Dog shedding a lot: normal or a sign of something?

Reading time 6 min · Level 1: Why the symptom appears

The short answer: Most dogs that shed a lot are healthy. Shedding is the coat's way of replacing old hairs. It increases in spring and autumn and in females around their season and after whelping. In some breeds it goes on all year. What separates normal shedding from something worth a closer look is the rest of the dog: itching, bald patches, a thin coat, redness or dandruff, or a dog that has also become tired, gained weight or started drinking more. Then it is time for the vet. Otherwise the brush is your best tool.

Why dogs shed

Each hair grows from a follicle and goes through a cycle: a growth phase that can last several months, a transition phase and a resting phase. When the hair has finished resting it falls out and a new one takes its place². Shedding is not a fault in itself. It is how the coat renews itself.

How much and when a dog sheds is governed by breed, daylight and hormones. Breeds with a short resting phase lose their hairs sooner and so shed more, for example Labradors and German Shepherds. Breeds with a long growth phase, such as the Bichon Frisé and Bedlington Terrier, shed less and need clipping or trimming instead¹. A short coat with a dense undercoat often leaves more hair on the sofa than a long coat, where loose hairs stay caught in the fur until you brush them out.

Normal shedding: five common reasons

1. The season. Many dogs shed extra heavily for a few weeks in spring and autumn, as the days get longer and shorter¹². Dogs with a thick undercoat can lose it in clumps.

2. All year round. Some dogs shed a little all year instead of in two clear rounds¹. That is common and not in itself a sign of illness.

3. Hormones in females. Females shed around their season, pregnancy and nursing¹.

4. The puppy coat. Puppies swap their puppy coat for an adult coat as they reach sexual maturity¹.

5. Stress. A dog can shed a lot in a short time when stressed. Anyone who has had a dog on the vet's examination table suddenly dropping hair everywhere will recognise it¹.

When shedding can be a symptom

Shedding and hair loss are not the same thing. In normal shedding the hairs are replaced and the coat is just as dense afterwards. In hair loss, alopecia, they are not replaced, and the coat becomes thin or gets bald patches². FirstVet puts the line simply: if the dog scratches or licks a lot, or gets bald patches, sores or rashes, it is probably not normal³.

Parasites and infections. Mites, including follicle mites and sarcoptic mange, as well as ringworm and bacterial infections of the hair follicles cause hair loss. Itching, scaling or small sores are often seen too². Itching in itself means more hair on the floor, because the dog scratches, chews and licks the hairs off. If you want to know more about why dogs itch, we have a separate article on dogs that itch.

Underactive thyroid. Hypothyroidism is an important hormonal disease in dogs⁴. It can cause a thin coat and hair loss. Weight gain and tiredness are other signs to look out for². The diagnosis is not always straightforward. Results can suggest low thyroid function in dogs whose thyroid is actually healthy, for example when they are ill with something else. That is why several tests are often needed⁴.

Cushing's disease. A relatively uncommon hormonal disease in which the body makes too much cortisol, mainly in middle-aged and older dogs. A thinner coat or hairlessness often comes together with increased thirst, increased appetite and a distended belly⁶.

Inherited hair loss. In the Pomeranian, among others, there is an inherited form of hair loss called alopecia X. It is harmless but has no effective treatment².

Diet. The coat needs protein, fat, vitamins and minerals to grow. Deficiencies are uncommon today because most dogs eat complete food, but shortages of certain fatty acids, zinc and vitamins still occur in individual cases⁵. A healthy dog eating a good complete food normally needs no supplements¹.

When to see the vet

Soon, within a few days if the dog scratches until it has sores, if the skin is red, moist or smells, if several animals in the household are itching, or if anyone in the family gets a rash. Sarcoptic mange and ringworm are contagious.

Book an appointment if the dog sheds more than usual or at the wrong time of year, for example heavily in midwinter when it normally does not¹, if the coat becomes thin or gets bald patches, or if the dog has also gained weight, become tired or is drinking more². Note when it started. The vet examines the skin, often takes samples to look for infections and parasites, and sometimes blood tests for hormones².

What you can do yourself

Brush often while the dog sheds. Daily during the heaviest periods. It is the most effective way to keep hair out of your home¹³. Choose a brush for the coat type: a slicker or undercoat rake for a thick undercoat, a rubber brush for short coats.

Bathe with a mild shampoo. A bath with a mild dog shampoo loosens hair that is already on its way out¹. Brush out tangles before the bath, rinse thoroughly and dry well. Human shampoo is not suitable for dog skin.

Trim more often. If your dog is a breed that is hand-stripped or trimmed, more frequent grooming can remove hair before it ends up on the floor¹.

Check the food before buying supplements. A complete food in the right amount is the foundation. If you have recently changed food, or feed a lot of home-made meals, it is worth asking your vet about the composition.

At home. A damp rubber glove or rubber scraper picks up hair from upholstered furniture and car seats¹.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my dog shedding so much in winter?

Some dogs shed a little all year round. If heavy shedding appears in midwinter in a dog that does not usually shed then, AniCura recommends contacting a vet¹.

Can you stop a dog from shedding?

No. Shedding is how the coat renews itself. You can, however, remove hair before it ends up around the house by brushing and bathing during shedding periods.

Does shaving a dog help?

Shorter hair means shorter hairs on the floor, but the dog sheds just as often. If your dog has a double coat with an undercoat, talk to a groomer who knows the breed before shaving.

Can stress make a dog shed?

Yes. A stressed dog can shed a lot in a short time, for example during a vet visit¹. That kind of shedding passes on its own.

That was the short answer. If you have a question about your own pet, email us at info@herbiovet.se. We reply within one working day.