Molting in dogs

Seasonal molting

Twice a year, in spring and autumn, the dog's coat is renewed naturally. This process is directly related to the health of the animal, its immunity and well-being. If the wool shines in the sun, this is an excellent indicator, but if it is dull and not silky, then you need to pay increased attention to the pet's body.

The main functions of the dog's coat:

• protects the animal's skin from external penetration of various types of parasites, fleas, ticks;
• does not allow infectious diseases to develop;
• protects from aggressive weather conditions: snow, rain, wind.

At the same time, a beautiful coat is responsible for the attractive appearance and grooming of the dog. Such a pet wants to be stroked as often as possible, which improves the mood of both sides and promotes closer tactile contact.

What is the difference between spring and autumn molting?

During the autumn molting period, the summer wool is replaced and the growth of a new, thicker and warmer, with an undercoat, for warming in winter. The duration of the autumn molt is more protracted than the spring one, although the hair during this period is much less. The pet can visually increase in volume, become soft and gentle to the touch.

Spring molting in dogs begins after the end of frosts. There is a reset of the warm undercoat and thick wool, the skin is being renewed for the summer period. The duration of molting in spring is short–term, although it is much more difficult for the owners to tolerate. Abundant hair loss spoils the mood of apartment residents, polluting clothes, furniture and floor.

When does the first molt begin in dogs?

Puppies older than 6 months are physiologically ready to shed their fur. However, the first molt depends rather not on the date of birth, but on seasonal conditions and the general health of the dog.

How long does the molting of dogs last?

Natural seasonal molting takes place within 7-14 days. At this time, it is worth taking extra care of the pet. You will have to clean the house much more often than usual, since the ubiquitous wool will constantly appear. Thanks to careful combing or the services of a dog barber, you can facilitate this period for yourself and a four-legged friend.

Off-season molting

Please note that a dog living in an apartment can shed throughout the year. Her body is not tuned to natural cycles, so any change in the environment can provoke hair loss. In some females, the shedding of wool begins during estrus or during childbirth.

Abundant hair loss of a pet for a long time serves as a serious reason to check the state of the dog's health. The fact is that wool does not immediately signal internal diseases, since the growth of hairs is slow. Any changes in the appearance of the dog are visible a month after complications, which is why it is worth paying special attention to the gloss of the coat during molting in dogs. In his absence, you should immediately contact a veterinary clinic.

When should I contact a veterinarian?

Prolonged molting of a dog should cause concern if:

• wool falls out in clumps,
• looks untidy and dull,
• the structure and density of the cover changes,
• hair growth slows down.

Why does the dog shed for a very long time?

Prolonged molting in a dog can be associated with various factors. One of the most common causes of canine baldness is an allergic reaction to food, water, indoor or outdoor plants. The weakening of the hair follicles can happen due to stress caused by parting with the owner, change of residence or surgery. Too frequent bathing can also provoke molting. Shampoo is able to wash out the protective fat layer, which is important for health. In this case, the hair follicles begin to weaken, and the hairs fall out.

The following reasons also cause prolonged molting in dogs:

• lack of sufficient vitamins, necessary trace elements in food, individually unbalanced food;
• poor quality food;
• hormonal disorder (characterized by uniform, permanent hair loss);
• presence of parasites;
• poor microclimate in the apartment, artificial lighting, lack of fresh air;
• diseases of the digestive system, kidneys and other organs;
• immune system disorder;
• eczema or fungal disease.

Dog care during molting

In order for the pet to comfortably survive this period, follow the recommendations for care.

Daily comb out the dog's fur with a specially selected brush, furminator for undercoat or massage comb. Such manipulations are useful to the animal, because they help to remove dead hair and accelerate the growth of new ones; stimulate the upper layer of the epidermis, which improves blood supply and the supply of nutrients to the hair roots; improve the appearance of the pet, because the coat becomes smooth and silky. In addition, daily dog care will reduce the need to constantly vacuum and clean, reduce the amount of wool in the house.

Use a special conditioner for dogs that improves the structure of the coat and nourishes the skin. The tool allows you to make the hairs compliant, they will not get confused during combing.

It is not recommended to bathe the dog often, but when it is really necessary, use a pet shampoo containing protein and strengthening the coat. Use detergent to nourish hair follicles no more than once a month.

