"In this section, our veterinarians share their expertise – specialists who have spent years working on healthy canine nutrition and coat health."
When the Fur Starts Flying: Dog Shedding Season
The days are getting longer, spring is in the air – and then it happens: seemingly overnight, dog hair starts flying through your home. Your dog's coat is suddenly everywhere – on the sofa, in the dog bed, on the floor, on your clothes. Sometimes as individual hairs, sometimes in whole tufts. Shedding season is a hairy affair for both you and your dog. You're working away with brushes and the vacuum cleaner. And your dog is working on its summer wardrobe – a process that requires a lot of extra energy: for skin, coat, and metabolism.
What Happens in Your Dog's Body During Shedding
Most dogs shed individual hairs throughout the year. Depending on breed, coat type, age and hormonal status, the degree of hair loss varies considerably.
Dog coats consist of two basic hair types: guard hairs and undercoat.
Guard hairs, also called awn hairs, are the longer, coarser hairs. They protect the coat from the outside – from moisture and sun exposure, for example. Guard hairs grow less densely.
The undercoat consists of fine, soft hairs that lie close to the skin. The air cushion between individual hairs acts as a natural insulating layer.
Depending on breed, a dog may have more or less – or even no – undercoat. This is exactly why spring shedding looks very different from dog to dog: Poodles and Havaneses, for example, barely shed and don't undergo a classic summer-to-winter coat change. Dogs with a lot of undercoat, such as Huskies or German Shepherds, often lose fur in large tufts as soon as the weather warms up.
Is it caused by the warmth? Actually, the dog's body does adapt to the new season, but the trigger is mainly the increased daylight. Longer days affect the dog's hormone levels – including melatonin production. Rising temperatures then additionally promote the switch from a thick winter coat to a lighter summer coat.
Dog Coat: From Root to Tip
Dog hairs don't grow continuously and evenly – they grow in genetically controlled cycles. First comes the growth phase, during which the hair root forms and the hair grows. After that, no new cells are produced, the hair loosens and eventually falls out.
Hair loss is followed by a resting phase known as the kenogen phase. Its duration influences how dense your dog's coat is overall. After this, the hair root regenerates and a new cycle begins.
In breeds that shed little or not at all, the genetics are different: the hairs remain in the growth phase, the dog loses very little hair and the typical shedding season largely doesn't occur. However, the coat then needs to be regularly clipped or trimmed.
Dog Shedding: When Does It Start and How Long Does It Last?
Twice a year, it's time for a coat change. In spring, increased shedding usually begins in April and May. How long the shedding lasts varies from dog to dog. For most four-legged friends, it takes between six and eight weeks, though it can go considerably faster or slower. Dogs with a lot of undercoat benefit from having loose fur combed out all year round. After all, the thick winter coat needs to come out to make way for the lighter summer coat to grow. No wonder many dog owners find the spring shedding season particularly hairy.
In autumn, usually in September and October, the dog's coat prepares itself for cooler days. Here too, fur is shed, but the main focus is the regrowth of undercoat to prepare the dog for colder temperatures. This coat change often goes almost unnoticed by dog owners.
Dog Shedding: Symptoms
The most obvious symptom is increased hair loss and loose undercoat. You'll notice the shedding everywhere: more hair in the brush, on your hand after stroking, in the dog basket. In dogs with a dense undercoat, you may even see whole tufts or mat-like patches pushing through the guard hairs. This often looks dramatic, but it's completely normal.
The coat may also look a little dull, unkempt or less dense during this time. This is because the old coat hasn't fully come out yet while the new coat is simultaneously growing in. If loose undercoat gets trapped in the fur, small knots can form – especially in dogs with very dense or long coats.
Even the smell can change. Some dogs develop a slightly musty odour during shedding. Dead hairs become colonised by microorganisms that gradually break them down. Regular brushing quickly brings these harmless symptoms under control.
Itching During Shedding: Normal or Not?
A little scratching is perfectly normal. Loose hairs can irritate the skin and cause itching. The key word here is "a little". Excessive scratching indicates stronger itching. This can happen when a lot of undercoat remains trapped in the coat. The skin gets less airflow, which can lead to dry skin, dandruff and skin irritation.
The longer dead hair remains in the coat, the less air reaches the skin. This creates an environment where parasites, bacteria and fungi thrive.
That's why it's important to brush regularly and keep a close eye on things. If your dog scratches frequently, licks itself raw, has bald patches, redness, heavy dandruff or inflamed skin, you should consult your vet. Not all itching is related to shedding and goes away on its own.
