Mary Allen
Hair, hair everywhere! In spring and autumn, you will see them more often throughout your apartment if you have a dog or cat. Because it’s time to change coat.
If you find tufts of animal hair in your apartment again, know that your dog or cat has begun to change hair. Animals lose their hair all year round, but especially twice a year.
Because in the spring they shed their winter fur, and in the fall it grows back. How much hair your dog or cat will lose is hard to say. It depends on several factors:
- old
- hormones
- health status
- castration
Neutered animals tend to have more hair than those that do not. Older animals lose more hair than young animals, and in females before estrus, this change is also noticeable. Cats that are outdoors a lot also lose a lot of hair.
When is it Time to Change the Coat?
When exactly the change of fur begins in cats and dogs, it is different. Outside temperature and length of day matter. However, we are convinced that you will quickly notice when your dog or cat will renew their coat. This usually happens within four to eight weeks.
Why is changing your coat so important? Animals renew their coat structure and adapt it to the season. This allows them to properly regulate their body temperature. While we put on the jacket in winter, dogs and cats protect themselves from the cold by forming thick fur. In the warmer months, they need a summer air coat.
Note: You should be extra vigilant if your animal suddenly has a lot of hair loss, bald, red spots, or possibly itching. Symptoms like these are usually not caused by your dog or cat’s coat change. Fungi, parasites, hormonal problems, or allergies are more likely. Therefore, as a precaution, you should consult your veterinarian.
Here’s How to Help Your Dog and Cat Change Their Coat
Brushing
When changing fur, you should brush your dog or cat daily. Why is it important?
- Remove loose hair to prevent itching
- Promote blood circulation
- Stimulates the metabolism in the skin
- Regulate sebum production
- Promote healthy coat growth
- Minimize tufts of fur in your apartment
- Stronger bond with your pet
What else is worth paying attention to?
- Combing takes place in the direction of hair growth, that is, from the head to the body and legs. Make sure you really work through all the fur. In long-haired dogs and cats, you can also lift the top of the coat first to get to the undercoat.
- Look for special fur-changing brushes with rounded teeth and bristles. After all, combing your pet shouldn’t be painful. Among other things, there are special brushes for lining under the wool, gloves for fur grooming, and models with plastic handles.
Tip: On the one hand, brushing your teeth is good for your roommates with pets, and on the other, it helps you bond with them. Because regular grooming of cats and dogs strengthens your relationship. You should start doing this when your favorite pet is still very small. Thus, you will also train them directly to the procedure.
Nutrition
If dogs and cats lose their old hair and grow new ones during the hair change, it costs energy for the dogs and cats. This makes a balanced diet with high-quality dog or cat food even more important. It should contain the following:
- High-quality protein
- Zinc
- Vitamin B
- Biotin
- Unsaturated fatty acids
- WITHOUT harmful additives
A special tip for your cat: They should always have access to cat grass. Because cats are known to be very clean and swallow a lot of hair when grooming their hair. They either secrete them, or they vomit cat grass. This way, there are no dangerous hairballs left in the digestive tract.
Oil for your animal
The transition from summer to winter mode and vice versa costs the animals strength. Therefore, you can support the change of hair in dogs and cats with oil. Many experts recommend flaxseed or salmon oil. For cats and small dogs, add a few drops to the food every day, for larger dog breeds, up to a tablespoon. Fish or flaxseed oil contains unsaturated fatty acids, i.e. omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. It prevents dandruff and gives the coat a beautiful sheen. It also stimulates the regeneration of hair follicles.
If you notice that your pet itches more often, you can give him evening primrose oil. It reduces itching and also regulates the formation of sebum on the skin.
In short: What You Need to do When Your Pet Changes Coats
- Brush daily with a soft brush to remove the undercoat.
- Teach puppies and kittens to groom.
- Provide a balanced diet.
- Fur care with oil and other means.
- See your veterinarian if your pet has atypical symptoms.