Dr Fetcher
Things to know about autumn shedding
Tufts of fur, hair under the table, in the corner, on the porch, on your pants: everywhere. This picture is familiar to all of us, right? There is no reason to panic, because the autumn shedding period is also starting now – which is completely normal.
Although most dog breeds can shed their fur all year round, just like people shed their hair, there are some breeds that shed more heavily in the spring and autumn. When the days get shorter and the weather gets colder, dogs start to replace their lighter summer coat with a warmer, winter coat. At this time, they protect their bodies from the cold weather with longer, softer and denser fur. Typically, this period starts in September and can last until November.
Many people think that spring shedding is natural, but they worry about autumn shedding. This is a natural process, as they grow a lot more undercoat, which helps them reduce heat loss, so there’s really no reason to panic!
How can we support them?
Of course, as owners, we can also do something to make this process easier for our pets. With routine combing/brushing, we can collect dead hair before it falls out, so that it doesn’t accumulate and clump on the dog’s body, and on the other hand, the floor/sofa/pants, and everything in general, won’t be full of them. 🙂
At this time, we also help distribute the beneficial oils produced by their skin evenly over their body.
More regular bathing also helps with the shedding of dead hair, and it’s worth using nourishing oils made for dogs so that the new coat can be silky and shiny.
It is also recommended to mix dietary supplements into their food, because the extra Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins significantly contribute to the health and silkiness of the newly grown hair. We developed the D&C product for such a period, which, in addition to supporting joints, also has a beneficial effect on our pet’s coat thanks to the ingredients it contains.
We cannot neglect the immune system of dogs during this period, but we will discuss this in the next article, as preparing for the colder season is also important and a major element of responsible dog ownership.
When should we suspect a problem during shedding?
First of all, we can pay attention to the time that has passed since the start of more intense shedding. If this period lasts longer than eight weeks, we should pay more attention to the dog. This could be a skin problem, stress, allergies, or some hormonal problem. In such cases, the coat also becomes dull and lackluster, so we should definitely visit a veterinarian!
If our pet’s hair is falling out in patches, disproportionately, or the skin is visible in some places, we should also visit a veterinarian to find the underlying cause.
It is important to know the characteristics of your four-legged friend’s breed regarding shedding (how seasonal, constant, intense), but if you experience any abnormalities, be sure to take them to the vet, as the health of their skin and fur is just as important as it is for humans.
We recommend perseverance, patience, attention, and regular vacuuming for everyone during the upcoming period. 🙂
