Have you ever emptied the vacuum cleaner's canister and found enough pet hair and fur to compose several pups? The robotic vacuum rolls two to three times daily over the floors in my multi-pet household. The upright looks like it's hanging on by a thread, and thanks to Amazon, I've subscribed to replacement parts. But is all of the shedding normal or a cause for concern?

Why do dogs shed, and how can I improve my dog's skin and coat?

A dog's skin and coat are its largest organs, accounting for ten to fifteen percent of its body weight. Shedding is your four-legged companion's way of removing old and damaged strands and ensuring new, healthy strands take their place.

I did the research and consulted with Dr. Cherie Guidry, DVM, Chief of Staff at Helping Hands Veterinary Clinic in Lynnwood, Washington, and a local groomer in my area, Mr. Shaun Joseph, owner of Ruf Cutz Dog Grooming, to find out how I can care for and improve the health of my dog's skin and coat.

How you care for your four-legged friend's coat should be based on multiple factors.

• A dog’s health

• Their diet

• Their coat type and the life cycle of their coat

• Their hygiene (how often do you bathe him?)

Health, and feeding your dog a balanced diet.

The most important takeaway to maintain your dog's skin or coat is their health. Dr. Guidry says dogs with dull, flaky coats should see a veterinarian to rule out health issues. She recommends feeding your pet a quality and balanced diet rich in Omega 3 (fish and certain algal oils), not plant or vegetable-based oils (including canola, flaxseed, walnut, and soybean oils) that your pup can't process.

Both fish and plant-based oils are sources of essential fatty acids that the body needs but cannot produce. Canines, like people, depend on a balance of Omega 3 and Omega 6 for growth, development, and disease prevention. Fish oil contains eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) that dogs need. Plant-based oils contain another type of fatty acid called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) that dogs cannot use or convert into EPA  and DHA. These anti-inflammatories can help with itching and skin allergies that affect a dog's coat.

Examining the ingredients in your pet's food to ensure they contain the correct ratio of Omega 3 and Omega 6 is vital to maintaining and improving pet health.

Research findings in the 1950s and 1960s touted vegetable-based oils as a healthy alternative to animal-based fats (high in saturated fats), leading to a shift in consumer perception, especially in Westernized countries. At the time, people were looking for “heart-healthy” alternatives. Fats were given a bad rap. Technological improvements at the time enabled the mass production of vegetable-based oils. Pet owners wanted to keep their pet’s hearts healthy, so the pet food industry followed the trend. Research in the 1960s and 1970s fueled the trend. Studies indicated a correlation between corn oil and improved performance in distance-running horses.

Our increased intake of Omega 6 in vegetable-based oils and insufficient intake of Omega 3 (fish and algal oils) coincide with an increased incidence of autoimmune, inflammatory, and allergic diseases. 

Omega 3 and Omega 3 are necessary, but an imbalance can lead to health issues that can detract from your pet’s coat.

Feeding your pet a balanced diet is imperative.

Coat Type

Fur or Hair?

Knowing the type of coat your pet has helps ensure the best outcome. Many people are surprised to learn that fur and hair are not synonymous and that coat length and growth depend on whether your pup is hairy or furry.

Fur and hair are made of a protein called keratin but differ in growth. Coat length and growth are based on your pup's genetics. Dogs will either have a predetermined or undetermined coat length. 

Predetermined coats grow to a set length according to genetics and stop growing altogether. Fur has a predetermined size. Dogs with an undetermined coat length will have coats that can grow for years until the strands of the coat break off. Hair grows longer and can last years.

Overcoats and Undercoats?

Another consideration when caring for your dog's coat is whether or not it has a double coat. Many dogs have double coats that consist of an overcoat and an undercoat. The coats are not created equal and should be cared for differently. 

Medium-haired dogs like Siberian huskies have thick undercoats that shed seasonally. Their outercoats protect the undercoat.

Overcoats are called guards and primary hairs. The individual strands are robust and durable but grow slowly. They have three layers: Cuticle, cortex, and medulla.

Undercoats are called wool and secondary hairs and are weaker than the strands of a dog's protective outer coat. Dogs shed their undercoats seasonally, and the lost hairs are quickly replaced. The hairs have two layers: a cuticle and a cortex. 

