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Why do dogs lose their fur? 

Dogs change their coat twice a year. The dog sheds fur during the months when temperatures change. But the dog doesn't care about the temperatures, because otherwise many domestic dogs wouldn't need to change their coat. The coat change depends on daylight and is controlled by hormones. Has been found mainly in spring and autumn. The fur adapts to the coming season, the light conditions and the temperatures. Dogs lose most of their fur in spring because the dense fur with the undercoat is no longer needed in spring and summer. From now on, the fur must protect the skin from UV rays and heat. In autumn, on the other hand, the fur becomes denser, usually darker, and some dogs grow a dense undercoat. With our two dogs, we can really observe that they get a much lighter coat in summer and a little down - a fine undercoat develops in winter. In addition to the normal change of coat twice a year, dogs lose their fur all year round. The change of coat depends on the state of health of your dog and its hormone balance. Neutered dogs have an altered hormonal balance and therefore they shed more all year round. 

By the way: If you want tips and tricks for a clean dog household and natural and homemade cleaning products, take a look at our blog clean dog household an. 

coat change duration The regular change of coat in dogs, which takes place twice a year, lasts between 4 and 8 weeks. During this time, the dog loses a lot of fur. There are breeds, such as the Yorkshire Terrier or the Poodle, that hardly or not at all shed. They are considered to be particularly allergy-friendly, but must be clipped or clipped. Hairless dogs like the Mexican Hairless Dog have no fur to shed. Their skin has no protection and they need extra care and protection. During puberty, hormonal changes can lead to increased shedding. Male dogs are usually affected more often than female dogs. Neutered dogs sometimes shed all year round. The bitch may also shed more fur before she goes into heat. All of these coat changes are hormonal. If the dog loses a lot of fur outside of the change of coat, there may be other reasons. If your dog temporarily loses a lot of fur, this can be due to current stress, for example. A vet visit, a move, or a vacation can all cause your dog to shed a lot of fur. In this case, you should reduce your dog's stress as much as possible. We already have important information on the subject Quiet and rest exercises for within and Outside put together for you. A good indicator of a healthy dog is its coat. If the coat is dull, lackluster, oily or bald, this can have health reasons. Some dogs even smell unpleasant or scratch themselves frequently. Possible causes are a skin fungus, allergies or metabolic and organ diseases (e.g. thyroid diseases). If your dog sheds fur and its fur is dull, you can seek advice from a veterinarian.

Accelerate coat change in dogs

The coat is a mirror of your dog's health. For a short time, the coat can become somewhat scaly or lackluster during the change of coat. The body does a lot of work. If your dog sheds a lot of fur all year round, if its coat is dull and dull, poor nutrition can be a reason for this. You can't really speed up the change of coat, but you can support your dog's change of coat by adjusting the food and additives, i.e. supplements. This ensures a firm coat structure and a better flow of the coat change. The change of fur begins before we realize it, not just when the hair falls out. Taking precautions is important because remember that foods and supplements take time to become effective and need time to be absorbed by the body. Start with a cure as soon as the first signs of a change of coat appear, or use the tips to keep your dog's coat healthy over the long term. 

Fur consists mainly of keratin, i.e. protein. As soon as your dog loses a lot of fur, you can speed up the change of coat with high-quality protein. Provide your dog with high-quality food, oils, supplements and care to support the change of coat in the best possible way. AIt is also good to strengthen the immune system, because the body actually performs extremely well during the change of coat. Trace elements such as zinc and copper also help your dog change their coat.

Food when changing fur Dogs get their most important nutrients from food. Dogs need more nutrients than usual when they change their coat. A protein-rich food with vitamin B, zinc and biotin helps your dog change their coat. Zinc is a very special mineral that helps dogs change their coat. Zinc is involved in the formation of Keratin involved, the most important component of fur and hair. In addition, zinc promotes the formation of collagen, which gives the coat strength and accelerates the shedding process. Some feed manufacturers offer zinc-enhanced feed derived from red meat, special grains, fish, poultry and dairy products. @PetsDeli offers with the Limited Edition food the nutrients that your dog needs directly for the coming season.

Oils for healthy coat Oils do not stop at BARF feed. Every dog person who barks their dog uses oil. If you feed your dog wet or dry food, you can add oil to the food as long as your dog sheds fur. Some oils are particularly suitable for this. They contain essential fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6 and vitamins that help your dog change their coat. At the same time, your dog needs oils to be able to absorb fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) in the body.  Oil is not just oil. The quality sometimes differs greatly and is reflected in the price. You should preferably use cold-pressed oils, because hot pressing destroys the fatty acids. Some cheap oils are even contaminated.  We distinguish between fish oils and vegetable oils. Fish oils like salmon oil are high in omega-3 fatty acids. When it comes to vegetable oils, hemp seed oil and linseed oil are the best because their omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acid ratio is optimal. Nevertheless, we recommend that you change the oils from time to time.

