As the end of the autumn season is quickly approaching, both humans and canines are preparing themselves for a potentially cold, harsh winter. You have probably noticed that your dog has been shedding more intensely over the past weeks to get ready for the upcoming drop in temperature. However, is this intense shedding episode a natural process, or does it hide additional health concerns? Today, we will learn how to tell the difference between seasonal and excessive dog shedding and how to prevent the latter with a proper diet all year round.

Why Do Dogs Shed?

Dog shedding occurs due to the life cycle of the hair follicle, which grows, falls, and, eventually, grows again. This process takes place throughout the year as canines prepare their coats for the upcoming season. In particular, summer and winter bring more dramatic changes in temperature, which is why dogs tend to shed more before these two seasons. To sum it up, all dogs shed, so, even if you have a hypoallergenic dog breed, you should expect to find clumps of hair on your carpet from time to time.

The proper amount of shedding depends on numerous variables and can hardly be quantified. Anatomy, physiology, genetics, breed, and environment all have a say in the amount of hair that canines shed. We recommend that you research your dog breed’s shedding patterns.Some dog breeds shed more than others and, consequently, require more regular grooming.

However, just because you have noticed an increase in shedding, does not necessarily mean that your dog is suffering from hair loss. Unlike seasonal shedding, hair loss (or alopecia) is a medical issue caused by parasites, skin infections, allergies, or endocrine disorders. If you see a bald spot appearing in your dog’s coat, then it’s time to investigate its cause and look for a natural remedy.

What Dog Breeds Shed the Most?

The ten breeds that make the cut in our “Kings of Shedding” list are:

• Saint Bernard
• Great Pyrenees
• Chow Chow
• Akita
• Siberian Husky
• Golden Retriever
• German Shepherd
• Labrador Retriever
• Alaskan Malamute, and
• Alaskan Husky

These breeds share a common trait: they have a thick double coat that contains a plush undercoat and a furry layer on top. Unfortunately, this added fluff also comes with more intense shedding patterns. Aside from their year-round minor loss of hair, the shedding seasons translate into more hair clumps around the house, on your carpets and furniture. If you have any of these dog breeds, this pattern should not alarm you. With a bit of extra maintenance and grooming, your dog’s coat will be shiny, soft, and healthy all year round!!

Why Does My Dog Shed So Much?

When your dog exhibits excessive shedding, we need to think about what may be causing that to happen. The usual culprits behind excessive dog shedding are:

#1: Aging

The natural aging process weakens the hair follicle, thus making it more susceptible to shedding.

#2: Indoor vs. Outdoor Living Conditions

Dogs who spend more time outdoors need to adapt themselves to changes in temperature and, therefore, shed more often. On the other hand, couch potatoes who prefer the indoor environment experience reduced shedding.

#3: Using the Wrong Hair Products

Sharing your shampoo with your canine can aggravate its shedding patterns. The difference in pH levels between human and dog skin renders the shampoo for humans improper for canines, as it disrupts the dog skin’s acid mantle and creates the perfect environment for bacteria, parasites and fungi. Furthermore, the rapid growth of unwanted microorganisms emits a strong smell, thus prompting dog parents to repeat the cycle and causing more damage to the dog’s skin.

Choosing a natural-based canine-friendly hair product will keep their skin’s pH levels balanced and prevent further excessive shedding. Accordingly, ensure that you properly rinse your dog’s coat after each bath to thoroughly remove the shampoo.

#4: Stress at Home

Pets suffer the adverse effects of stress as much as humans do. Significant routine changes and new family members or pets could be behind your dog’s excessive shedding.

#5: Skin Parasites

Excessive shedding and scratching frequently point towards skin parasites, such as fleas, ticks, or mites. If left untreated, skin parasites can exacerbate your dog’s shedding patterns and cause more severe medical issues (e.g., skin inflammation and secondary skin infections).

#6: Feeding Imbalanced Amounts of Nutrients to Your Dog

Canines require a balanced intake of protein and nutrients to keep their coats healthy and shiny. The lack of these nutrients, stemming, for example, from feeding dry kibble with unavailable amounts of protein, may cause the dog to shed excessively. As we mentioned earlier, amino acids in proteins make up the building blocks of skin tissue and hair, among other things. Dog hair contains about 65 to up to 95 percent protein [source: Schenck]. So, it makes sense that dietary protein intake has a big effect on a dog’s skin and coat.

Proper dietary protein helps maintain a dog's healthy skin and a full coat. In particular, for hair to grow well, it needs sulfur-containing amino acids. Dry or brittle fur and patches of hair loss can be a sign that your dog needs more protein in their diet. Protein deficiency also causes skin darkening or depigmentation of hair. The damage to the skin can itself be a danger to the dog, as it weakens the skin's ability to protect against infections and heal wounds.

