Fur Change - a Guide
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Some dogs have already started to change their fur. During this process, dog owners are likely to find hair everywhere- on the sofa, in the car, and on the carpet, for example. This is a result of your dog losing their winter fur. Fur change is not a pleasant process for owners but it is natural and necessary for canines.
How long does it take? What can be done to speed it up? How can you support your dog?
The dog’s fur change
Fur change is a natural process, which takes place in the autumn and spring. The exact point in time depends on daylight and temperatures. The whole fur change usually take four to eight weeks.
Please be aware that older dogs shed more than young dogs. This is also true for castrated dogs and for peri- parturient bitches. Dogs with a strong developed undercoat, also experience an intense fur change.
There are a few exceptions though. Certain breeds such as poodles do not undergo fur change. This is due to the fact that their hair keeps growing. Thus, poodles are recommended to visit a hair salon on a regular basis, just as humans have to.
Fur change starts in spring
Your furry friend will start to shed as soon as the days get longer and warmer. Compared to the summer fur, winter fur is characterized by a sophisticated undercoat. Undercoat are soft and thin wool fibres located under the top coat. It does provide great protection against moist and cold weather conditions. Losing of the undercoat causes the spring fur change to take longer than the autumn one.
How can you support your dog?
Fur change can be exhausting for canines. Make sure you make a nutritious feed available. Also, supplementing high- quality fed oils and fur care products can help summer fur grow healthy and strong.
Brush, brush, brush is what it takes
Remember: Winter fur has to disappear in order to enable summer fur to grow. Regular brushing and combing are the key. As a result, dead hair gets removed and blood circulation gets stimulated. Blood circulation stimulates sebaceous glands which produce fur.
Please treat the fur of dogs with short hair 2- 3 x weekly with a soft brush made of natural bristles and with a cleaning glove. If you own a long- haired or stock hair dog, please perform the combing process with a metal comb, a wire brush with bent teeth or with a natural hair brush.
If you notice that you dogs loses hair in bundles or hairless spots arise, this may be symptoms of a disease. In that case, you should schedule an appointment with your vet.
High- quality nutrition for a healthy fur
A nutrient- rich diet and ideally a few natural supplements are the key. Brewer’s yeast is one of the natural supplements which is particularly rich in vital elements and nutrients. Thus, brewer’s yeast lends itself to provide support with critical vital substances during fur change, to support a healthy coat and skin. Additionally, fur change can be supported by natural herbs and high- quality feed oils.
Wishing you a healthy spring!