Don’t know how to deal with the loss of your dog? Here are some useful tips

Your puppy sheds a lot of hair, forcing you to groom several times a day. If this is your case, in this article you will find a clear and simple explanation of why your dog is going through this period and also some useful advice on how to deal with it.

Why does this happen, is it serious?

Every year, several times a year, the dog faces a completely natural and physiological process, known as canine shedding, which consists in the renewal of the hair. THE mute it is not a process that all dog breeds go through, in fact it only affects those that have fur and undercoat. For example, German Shepherd, Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, Siberian Husky and Malamute.

What is the difference between fur and undercoat?

• THE hair The giarra is the outermost and thickest layer of the coat and has the task of protecting the animal from the cold, rain and wind, which is why it can be considered a covering coat.
• THE undercoat also called secondary hair, it is made up of shorter, softer and finer hairs and serves as thermal insulation, protection from microabrasions and is waterproof.

However, not all dogs have undercoat and therefore not all dogs shed. This is the case of small or medium-sized dogs such as Yorkshire Terriers, Poodles, Maltese and Shizus who have a single layer of external fur that protects them throughout the year.

Why does the dog shed?

Dog shedding is a process that begins with changes in temperature, which is why it should happen twice a year. With the shedding of the spring hair, the entire winter coat is completely renewed, thus encouraging the growth of lighter hair in preparation for the summer period. In autumn, however, the summer fur gives way to thicker fur, in order to protect our furry friend from the freezing winter cold.

We had the pleasure of speaking with an expert in the sector, Simone Morelli, professional groomer from Spettinati Toelettatura. During the meeting he reiterated a key concept several times: there is no longer a precise period in which pets face the renewal of their fur and this happens because the transition from the cold to the hot season no longer occurs through a gradual change in temperatures as in the past.

In addition to the climate issue, the intervention of the human hand, through the use of refrigeration systems in summer and heating systems in winter, accentuates an imbalance in the animal’s thermoregulation. In fact, if previously the fur was renewed during the months of the change of season (autumn and spring) to prepare for the arrival of the temperature, today especially the animals that live in the city are no longer able to thermoregulate and often are unable to complete the molt before the arrival of the new season.

How long does a dog’s stable last?

The actual duration of the molt depends on several factors, including your habits. A dog that spends most of its days indoors, both in winter and summer with radiators and air conditioners turned on, will not maintain a regular shedding rhythm, but will have a periodic and constant renewal of its fur.

The situation is different for a dog used to being outdoors. In this case, always taking into account what was said above regarding temperature, a dog that lives outdoors could have a shorter and more intense molt than a dog that lives indoors.

In a normal context the molt can last 3 to 7 weeks but it must be considered that dogs with long and thick hair will have longer replacement times. This is the case of the Chow Chow, the Siberian Husky and the German Shepherd.

When is discharge abnormal in dogs?

As already specified, shedding is a completely natural and necessary process for the dog because it allows its coat to renew itself and become stronger and thicker, this does not mean that there are no pathologies that can deceive the most distracted owner. For this reason we recommend that you have your dog checked by the vet if there are symptoms such as suspicious scabs, patches of short hair, very dry and irritated skin, especially if the dog persistently scratches and licks itself in one area or multiple areas of the body. Keeping your dog’s skin and coat under control is essential to prevent the development of serious diseases or parasites.

What to do to manage a dog that sheds too much hair?

The shedding period can cause discomfort for both you and your puppy; So let’s see together what precautions any owner of a shedding dog should take.

Generally it is advisable to contact a professional groomer who, thanks to his manual skills and professional equipment, is able to obtain excellent results in a very short time. For those who have dogs with particularly demanding coats, maintenance at home may be necessary. If dog breeds have long and thick hair then this operation must be done daily.

Brushing is easier if done after the bath and during the drying phase, this is because the air coming from the hairdryer allows you to blow away excess hair. In any case it is not advisable to wash the dog too frequently so it is sufficient to brush the dog even for just 5 or 10 minutes a day. This procedure greatly facilitates hair replacement, avoiding the formation of knots that could prevent correct oxygenation of the skin.

There are brushes that allow you to eliminate excess undercoat without too much effort. How to do it?

• First step : use a carding brush. Carding the fur means not only eliminating excess hair but also eliminating knots that could hinder hair growth and skin oxygenation.

• Step two : use a soft bristle brush. Once you have finished removing excess hair you can proceed using a soft bristle brush. This operation is necessary after carding if you want to obtain a shiny and soft pile.