Hair, Hair Everywhere!!!! 

Contrary to what some companies may advertise, there is no “cure” for shedding. Shedding (or “blowing”) the coat is a natural cycle in every pet’s life whether it’s convenient for us or not. 

It’s a Seasonal Thing! 

Shedding is mostly seasonal – usually occurring every spring and fall and related primarily to changes in the duration and intensity of sunlight and not the temperature as most people believe.  House dogs are exposed to long hours of artificial light and it sometimes seems as if they never quit shedding. Most dogs shed at least once a year (though some breeds shed more frequently) and do not shed their coats evenly. Some have a double coat composed of a long outer coat of “guard” hairs and an undercoat of softer shorter hair. When a dog with this type of coat begins to shed, the inner coat may come out in a patchy fashion and your dog may look quite moth- eaten! 

Regular Grooming Care is Essential 

Regular and proper grooming can be the difference between a good coat and an excellent coat. We at Four Muddy Paws would be more than happy to help you achieve this…especially through the shedding process. Even if your dog is not in need of a complete grooming, a thorough bath and brush in our self service dog wash facilities can help to speed the process along.  This is a great do it yourself dog wash alternative.  Dead hair next to the skin is irritating and can lead to an itch/scratch cycle that can damage the skin and cause further problems. If left alone for too long, excessive matting can occur and will make it very painful for the dog to be brushed out and more expensive for the owner.  Our Self Service Dog Wash facility is first come first served or by appointment in the grooming salon where we’re open seven days a week for dog and cat grooming. 

A Healthy Coat = A  Healthy Dog!  

Coat loss is occasionally precipitated by factors other than light and seasonal changes. For dogs, the last areas in which their bodies will expend energy are the maintenance of a thick, luxurious coat of hair. Other things are simply more important for the health and survival of the animal. Therefore, if a dog is on a poor quality food (for example), it will use all the energy derived to maintain bodily functions and let the quality of its coat slide. Poor coat quality is also frequently seen in an older animal whose digestive system isn’t working as well as it used to. The same is true for dogs that have been sick or stressed. Stressful conditions typically cause hair to drop out first on the body and flanks, where hair grows the fastest. 

Good Nutrition is Key! 

Anytime a dog is stressed, in a poor state of nutrition, or following the effect of anesthesia or certain hormones, expect the skin and coat to suffer. All of these are reversible and the coat will return to normal after the animal has returned to good health and/or the effects of the substance causing this have passed. How severely the dog is affected and how soon the effects are reversed varies with different individuals and breeds. If the coat does not seem to be returning to normal, or there is no discernible reason for the hair loss, the dog should be taken to its vet for testing. 

Remember, we at Four Muddy Paws are here to help you in every aspect of your pet’s life. We would be happy to arrange a bathing/grooming schedule for you and your dog in an effort to keep your costs down and your pet looking forward to a happy grooming experience.   We have a number of excellent natural shampoo and conditioner options in our self service dog wash for all of the do it yourself dog wash enthusiasts or we can recommend a number of great alternative shampoo and conditioner options that are still natural but even more therapeutic and that really work! Our Dog and Cat Professional Groomers can also give you an expert consultation to help your pet to look their best all year long!  We can also assist in getting your pet on a nutritional diet plan to keep him/her looking their best!