Hair loss does not only occur at humans. It is also common with dogs and cats and is normal. Around spring and autumn, animals moult and lose a lot of hair. But you will also find dog or cat hair in your home between these periods. But we have good news! There are a number of things that you as an owner can take into account in order to reduce the number of pet hairs in your home (and to keep your pet’s health good). In this blog we will discuss dog hair in more detail. Keep on reading!
Try to find the cause of the hair loss
First of all, it is of course important to look at the cause of the hair loss. This may be difficult to determine, but it could already be noticeable if your dog suddenly loses an extremely large amount of hair outside the moulting period and/or starts to get bald spots. In this case, a visit to the vet is recommended.
Furthermore, there are several causes for hair loss in dogs. We have listed the most common for you:
1 Nutrition
Nutrition is of course very important for the health of the dog. But nutrition also plays a major role in a healthy coat. Poor nutrition can therefore be a cause of hair loss in dogs. In principle, it should be enough to ensure that your dog receives the best food with all the necessary nutrients. If this is not enough, you can also consider purchasing nutritional supplements that stimulate the growth of a thick coat (salmon oil and vitamin E, for example). We recommend that you ask a specialist which food is best for your type of dog.
2 Stress
Stress in dogs causes the dog to lick itself on the fur, in order to calm down. Excessive licking leads to hair loss. When you notice your dog is licking its fur excessively, it is important to find out where this stress can come from.
3 Parasites
Excessive licking, biting and scratching. These are signs that may indicate parasites such as fleas, lice or mites. The dog experiences itching and will damage his/her own coat, which in turn leads to hair loss. It is important to check your dog regularly and to treat it for parasites if necessary.
4 Breed
Breed, lifestyle and age of the dog all influence the amount of hair loss in the dog. A long-haired dog will lose more hair than a short-haired dog. A dog that spends a lot of time indoors often loses hair throughout the year. But did you also know older dogs can experience more hair loss? Just like with humans!
Tips:
* distinguish between normal and extreme hair loss and if necessary seek help from a veterinarian
* take good care of the dog’s coat, but: do not comb excessively
* provide good dog food and, if necessary, buy supplements
Did you know the STUDIO ANIMAUX dog and cat pillows have a repellent effect? The cotton is also easy to clean and machine washable. It is of course not 100% resistant to hair, but every little bit helps!
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