Why Do Dogs Shed Hair and How Can Shedding Be Prevented?

Whether it's a newborn puppy or a mature companion, living with one or more dogs is one of the greatest privileges in the world. Even a small glance or a sweet gesture from a dog is enough to warm one's heart. However, as with any beautiful experience, living with dogs also has its own challenges. One of the situations that sometimes challenges dog owners is shedding. Especially when dogs in the house shed a lot of hair, it can be very difficult for people with dog allergies to live a quality life. If you are also facing such a problem, you can find the causes of shedding in dogs and "How to prevent shedding in dogs?" in the rest of our article. You can find answers to the question here.

Shedding and Natural Cycle in Dogs

Shedding in dogs is completely normal and occurs as part of a natural cycle. Hairs have a certain lifespan. Hairs that have completed their lifespan or are damaged for any reason need to be removed from the dog's coat. Therefore, it is not possible to completely stop shedding. However, some dog breeds shed less hair than others. These include Poodles, Bichon Frises, Maltese, Portuguese Water Dogs, Schnauzers, Afghan Hounds, and Chinese Crested Dogs. Of course, it should be remembered that there are many factors related to shedding and that this situation cannot be attributed solely to breed.

Increased shedding in dogs usually follows the change of seasons. From this perspective, spring and autumn can be considered the seasons that affect shedding in dogs. During the transition to summer and winter months, when the weather warms up or cools down, dogs' fur also prepares for the new weather conditions. Old hairs are shed, and they are replaced by finer or thicker hairs depending on the season. For more information on this topic, you can read our content titled "Seasonal Shedding in Dogs".

Causes of Excessive Hair Shedding in Dogs

Excessive hair shedding in dogs is not part of the natural cycle. A sudden, critical increase in hair shedding, in particular, may indicate a health problem in the dog. The causes of excessive hair loss in dogs can be listed as follows:

• Exposure to external parasites (fleas, ticks, mites, lice, etc.)
• Fungal infections
• Bakteriyel enfeksiyonlar
• Kidney or liver problems
• Tiroit ya da adrenal sorunlar
• Immune disease
• Alerjiler
• Exposure to skin irritants
• Sun burns
• Pregnancy
• Side effects from medications
• Anksiyete veya stres
• Kanser

Among the most common causes of hair loss is exposure to external parasites such as fleas and ticks. Flea and tick bites can trigger allergies and scratching behavior in dogs, leading to increased hair loss and skin irritation. While it is possible for fleas and ticks to be carried into homes from humans, it is essential to take necessary precautions, especially for dogs that spend time outdoors. You can find products to help protect your dog against fleas and ticks here.

As seen in the list above, serious health problems are among the causes of hair loss in dogs. Therefore, when you notice suspicious hair loss in your dog, you should first consult your veterinarian and follow their advice.

Grooming Recommendations to Reduce Hair Loss

Implementing a proper grooming routine is important for maintaining coat health and combating hair loss. This makes it possible to keep hair loss under control in dogs.

If you don't want your dog to shed hair inside your house, you should wash it regularly. Remember to use dog shampoos specifically formulated for dogs when washing them. These shampoos are both pH-balanced for dogs and do not contain any chemicals that could be harmful or cause discomfort. You can browse dog shampoos here. You should also avoid overwashing your dog. Washing your dog more often than necessary will disrupt the oil balance in its body and cause dryness. Dryness can also trigger hair loss. Unless there is a special circumstance, washing dogs once or twice a week is sufficient.

Another way to remove dead hair from a dog's body is to brush their fur. Regular brushing will support the health of a dog's coat and help keep it shiny. When brushing your dog's fur, you should not neglect to use dog combs specifically designed for them. Unlike those for humans, these combs are ideal for use on a dog's fur. However, since every dog's fur structure is different, care should be taken to choose a comb suitable for the dog's fur. You can review the types of combs for short, medium, and long-haired dogs here.

Hair Shedding Can Be Reduced with Proper Nutrition

When listing the causes of hair shedding in dogs, nutrition must also be mentioned. Because one of the signs that a dog that is not properly nourished will show is hair shedding. You can support both the general and fur health of your dog by choosing quality food according to its specific needs such as age and breed. Here you can find dog food for different breeds of dogs at different developmental stages, both neutered and unneutered.

Supplements that will significantly contribute to your dog's immune system will also help support coat health. Omega-3 fatty acids, in particular, are extremely beneficial for dogs' coats. Omega-3 is also found in fish oil, olive oil, flaxseed oil, and chia seeds.

Your dog's ideal water intake is beneficial for its overall health as well as its coat health. Dogs that don't drink enough water may experience problems such as dry skin, which can lead to skin disorders and hair loss. Therefore, you should ensure your dog always has access to water. You can also add wet dog food to their diet, which helps meet their fluid needs to a high degree.