Managing Excessive Shedding in Dogs
First things first – shedding is
entirely normal and 100% healthy, especially during the spring months when the
weather is warming, and during fall, when your pooch is preparing their winter
coat.
But there are some instances when
leaving a trail of hairy destruction in their wake is NOT normal. Here we take
a look at how to spot excessive shedding that’s pointing to a problem.
*** Before we begin: A special
note on certain breeds ***
This one’s going out to all the:
Saint Bernards; Great Pyrenees; Chow Chows; Akitas; Siberian Huskies; Golden
Retrievers; Labrador Retrievers and Alaskan Malamutes.
The very special dogs in this
list are seriously furry, and they shed a whole lot more than your average
canine. Some have double coats, others have special undercoats, but all of them
require regular brushing (think weekly, and twice-weekly during seasonal
changes).
The many causes of shedding… from
completely normal to slightly concerning
Seasonal switches
As the seasons change, your dog
will dress up or down for the occasion. During winter, they’ll build up their
coat to stay warm and toasty, while in spring and summer they’ll shed their
hairs to keep cool.
Sensitive skin
Although every type of dog can
suffer from sensitive skin, it’s especially common in the following breeds:
hound dogs, white dogs, golden retrievers (and other thick-coated breeds),
Pomeranians, Doberman, pinschers and more.
If your pup is suffering from
itching, inflammation, sores or redness, you may want to check in with your
vet. It’s also a good idea to up his intake of:
- Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids
- Proteins and carbohydrates
- Vitamins and minerals (vitamin E in particular)
- Linoleic acid
Finally, a note for ALL doggies
during the warmer months. Remember that your canine pal is just as prone as you
to sunburn, especially if they’re a dalmatian, Pitbull, boxer, Weimaraner, or
Labrador. So watch their sunbathing times, and spray on a sheen of doggy
sunscreen if you’re planning a long walk under the hot rays of the summer sun.
A dodgy doggy diet
Cheap dog food may not be doing
your dog’s health any favors, and one of the first places an imbalanced diet
shows up is in the coat of your canine.
Here’s the thing – minimum
quality requirements for dog food don’t really set the bar all that high in
terms of nourishment. So if you’ve recently switched your dog food, their
sudden jump in shedding may be down to the food not having enough protein or
nutrients.
Medical problems
In a limited number of cases,
your dog’s excess shedding could well be pointing to a serious underlying
medical condition.
If he’s continually scratching
and leaving hair everywhere, he may have a parasite infestation (such as lice
or mites); it could also be a sign of cancer or fungal infections. Warning
signs to look out for in these instances include shedding from various parts of
the body (in clumps), lumps and skin discoloration.
Our top tip? Check in with your
vet for peace of mind.
The wrong shampoo
If you’ve just given your dog a
wash and a few days later he’s suddenly shedding, you may want to look to your
shampooing product and regime.
It could be that the shampoo
doesn’t agree with him; it may also be down to the fact that you’ve left in a
little shampoo which has irritated his skin (so rinse, rinse and rinse again!).
Stress
Just like humans, dogs can shed
their hair when stressed. Whether being left alone, moving house or simply
being a rescue dog with a pretty grim past history, stress and anxiety can show
up all over your house and cover your lint brush in five minutes flat.
CBD is one way to tackle anxiety
in dogs. Known as cannabidiol for long, you may know this ingredient as being
the non-psychoactive element of the hemp family.
Contrary to popular belief, this
substance is actually naturally occurring in your dog’s body, and is shown to
reduce stress and anxiety. And when we say shown, we mean 10,000 studies (and
counting) that are behind CBD as something of a natural wonder.
FOMO bones pack in CBD, but they
also contain a powerful trio of other calming ingredients, including: passion
flower; valerian root and chamomile. FOMO bones are infused with CBD for
treating anxious dogs who just can’t bear to part with you. Did someone say
good hair day (every day?).
This article by Jennifer is
originally published at FOMO Bones.
Author bio: Jennifer is the voice
behind the FOMO Bones blog. She's pretty sure in her past life, she was a Great
Dane. However, we peg her as more of a labrador. Regardless of her breed, she's
a dog enthusiast who has 15 years experience training dogs and owners.