Brandon Forder
Pets don’t shed. They emit magical fibres of joy and love.
Now that spring is in full swing, pet owners may have noticed a little extra fur around the home, on the furniture and floors, on our clothes, and on pretty much everything else. While it is normal for some pets to shed all year round, now is the time of year where seasonal shedding is reaching its peak.
Shedding is a completely healthy and normal process; it is the body’s way of getting rid of old and damaged fur. Shedding also acts as a form of temperature regulation. Some pets shed more than others, while some shed very little or not at all. When it comes to the amount of fur being shed – and how to control it – there are many factors that come into play.
One thing we have to evaluate first is how your pet is shedding. It’s important to pay attention to matters like excessive licking and scratching, bald spots, skin irritations like rashes, bumps, and scabs, thinning coat, and more. These symptoms may be clues to finding the cause of problem shedding, ultimately helping find a long-term solution.
Let’s have a look at how we can keep our pet’s problem shedding under control.
Health Problems
Home is where the dog hair sticks to everything but the dog.
While shedding is a normal function for many pets, it is the degree of shedding that may indicate an underlying health problem.
Pets suffering from stress and anxiety will absolutely shed more. Whether it’s a nervous car ride to the veterinarian, being left home alone, moving, family members moving in/out, or stress and tension among family members in the home, excessive shedding is a common symptom of stress.
During times of stress, the body releases adrenaline which in turn causes disproportionate shedding. It is unclear why this happens, however, you can reduce the shedding by reducing stress levels.
Other health-related issues that may cause abnormal shedding include medication side effects, parasites (like fleas or mites), immune system disorders, organ disease (most commonly liver, kidney, and thyroid), cancer, and more.
Allergies and Sensitivities
Based on my wardrobe, my favourite colour is dog hair.
Whether your pet is reacting to something in their diet, or to something in their environment, allergies/sensitivities and excessive shedding go together like peas and carrots. At first, it may be difficult to determine what exactly your pet is reacting to, however with the help of your veterinarian or pet health professional, finding a solution is a relatively straightforward process – it simply takes a little experimentation and patience.
If you suspect your pet may be reacting to their food, the best course of action is to try an elimination diet. Begin by switching to a high-quality, hypoallergenic food and closely monitor your pet’s progression for a period of 6-8 weeks. Reducing variables is key here; no more sneaking random table scraps or treats until it is safe to do so. It is also wise to keep a food journal for your pet: this way you have a complete record of the foods your pet is exposed to.
Eliminating environmental allergies/sensitivities is a more difficult process. While we have complete control over what we feed our pets, we cannot control everything they come into contact with in their day-to-day environment. Whether it’s seasonal allergies, or sensitivities to your laundry soap, the list of variables is seemingly infinite. This is where we must pay close attention to how our pet is shedding, as it may provide some clues to the root cause.
Nutrition
In our house, pet hair is a condiment.
Proper nutrition is the foundation for a healthy pet, especially when it comes to their skin and coat. The quality of your pet’s skin and coat are key indicators of the nutrition they are receiving.
Low quality diets leave the coat dull and brittle, resulting in more dead hair. By improving the diet with wholesome, healthy ingredients, your pet will be sure to receive the correct balance of omega fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Improving your pet’s diet is the simplest and one of the most effective ways of reducing excessive shedding.
When it comes to solving problem pet shedding, it is important to seek the advice of a qualified individual. With the right support, excessive shedding can be controlled.
Brandon Forder, known as The Pet Expert, is vice-president of Canadian Pet Connection, an industry leader in healthy pet lifestyles. Brandon holds multiple certifications in pet nutrition, and has more than twenty-five years’ experience specializing in pet health and behaviour. He has written hundreds of informative pet-related articles for newspapers, magazines, radio, and the popular Ask the Pet Expert Blog. Brandon is highly skilled in pet problem solving, and enjoys teaching others about smart and responsible pet ownership. To learn more, visit www.CanadianPetConnection.ca.
