Mary Allen
Winter is over and the longer days and the warm temperatures demand a lot from the dog’s organism. After all, your dog no longer needs his thick coat. Your dog will face an exhausting process in spring, although the same procedure will be repeated in autumn – the change of coat. Here I have some information for you about changing the coat, including how you can support your dog in a meaningful way during this stressful time.
Spring – Beautiful and Exhausting at the Same Time
As soon as it gets warmer in spring and the first “fur mice” scurry across the floor in the apartment, we know exactly – the change of fur is on the agenda again. During this time it is not really worth putting away the vacuum cleaner or the brush. How much hair ultimately spreads out on the floors in our four walls naturally depends on the dog itself. Breed, age, and gender play a role, as do stress factors and the health of your dog. Also, some dogs even shed fur throughout the year. But especially in spring, when the winter coat gives way to the summer coat, a lot of undercoats come out. Brushing is particularly suitable as a support.
Autumn – Preparation for the Cold Days
Summer is over and cooler days are heralding autumn. For your dog, it is now time to slowly build up his winter coat again. Changing the fur is a long process that takes weeks and costs a lot of energy. Short-haired dogs also need special help during this time. For most of them, even their new fur is not enough to withstand colder temperatures and icy winds. You can support your dog with windproof and water-repellent dog coats. This is also important for older dogs so that the back muscles do not cool down and cramp. Small dog breeds, which due to their physique are very close to the cold ground and also have shorter fur, also need protection.
In recent years, the seasons have often shifted somewhat and in autumn there were often still beautiful and warm days. Not only a constant up and down for us humans, but also for our dear four-legged friends. This frequent change in temperature can really upset the organism. This means that the change of fur can also be postponed. So don’t be surprised if your dog only gets a thicker coat later.
Brushing and combing is important
Depending on the length of the fur, brushing or combing is essential. If your dog has longer fur, you should brush or comb it regularly. This way you can prevent tangles and knots in the fur. You can also check the fur for parasites at the same time. When the coat is about to change, the entire dense undercoat has to be removed in the spring. With special brushes and curry combs, you can help your dog lose this thick coat as quickly as possible. Which brush you can use exactly, you have to try out for yourself. There are many on the market, sorted by fur type or strength level. Examples of this are soft brushes, curry combs, the Furminator, brushes with stronger and firmer bristles, and much more.
The brushing itself not only ensures that the loose fur can come out, but it also stimulates blood circulation in the skin – another positive side effect. If the coat change is due in autumn, the light summer coat is exchanged for a dense undercoat. This change of fur is usually not as pronounced as in spring and brushing or combing can also be less then.
Assistance with nutrition
You can also help your dog change their coat with nutrition. This is precisely when the need for minerals, nutrients, and vitamins increases. A protein-rich diet is particularly useful in order to support the skin’s metabolism. You should also add essential fatty acids to the dog food. Biotin and B vitamins as well as zinc also help during this time.
You can do something good for your dog with high-quality linseed or salmon oil. However, start the dosage in small steps. Because too much oil, especially if your dog does not know it, can definitely lead to diarrhea. Also, make sure that the oils are of good quality. There are many different linseed oils on the market, but only a few are of high quality.
You can also do something good for dog fur and skin with brewer’s yeast. These are usually available in powder or tablet form.
You should discuss biotin and zinc administration with your veterinarian or animal health practitioner beforehand. A dog nutritionist can also help you to find out to what extent your current dog food is sufficient and what you can add to it.