers, tend to shed less because they have slower growing hair. This is why they need grooming to avoid knots and matting in their fur. Other dogs, like Labradors and huskies have a fuller under coat and hair that grows more quickly causing them to shed more frequently and need fewer trims.
What can you do about shedding if it’s becoming a problem:
- Make sure to brush and comb their coats often
- In addition to brushing at home set them up for routine grooming
- Check their diet – sometimes if their diet is lacking nutrients they will shed more than usual
- Check for skin irritations including ringworm, fleas & ticks
- Talk to your vet if you feel that it is due to health issues such as thyroid and organ functions or immune disease
No one likes to spend day after day vacuuming and sweeping up gobs of dog fur. Does your dog shed more than others, it may be just because of the genetic make-up, but make sure to talk to your vet about it if you have any concerns about their health.
Don’t hesitate to let us know if you need us to brush or comb your pet while doing a regular pet sitting or dog walking visit, we are always here to help!
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