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Hair Coat Shedding Related to Seasons While excessive hair shedding is a common complaint heard among pet owners, in most cases, the shedding is usually normal. An understanding of why dogs and cats lose their hair coat, and what causes shedding, goes a long way towards explaining why they shed hair all the time.
Dogs and cats do not grow hair continuously, but rather in cycles. Each cycle has a growing phase, a transitional phase and a resting phase. These hair cycles are controlled by such factors as nutrition, hormones, state of health, but most importantly, the amount of light (called photoperiod) and changes in the surrounding temperature. Dogs in northern latitudes tend to shed their hair coats twice a year, in the spring and fall, as the outside temperature and the amount of daylight changes. As the weather turns colder or warmer, and as the period of daylight gets shorter or longer, the brain sends a message to the hair follicles to increase activity. Hair growth tends to be maximal in summer and minimal in winter. Pets that are kept primarily indoors tend to experience changes in both temperature (going in and out of the house) and light (artificial lights turned on and off) all year round. As a result, these pets tend to shed their hair, sometimes profusely, throughout the year.
If you suspect that your pet's hair loss is abnormal, you should first consult your veterinarian. If a thorough physical examination indicates that your pet is healthy, steps can be taken to minimize the effects of shedding. Diet is very important to the health of the skin and hair coat. Supplements such as cod liver oil are unnecessary if a complete and balanced diet is fed. If the diet is questionable, it is best to change over to one that is well- balanced. Nutritional supplements such as omega fatty acids can help reduce shedding if the cause of the shedding is related to a fatty acid deficiency.
Daily brushing is good for the hair coat and will remove those hairs that would normally fall out. From a housekeeping point of view, it is better to have the hairs come out on the brush than around the house.
Frequency of bathing and the type of shampoo used can also factor into the amount of shedding that occurs. Using a human-type shampoo, for example, can cause excessive shedding because these shampoos can be quite harsh to a pet's skin and perfumes can cause hypersensitivity reactions. Bathing too frequently can dry out the hair coat and cause excessive shedding.
Stress can also play a role in hair shedding. It is quite common for dogs and cats to start losing excessive amounts of hair during a visit to the veterinarian. This is because of the effects of the stress hormones that are released into the bloodstream. The coat is often "blown" when a female goes through the pregnancy/birth/nursing cycle.
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One good thing about Schnauzers and Poodles, no shedding, but they must be brushed. Jackie |
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omygosh...my collies, who normally would be in the "fluffing up" phase for winter, started fluffin', and now are blowing their coats everywhere, because we had a period of cold....and now its back up in the 70's. i can't keep em brushed out! |
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Before Binky we really didn't have a problem but now OMG That boy sheds enough to knit a sweater daily The good news is he loves to be brushed and the big goofy also loved to be vacuumed, LOL! Everytime we turn it on he comes running and wait his turn. We talk about getting one of those furminators but I just don't know if I can justify a $55 de-shedder brush. |
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Susie, the Furminator is worth your weight in gold if your dog likes to get brushed. I take Grace to the groomer, Sister too, and they Furminate the heck out of them!! Forty five minutes later I get a dog back who looks 10lbs lighter!! And it lasts about 3 months or so before it's needing done again. I have noticed a few small booboos so I know you have to be carefull you don't get too vigorous with it. Laura |
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i have found the undercoat rake to be our best friend! it really does get in there and get the job done removing all that fur that has shedded but not fallen out. i wind up with enough hair to make another dog! i do have to be careful not to be too rough with this tool. but i highly reccommend it! |
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