Add cold-pressed oils, minerals and vitamins to the dog's usual diet. It is recommended to use special complex preparations that improve the quality of wool. If you feed your dog "straight", increase the protein content in the daily menu. Wool consists of keratin, and it is the protein components that are the building material of the hair, making it elastic. It is desirable to add high-grade protein in the form of low-fat meat, liver and chicken hearts. You can give your pet low-fat sea fish, while making sure that there are no bones in it. The use of natural fish oil will also have a positive effect on the health of the dog. Also, the diet should be enriched with cereals and vegetables, and if the animal does not like them, you can add canned vegetables to the food.

Tools for combing wool

In order to carefully comb out the falling hair and painlessly remove the formed tangles, there are various devices:

• the comb is made of hardened steel, the best option is with a nickel coating. This tool is used to care for the undercoat most often;
• pukhoderka. This brush is suitable for sensitive dogs who do not tolerate a metal comb. She gently and delicately combs the accumulated hair;
• the glove brush is used for combing and collecting dead hairs. It fits comfortably on your hand and effectively gets rid of wool;
• furminator is a modern tool that can replace all of the above devices. The furminator is similar to a comb, while it has a steel blade with teeth and a comfortable rubber handle. Thanks to the slotted blade, the undercoat is easily removed from the coat without damaging the living hairs.

Important: do not use the furminator if there are irritations, ulcers, wounds or similar injuries on the animal's skin. Also, the use of the device is not allowed if the dog has tangles. In this case, they must be carefully removed in advance so that the furminator does not cause pain to the animal.

Regular combing of the dog will not allow the hairs to settle on the furniture and floor. It is most convenient to deal with wool by placing a pet on a newspaper or cellophane. So it will turn out very quickly to remove the fallen wool.

Express molting

A special service is offered in professional pet salons, it is called "Express molting". Its essence is as follows: the masters carefully comb out the dog with various tools, and then bathe with the use of special shampoos and masks to open the pores and remove shedding hair. Further, during drying, the fallen hairs are blown with a powerful hairdryer, while combing and laying the wool cover.

The procedure is suitable for all types of dogs, except bald ones, and allows you to significantly reduce the amount of wool settling in the apartment.

Features of molting in dogs with different types of fur

Each breed of dog during the molting period requires an individual approach. As a rule, the length and characteristics of the wool affect what procedures will be required. The main types of coats and the features of their care are discussed in detail below.

Longhair

Fluffy and shaggy dogs shed profusely, require regular haircuts and combing. During the molting period, bathing of long-haired dogs is allowed twice a month. If you do not monitor the fur in a timely and constant manner, it will start to get tangled, and wounds and redness will appear on the skin. An unkempt animal may be vulnerable to viruses, pathogenic bacteria and parasites.

Owners of long-haired pets during molting should always have a brush and great patience at hand.

A full range of care measures is needed poodles , english and American cocker spaniels, aussi , Samoyed dogs , shih tzu , collie , golden retrievers and St. bernard .

Shorthair

Owners of such dogs hope that the wool will not cause them trouble, although in fact shorthair breeds also renew their cover twice a year. Moreover, small bristle hairs are difficult to remove from clothes and carpets.

Care consists in regular cleaning with a special brush having natural bristles. It is soft and gently collects hairs. During the period of abundant molting, the animal should be wiped with a terry towel or velour cloth to effectively eliminate the wool.

This group includes pugs , tax , dobermans , french bulldogs , great danes , Dalmatians , rottweilers , boxers and other dogs.

Wire-haired

Schnauzers and terriers have lost the ability to shed naturally, although their fur also needs care. To do this, it is necessary to do trimming (artificial molting) – plucking every six months. There are two possible options: using a special knife or a manual procedure.

Trimming is performed independently or with the help of a specialist groomer. Such care not only gives aesthetics to the appearance, but also protects the skin from irritation and matted fur.

Among the popular breeds we note jack Russell terrier , mittelschnauzer , affenpinscher , miniature schnauzer and fox terrier .

Not shedding

Among dog breeders there is such a thing as "a dog without molting". There are breeds that shed so few hairs that it is not noticeable outwardly. Their fur does not fall out like that of ordinary animals, while there is no specific "dog smell". Representatives of this species can be of different sizes: small, medium and huge. Such pets are ideal for busy owners who do not have time for constant care.

Pets that do not shed can be considered a Peruvian naked dog, xoloitzcuintli, basenji and a Chinese crested dog.

Molting in dogs is not an easy test for both the animal and its owner. Try to perceive the situation philosophically and help your pet overcome the difficulties that arise.