When to See the Vet
Flying hairs, whether individual or in tufts, are normal during shedding. But not all hair loss is harmless. If your dog is losing a lot of hair outside the typical shedding period, or is showing additional symptoms during shedding, you should take a closer look.
Warning signs include very sudden hair loss in tufts, increased dandruff, bald patches, skin redness, weeping areas, pustules or severe itching. In these cases, you should have your dog checked by a vet.
A veterinary examination can identify the cause of the symptoms. Coat and skin problems can arise from, for example: parasites, fungal infections, allergies, hormonal disorders, bacterial skin inflammation, metabolic and organ diseases.
Special Case: Seasonal Flank Alopecia
Not every bald patch indicates an illness. Some dogs react more dramatically to the longer days: their fur falls out, the hair follicles take a break – and the new hair takes its time growing back. The flanks are a typical area for this. Bald patches appear there, often round and irregular in shape. Vets refer to this as seasonal flank alopecia – hair loss that occurs only temporarily in spring. If you notice this for the first time in your dog, it will probably give you a fright. Fortunately, this type of seasonal hair loss does not affect your dog's health. And before long, the cosmetic problem resolves itself and your dog's coat looks as beautiful as ever.
Why Nutrition Matters During Shedding
During shedding, your dog's body is working at full capacity. It needs energy to produce many new hairs, drawing that energy from the right nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
If your dog isn't getting optimal nutrition, it can show quickly: the new coat grows in dull, brittle or sparse, and the skin becomes dry and flaky. That's why coat care begins in the bowl.
Supporting Shedding: High-Quality Protein
Protein supply is especially important now. Hair is made of keratin – which is protein. High-quality protein is the foundation for a healthy coat during shedding. Particularly relevant for the formation and structure of hair are the sulphur-containing amino acids methionine and cystine, which are found in protein.
Supporting Shedding: Vitamins and Trace Elements
Skin and coat also benefit from trace elements and vitamins such as biotin and B vitamins, zinc, copper, vitamin E and iodine. These support skin cell renewal, protect skin cells and contribute to a strong, healthy coat.
Shiny Coat: Oils and Fats
Fats play a key role. Every single hair is surrounded by a lipid layer. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in particular keep the coat supple and give it a healthy shine.
Your dog's body cannot produce essential fatty acids in sufficient quantities on its own. Omega-3 fatty acids can be particularly beneficial for your dog's skin and coat during shedding season.
For dogs in shedding season, salmon oil is an excellent supplement: the omega-3 fatty acids it contains can alleviate skin problems and visibly improve the shine and health of your dog's coat. Salmon oil is a particularly well-tolerated and, for most dogs, very tasty source of essential fatty acids.
Beautyfuel Salmon Oil by LuckyChef
High-quality omega-3 fatty acids for skin and coat – simply add to your dog's food.
It's All About the Right Balance
What matters is the bigger picture. It's not a single nutrient that makes for a beautiful coat, but the interplay of a balanced, needs-appropriate diet. That's exactly why it's worth looking at your dog's complete nutritional intake during shedding – not just individual supplements.
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Grooming Routine During Your Dog's Shedding Season
Brush, brush, brush! That's the golden rule for removing loose hair from your dog's coat. Which brush works best depends on the coat type and what your dog tolerates – or even enjoys.
For long-haired dogs with undercoat, there are de-shedding brushes that work loose undercoat out of the fur. For knots or matting, there are special detangling brushes and sprays to make the process easier.
For short-haired dogs with sensitive skin, rubber brushes or soft nubbed brushes are often sufficient. Rubber curry combs can also be helpful, especially for dogs who prefer a gentler touch or are still getting used to being groomed.
How often you should brush depends on your dog. The more they shed, the more frequently you should brush. Dogs with a lot of undercoat in particular benefit from daily grooming during shedding season.
Puppies and Shedding
Puppies also go through a coat change. For the first time, they lose their soft puppy fur and grow an adult coat. This first shedding can take a long time – often weeks or even months. During this period, the coat often looks a little uneven.
By the time this phase begins at the latest, you should gently introduce your puppy to the brush, comb and other grooming routines.
Summary: Ready for Every Coat
The days are getting longer and temperatures are rising. Both signal to your dog's body that it's time to shed the winter coat. During shedding season, you can support your dog from the inside and the outside. A balanced diet and regular grooming help keep skin and coat in great condition.
Before long, the chaos is over and your dog shows off its new, light summer coat – ready for the warmer months ahead. Enjoy your fully refreshed furry friend!
Want to learn more about dog health? In Vets Answer you'll find more articles from our veterinarians.
