Molting is a natural process. It is normal for your dog to molt in the fall or spring. It is enough just to comb the wool thoroughly every day. If the dog sheds all year round and itches, then you should be wary.
What affects dog shedding?
If the dog is completely healthy, then the only factor influencing the shedding of dogs will be the air temperature. By the onset of cold weather, the dog actively begins to change its coat and overgrow with fluff, and in the spring, with the arrival of heat, get rid of it.
If molting lasts a whole year, then the owner should be concerned about the health of his pet. The reasons for the year-round molt can be:
- avitaminosis;
- hormonal imbalance;
- decreased immunity;
- diseases of the internal organs of the dog;
- severe stress.
In addition, some dog breeds have long coats with a very thick undercoat. In such dogs, it is difficult to determine at what point the seasonal molt began, so many owners think that this happens all year round. These dogs need to be helped to get rid of excess fluff with the help of special combs.
If a dog that does not have a "luxurious fur coat" begins to shed all year round, then you should seek advice from a veterinarian. If the disturbed hormonal balance can be restored through proper nutrition and long active walks in the fresh air, then reasons such as diseases of internal organs require high-quality diagnosis and long-term treatment with special drugs.
Off-season molt as a symptom of the disease
A short-term molt that occurs during the off-season can also become an alarming sign. For example, the dog began to shed its fur heavily in winter, at the beginning of severe frosts. Or suddenly began to go bald in the summer, after a seasonal molt.
If, in addition to molting, the dog began to smell unpleasant, then, most likely, this is a violation of the sebaceous glands. This disease can be caused by both improper diet and the use of low-quality shampoos and conditioners.
Occasionally, severe out-of-season molting can indicate a dog's allergy. For example, after changing the food, introducing a new product or a new delicacy into the diet, you may notice that the dog began to itch more often, from which the fur began to sprinkle from it. In this case, the allergy can be in the dog and non-food. For example, eating the usual food, the dog began to shed its hair, itch, redness and increased salivation are observed. This means that the source of the allergy either flies in the air or on surfaces with which it comes into contact.
Parasites can also be the cause of non-seasonal molting. Fleas and ticks provoke the dog to comb the bites. Thus, damage appears on the skin, and the hair begins to fall out. In addition, if a dog cannot grow hair and its weight gradually decreases, then most likely it is infected with helminthiasis. In this case, it is recommended to start treatment as soon as possible.
A person who decides to get a dog must be ready for anything. Including the inconvenience caused by molting. So that in the off-season the dog does not shed, it is necessary to monitor its health, adhere to proper nutrition, walk more often and longer, ventilate the room and comb the hair.