 

linseed oil	hemp seed oil	salmon oil
linseed oil has the highest proportion of unsaturated omega-3 fatty acids of all oils. In addition, linseed oil is rich in protein and selenium - both are beneficial for a healthy and shiny coat. In addition, linseed oil contains vitamin E, which moisturizes the coat. This is highly recommended for scaly and itchy dog skin. Linseed oil is therefore supportive for your dog's immune system and natural coat shine when the dog changes its coat. Otherwise, linseed oil protects the cardiovascular system and is said to have a pain-relieving effect. Unfortunately, linseed oil has a short shelf life and should ideally be kept in the refrigerator and fed quickly.	hemp seed oil contains essential omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids that the dog's body cannot produce itself (including the human body). The linoleic acid it contains can only be found in very few foods. If the dog is changing its coat, hemp oil helps with skin problems such as a dull coat, dandruff, dry skin or itching. In many human cosmetics, linoleic acid is used as an aid for skin and hair. If your dog loses fur, a high proportion of beta-carotene, vitamin E, vitamin B1 and B2 and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron or copper can accelerate the change of coat.	salmon oil Like the other oils, it also contains omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. The special effect of salmon is due to the omega-3 fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). EPA and DHA are long-chain fatty acids that have anti-inflammatory properties. This supports your dog's immune system. This promotes the metabolism (good for metabolic disorders and allergies), prevents your dog from losing a lot of fur and supports a strong bone structure.  In addition, salmon is one of the few foods with a high content of vitamin D.
🥄 1 tablespoon of linseed oil per 10 kg	🥄 1 tablespoon of linseed oil per 10 kg	🥄 1 tablespoon of linseed oil per 10 kg

Supplements when changing coat

In addition to food and oils, you can help your dog change their coat with supplements. Supplements are dietary supplements. You can mix these in paste form or powder form (e.g. herbs) with the feed to support the change of coat. Some supplements are also fed as tablets. 

brewer's yeast Brewer's yeast is a waste product that occurs during the production of beer and consists of unicellular yeast fungi. It is a purely natural product whose effect has been used for humans for a long time. You can buy them as tablets or as a powder. Brewer's yeast is now being used more and more in dogs because it contains amino acids, B vitamins, antioxidants and minerals. The important minerals that accelerate the change of coat in dogs are zinc and selenium. Zinc strengthens the coat and selenium strengthens the coat at the roots. Brewer's yeast not only helps if your dog loses fur, but also with loss of appetite and ticks. Ticks avoid the smell of brewer's yeast and this protects your dog from the annoying parasites. The roughage in the brewer's yeast supports a healthy intestinal flora in your dog and helps with gastrointestinal problems. Brewer's yeast contains amino acids that are necessary for properly functioning kidneys. If your dog has kidney problems, brewer's yeast is not recommended. Brewer's yeast is also not recommended for existing fungal diseases. Vitamin Booster Vitamins accelerate the change of coat in dogs because they provide the body with what it needs. Supplements, i.e. dietary supplements as a kind of subsequent vitamin boost, are particularly suitable for the dog’s change of coat in autumn. Vitamin Booster It comes in powder or paste form.

Regular brushing

You can help your dog change its coat by brushing its coat regularly. With repeated brushing, your dog will lose less fur and you will speed up the change of coat. The sebaceous glands are massaged and your dog suffers less from itching. It's also good for your relationship if you make brushing a positive experience. Many dogs are very fond of brushing. Which brush is suitable for your dog when changing its coat? First, you need to determine your dog's coat texture.

We recommend that you get good advice from a dog grooming salon for dog breeds that require intensive care. This way you can provide and care for your dog in the best possible way.

shorthair

• 1-2 cm only
• with undercoat or without undercoat
• z.B. Labrador, Pinscher, Dobermann, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boxer, etc.
• suitable: rubber brush, massage brush, wild boar bristles
• unsuitable: metal brush
• how often: 2-3 times a week

longhair

• 7-20cm only
• thick fur
• z.B. Cocker Spaniel, Border Collie, Golden Retriever, Afghanischer Windhund
• suitable: coat comb, brushes with rounded nubs, detangler, trimmer
• unsuitable: rubber brush, metal brush
• how often: daily, breeds without a change of coat (e.g. Yorkshire Terrier) must be clipped

Calm down

• medium-length, rough and firm coat
• often very dense undercoat that does not fall out on its own
• dead fur must be plucked
• e.g. Parson Jack Russel Terrier, wire-haired dachshund, Schnauzer, German Wirehaired Pointer, etc.
• suitable: slicker brush
• unsuitable: rubber brush
• how often: Care is individual, please seek advice

Well hair

• langes Fell
• light to strong curl
• sometimes no undercoat if strongly curled (e.g. poodle)
• z. B. Pudel, Bolonka Zwetna, Lagotto Romagnolo, etc.
• suitable: fur comb, plucking brush, clipper
• unsuitable: rubber brush, curry comb, sharp-edged metal brushes
• how often: 2-3 times a week, clip regularly, depending on coat growth