8 Facts About Dog Shedding You Need to Know 2023

Shedding is one of the things that you'll be in for if you’ve got a dog in your household. And if you’re anything like most pet owners, chances are you’re already familiar with what shedding is as well as the things to keep in mind when it happens.

However, if you’re still starting out as a dog owner or thinking about having a pooch of your own in the near future, then you’ve come to the right place. Make sure you follow along to get in on the must-know bits and pieces that will help “shed” light on this hairy affair.

Let’s kick things off by finding out if dog shedding is normal…

 

1. Is Dog Shedding Normal?

The short answer is yes.

A dog's shedding is pretty normal and every healthy dog sheds somehow. It's just the amount of hair and loose fur that varies. It's even possible that your dog sheds seasonally or in a more regular frequency resulting to all that hair suddenly appearing in the oddest of places!

When dogs shed, you can think of it as your pet’s way of naturally regulating his body temperature in between seasons or during warm weather and getting rid of damaged or dead hair while at it. It also promotes ideal coat health by doing away with pet dander in the process.

Depending on a dog's breed or particular coat types, some dogs will shed off their hair throughout the year. Interestingly, there are even dogs that shed so little that it’s practically unnoticeable. Again, a dog's shedding is a natural process.

Now let’s determine the specific dog breeds that shed the most…

 

2. Which Dogs Shed the Most?

Contrary to popular belief, dogs with a double coat or a longer coat due to quick hair growth aren’t just the ones that shed off pet hair. Short-haired dogs their own hair, too. As I emphasized earlier, all dog breeds shed have to remove dead hair and maintain healthy skin.

This misconception is the reason why some dog owners wonder why they find loose dog hair around the house and then worry because something may be wrong with their pets. We'll go over the possible reasons why a dog may be shedding so much and be prone to excessive hair loss or bald spots in just a bit.

Here's a quick walkthrough of the breeds that shed dog hair more compared to other pedigrees:

American Eskimo

Labrador Retriever

Saint Bernard

Siberian Husky

Chow Chow

Great Pyrenees

Golden Retriever

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Akita

German Shepherd

Dobermann

Alaskan Malamute

If you're a pet parent (or looking to be one) of these dog breeds, please expect to encounter a lot of loose hair every so often. These dogs shed very frequently and you will need to have shedding tools or shedding blades in your home pet care checklist.

Shedding tools typically include a bristle brush, a lint roller, a wire pin brush, bristle brushes as well as rubber curry combs. They are essential so you can properly deal with all the hair these dog breeds naturally shed.

Next, let’s check out if there is a link between diet and dog shedding…

 

3. Is There a Connection Between Diet and Dog Shedding?

The short answer is yes.

Your dog’s shedding could get into a state of overdrive sooner or later if he isn’t getting the nutrition he needs to keep his hair follicles as strong as they should. The more resilient his follicles are, the less they are prone to unexpected hair fall. Moreover, aside from his skin and coat, your pet's body weight will also be seriously affected.

Apart from ensuring that your dog regularly has a balanced diet, making it a point to give him foods that contain lots of vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial components is also crucial. Fish oil is also highly recommended for dog skin since it contains Omega-3 fatty acids that help keep bald patches at bay.

You can also click here to check out our ultimate guide to the foods dogs can and cannot eat to help you put together a well-balanced diet for your precious pooch. It is very important to remember that a poor diet can set off inflamed skin and even an allergic reaction in most dogs!

Now we’ve got that covered, let’s answer a question that I’m sure crossed your mind once or twice already…

 

4. Can You Keep Your Dog From Shedding?

No, there is absolutely no way you can stop shedding.

Regardless of the breed, age, and sex of your dog, you cannot combat shedding at all. It also isn't true that choosing a particular dog food will inhibit shedding. Your dog's coat is naturally programmed to remove dead hair from time to time.

Although you cannot stop your dog from shedding outright, there are certain ways to control or reduce the whole thing. These include proper diet and regular brushing as well as picking the right brush and shedding tool for your pet’s skin and coat.

For this part of our discussion, let’s find out if hydration has a direct connection with shedding in dogs…

 

5. Is There a Link Between Shedding and the Hydration of a Dog's Skin??

The short answer is yes.

The more hydrated your dog's skin is, the stronger and more resilient his coat will be against unwanted hair fall. Just to emphasize, nothing compares to plain, fresh water when it comes to keeping your dog ideally hydrated.

Dehydration basically causes two key effects in your dog’s body. First, it makes his skin significantly less supple. And second, it also causes his follicles and hair roots to eventually dry out. If this problem is not corrected, it’s highly likely that your pet could be in for lots of hair fall, dry skin, and even accelerated shedding of your dog's coat.

Fresh water should be a key component of your dog's healthy diet since it can have a significant effect on your pet's skin and coat. Besides making your pooch prone to dehydrated skin and skin irritation, the lack of fresh water in a dog's diet will also potentially make him vulnerable to fungal infections and allergic reactions.

Next, I’ll explain if spikes in hormonal levels can trigger excessive shedding in dogs…

 

6. Can Hormonal Spikes Lead to the Excessive Shedding of a Dog's Coat?

The short answer is yes.

Unexpected fluctuations in hormone levels can potentially set off an increased dryness of your dog's skin, which can lead to excessive hair loss. Common examples of these triggers include chronic anxiety and depression in dogs as well as episodes of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

It is interesting to take note that not all hormonal spikes that result in excessive shedding of a dog's coat are caused by negative factors. Dog owners can also go through situations if their pets are pregnant or lactating. A dog whose body is getting rid of surplus salt can also tend to shed a lot more pet hair than usual.

Now, let’s check if regular bathing helps control dog shedding…

 

7. Does Bathing Help in Keeping Dog Shedding in Check?

Apart from getting rid of dirt and gunk from your pet’s coat, bathing also helps remove dead skin and dried-out hair follicles that can possibly tangle with and damage their healthy counterparts sooner or later.

While a well-kept dog only requires a single bath once a month, you can go ahead and increase the frequency for the same if you notice that your pet’s skin is a bit dry or if he’s shedding loose hairs more than usual. However, it is also important to remember that having an ideal shedding tool such as the right brush is key.

For this next part, I’d like to touch on a question that many dog parents and animal lovers have asked me lots of times already…

 

8. Is Excessive Dog Shedding a Sign of a Health Problem?

The short answer is yes.

Unwanted or accelerated shedding in dogs could be a sign that your canine family member is going through some skin or hair-related health issue like an allergy or perhaps a viral, fungal, or bacterial infection.

Additionally, excessive dog shedding may even be caused by unwanted visitors like lice, mites, fleas, and similar parasites. It could also be an adverse side effect of conventional medicines in some cases.

Now, let me share my favorite natural product when it comes to supporting your pooch during unwanted or excessive dog shedding…

 

A Natural Product to Consider Including in your Home Pet Care Checklist

Zumalka’s HEALTHY COAT is specifically designed to promote and maintain the overall wellness and appearance of your pet’s coat. This natural product offers a holistic solution to hair loss, brittle and tousy hair, dry roots, and similar issues.

Besides being formulated with your dog’s ideal quality of life in mind, HEALTHY COAT also takes advantage of the benefits and wonders of premium natural ingredients Mother Nature has to offer.

 

 

 

Conclusion

Dog shedding can be a rather “hairy” situation if you don’t know how to properly deal with it. Getting in on a few informative bits and pieces about shedding in dogs also helps a lot to really give your pet the quality of life you’ve always wanted.

Got some other questions about your pet’s health? Don’t hesitate to contact us  right now. Reaching out to a trained professional remains a priority if your pet is feeling under the weather.