It also stands to reason that a dog's protein needs can vary depending on whether the dog has long hair or short hair. Consider that a long-haired dog could use up about 30 percent of the protein it consumes just on hair growth alone. A short-haired dog might use about 10 percent of its dietary protein for hair [source: Schenck].

#7: Underlying Diseases and Organ Imbalances

At the internal level, loss of hair can be the mark of organ imbalance. For example, issues in the lungs and the large intestine manifest themselves through excessive shedding, drippy nose, whitish eye discharges, dandruff, and a dry, brittle coat. Aside from organ imbalance, underlying diseases, such as Cushing’s disease and bowel disease are known to hide behind excessive shedding.

#8: Hypothyroidism

A slow metabolism due to an underactive thyroid gland can also show in a canine’s coat. Dry, dull hair, excessing shedding, thinner hair follicles, and darker skin pigmentation point towards hypothyroidism.

All these factors have a say in the way your dog sheds. Fortunately, you can quickly reverse the excessive shedding process by inquiring into your dog’s diet. Does your dog’s current diet facilitate a healthy intake of protein and nutrients? What about the food quality? What nutrients might be missing? We are here to help you answer these questions and talk about the best nutritional choices for a shiny, soft, and healthy coat for your dog!

Keep Your Dog’s Shedding Patterns in Check With a Proper Diet

Your canine’s coat will immensely benefit from a raw diet, which is rich in Vitamin B, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and zinc. So let’s examine how each of the three ingredients can boost your dog’s coat health.

#1: Vitamin B

The benefits of a healthy vitamin B intake for your dog span numerous functions and organs of the canine body, from metabolism to proper cell growth. Setting aside its abundance of additional benefits, what primarily interests us today is vitamin B’s effect on the canine skin and nervous system. Vitamin B7 keeps your dog’s skin healthy, while vitamin B12 reduces stress levels in your dog’s nervous system. A stress-free dog is a healthy dog and a healthy dog has a shiny coat to show for it!

Commercial food often lacks the necessary vitamin B complex concentration. Instead of feeding food with minimal nutritional value to your dog, we encourage you to include our selection of vitamin B rich foods into your dog’s diet:

• Organ meats (liver, kidneys, etc.)
• Grass-fed meat (cow, lamb, elk, etc.)
• Fish
• Eggs
• Poultry (chicken, turkey, etc.)
• Raw milk (not processed in any way)
• Wheat bran and germ
• Kelp
• Brewers' Yeast
• Molasses

#2: Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids

Fewer nutrients prove as beneficial to your canine’s internal system as the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. When abundantly fed from a young age, omega-3’s and omega-6’s ensure the proper growth of your puppy, both physically and neurologically. These nutrients will play a significant part in your dog’s nutritional plan even at an adult age, as omega-3’s and omega-6’s keep the coat and the skin of your canine companion healthy. Without these nutrients, dogs become more prone to skin scaling, increased allergic reactions, dander, and itchiness.

Fortunately, omega-3’s and omega-6’s are present in various easy-to-find foods. Several types of oil, such as olive, flaxseed, and krill oil, make excellent sources of these nutrients. Krill oil, in particular, has a myriad of other health benefits, from boosting cardiovascular health to balancing the digestive system. Feel free to check out more details on selecting a dog-friendly oil here!

#3: Zinc

Research shows that dogs who receive zinc supplements show significant improvement in coat gloss and coat scale. Increase your canine’s zinc intake by choosing our Volhard Liver Treats; their grain-free and gluten-free composition make Liver Treats the best snack for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities. Also, aside from zinc, Liver Treats contain copious amounts of omega-3’s and omega-6’s—a healthy snack for a healthy dog coat!

Bonus Tip: Use Coconut Oil

Another type of oil shows tremendous benefits against excessive shedding: coconut oil! Loaded with essential nutrients and beneficial fatty acids, coconut oil penetrates the dog’s coat and moisturizes the skin, providing healing benefits and protection against external agents. Also, its smell of cookies will delight everyone in the house, as well as your dog. Don’t forget to check out our selection of coconut-based products for more information!

A Parting Reminder

It is easy to confuse seasonal shedding with excessive shedding. While the former is completely natural, a variety of factors can hide behind the latter, from improper grooming practices and stress to serious health issues. We hope that our tips on how to improve your dog’s diet will bring excessive shedding to a halt and keep their coat shiny, soft, and healthy. For more advice on dog nutrition, health, and training, make sure that you contact us or check out our blog!

Volhard Dog Nutrition and its expert nutritionists are now offering online consultations to help more dog parents discover why, what, and how to feed their dogs the healthiest of foods! Speaking to a Volhard nutritionist will help you understand the inseparable relationship between healthy food, a healthy body, and a healthy mind. If you're interested in contacting one of our Volhard nutritionists, don't hesitate to access our consultation page!