Why Do Dogs Shed So Much? What’s Normal and What’s Not
Key Takeaways
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Excessive shedding is normal if your dog’s coat looks shiny and their skin is healthy
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Bald spots, redness, or dull fur can signal health problems; see a vet if shedding is sudden, patchy, or comes with other symptoms
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Dogs shed the most in spring and fall when coats change
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Double-coated breeds like Huskies and German Shepherds shed heavily
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Nutrition, stress, hormones, parasites, and infections can all increase shedding.
Your dog's shedding might seem abnormal at times. But if shedding is the only symptom, your dog is probably healthy.
Let’s break down what causes dogs to shed and when it’s time to visit a vet or adjust your dog’s routine.
Is It Normal for My Dog to Shed a Lot?
If your dog is losing a lot of fur but their skin looks healthy and the hair stays shiny and dense, it’s usually nothing to worry about.
Warning signs include bald patches, skin redness, crusting, or scaling. Texture changes, such as hair that becomes thin, dull, or coarse, can also indicate trouble.
When excessive fur loss is linked to illness, you’ll often see other symptoms besides coat changes, for example:
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Weight gain
- Heavy panting
- Persistent itching or licking
- Unexplained bruising
- Low energy, lethargy, or abnormal behavior patterns
- Unusual odor from the skin
- Increased hunger, thirst, or urination.
Don't worry, most medical issues can be treated.
We recommend tracking your dog’s typical shedding amount and seasonal pattern. This makes it easier to spot any unusual changes right away.
What Causes Excessive Shedding in Dogs?
Let’s explore the natural, medical, and other causes of excessive shedding in dogs. It’ll help you separate what’s normal and what’s not.
Natural hair cycle
Each hair on your dog grows, rests, and sheds in a repeating cycle. There are four main phases of the dog hair cycle:
- Anagen (growth phase): Hair actively grows from the follicle
- Catagen (transition phase): Growth slows and the follicle shrinks
- Telogen (resting phase): Old hairs remain but eventually drop out, allowing new anagen hairs to begin growth
- Exogen (shedding).
Follicles in the dog’s skin regularly cycle through these phases in an organized pattern, although the timing varies by breed and hair type.
- Long-haired breeds often have a prolonged anagen phase, hence, continuous hair growth (e.g., poodles, Shih Tzus)
- Double-coated breeds (like Collies or Huskies) often have more synchronized cycles. They “blow coat” seasonally, shedding heavily as daylight changes trigger exogen
- Short-haired breeds (e.g., Beagle, Dalmatian) often have longer telogen phases with moderate shedding throughout the year.
Coat maintenance
Poor coat care, such as neglecting regular brushing, using deshedding tools incorrectly, or skipping proper bathing and drying, can harm your dog’s coat and cause excessive shedding.
Using tools like a Furminator too often, or on a dry coat, can pull out healthy hair and irritate the skin. Groomers say the best deshedding happens during a bath, with shampoo, conditioner, and proper drying to push out loose hair. Bathing once a week with gentle products is usually safe, but overdoing it can dry the skin and lead to even more shedding.
Temperature regulation
By growing and shedding hair, dogs adjust their coat to the season and environment to stay comfortable in different temperatures.
Dogs exposed to artificial light and indoor climate control often shed more evenly throughout the year. This disrupts their natural cycle, reducing dramatic seasonal shedding.
Seasonal shedding
Normally, a dog sheds so much due to seasonal changes. They lose the most fur during two key periods each year: spring (March to June) and fall (September to November). Spring shedding is usually heavier as they drop their thick winter undercoat. In the fall, they shed again to make room for a warmer coat.
Breed variations
Breed variations significantly influence a dog's shedding patterns, including the amount and frequency of hair loss. Dogs were bred with different coat types for specific needs. For example, those living outdoors often have thicker coats, which directly impacts how much they shed.
Heavy shedders, often double-coated with seasonal blowouts, include the following breeds (not a complete list):
- Labrador Retriever
- German Shepherd
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Great Pyrenees
- Siberian Husky
- Akita/Akita Inu
- Corgi
- Golden Retriever
- Australian Cattle Dog (ACD)
- Pit Bull types with Husky genes
- Blue Bully (American Bully, prone to skin issues)
- Kelpie (double-coated).
