Most dogs shed most intensely during two periods of the year, and a typical shedding period lasts around two to six weeks. However, how long a dog sheds depends greatly on the breed, coat type, season and how the dog lives day to day. Some dogs change their coat in a concentrated burst in spring and autumn, while others lose hair more evenly all year round. In the following, you will get a concrete overview of what you can expect, why shedding happens, and how you can best support your dog through it, including with the right nutrition.
This is how long the big coat change lasts in spring and autumn
The heavy coat change that many dog owners experience is linked to the change between the seasons. In spring, the dog loses its thick winter coat to make room for a lighter summer coat, and in autumn the opposite happens when the warm undercoat comes through before winter. The visible loss of hair itself typically lasts two to four weeks, but in dogs with a heavy undercoat the entire process can stretch over six weeks or more before the coat once again lies evenly and densely. During that period you will notice significantly more hair on the floor, in the bed and on your clothes, and that is completely normal.
The timing is not fixed on the calendar. Light plays a major role, and because many dogs spend a lot of time indoors in artificial light and heated homes, the seasonal changes can become more blurred than nature actually intends. That is why some dog owners find that their dog sheds a little almost all the time, with two more distinct peaks over the year.
This is why some dogs shed more than others
The breed and coat type are the most important factors for how much and how long a dog sheds. Dogs with a double coat, that is both a topcoat and an undercoat, such as the German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Husky and most spitz-type dogs, often go through a heavy and visible coat change where large amounts of undercoat come loose in a short time. Dogs with a single coat or a finer layer of hair usually shed less dramatically and more evenly. A few breeds with hair-like coats lose very little loose hair, but in return require regular clipping.
Age, sex and the individual dog's hormonal rhythm also play a part, and puppies typically change from the soft puppy coat to the adult coat during the first year of life. If you are a puppy owner and want to understand the development in the early period, you can dive into the advice in our puppy universe, where the guidance comes directly from ESSENTIAL FOODS and gathers what you need in the beginning.
When the dog sheds all year round
If you find that your dog loses hair constantly and not only in the classic seasons, it is rarely a cause for concern in itself. Indoor living, a stable room temperature and artificial light all year round can blur the natural peaks, so that shedding becomes more continuous. Some dogs simply have a coat type that replaces hair on an ongoing basis.
There is, however, a difference between even shedding and sudden changes. If you notice that your dog is losing coat in patches, developing bare areas, scratching intensely or developing a dull and lifeless coat, this is not an ordinary coat change, and you should then contact your vet for an assessment. The condition of the coat is often one of the first places where the dog's general wellbeing shows itself, and marked changes deserve a professional eye.
This is how to make the shedding period shorter and easier
You cannot stop a coat change, but you can get it over with faster and make it more comfortable for both dog and home. Regular brushing is the most effective tool, because you remove the loose hairs before they end up on the floor, and at the same time you help new coat come through. During the busiest shedding period it makes sense to brush daily, especially dogs with a heavy undercoat, where an undercoat brush reaches all the way in to the loose hairs. Outside the season, a few times a week is usually enough to keep the coat healthy and free of matting.
A bath with a mild dog shampoo can loosen large amounts of undercoat at once and speed up a coat change that is well under way. Avoid over-bathing, as too frequent baths can dry out skin and coat. A good routine is more about consistency than about quantity, and even a short daily brushing session makes a noticeable difference over the weeks the shedding lasts.
The importance of nutrition for a healthy and glossy coat
A dog's coat is built from the inside, and what it eats is clearly seen in the quality of the coat. The coat consists largely of protein, and a sufficient amount of carefully selected animal protein is therefore absolutely central to new hairs growing in strong and healthy during a coat change. Fatty acids, not least omega-3 and omega-6, contribute to supple skin and a glossy coat, and a well-balanced composition of vitamins and minerals supports the ongoing renewal of the coat.
At ESSENTIAL FOODS, all meals are premium and prepared from fresh raw materials and human-grade ingredients, composed so that the dog gets what it needs in everyday life, including in the periods when the coat requires extra. In our LIVING menu you will find dog meals with thoughtful nutritional profiles, where high-quality protein and good fatty acids work together. If you want a supplement that specifically supports skin and coat, you can take a closer look at the omega 3 oil, which adds pure omega-3 fatty acids to the daily meal.
If you are in doubt about what suits your particular dog's coat type, life stage and everyday life best, ESSENTIAL FOODS' nutrition advisers are ready to guide you on feeding, food and nutrition by phone, chat or email. They can help you find the nutritional profile that supports a healthy coat all year round.
Shedding through the dog's life stages
The need changes as the dog gets older. A young, adult dog with a high activity level uses a lot of energy and often has a robust coat, while a dog with a more moderate everyday life may need a different balance in the meal. For dogs in their senior years, the coat can become thinner and duller, and the skin less elastic, which makes the right fatty acids and an easily absorbed protein even more important in the golden years. For the senior dog's everyday life and wellbeing, Older Kibble is composed with precisely this in mind.
No matter where your dog is in life, a coat change is a healthy sign of a body that is renewing itself. By combining a fixed brushing routine with a thoughtful, high-quality meal, you make the shedding period both shorter and more comfortable, and at the same time you give your dog the best foundation for a dense, glossy and healthy coat for the rest of the year.