How to Deal with Seasonal Shedding

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If you’ve noticed an explosion of pet hair around your home over the past few months, you’re not alone. Spring shedding season has been in full swing across Colorado, and even though we’re well into May, many pets are still blowing their winter coats thanks to our unpredictable mountain weather. Between fluctuating temperatures and late spring snows, Colorado’s extended shedding season can leave pet owners feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of fur covering floors, furniture, and clothing.

At Dingo’s Natural Pet, we often hear about shedding frustrations from pet owners, especially during spring and fall when seasonal coat changes are at their peak. The good news? While you can’t eliminate shedding entirely (it’s a natural, healthy process), you absolutely can manage it effectively with the right tools, techniques, and understanding of why it happens.

Whether you’re dealing with a heavy-shedding Husky, a moderate-shedding Labrador, or even a “non-shedding” Poodle (spoiler: all dogs shed to some degree), we’ll help guide you on how to take control of pet hair in your home.

The Natural Shedding Cycle

All dogs and cats with fur (as opposed to hair, like Poodles) go through continuous cycles of hair growth, rest, and shedding. Individual hairs grow to a certain length, enter a resting phase, and eventually fall out to make room for new growth. This is completely normal and healthy.

The amount a pet sheds depends on several factors, including breed and coat type, seasonal changes in daylight and temperature, indoor vs. outdoor living environment, overall health and nutrition, stress levels, and hormonal factors (pregnancy, spaying/neutering).

Seasonal Shedding: The Great Coat Blow

Many dogs and cats experience dramatic seasonal shedding, commonly called “blowing coat,” typically in spring and fall. During these periods, pets shed their winter or summer coats to prepare for the coming season.

Spring Shedding (What You’ve Been Experiencing): As days lengthen and temperatures warm, dogs and cats shed their thick, insulating winter undercoats. This is often the heaviest shedding period of the year, particularly for double-coated breeds like German Shepherds, Huskies, Golden Retrievers, and Collies.

In Colorado, spring weather is notoriously unpredictable. We can experience warm 70-degree days followed by late-season snowstorms well into April and early May. This temperature yo-yo can extend the shedding season as pets’ bodies respond to conflicting environmental signals. If you’re still seeing heavy shedding in mid-May, this is why—your pet’s coat is still catching up with the actual season.

Fall Shedding: In autumn, pets shed their lighter summer coats and grow thicker winter coats for cold-weather protection. While often less dramatic than spring shedding, fall coat changes still produce noticeable increases in loose fur.

Indoor vs. Outdoor Living

Interestingly, indoor pets who live in climate-controlled environments often shed more consistently year-round rather than experiencing pronounced seasonal peaks. Without dramatic temperature and daylight shifts, their bodies don’t receive clear seasonal signals, leading to moderate, continuous shedding throughout the year.

1. Regular Brushing: Your First Line of Defense

The single most effective strategy for dealing with shedding is regular, thorough brushing. Brushing removes loose hair before it falls onto your floors and furniture, distributes natural skin oils for coat health, reduces matting and tangling, stimulates circulation to the skin, and provides bonding time with your pet.

How Often to Brush:

• Heavy shedders (Huskies, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers): Daily during shedding season, 3-4 times weekly otherwise
• Moderate shedders (Labs, Beagles, most mixed breeds): 2-3 times weekly during shedding season, weekly otherwise
• Light shedders (Poodles, Bichons, most terriers): Weekly
• Cats: Long-haired cats need daily brushing; short-haired cats benefit from 2-3 weekly sessions

Choosing the Right Brush:

Different coat types require different tools. Using the wrong brush not only fails to capture loose hair effectively but can also damage your pet’s coat or cause discomfort.

For the best selection of grooming tools for your specific pet, explore our dog grooming products and cat grooming products to find exactly what you need.

• De-Shedding Tools: Specialized de-shedding tools like the FURminator are designed to reach through the topcoat to remove loose undercoat without cutting or damaging hair. These tools are particularly effective during seasonal shedding periods and can dramatically reduce the amount of hair shed around your home. Use de-shedding tools 1-2 times per week during heavy shedding seasons, following up with a slicker brush or comb to smooth the coat.
• Slicker Brushes: With fine, bent wire bristles, slicker brushes effectively remove loose hair, tangles, and mats from most coat types. They work well on both dogs and cats with medium to long coats.
• Undercoat Rakes: For double-coated breeds, undercoat rakes reach beneath the outer guard hairs to pull out loose undercoat. These tools have long, widely-spaced teeth that penetrate deeply without damaging the topcoat.
• Bristle Brushes: Best for short-haired breeds and finishing work, bristle brushes distribute oils and remove loose surface hair while adding shine.
• Grooming Gloves: For pets who dislike traditional brushes, grooming gloves turn brushing into petting. The rubber nubs capture loose hair while feeling like a gentle massage to your pet.

2. Professional Grooming Services

While home brushing is essential, professional grooming provides a deeper level of coat care that most pet owners can’t replicate at home.