Low-shedding/often called hypoallergenic, include the following breeds (not a complete list):
- Poodle (all sizes)
- Bichon Frise
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Shih Tzu
- Yorkshire Terrier.
Puppy coat shedding
Excessive puppy coat shedding is normal. Around 4–6 months, puppies lose their soft baby coat as the adult coat grows in. The process can be sudden or gradual, varies by breed, and isn’t a concern unless you see skin irritation.
Nutrition
Nutrition can also influence shedding patterns. A balanced diet, rich in specific nutrients, can help reduce hair loss, while certain dietary issues or deficiencies can contribute to excessive shedding.
Dogs need adequate protein (25–30% for adults, 30–35% for puppies) and fat (10–15% for adults, 15–30% for puppies) to keep hair strong and skin healthy. Deficiencies can make the coat dry, dull, brittle, or patchy. Essential fatty acids, especially linoleic acid (>1% DM), prevent dryness, matting, and loss of skin elasticity.
Minerals also play a role: copper deficiency leads to faded, thinning hair, while zinc deficiency can cause hair loss, cracked skin, and ulcers.
Most of these issues improve quickly once the diet is corrected.
If you’re unsure whether your dog’s nutrition is right, it’s best to consult your veterinarian.
Stress and anxiety
Stress and anxiety can trigger what's known as “stress shedding” in dogs, often noticeable during or shortly after a stressful event. This happens because stress hormones like adrenaline may push more hair into the shedding phase, though the exact process behind it isn’t fully understood.
Examples of stress factors that can cause shedding:
- Acute stressors: Vet visits, car rides, grooming, loud noises, or new environments may cause sudden shedding that usually subsides once the dog relaxes
- Chronic stressors: Big life changes, separation anxiety, or even an owner’s stress can lead to ongoing excessive shedding.
Hormonal changes
Hormones play a major role in a dog’s coat health.
Endocrine disorders frequently manifest with coat and hair problems. The two most common in dogs are hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease. During hypothyroidism, owners often notice bald patches along the dog’s sides, shoulders, and tail (“rat tail” appearance), and a dry, dull coat.
Dogs with Cushing’s often have bilaterally symmetric alopecia (even hair loss on both flanks) and sparse hair on the neck, rump, and belly, while the head and limbs may be less affected. The skin can become extremely thin and prone to infections or stretch marks. Owners might also notice other telltale signs like a pot-bellied abdomen, muscle weakness, and increased thirst.
Allergies
Allergies from the environment, food, or parasites are among the top causes of skin and coat issues. Symptoms associated with allergies that lead to hair loss often include itching and irritation, and the skin in affected areas may appear red. Allergic rashes and hives can also cause hair loss.
If a dog keeps scratching, licking, or biting their skin and shedding, allergies are a likely reason.
Parasites
Parasites are another trigger for hair loss in dogs. Fleas are the most common culprit – just one bite can set off intense itching in allergic dogs, known as flea allergy dermatitis. These dogs often lose fur around the rump and tail from constant biting and licking.
Mites are another concern. Demodex mites, usually harmless, can overgrow and cause patchy bald spots, especially on the face and front legs. Sarcoptic mange (scabies) leads to severe itching, widespread hair loss, and red, crusty skin.
Ticks and lice also irritate the skin and may lead to shedding.
Skin infections
Skin and hair follicle infections often trigger patchy shedding and bald spots. Puppies, older dogs, and those with weak immune systems are more vulnerable to severe or widespread infections.
Bacterial folliculitis creates red bumps and uneven fur loss, usually as a complication of allergies.
Fungal infections like ringworm weaken hair shafts and leave round, scaly bald patches. Affected dogs may show redness, crusting, or raised bumps in multiple areas.
Conclusion
Shedding is a natural process that helps dogs regulate their body temperature and renew their coat. The amount and timing depend on the breed, season, health, and lifestyle. While heavy hair loss can be frustrating, it’s often normal.
Still, persistent bald spots, skin irritation, or other health changes are signs to take your dog to the vet. Don’t worry, most of the medical issues are curable.
With the right grooming, nutrition, and preventive care, you can keep shedding manageable and ensure your dog’s coat stays healthy year-round.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022316623023167
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34645070/
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/nutrition-skin-and-dogs
Passionate team dedicated to help pet owners raise safe and obedient dogs, fostering meaningful connections with their furry companions.
CPDT-KA certified trainer with over 4 years of experience working with hundreds of dog owners.