{"id":3037,"date":"2019-05-04T21:40:50","date_gmt":"2019-05-05T01:40:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ovrs.com\/blog\/?p=3037"},"modified":"2021-05-05T09:41:05","modified_gmt":"2021-05-05T13:41:05","slug":"dogs-shedding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ovrs.com\/blog\/dogs-shedding\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Your Dog\u2019s Shedding Related to Stress?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Shedding<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Your Dog\u2019s Shedding \u2014 Normal or Excess?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This time of year, when the sun begins to shine a little longer each day and the heat index starts to rise, you may notice something\u2026 Your dog is leaving little hair tumbleweeds across the tiles. Shedding can be a major problem for some breeds, and many pet owners have the lint rollers in hand and vacuums going strong. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shedding is a normal process of keeping your dog\u2019s skin and coat healthy. There are times, though, when hair loss can signal a larger issue. The team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services<\/a> wants to tackle the question of shedding and explore the causes and conditions of excess shedding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Normal Shedding Is Healthy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If your dog is shedding when the temperatures start to rise, mid- to late spring and continuing through the summer months, this is probably normal shedding. The old or damaged hairs fall out to make way for new hair growth. Shedding also facilitates the disbursement of natural oils that keep the coat healthy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But how much shedding is normal? That varies by dog based on several factors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Time of year<\/strong>. Sunlight can trigger hair growth, so in northern climates, longer days will prompt new growth, pushing out the old hair.<\/li>
  2. Breed<\/strong>. Long-haired dogs and those adapted to a colder climate with thick undercoats are subject to more shedding than other breeds.<\/li>
  3. Health<\/strong>. Healthier dogs with well-groomed, shiny coats are less likely than unhealthy dogs to experience excess shedding. Older pets who have nutritional deficiencies or hypothyroidism<\/a>, or those with poor skin condition due to parasites, may shed more.<\/li>
  4. Allergies<\/strong>. If your pet is allergic<\/a>, then you\u2019ve probably noticed an increase in scratching, rubbing their face and body on carpets, and biting at skin. This behavior causes the follicles to loosen and triggers and increase in shedding. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Other factors such as changes in your dog\u2019s hormones after pregnancy, or your dog\u2019s nutrition can influence the amount of hair that your dog sheds. The coarseness and texture of the fur can also affect how much is shed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Dog Anxiety and Hair Loss<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Anxiety can trigger a number of health problems in humans, including hair loss. This is also true for canines. When your dog is nervous on a car ride or is fearful at the veterinarian’s office, you may have noticed that they shed a lot. But why is this?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When your dog is stressed, a release of epinephrine \u2014 also known as adrenaline \u2014 releases the hair. It\u2019s unclear why this occurs, but you can be sure that when your Fido or Princess gets a scare, the fur will indeed fly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Unfortunately, some dogs have chronic stress due to behavioral issues or situations that cause them to be fearful. This is especially noticeable in a shelter environment, for example. A change at home, such as an additional pet or a move, can also trigger stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How to Minimize Stress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    If the stress is temporary \u2014 like those terrifying trips in the car, or the vacuum\u2019s roar \u2014 then it\u2019s probably nothing to worry about. If your dog has chronic stress because of a behavioral challenge (such as fear of socialization), it\u2019s another matter. You will want to get the advice of your veterinarian or Veterinary Behaviorist<\/a>. Chronic stress can have adverse effects on your dog\u2019s health in ways that go beyond just shedding. Professional consultation is necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You can help relieve general stress with the use of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n