Hair shaft layers

• The hair cuticle is its scaled outermost layer. It protects the inner layers,

• The cortex or middle layer is made of keratin, a protein that strengthens and makes hair pliable. The cortex also contains pigment or hair color.

• The medulla, or hair marrow, is the innermost layer of the hair shaft. Air-filled cells make the hair large and thick. 

  
  

Dr. Guidry and Shaun Joseph recommended brushing dogs with double coats frequently (weekly) to avoid matting. De-shedding is another excellent option. Never shave the outercoat. 

Your canine friend's outer coat doesn't grow as well. It lingers in the telogen phase, or hair's resting for a long time, meaning there's no active growth. What's more, the hair may not grow back at all. 

The outer coat or primary coat protects the weak strands of the undercoat that shed several times a year.

All outer coats go through a lifecycle or three distinct growth phases, similar to human hair. Don't worry if this sounds foreign to you. I've summarized the phases below. 

Understanding the life cycle of your pet's coat can help you make important decisions regarding its care.

Coat's life cycle

• The anagen or active phase is when cells divide at the root and hair multiplies.

• The catagen phase is a brief transition between the anagen and telogen phases. Based on genetics, your pup's hair will reach its maximum length in the catagen phase.

• The telogen is the resting phase. Hair neither grows nor falls out.

• The exogen phase is the shedding phase, which not all veterinarians recognize. During this phase, the follicle releases the hair, which falls out, allowing new growth.

The life cycle of the individual strands is independent, meaning each hair is undergoing a different phase. Changing seasons, exposure to natural light, nutrition, and health can influence your canine companion's skin and coat life cycle.

Dog Hygiene (How frequently do you bathe them?)

Dr. Guidry and dog groomer Shaun Joseph spoke at length about bathing dogs. Dogs should be bathed every 4-6 weeks unless they have a skin condition. At this point, you'll consult with your veterinarian. 

Like your own skin, your dog's skin produces oil as a barrier to protect its skin and coat. Frequent bathing strips the skin's protective barrier, leading to irritated and uncomfortable skin conditions that could damage your pet's coat.

Dr. Guidry recommends opting for hypoallergenic products without dye or perfume, which can cause a skin reaction. She also likes to use light-colored products containing oatmeal and aloe.

I mentioned to Dr. Guidry that I use Earth Bath Aloe and Oatmeal from my local pet store, and she said she'd used it before on her English Springer Spaniels, Jack, and Flynn.

Ruf Cutz Dog Grooming owner Shaun Joseph mentioned that some owners request that he bathe their dogs weekly. Still, he does not recommend it as it dries out your pet's skin, contributing to skin and coat problems. His Pomeranians run on turf in his backyard to keep them clean and prevent them from tracking dirt indoors. Keeping your pets dirt-free is one way to avoid frequent bathing.

Shaun Joseph also added that dog owners should trim their pet's nails. Sharp nails rip the skin and can introduce infection when your pet scratches itself. When asked about products, he said he uses Griminator and Fresh and Clean in his grooming business. Both are concentrated and get the job done. You can find them online.

After speaking with Dr. Guidry and Dog Groomer Shaun Joseph, I realized I made a few mistakes in caring for my pets' coats. I'm guilty of bathing frequently, sometimes once a week. Someone's constantly rolling in the dirt in my backyard. I forego nail trimming and necessary brushing. My Catahoula Austrailian Shepherd mix leaves behind a couple of dogs in my closet, where he loves to camp out. 

What are some of the mistakes you make?

How do you take care of your canine companion's skin and coat?

Please share your thoughts.

References:

Burron, S., Richards, T., Krebs, G., Trevizan, L., Rankovic, A., Hartwig, S., Pearson, W., Ma, D. W. L., & Shoveller, A. K. (2024). The balance of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids in canine, feline, and equine nutrition: exploring sources and the significance of alpha-linolenic acid. Journal of animal science, 102, skae143. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae143 

Coile, C., PhD (2022, November 28). Does My Dog Have Hair or Fur? Retrieved September 24, 2024, from https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dogs-hair-fur-grooming/

DiNicolantonio, J. J., & O'Keefe, J. (2021). The Importance of Maintaining a Low Omega-6/Omega-3 Ratio for Reducing the Risk of Autoimmune Diseases, Asthma, and Allergies. Missouri Medicine, 118(5), 453–459.