Shedding season survival: Managing seasonal shedding in dogs and cats
By Lauren Rey
Pets add so much to our lives — joy, love, humor, and of course, some hair! Whether you have a dog or cat, you’ve probably picked furballs off the floor or lint-rolled pet hair off your pillow more than a few times. All pets shed, but some shed more than others due to the type of coat they have and the season. If you’re seeing more fur fly than usual when the weather starts changing, chances are you’re dealing with seasonal shedding.
Seasonal shedding can be a pain for pet owners but it’s only a small price to pay for the love of our furry friends. While we can’t stop the shed, there are ways we can reduce the amount of fur floating around our home. Let’s discuss what causes seasonal shedding in pets, when it occurs, and how to manage it.
Understanding pet shedding
All dogs and cats shed; it’s a fact of life for mammals with fur or hair, including humans, which also shed hair regularly. Shedding is a normal part of the hair growth cycle, which consists of four stages:
- Anagen: Active hair growth occurs
- Catagen: Hair growth stops
- Telogen: Hair enters a resting phase
- Exogen: Active shedding occurs
While all dogs and cats go through a hair growth cycle, some will have variations in how long they remain in each phase and how much they shed due to their breed and coat type. Sometimes you’ll see breeds categorized at low, medium, or high shedding.
Low to medium-shedding breeds tend to have single coats, which consist of just one layer of “guard” hair, known as a topcoat. Pet breeds with single coats include dogs such as Chihuahuas and Boxers, and cats such as Bengals and Russian Blues. Single-coated breeds shed small to moderate amounts throughout the year.
High-shedding breeds tend to have double coats, which consist of two layers of hair, an undercoat of soft, dense fur for insulation, and then a topcoat. Pet breeds with double coats include dogs such as German Shepherds and Siberian Huskies, and cats such as Persians and Himalayans. These types of coats will shed small to moderate amounts year-round, but then also shed a large amount at once, during the change of the season. This is known as seasonal shedding.
Seasonal shedding in pets
Seasonal shedding typically occurs in double-coated breeds in the spring and fall. This is to prepare the coat for the changing weather. In the spring, the thicker winter coat will be shed in preparation for a lighter, cooler summer coat. In the fall, the thinner summer coat will shed as the thicker winter coat begins to grow back in. Both dogs and cats can experience seasonal shedding.
Seasonal shedding in dogs
Dogs that experience seasonal shedding typically include double-coated breeds that originally came from climates with cold winters such as:
- Siberian Huskies
- Alaskan Malamutes
- German Shepherds
- Golden Retrievers
- Labrador Retrievers
- Bernese Mountain Dogs
- Border Collies
- Chow Chows
Seasonal shedding in cats
Cats that experience seasonal shedding typically include double-coated breeds that originally came from climates with cold winters such as:
- Persians
- Himalayans
- Siberians
- Russian Blues
- Scottish Folds
- Maine Coons
- Norwegian Forest Cats
- Turkish Angoras
Other causes of pet shedding
Sometimes shedding can happen for other reasons, beyond what’s considered normal or seasonal. Pets may shed more due to stress or anxiety, or if they have allergies, dermatological conditions, infections, parasites, nutritional deficiencies, or underlying health conditions such as diabetes or Cushing's disease. Excessive shedding in pets should always be evaluated by a veterinarian, especially if the shedding is accompanied by any other symptoms or abnormal behaviors.
Managing pet shedding
Dealing with pet hair can be a pain for pet owners, especially during shedding season, but there are ways to manage it. Investing in a few good household cleaning tools, dedicating some time to grooming, and staying on top of your pet’s skin and coat health can help reduce the amount of pet hair you’ll be picking up.
Tips for surviving shedding season
- Stock up on supplies: Before spring or fall rolls around, be sure to stock up on a good pet brush, lint rollers, and some microfiber dusters or cleaning cloths for quick pet hair cleanups on hard surfaces.
- Brush your pet’s coat regularly: Routine brushing is essential for your pet’s skin and coat health, and most importantly, it will help remove loose hair before it winds up on your floor or furniture. Brush your pet at least twice a week during shedding season, or more if recommended by your vet or groomer.
- Clean daily: During the shedding season, daily dusting, sweeping, and vacuuming can help drastically reduce the amount of pet hair that accumulates around your home. It may also be worthwhile to invest in a vacuum that’s rated for pet hair.
- Prevent parasites: While parasite prevention is important year-round, itchy, irritated skin from flea or tick bites will only make your pet scratch and shed more fur in the process. Be sure to keep up with your pet’s parasite prevention routine (or talk to your vet if your pet is not currently on any preventatives).
- Ensure proper nutrition: Make sure your pet is eating a properly balanced diet and talk to your vet about whether your pet may benefit from omega fatty acid supplementation for skin and coat health.
Pet shedding FAQs
Are there any non-shedding dogs or cats?
While some pets shed much less than others, there is no true non-shedding breed. Most dog and cat breeds touted as “non-shedding” or “hypoallergenic” still shed and can trigger allergies, but their shedding tends to be minimal, making them a preferred choice for some pet owners. Even most hairless breeds, despite their name, still have some hair and shed occasionally. Overall, you can find a low-shedding dog or cat, but not a completely non-shedding one.
Should I shave my pet’s coat for the summer?
Many pet owners are familiar with the old adage of the “summer haircut,” especially for dogs. While the practice is still preferred by some pet owners, it’s best to discuss this with your veterinarian or groomer first. In some breeds, especially double-coated breeds with undercoats, it’s often not advised to shave them for the summer, as it can leave them vulnerable to the elements and disrupt the natural growth cycle.
Should I bathe my pet more often during shedding season?
While brushing is something that’s highly recommended to do more often during shedding season, you may want to talk to your veterinarian or groomer before increasing the number of baths you give your pet. Some pets may benefit from more frequent bathing during shedding season, but for others, it can actually do more harm than good. Overbathing can dry out your pet’s skin and lead to more dandruff, itching, and shedding.
Surviving the shed
Shedding season might be a seemingly never-ending battle of the “floof,” but it’s nothing you can’t survive with a good pet brush, vacuum, and some lint rollers.
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