Shedding is a natural process that every dog goes through. But is the bane of dog owners anywhere, and for new dog owners shedding can be shocking and even worrisome. Are you worried about your dog shedding in the autumn and turning into a hairless dog like the Chinese Crested? Fear not, we can help reduce the shedding, and even improve the overall health of your dog.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about dog shedding answered: these tips should help you navigate the problematic world of shedding, keep your dog from shedding or reduce the amount your dog is dog shedding and identify when excessive dog shedding might be abnormal and a sign of a health issue.


1. Why do dogs shed?

Shedding is a normal process in most dogs, as their old or damaged hair falls out and new hair takes its place. This is common in many animals, including humans (long-haired ladies should be able to sympathise). So the fact your dog is shedding is unavoidable, and you cannot stop shedding, but their are ways to manage the amount of hair covering your home.

Shedding keeps dogs' coats clean and healthy, even if it’s annoying for their human owners!

You may have also noticed your dog shedding more than usual as the days grow shorter, the trees turn yellow and the weather cools down.

This might seem like a strange way for preparing for winter, so you might think something is wrong with your dog. Don’t worry, shedding in the autumn might seem strange, but it’s perfectly normal. Unless your dog sheds excessively, leaving bald spots on its body, you should not be concerned at all.

Dogs don't need clothes because they have their own nature-gifted coats in the form of hair. However, just like a human wears different clothes depending on the weather, some dogs also change their coat depending on the weather.

For Double-coated dog breeds:

Double-coated dog breeds shed their light summer coats in the autumn to make way for a thicker winter coat. They then shed that winter coat in the spring to make way for their light summer coat again. Dogs that are kept indoors (and therefore in relatively stable temperatures) tend to have less pronounced shedding seasons, and shed more evenly throughout the year.

2. Which dog breeds shed more than others?

dog hair shedding

How much your dog sheds, really depends on the breed. Some breeds, like the German Shepherd for instance, are year-round shedders, while short hair breeds may seem to lose less hair.

The autumn and spring shedding is most obvious with double coated breeds:

If you have one of these dogs, you’d better stock up your hoover bags.

Shedding can be a real problem for humans both in terms of keeping their homes clean and because shedding can trigger allergies. Because of this, you may want to choose dogs that shed less or barely shed at all.

Low-shedding dogs come with their own set of responsibilities however: their coats may need regular brushing and trimming in order to prevent matting.

Low-shedding dogs come in all shapes and sizes, but the most popular low-shedding dogs are these breeds:

poodle low shedding

3. How do I reduce dog shedding? - Brush and bathe your dog!

The autumn shedding period of dead hair doesn’t have to be a nightmare, even if you have a double-coated dog. There is no real way of how to stop a dog from shedding other than preventively removing the loose hair by brushing. With daily combing and brushing, you can capture most of the loose hair, making brushing absolutely key to how to keep a dog from shedding.

This takes time, but also reduces the time you need to spend vacuum cleaning the floor and prevents the hassle of walking in dog hair up to your ankles!

The trick to reducing shedding with brushing is buying the right shedding tool: ask your vet or a dog groomer for recommendations based on the coat of your particular breed of dog. For some dogs a bristle brush is best, for other a slicker brush can help. Bathing also helps too!

Another way of dealing with shedding is to try prevent your dog from coming into contact with upholstery: getting dog hair out of blankets, carpets and curtains is a veritable nightmare, so furnish your house accordingly and prevent your dog from jumping up onto upholstered furniture.

However, if you don't want to spend your time hoovering up dog hair and asking yourself how to stop a dog from shedding, then the only choice you can really make is preemptive: don't buy a dog breed that sheds.

 

4.My dog has excessive shedding, should I worry? Hair loss and overall health!

Shedding is very normal, but most dogs should not shed so much that they develop large bald spots. If you notice this happening, then it might be time to call the vet. The best way to prevent excessive dog shedding is to simply ensure your dog is well cared for: give your dog a great diet, make sure your dog is not too stressed, and brush your dog regularly.

Excess hair loss may be caused by a number of things, including insufficient diet, skin allergies and parasites

If you think your dog might be suffering from one of these and his or her shedding is abnormal, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with your vet!

We found a great video that shows you a bunch of tips and cures for dog shedding: