When Do Dogs Shed Their Winter Coat? - How long And What To Do

Source: DHgate, Tag: Pets

Are you a pet owner? Find out when dogs are ready to shed their winter coat.

• As a first time parent to your dog or dogs, you may not have detailed information of what to expect about raising a dog. Having a dog goes beyond taking them for routine checkups with your vet and bonding with them.
  At a particular time of the year, your dog goes through a process essential for their health but can be challenging for you as the parent if you are not prepared for it.

• Shedding may be expected, but there is a particular time when your dog sheds the most, and you think when dogs shed their winter coat? Technically, there is no straight answer to when your dog shed their fur because the time or month they do depends on different factors such as the breed and state of health. This article will discuss when dogs shed their winter coat, the duration, and what you need to do during the process.
  Dogs shedding their coat depends on their breed. Some breeds are known for heavy shedding at a specific month of the year, and others shed their coat regularly and throughout the year. Hence, knowing the particular time of the year your dog mainly shed will help you become prepared for the hairy season. To know when your dog shed means you need to understand the dog's hair and the growth cycles.
  Types of Dogs Hair and Phases of Growth
  There are different types of dog hairs: primary and secondary hairs. The primary hairs, also known as guard hairs, are long and tough hairs found on the outer coat with the primary role of protecting their skin. At the same time, the secondary hairs, also known as undercoat hairs, are soft and fleecy hairs with a primary function of keeping your dog warm during the winter period. Some dogs possessing double coats have both outer and under-coat, and others with a single outer layer coat do not have an undercoat. It means that some dogs own both hair types, and others have a single or one hair type.
  The human hair goes through a series of growth, so does your dog's coat through a different development phase. The phase at which your dog experiences new hair growth is called the anagen phase, while the catagen phase is when your dog's hair cease growing as soon as it gets to a particular length. The telogen phase is the resting phase- the hair neither grows nor sheds. Finally, the exogen phase is when your dog's coat starts falling out. Let's put this in a more straightforward way for you to understand.

  • Anagen: growing new hair

  • Catagen: hair stop growing after reaching its full length

  • Telogen: hair not growing or shedding

  • Exogen: hair falling out.

• When Dogs Shed Their Winter Coat
  Remember that shedding depends on factors such as your dog's breed; some breeds shed hair at an average level throughout the year, while others shed hair heavily at a particular month of the year. Let's take a quick look at seasonal shedding and all year shedding:

  • Seasonal Shedding: Dogs with both hair types- top and undercoat mainly shed their coat seasonally. Examples of such breeds are Samoyeds and Collies; they shed their fur in the falls and grow new hair during spring. During the fall, these breeds lose their lighter summer hair for new thicker winter hair. During springtime, they lose the thick winter hair to blow the coat, which happens during summer. Blowing the coat is a term used for describing the season where dogs litter hair everywhere they go.

  • All-year Shedding: While some breeds shed their hair occasionally, other breeds shedding is not seasonal because they shed their coat all year round; however, the hairs shed are in smaller quantities and not that noticeable. These particular breeds are constantly growing new hair non-stop. An example of such a breed is Poodles; they have most hair follicles in the anagen phase throughout the year. It allows their hair to grow almost all the time, resulting in more clipping to control matting.

• Although the fall and spring periods are the most shedding for double-coated dogs, if your dog is Alaskan Malamutes, these breeds usually shed in spring (around March) and fall (around October). Still, the precise period you should be finding hair around the house depends on different factors like;

  • Weather

  • Breed of dog

  • Age

  • Sex

  • Nutrition

  • Environment

  • General health condition.

• Aside from these factors, the amount of daylight (sunshine) received tend to determine how much hair your dog shed as well. In addition, outside and Indoor dogs are likely to shed hair at different periods.

  • Outdoor Dogs: Dogs usually left outside and around elements of nature are expected to shed their winter coat in spring, typically around March and End by June. The coat begins to shed around September during fall and summer and should end by November.

  • Indoor Dogs: Dogs that typically live indoors can be confusing because their interactions and exposure to interior lighting, air condition during summer, and heating during winter make the dog's natural shedding cycle to be altered. These exposures can result in a moderate amount of shedding and take place throughout the year.

• Before going further, you need to know the difference between shedding and blowing the coat because many feel confused or use the terms interchangeably. Shedding happens throughout the year, especially where hairs stray is constantly seen, and blowing the coat is usually used for seasonal shedding where your dog loses a significant amount of hair at the same time. Another difference in dogs that blow their coat is that they look unattractive; however, the process occurs quickly.
  When does Shedding become too Much?
  Shedding mess can be hard to deal with, especially for dogs that live inside your home. If you are bothered about the amount of hair falling off your dog's body, or you feel it's not right to have that amount of hair fall off but are not sure, here are a few things to watch out for.

  • If the shedding is way more than the previous ones

  • If you observe bald patches in their coat

  • If you observe open sores or skin irritation on their body

  • If you see your dog licking excessively or scratching, that can be a health issue.

• On the other hand, insufficient or excessive shedding can be due to infections, allergies, poor diet, drug reaction, and contact with harmful substances. Therefore, you should visit your veterinarian for proper evaluation.

• What to do when your Dog Shed their Winter Coat
  Shedding is a natural process that can be annoying for you but healthy for your dog. While you don't have complete control of how much winter coat your dog shed, the only option you have is to help them control the shedding using healthy approaches. As a parent to a dog, it can be pretty frustrating when coats are littered all over the place, including your clothes and couch. Also, everywhere you turn in your home looks like the colour of your dog; these can make you desperate and end the whole process, but nature must take its course, and all you need to do is to help during the process. You can also speak with your vet for recommendations and before doing anything in controlling the shedding.
  Usually, your dog helps during the shedding process by using nature, such as rubbing against bushes and branches to get rid of dead hairs. In addition, dogs in close contact with nature get to rub their bodies against a surface or roll in the dirt to remove the hair. With these tips, you can assist your dog speed up the shedding process and control the shedding mess in your home.
  Brush their Coat
  Depending on your dog's hair type, double-coated breeds mainly shed the heavier and wool-like coat. Once your dog begins shedding, you must brush them properly and regularly to eliminate the extra fur trapped in the undercoat and has formed mats. If you don't care for the trapped hair, it includes lumps and other causes of infections and abrasions. However, it is necessary because it helps maintain the coat and keep the skin in good condition. To keep your home clean and avoid shedding mess, brushing your dog's coat ensure that.
  Use the Right Brush
  Brushing is not enough; your dog's breed determines the kind of brush to use. For example, if your dog is long-haired, using a shedding rake benefit more than a comb because it helps get rid of heavy undercoats without affecting the outer coat. In addition, a shedding rake is long and tough and allows you to brush correctly close to the dog's skin.
  On the other hand, short-haired dogs benefit from a firm bristle brush and then a slicker brush to get rid of excess hair. Using a bristle brush effectively removes the coat, and the slicker brush removes them from the skin.
  Give them a Warm Bath
  There are amazing dogs shampoos and conditioners you can use coupled with a warm bath to aid the shedding process and get rid of extra hair under the coat. Doing this makes brushing easy and touch under the skin properly. Still, don't bathe your dogs too much to avoid skin irritation or result in dry and brittle fur. To ensure a good job, brush your dog before washing them to remove excess hair on their coat, and make sure you brush dry after bathing.
  Use Lint Rollers
  During the shedding period, you need to have reasonable amounts of lint rollers in your home. It will help you step out of the house without carrying your dog's coat along. Put some at your door and others in the bathroom so that your visitors can get rid of the hair that gets trapped in their clothes. In addition, using lint rollers saves you from embarrassment when leaving your house. Finally, it protects your friends and colleagues who might be allergic to dog's fur.
  Use Blankets and Furniture Cover
  You can use blankets and furniture cover to your dog's favourite space like the bed and couch. First, however, make sure that the blankets and cover can be easily washed. Any material that can be easily cleaned or taken outside to shake out will be perfect.
  Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
  Do dogs' coats get lighter in winter?
  No, dogs coats do not get lighter during winter, but instead, they have a thicker coat during winter. Having a softer or thicker winter coat depends on your dog's breed and the type of hair it possesses. For example, if your dog has a double coat, it's will have a heavier coat for the winter, and if it is a single coated dog, the coat may not be light.
  Does shedding hurt dogs?
  No, shedding does not hurt dogs because it is a natural phenomenon; however, the process can be uncomfortable for them, especially when it itches or trapped hair-forming mat causes a hot spot. Still, the shedding process is entirely painless.
  What causes dogs to shed so much?
  Many things can be responsible for dogs shedding much of their coat. For example, medical issues, sunburn, hormonal problems, poor diet, drug reaction, infection, and parasites can make dogs shed excess hair. If you think your dog is shedding heavily, you should see your vet confirm your suspicion.
  How long does shedding last?
  There are seasonal shedders and all through the year shedder. This is shedding type depends on the breed of dogs, their nutrition, age, sex, and environment. Some shed moderately throughout the year, and others shed within a particular month of the year. It usually takes about 3-4 weeks for the seasonal shedding breed to complete shedding.
  Do dogs shed more when the weather changes?
  Weather changes may affect how fast and how much your dog shed. For example, some breeds shed in the spring period typically around March and in the fall around October. However, you should expect your dog's winter coat to start falling off in spring, around March till June. Then in fall, the summer coat begins to shed around September till November.