Shedding is no fun when it comes to cleaning a home. Dog fur gets EVERYWHERE and it seems like there’s no end in sight when it’s shedding season. The problem lies when shedding occurs off-season. That’s why many dog owners ask: why does my dog shed in the winter?
Why Does My Dog Shed in the Winter?
If you’re asking the question: why does my dog shed in the winter? We have the answer for you.
The reasons why a dog may shed in the winter include:
- Medical Condition
- Poor Diet
- Insufficient Grooming
- Temperature Changes
- Stress
- Breed
Understanding the answer to why does my dog shed in the winter means taking a deep dive into each one of the above reasons.
Shedding a Winter Coat Due to a Medical Condition
If your dog starts shedding a winter coat all of a sudden, it’s a good idea to reach out to your veterinarian. It could be a symptom of a medical condition, such as:
- Bacterial Infection
- Ringworm
- Fungal Infection
- Thyroid Disease
- Cushing’s Disease
- Skin Allergies
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Skin Problems
The above medical conditions can be treated and will help resolve the issues you’re having with your dog shedding during the winter.
Poor Diet
Nutrition deficiencies can lead to hair loss. Just like for humans, hair needs nutrients to remain healthy and strong. New hair growth also needs a healthy diet. Dog Ownership Guide recommends a fresh raw dog food diet, but as long as your dog food is well-balanced, it should improve your dog’s coat health.
Take a look at the ingredients in your dog’s food and consider making a switch to fresh or raw food. You can learn more about it here: Best Dog Food for Shedding
Insufficient Grooming
Dogs need to be bathed and brushed regularly to reduce loose dog hair around the home. This goes for all dogs – doubled-coated breeds, short-haired dogs, and long hair dogs.
All dogs shed at least a little bit, so removing the dead hair from the rest will keep the outer coat healthy and strong. It also helps keep the skin moisturized by spreading the natural oils throughout the body.
Brush your pup at least once a week and bathe your dog once a month. Use de-shedding shampoo and tools to help reduce the amount of shedding.
Temperature Changes
Dogs don’t know when it’s winter, spring, summer, or fall. Seasonal shedding happens due to changes in the temperature inside and outside. If the temperature changes inside of the home to make it seems like spring has sprung, that’s a reason your dog sheds in the winter.
There’s also a chance that the dog’s double coat came in a bit too thin this year, which then led the body to get rid of the excess when the weather ends up not being as cold.
Stress
Stress is a common cause of dog shedding in the winter. When a dog is stressed, the body is in fight or flight mode, so the body takes care of more important organs. That leaves a dog’s skin and hair to suffer.
If you’ve recently moved to a new home or there’s another change in your home that is causing your pup anxiety, you can rest assured that’s likely the cause of the shedding during winter.
Breed
Some dog breeds shed year-round, especially if they are a double-coated breed. While they may shed more during the summer, so they can get their lighter summer coat, it’s not uncommon for some dog breeds to shed in the winter.
How to Reduce Dog Shedding in the Winter
Now you know the reasons behind the question: why does my dog shed in the winter? Fortunately, there are ways you can decrease the amount of fur loss your pup is experiencing.
Improve Your Dog’s Diet
Stop hair loss in its tracks and promote hair growth by improving your dog’s diet. Include vegetables, fruits, and lean protein in your dog’s food, so that your dog’s health improves along with the skin and fur.
Brush Weekly
Use either a slicker brush or bristle brush to groom your furry friend weekly. Removing dead hair will help keep the existing hair strong to last longer. It will also increase hair growth. Of course, the other benefit is reducing your dog’s shedding all over the house.
Bathe Your Dog Monthly
Your dog’s hair may not get very dirty but a bath will help with shedding so there’s not so much fur loss around the house. With a moisturizing, nutrient-rich dog shampoo you can help give your pup a healthy coat by making the hair shafts stronger.
Reduce Stress
Pet owners often forget that dogs get stressed out just like humans do, so giving their dogs some extra love and cuddling during a time of change is needed. Take some extra time to be with your pup until the newness of the situation in your home becomes more familiar. You’ll likely see that the shedding during the winter months will stop.
Treat Skin Issues
Dry skin and other types of skin irritation can cause excessive shedding. Use Aquaphor or CBD on your dog’s skin to treat any skin problems so your dog’s hair can have a healthy foundation.
Trim Longer Coats
The longer the hair the more hair will break and fall. Trim your dog’s hair every month or two depending on how fast it grows to keep it from breaking off all of your houses.
Use Dog Shirts
Dog shirts can help shedding because it contains loose fur inside of the shirt. When you’re ready, remove the shirt, dispose of the fur and replace the shirt. It can cut down the hair around your home.
Try CBD for Stress Relief
CBD has calming properties that can quickly reduce a dog’s stress. If your dog is shedding in the winter due to anxiety, you may want to consider CBD. Learn more about CBD for dogs here: How Much CBD for Dog with Anxiety
Speak to the Veterinarian
As mentioned above, speak to your veterinarian to ensure there are no medical causes for excessive shedding. Pet owners of double-coat dogs often notice a problem sooner because they have so much more to lose when there’s a medical issue. Single-coated dogs still lose hair, though. Any changes in your dog’s body should be discussed with the vet because it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Summary: Why Does My Dog Shed in the Winter?
Now you know why your dog may be shedding in the winter. Do what you can to reduce the amount of shedding during the winter months. As the warmer months come, you should see the amount of fur loss decrease. You can then sigh with relief that you don’t have to clean up after your precious pup as much.
Do you have a Maltipoo or Yorkie? Read the following articles about those breeds shedding.
