Why Is My Dog Shedding So Much? A Maryland Pet Owner's Guide
You vacuumed yesterday.
Actually, you vacuumed this morning.
So why is there already enough dog hair under the kitchen table to stuff a throw pillow?
For many dogs, shedding is completely normal. The amount can change with coat type, season, environment and the dog's individual growth cycle. Some dogs release a little hair all year. Others seem to save it up for a dramatic seasonal event.
If you live with a Lab, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Husky, Corgi or another heavy shedder, you already know the difference between "a little hair" and "why is it floating through the air?"
Why Do Dogs Shed?
Hair has a natural growth and release cycle. Old or damaged hair eventually lets go so new coat can grow.
How noticeable that process is depends heavily on the type of coat your dog has. A short single-coated dog may shed differently from a thick double-coated breed with a dense undercoat.
And yes, short-haired dogs can shed a lot. Tiny stiff Lab hairs have an almost supernatural ability to weave themselves into upholstery.
Why Does My Dog Seem to Shed More in Spring or Fall?
Many double-coated dogs have heavier seasonal coat changes. Changes in daylight and weather are part of what influences coat growth and shedding.
Maryland gives dogs plenty of seasonal variety: chilly winters, humid summers and unpredictable stretches where it feels like we have experienced three seasons since breakfast.
During a heavier coat change, loose undercoat may come out in clumps or dramatically increase the amount of hair you see around the house.
Does Bathing Help With Shedding?
A good bath can help loosen dead coat, but the drying and brushing afterward are a huge part of the process.
Professional grooming equipment can move air through the coat and release loose hair much more effectively than a towel and a quick brush in the kitchen.
This is also why bathing a very hairy dog at home can occasionally feel like you have made the shedding worse. You may have loosened a lot of coat without actually removing it yet.
What Is a Professional De-Shedding Treatment?
A professional de-shedding service is designed to help release and remove loose coat through bathing, conditioning, drying and brushing.
It does not permanently stop a dog from shedding. A shedding breed is still going to shed because that is what the coat is built to do.
The goal is to get more of the loose hair out during the grooming appointment and less of it onto your black pants five minutes before you leave for work.
How Often Should a Heavy-Shedding Dog Be Groomed?
There is no single schedule for every shedding dog.
Some owners keep regular appointments every several weeks because it keeps the coat and nails under control. Others add grooming around heavier seasonal shedding periods.
If you are brushing constantly and still getting handfuls of loose undercoat, that may be a good time for a professional groom.
Can I Reduce Shedding at Home?
You can manage it, even if you cannot eliminate it.
- Brush on a consistent schedule with tools appropriate for your dog's coat
- Keep the coat clean and fully dry after bathing
- Avoid aggressive over-brushing that irritates the skin
- Wash dog bedding regularly
- Vacuum before you resent your dog personally
- Keep grooming appointments consistent during heavy shed periods
If you are not sure which brush belongs on your dog's coat, ask your groomer. The brush your neighbor swears by for her Golden may be completely wrong for your short-haired dog.
When Is Shedding Worth a Call to the Veterinarian?
Normal shedding should not leave your dog with unexplained bald areas, sores or obviously irritated skin.
If the hair loss seems sudden or unusual, or you notice significant itching, redness, skin changes or areas where the coat is thinning unexpectedly, your veterinarian is the right person to call. Groomers see coats all day, but we do not diagnose medical causes of hair loss.
Can Shaving a Double-Coated Dog Stop Shedding?
Shaving is not a universal fix for shedding. For many double-coated breeds, routine coat care focuses on removing loose undercoat rather than simply taking the coat off.
If you are considering a dramatic haircut because the shedding is driving you crazy, talk with a knowledgeable groomer first about the dog's specific coat.
Mobile De-Shedding Grooming in Howard County
Woofie's of Columbia offers mobile pet grooming and de-shedding for dogs throughout Columbia, Ellicott City, Clarksville, Elkridge, Fulton and nearby Howard County communities.
The best part? A large portion of that loose hair stays in our Mobile Pet Spa instead of becoming a new ecosystem in your bathroom.
We cannot promise a completely fur-free house. We are groomers, not magicians.
But if the dog hair is winning, give Woofie's of Columbia a howl and let's help you get some of that coat under control.