The fur on a dog is more than just a soft place for humans to pet. Fur helps to control a dog’s temperature, protect the dog from the elements, and protect the dog’s skin. A regular visit to a Brooklyn doggy day care can help to keep your dog’s coat healthy and shiny, but your dog is going to shed. Why do dogs shed and is shedding a sign of any potential problems?
Natural Fur Growth
As with any type of hair growth, dog fur reaches a point where it stops growing and falls out. Many people think that dog fur falls out when summer is approaching and that is sometimes true, but not always. Some breeds of dog shed more often than others, and some dogs shed frequently when they are not feeling well.
Environment
Some dogs will shed when they are in an unhealthy environment. For example, if there is mold in your house that you do not detect, your dog shedding can be a good indicator that something is wrong. The kind of food you feed your dog might not be appropriate and your dog will shed as a response. If your dog is shedding more than normal, then it is important to check everything from their food to their bedding to see if something is wrong.
Pests
Fleas and ticks are the most common dog pests, and both of these bugs are capable of causing your dog to shed. If your dog is overwhelmed with fleas, you will notice its coat getting thinner and less shiny. Over time, the fur at the base of the tail and other specific parts of the body will start to disappear completely. Getting your dog treated for fleas is can immediately reverse the problem and get your dog back on the path to good health.
Disease
As we mentioned earlier, a sick dog could start to shed uncontrollably as part of the symptoms of their disease. If your dog is developing a medical condition, then you might notice more fur in the brush when you groom your dog. If you notice any type of unusual fur loss, you should contact your vet immediately.
Grooming
It is possible to groom your dog too much and that excessive grooming can result in fur loss. In most cases, what you are doing is removing fur that is almost ready to fall out naturally, but you wind up pulling it out earlier than expected. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, it is not a practice you want to continue.
When you get a dog, the first thing you want to do is talk to your vet about your dog’s grooming habits. Each breed is different, and shedding can be an indicator to bigger problems if you are not careful. Ask your vet how often your dog will shed and how you can use shedding as a way to tell whether or not something could be wrong. The experts at your local Brooklyn doggy day care will also be able to give you great advice on grooming your dog, as well as offer premier grooming services of their own.
