Ava Williams
Fall and spring are hairy times for dog owners. Because many dog breeds are about to change their fur – the dogs shed a lot more than usual and leave tufts of fur everywhere: in the apartment on pieces of furniture, on the carpet, in every corner, and on your favorite clothes. The experts from the specialist retail chain Fressnapf give tips on how best to get through this difficult time.
The change of coat in dogs normally follows the natural annual rhythm. In spring, space is created for an adapted summer coat, and in autumn for a warm, dense winter coat. Masters and mistresses usually have to fight countless tufts of fur on furniture and clothing for six to seven weeks. Calmness only returns when the coat has rebuilt itself.
Daily, intensive brushing helps and strengthens the bond
Until then, it’s time to brush your dog’s hair every day. Not only do you keep the amount of hair in your home in check, but you also support your dog, whose metabolism is running at full speed during this time. Dead hair, especially from the undercoat, can be easily removed with the right brush. This is important so that the skin can breathe and no tangles form. Tangles can lead to bacterial infections, fungal infections, or eczema. The massage effect of brushing also serves the well-being of the animal, e.g. B. with a knobbed glove or a rubber curry comb. This promotes blood circulation and stimulates metabolism. Regular removal of dead hair also removes dirt and bugs of all kinds from the coat.
If your dog is used to being brushed from an early age, it will enjoy this intensive time together. Because the closeness and the caresses create a special feeling of well-being for your four-legged friend. Provided, however, that the grooming ritual is only performed when your dog is balanced and relaxed.
If you pay special attention to your dog during the change of coat, the “hairy phase” can sometimes be shortened. Some owners also swear by essential fatty acids (feed oils) or brewer’s yeast preparations that they add to the feed. This also has a supporting, strengthening effect and ensures a shiny, beautiful coat.
Morbid hair loss
However, if the hair does not stop after several weeks, you should investigate whether it could be due to a nutrient deficiency. Likewise, allergies or other dog diseases can lead to strong hair. Extreme hair loss in tufts, which leads to bald spots, has nothing to do with the seasonal change of coat and must be clarified by the veterinarian.
The change of coat varies from dog to dog
How long the change of coat lasts and how intensively the dog sheds during this phase also depends heavily on the breed, gender, age, and any castration. Neutered dogs in particular show that they often shed more and more throughout the year. If you are allergic to flying dog hair – in the actual and figurative sense – and want to be on the safe side, you should find out in advance which dog breeds shed less or not at all. Apart from hairless dogs, these also include the Poodle, the Yorkshire Terrier, the Maltese, or Bolognese.
If the time of hair growth is over, you can increase the intervals between grooming. Depending on the dog’s breed and fur, weekly brushing is then sufficient.
Avoid tangles
If tangles do form, first untie loose knots with your hands and then very carefully with a detangling comb. If solid sheets of felt have already formed, you can cut them with scissors and try to untangle them. Please note, however, that pulling and plucking too hard can irritate the dog’s skin and can pull out the hair. In the worst case, only a veterinarian or an animal salon can help with clipping.
Accessories for grooming
There are commercially available brushes and combs for every coat type. When choosing basic equipment, every dog owner should get good advice. Unsuitable care utensils can be an unpleasant experience for humans and dogs, for example when caring for a particularly long dog fur.
There are now special combs and brushes for removing the loose undercoat during the change of coat, which significantly reduce the animal’s hair loss. The so-called Furminator, for example, pays off for heavily shedding dogs. This removes dead hair particularly effectively and caringly at the same time.