Dogs shed. It’s what they do, and it’s a bit of a pain. But why is my dog shedding so much after a bath? In this article, we will answer this question.
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There’s a simple answer to this question: why not? After all, your dog is getting rid of all that extra fur that was stuck to the dirt, grime, and leftover shampoos from the last time you bathed him. The fur was probably already dead, loose, and falling off, so when you gave your dog a bath, it was the proverbial last straw.
It’s also imperative to note that weather and temperature play a huge part in how much your dog will shed. So if you live in a warmer climate year-round, don’t be surprised to find your dog shedding more during the spring and summer. It’s also not uncommon for dogs living in warmer climates to shed their coats entirely during the summer.
So if you want to lessen the amount of fur raining down on your furniture and floors, give your pup a bath every few weeks. It’ll prevent big, fluffy mounds of fur from cluttering up your house.
Does Bathing Help The Dog Shed?
Yes, bathing helps remove the dead fur from your dog.
Does this seem like a ridiculous question to you? Well, if your pet sheds, it is possible that bathing your pup could reduce the amount of hair they leave in your house! Sounds too good to be true?
Regular bathing will help remove dead hair and clean the coat. This dead hair was simply hanging on to your dog’s healthy hair, and a bit of scrubbing and shampooing got it loosened. This is the reason why it might seem to you that dogs are shedding more while bathing. But this is a good shedding because it cleans the fur and does not get your house dirty.
Why Is My Dog Shedding So Bad All Of A Sudden?
Excess shedding can have many reasons: it could be seasonal or induced by the stress of disease.
Dogs shed their old fur in two ways, daily and seasonally. The daily shedding is related to the dog’s growth cycle and how often they go through a hair follicle cycle.
On average, dogs will shed once a month or up to four times per year. Seasonal shedding happens around springtime as the weather changes and during periods of high stress like thunderstorms or loud noises that scare the dog.
Each hair comprises two layers: an outer, keratin-based sheath and an inner root. The sheath protects the grass and the space between each hair, while the roots can be either hard or soft, depending on their location.
The roots determine a dog’s shedding patterns. The soft root system is located in the undercoat, denser, while the hard root system is located in the mid-coat and guard hair.
How Much Do Dogs Shed Normally?
As for shedding amounts, your dog will shed approximately 30 to 50 hairs at a time. Your dog’s coat is comprised of three layers: top layer (guard hair), middle layer (mid-coat), and bottom layer (undercoat).
Which Breeds of Dogs Shed More?
Breeds known to shed a lot are Labrador Retrievers, American Pit Bull Terriers, German Shepherds, Black Labradors, and Golden Retrievers.
Dogs shed a lot. Even if you brush and vacuum daily, your pup is still going to leave plenty of hair behind simply because it is their nature. If your dog is a mixed breed, the amount of shedding they do will vary greatly depending on how much fur they get from their parents!
The dog’s breed plays a role in seasonal shedding. Some dogs like retrievers, and golden retrievers have thick coats, while others like greyhounds have thin hair that quickly sheds.
Why Do Dogs Shed So Much In The Summer?
Summer causes thinning of the coat.
The warmer the climate, the more a dog will shed. The undercoat is thinner in warm climates and thicker in cold temperatures to protect the skin from frostbite. This makes it easier for your dog to breathe but more challenging for them to rid themselves of old hair.
Dogs are also prone to overheating in the summertime, causing them to produce even more heat than usual. This condition is known as “hyperthermia,” when an animal’s temperature rises quickly. Many dogs will choose to stay indoors or lay under the shade of trees during this time.
Do Dogs That Get More Attention Shed Less?
Interacting with your dog will also affect how much they shed after playing. Studies have shown that dogs that interact with their owners daily have shorter roots than dogs that do not get as much attention, because it might cause anxiety. This causes your dog to shed less because their hair will come out quickly.
How Frequently Should Dogs Be Bathed?
It depends on a lot of factors, but four weeks is a good rule of thumb.
In a perfect world, the answer to this question would be “never.” However, in the real world, there are many scenarios where your dog’s coat may need good scrubbing. A good rule of thumb given by expert groomers at Petco is that you should bathe your dog every four weeks.
Below are some factors on which the frequency may depend.
Thickness of Fur
So how often should you bathe your pup? The truth is, it depends on your dog’s environment and level of activity. Generally speaking, chances are higher if a dog possesses dense fur and typically lives outdoors.
Seasonality
Also, consider things like shedding season and how much time your furry friend spends rolling around in the dirt or playing with other animals. Sheepdogs and herding breeds will require more frequent baths than other dogs. Dogs with short or thin fur usually bathe less frequently and those that live primarily indoors.
How Activity Levels Impact Bathing Frequency
If you have trouble deciding how often you should bathe your dog, think about what he gets up to. Does he spend his days chasing balls or running alongside a truck? Does your pup spend time rolling in the dirt? Is he a dog who likes to lay on the couch a lot?
If your dog is more active, it may be beneficial to pay for professional grooming once or twice a year. If so, it might be best to brush him more frequently. Shorter coats require less frequent washes.
Should I Get Professional Cleaning For My Dog?
If your pup is filthy, you might want to consider a professional wash (rather than a DIY bath) at a dog grooming salon.
If your dog’s fur is particularly dull or tangled and his skin needs some TLC, the groomers might be able to offer additional services like undercoat removal and conditioning treatments.
What Time of Day Should I Bathe My Dog?
Identifying the ideal time to bathe your dog may take some experimenting on your part. Try bathing him every other day for a month and see if it makes you or your pup feel any better.
If you decide to give a bath, use a small amount of conditioner or dog shampoo and rub it into its coat instead. Do your research before picking out a product if you want to go all out on the bathing front. Check with the manufacturer before buying, especially if your dog has sensitive skin.
A Few Final Words
The main reasons dogs shed are hormones, allergies, and air quality. In the wild, canines have a thick coat to protect them from the cold weather during the winter.
As spring begins and temperatures rise, their bodies begin to produce heat, causing the hair in their undercoat to break through their outer coat. As a result, you can usually find dogs shedding at this time of year.
Thank you for reading, we hope this guide will help you understand when and how often to bathe your dog, as well as how bathing impacts shedding. You might also like to read other grooming-related articles, such as Can You Use Dr. Bronners On Dogs? And Can You Use Dial Soap On Dogs?