Most dogs shed most heavily twice a year, typically in spring and autumn, when the coat changes character in step with light and temperature. But when dogs shed depends on breed, coat type, life stage and how much time the dog spends indoors. Many dogs therefore also lose a little hair all year round, and that is perfectly normal. Below we go through when shedding happens, why it happens at that particular time, and what you yourself can do to support a healthy coat through the change.
Spring and autumn are the two major shedding periods
The most pronounced shedding happens at the change of seasons. In spring, the dog sheds its dense winter coat so it does not overheat in the warmer months. In autumn, the opposite happens: the light summer coat is replaced by a denser undercoat that insulates against the cold. These two periods are the ones most dog owners recognise as the weeks when hair settles on the floor, the furniture and clothing in far greater quantities than usual.
Shedding is largely controlled by the length of daylight. When the days grow longer in spring, and shorter in autumn, the dog's coat responds to the changed amount of light. So it is not temperature alone, but in particular the amount of light, that triggers the coat change. For this reason the timing can vary a little from year to year and from region to region.
Why some dogs shed all year round
Dogs that spend a lot of time indoors experience a more artificial light environment and an even room temperature all year round. This can blur the clear seasonal changes, so that the coat change is distributed more evenly throughout the year instead of concentrating in two intense periods. The result is often a dog that loses a little hair constantly, rather than shedding heavily over a few weeks.
Coat type also plays a role. Dogs with a dense undercoat, like many spitz breeds and herding dogs, have a very visible seasonal change, where large amounts of undercoat loosen all at once. Dogs with a single coat shed more discreetly and evenly. If you want to delve into how differently breeds handle the coat change, you can read more in the guide which dogs do not shed.
How long does a shedding period last?
A typical seasonal shedding often extends over a few weeks, but the duration depends on the dog's breed, coat and individual rhythm. Some dogs are through the worst of it in a couple of weeks, while others shed gradually over a longer period. If you have a dog with a dense undercoat, you will often find that the most intense shedding is concentrated in a shorter, but heavier, wave. We have gathered more about the timeline in the article how long does a dog shed.
Life stage and health also affect shedding
Puppies change from the soft puppy coat to the adult coat, usually during the first year of life, and this can be experienced as a distinct shedding period. In female dogs, hormonal changes in connection with heat and pregnancy can also trigger increased hair loss. These are natural processes that follow the dog's own rhythm rather than the season.
In addition to the natural changes, stress, an unbalanced diet and a lack of coat care can cause hair loss that looks heavier than ordinary seasonal shedding. If you notice sudden, heavy or uneven hair loss, bald patches or irritated skin, this does not fall under normal shedding, and here you should contact your vet for an assessment.
How to support the coat through the change
The simplest help is regular brushing. When you brush the dog frequently during the shedding period, you remove the loose hairs before they end up on the floor, and at the same time you help the new coat come through. Dogs with a dense undercoat often benefit from a brush that reaches all the way down into the undercoat.
The quality of the coat starts from within, and here nutrition plays a decisive role. A coat that needs to be renewed requires high-quality protein and the right fatty acids in order to grow out strong and glossy. ESSENTIAL FOODS' meals are composed of human-grade ingredients and fresh raw materials that give the dog a solid foundation for healthy skin and coat. In the range of meals in LIVING you will find nutritional profiles that support the dog's daily wellbeing throughout the year.
If you want to give the coat an extra boost during the shedding period, a supplement of omega-3 can be a good idea. The omega 3 oil provides the fatty acids that contribute to a soft and glossy coat and healthy skin. As a tasty aid for skin and coat from the outside and the inside, you can also choose SKIN DELIGHTS, which is designed precisely for the dog's skin and coat.
When the dog sheds more than you expect
If your dog loses hair in quantities that seem unusual, or if the shedding does not follow the familiar seasons, it is worth taking a closer look at both coat care and diet. If you get a steady brushing routine in place and a meal that covers the dog's need for protein and fatty acids, the coat will often find a more stable rhythm. You can read more about how to approach it in the guide my dog sheds a lot what do I do.
If you are unsure which meal suits your particular dog and its coat best, ESSENTIAL FOODS' nutrition advisers are ready to guide you on feeding and nutrition by phone, chat or email. A coat that changes with the seasons is a healthy sign, and with the right care and the right ingredients you naturally follow the dog through both the spring and autumn shedding.