Why is my dog shedding so much?

Dogs in temperate climates like ours go through two big shedding events each year. Groomers call these "coat blows":

• Spring blow. Winter undercoat off, lighter summer coat in. Late spring through early summer is peak in Guelph. This is where we are right now.
• Fall blow. Summer coat off, thicker winter coat in. Usually mid-September through October locally.

Each event typically lasts 2 to 6 weeks. Heavy double-coated breeds (Huskies, Goldens, Labs, German Shepherds, Bernese) can stretch closer to that 6-week mark and produce truly impressive volumes of fur.

One twist: indoor dogs exposed to artificial light and steady home temperatures year-round often shed lightly all year with smaller seasonal peaks, rather than two clear heavy blows. If your dog's shed feels constant rather than seasonal, that's why.

Daily brushing during a coat blow is the single biggest lever you have. It pulls out hair that's already released so it ends up in your brush instead of on the couch. Most owners brush less than they think they should.

The tools that actually work

• Slicker brush for general loose-hair removal across most coat types.
• Undercoat rake for double-coated breeds, the long teeth reach through the topcoat into the undercoat where the real volume lives.
• De-shedding tool (Furminator-style) for heavy shedders. Used correctly it can reduce loose hair by up to 90%. Use gently and not too often, the blade can damage coat if you over-brush.

Bathing does not reduce shedding

One of the most common myths we hear. Frequent baths don't slow shedding. They strip your dog's natural skin oils, dry the skin out, and can actually make shedding worse over time. A bath during a coat blow is useful if it's paired with a thorough blow-dry and brush-out, but more baths is not the answer on its own.

Diet helps coat quality, not shedding volume

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil is the most common source), enough protein, and good hydration all support a healthier coat with less dander and better shine. They won't stop the natural seasonal blow, but they'll make the coat your dog keeps look and feel better.

Stress shows up in the fur

Anxious dogs visibly shed at the vet's office and at the groomer's. Chronic stress at home, a new baby, a move, separation anxiety, can drive ongoing excess shedding. Worth thinking about if your dog's shed pattern shifted suddenly without a seasonal explanation.

Please don't shave a double-coated dog

It feels like the obvious solution and it isn't. The undercoat insulates against both cold AND heat by trapping air against the skin. Shaving removes that insulation, exposes the skin to UV damage, and can permanently change the coat's texture as it grows back. Brush the undercoat out instead. Your dog stays cooler that way too.

Normal shedding looks like a lot of loose hair coming out evenly, but the skin underneath looks healthy and the coat your dog still has feels normal.

Some signs mean it's more than seasonal and a vet visit comes first, not a groomer visit:

• Visible bald patches or thinning areas with skin showing through
• Red, inflamed, scabby, or itchy skin
• Symmetrical hair loss on both flanks, belly, or tail (a common pattern with thyroid issues)
• Circular patches with crusty edges (possibly ringworm, which is also contagious to people)
• Hot spots: red, wet, painful patches that appear quickly
• A sudden change in the rate of hair loss with no seasonal explanation
• Pot-bellied appearance, increased thirst, increased urination, alongside coat changes (possible hormonal issue like Cushing's disease)

We can help with healthy coats. We're not a substitute for a vet exam. If the skin underneath looks wrong, please book a vet appointment first and the salon after.

A de-shed visit at the salon is built around three things working together:

• A thorough brush-out with undercoat rakes and de-shedding tools, pulling out the loose hair home brushing usually misses.
• A conditioning bath with a shampoo that helps release more of the dead undercoat.
• A high-velocity dryer, which literally blasts the loose undercoat out of the dog. This is the part you cannot replicate at home and it's where most of the volume comes out.

What it can do: cut the amount of hair shedding into your house dramatically for roughly 4 to 8 weeks. Most owners notice the difference the same day.

What it can't do: change your dog's genetics. A Husky will always Husky. The goal is to make the shed cycle more manageable, not to stop it.

For heavy shedders during the spring and fall blows, every 4 to 6 weeks is the right cadence. Through the rest of the year, every 6 to 8 weeks paired with weekly brushing at home keeps the coat in good shape.

See everything included in dog grooming in Guelph at Brushcuts, or reach out to book a de-shed visit. For senior dogs, nervous dogs, or heavy double coats that need extra time, our specialty care is built for exactly that.