Coat change

In our FAQs about shedding, we've compiled everything you need to know to manage the situation. We also offer helpful tips to give your beloved pet the best possible support through this often demanding stage: 

What happens when a dog sheds its coat?

Most dog breeds shed their coats twice a year, in spring and autumn. These weeks represent the normal seasonal shedding process for dogs: 

In spring, your dog loses its warm undercoat to make room for the lighter summer coat and thus adapt to the higher temperatures.

In autumn, however, the summer coat gives way to the thick winter coat.

The intensity of the coat change depends on several criteria:

- Dog breed: In some breeds with a very dense undercoat, hair loss is immense, in others the change of coat is less pronounced.

- Dog's age: Puppies, for example, lose their soft baby fur once, while older dogs often shed for a longer period than younger dogs. This is mainly due to their slower metabolism and slower cardiovascular system. 

- Hormones: Female dogs often lose a lot of hair just before going into heat. Spaying can also cause more hair loss. 

Caution: If your dog is losing clumps of hair even outside of its seasonal shedding, you should be suspicious. In such cases, a parasite infestation or illness may be the cause. A food allergy or stress can also cause your beloved pet to experience hair loss. If you can't find the cause, you should visit a veterinarian.   

When does the change of coat begin?

As soon as the temperatures rise, the days get longer, and the first early flowers bloom. Here we go, the spring coat swap begins: now you should have vacuum cleaners, brushes, and combs handy. 

In autumn, the changes in coat begin with the drop in temperatures; the winter coat replaces the summer coat; in some dogs, the inner layer that warms up also forms now.

Depending on the temperature profile, the layer change always begins at different times.

How long does it take for a dog's coat to change?

The time it takes for dogs to change their coat varies: in some dogs, the change takes less than six weeks, in others more than eight weeks.

What does the change in your dog's coat mean?

While it may seem that your dog's coat change is not a problem for him, some dogs actually experience difficulties and show some side effects that affect their normal condition:

- Scaly skin and itching: Especially in spring, when the heaters are still on at home, some dogs struggle with flaky skin and itching. If an allergy or parasite infestation can be ruled out as the cause of this problem, it could be due to the dry air from the heating. 

- Odor development: During shedding season, it is especially important to brush and comb your pet regularly. This is the only way to prevent bacteria and dirt from giving the coat an unpleasant odor. 

- Dull coat: A dull coat won't bother your beloved pet as much as it will bother you. But even that's quite normal in moderation: if the coat changes from a summer coat to a winter coat or vice versa, these coat types sometimes blend together, which can look rather odd. However, generally, a healthy coat is shiny. Therefore, a dull coat can also indicate a temporary lack of nutrients. If in doubt, and especially if there are bald patches in the coat, it's advisable to check if the cause is an illness.    

NOTE: Most dogs go through their coat change without any problems and have no complaints.

Our advice: What does changing your winter coat mean to you? If you're not keen on cleaning or vacuuming, you'll also face challenges during this time. So, be prepared for a few weeks where you'll be using the vacuum cleaner, broom, and lint roller more often than usual.  

4 tips to help your dog change its coat

Would you like to speed up your dog's coat change or at least support your pet as best you can during this time? Then these 5 tips will help: 

1- Suitable brushes and grooming tools:

Depending on how intensely your pet's coat sheds, you should consider brushing them daily. To establish a routine, you can always choose a consistent time for brushing, combing, or grooming. This not only speeds up the shedding process but also allows you to manage hair loss: you can remove clumps of hair directly from the brush and dispose of them. A welcome side effect: once the hair is removed, it won't cause any itching.   

2- Relieve itching during coat change:

If dry air from heating is a possible cause of dry, flaky skin, which in turn causes annoying itching, a humidifier on the radiator can help. Regular brushing of the undercoat and thinning fur also helps combat the itching. If the cause is more likely a parasite infestation, you should seek advice from a pharmacy or your veterinarian about medicated shampoos with the appropriate active ingredient that can relieve the discomfort.  

3- Adjust nutrition optimally:

When your dog sheds its coat, its body has to invest a lot in hair growth. Because of this, your dog needs significantly more minerals, vitamins, and protein than usual, as these nutrients are essential for coat growth. In addition to protein, B vitamins, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids are particularly beneficial.  

4- Preventing a Dull Coat:
A popular remedy for restoring shine to a dull coat is brewer's yeast. This natural ingredient is rich in B vitamins, which not only strengthen the immune system but also have a beneficial effect on the skin and hair. Combined with zinc, biotin, and omega-3 fatty acids, it creates a powerful array of beneficial components. To compensate for this temporary increase in nutrient requirements, dietary supplements are recommended. It's not advisable to change your dog's food solely during shedding season if you're already feeding a conventional diet. If your dog is on a raw food diet (BARF), you can more easily adjust the individual components and nutrients of the food to meet their increased needs.     

However, in the case of a permanently dull coat, changing the conventional food may also help. Your veterinarian will give you more detailed advice. 

Conclusion: With the right grooming equipment, regular grooming, and a little patience, you not only have shedding under control, but you also get through it quickly.