Professional groomers have industrial-strength tools and techniques to remove far more loose undercoat than typical home grooming sessions. During heavy shedding seasons, a professional de-shedding treatment can remove the equivalent of several weeks’ worth of shedding in a single appointment.

At Dingo’s Natural Pet grooming services, our experienced groomers understand breed-specific coat needs and can provide de-shedding treatments, undercoat removal, and coat conditioning that dramatically reduces shedding at home.

When to Schedule Professional Grooming:

• At the beginning of spring and fall shedding seasons, for preventive de-shedding
• Mid-season, if home grooming isn’t keeping up with hair loss
• Every 6-8 weeks for breeds requiring regular professional care
• Anytime your pet’s coat becomes matted, or you’re unable to manage it at home

Professional grooming isn’t just about reducing shedding; it’s also about maintaining skin and coat health, which indirectly affects how much and how cleanly your pet sheds.

3. Bathing: Strategic Use for Shedding Control

Regular bathing helps loosen and remove dead hair, especially when combined with thorough brushing. However, over-bathing can strip natural oils and actually worsen shedding by drying out skin.

Optimal Bathing Frequency:

• Dogs: Every 4-8 weeks for most breeds, more frequently for particularly dirty or oily-coated dogs
• Cats: Most cats rarely need bathing; long-haired breeds may benefit from occasional baths during heavy shedding

Bathing Technique for Shedding Reduction:

1. Brush thoroughly before bathing to remove as much loose hair as possible
2. Use lukewarm water and a de-shedding or moisturizing shampoo
3. Massage shampoo deeply into the coat to loosen dead undercoat
4. Rinse thoroughly—leftover shampoo residue causes dryness and increased shedding
5. Use a de-shedding conditioner if desired
6. Towel dry, then brush again while damp to remove additional loose hair
7. Use a high-velocity dryer (available at professional groomers or Dingo’s self-wash stations) to blast out even more loose undercoat

Self-Wash Stations: If you want professional-grade equipment without the full grooming appointment, consider using a self-wash station. These facilities provide commercial-quality tubs, high-pressure sprayers, high-velocity dryers, and professional products—all the tools that make de-shedding baths far more effective than home bathing.

Our self-wash stations at Dingo’s Natural Pet give you access to everything you need to give your pet a thorough de-shedding bath without the mess in your own bathroom.

4. Nutrition: Supporting a Healthy Coat from Within

While proper grooming removes loose hair, optimal nutrition actually affects how much and how cleanly your pet sheds. Poor nutrition leads to excessive shedding, dry and brittle hair that breaks easily, dull coat appearance, and flaky, irritated skin.

Key Nutrients for Healthy Coats:

High-Quality Protein: Hair is made primarily of protein. Insufficient protein or poor-quality protein sources lead to weak, brittle hair that sheds excessively. Look for foods with named animal proteins (chicken, beef, salmon) as the first ingredient.

Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids: Essential fatty acids are critical for skin health and coat quality. They reduce inflammation, support skin barrier function, promote hair follicle health, and give coats shine and softness.

Omega-3 fatty acids are particularly important and often deficient in pet diets. Fish-based foods or supplements containing fish oil, flaxseed oil, or algae-based omega-3s can dramatically improve coat quality and reduce excessive shedding. A product that we highly recommend is Dogswell Skin and Coat Jerky, which is rich in the omegas that come from both fish and flaxseed oil.

Ultra Oil and similar skin/coat supplements provide concentrated omega fatty acids that can produce visible improvements in shedding and coat quality within 4-6 weeks. Adding a daily pump to your pet’s food is one of the easiest ways to support coat health from within.

Vitamins and Minerals: B vitamins, vitamin E, zinc, and biotin all support healthy skin and coat function. Quality pet foods should provide these in appropriate amounts, but pets with excessive shedding may benefit from targeted supplementation.

Hydration: Adequate water intake supports skin hydration from within. Cats, in particular, often don’t drink enough water. High-moisture foods help ensure proper hydration, which supports skin and coat health.

At Dingo’s Natural Pet, we carry premium, all-natural foods from brands like Fromm, NutriSource, Nulo, and Carna4 that prioritize quality proteins and beneficial fatty acids, which are the foundation of healthy, manageable coats.

Not sure if your pet’s diet is supporting optimal coat health? Schedule a free nutritional consultation with one of our in-store pet nutritionists to discuss whether dietary changes might help with excessive shedding.

5. Home Environment Controls

Strategic environmental management can significantly reduce the impact of pet hair in your home.

Air Filtration: High-quality HEPA air purifiers capture airborne pet dander and hair, reducing what settles on surfaces. Place purifiers in rooms where pets spend the most time and where family members with allergies sleep.

Humidity Control: Proper humidity levels (30-50%) support healthy skin and reduce static electricity that makes pet hair cling to everything. In Colorado’s dry climate, especially during winter, humidifiers can make a significant difference in both pet comfort and hair manageability.

Pet-Specific Zones: Designating certain furniture or rooms as pet-free zones concentrates hair in manageable areas. Washable blankets or pet-specific furniture covers in allowed areas make cleanup easier. Simply toss covers in the wash weekly.

Bedding Management: Wash pet bedding weekly in hot water to remove accumulated hair. Having two sets of bedding allows you to rotate while washing, ensuring your pet always has clean, hair-free sleeping areas.

Vacuuming Strategies

Frequency: During heavy shedding seasons, daily vacuuming of high-traffic areas and 2-3 times weekly for the entire home is ideal. Outside of peak shedding, 2-3 times weekly for high-traffic areas typically suffices.

Pet-Specific Vacuum Features: If you’re in the market for a new vacuum, prioritize models designed for pet owners. Look for strong suction power specifically rated for pet hair, HEPA filtration to capture allergens, tangle-free brush rolls that don’t require constant hair removal, and attachments designed for upholstery and stairs.

Vacuuming Technique: Vacuum slowly to give the machine time to capture embedded hair, use upholstery attachments on furniture where pets sit, and empty canisters or change bags frequently during heavy shedding. Full bags dramatically reduce suction power.

Other Effective Cleaning Tools

Rubber Brooms and Squeegees: Rubber creates static that attracts pet hair. Rubber brooms work amazingly well on carpets, while squeegees are perfect for hardwood floors and furniture upholstery.

Lint Rollers: Keep lint rollers throughout your home and in your car. Reusable, washable versions are more economical and environmentally friendly than disposable ones.

Microfiber Cloths: Slightly damp microfiber cloths attract and hold pet hair better than traditional dusting cloths. Use them on furniture, baseboards, and hard surfaces.

Furniture Covers: Machine-washable furniture covers protect sofas and chairs while making cleanup as simple as throwing covers in the wash. Choose covers that match your décor so you don’t mind leaving them on all the time.

Strategic Cleaning Approaches

Top to Bottom: Always clean from highest surfaces downward, allowing hair to fall onto the floor for final vacuuming.

Pre-Vacuum Prep: Before vacuuming carpets, sweep with a rubber broom to loosen embedded hair and bring it to the surface where your vacuum can actually reach it.

Damp Mop Hard Floors: Dry sweeping hard floors often just pushes hair around. Damp mopping actually captures and removes hair effectively.

While shedding is normal, excessive or sudden changes in shedding patterns can indicate health issues requiring veterinary attention.

Warning Signs:

• Bald patches or significant thinning in specific areas
• Red, inflamed, or scabby skin beneath shedding areas
• Sudden increase in shedding outside of seasonal changes
• Hair loss accompanied by scratching, licking, or biting at skin
• Brittle hair that breaks easily
• Dull, lifeless coat despite good grooming and nutrition

Potential Health Issues: Excessive shedding can indicate allergies (food or environmental), parasites (fleas, mites), hormonal imbalances (thyroid disease, Cushing’s disease), stress or anxiety, fungal or bacterial skin infections, or nutritional deficiencies.

If you notice any concerning patterns, schedule a veterinary examination to rule out medical causes.

Understanding your pet’s breed helps set realistic expectations for shedding management.

Heaviest Shedders (Double-Coated Breeds): Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Collies, Corgis, Akitas, and Chow Chows experience dramatic seasonal shedding requiring daily brushing during peak periods.

Moderate Shedders: Beagles, Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Pugs, Dachshunds, and most mixed-breed dogs shed consistently year-round at moderate levels requiring 2-3 weekly brushing sessions.

Light Shedders: Poodles, Bichon Frises, Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Shih Tzus, and Portuguese Water Dogs shed minimally but require regular professional grooming to prevent matting.

Cat Shedding: Long-haired breeds like Persians, Maine Coons, and Ragdolls shed heavily and need daily brushing. Short-haired cats shed less visibly but still require regular grooming.

Daily:

• Brush heavy-shedding pets, especially during spring and fall
• Wipe down pets with a damp cloth or grooming glove
• Vacuum high-traffic areas during peak shedding seasons

2-3 Times Weekly:

• Brush moderate-shedding pets
• Vacuum the entire home
• Wash furniture covers if used

Weekly:

• Wash pet bedding
• Dust surfaces, baseboards, and furniture where hair accumulates
• Brush light-shedding pets

Monthly:

• Bathe dogs (adjust frequency based on individual needs)
• Deep clean carpets and upholstery
• Clean air purifier filters

Seasonally:

• Schedule professional de-shedding treatment at the beginning of spring and fall
• Assess whether the pet’s diet supports optimal coat health
• Replace worn grooming tools

As Needed:

• Schedule a veterinary exam if shedding seems excessive or abnormal
• Adjust grooming frequency based on actual shedding levels
• Consult with a professional groomer or pet nutritionist if struggling to manage shedding

Whether you’re dealing with late-season spring shedding or planning ahead for fall coat changes, Dingo’s Natural Pet has everything you need to manage pet hair effectively.

Our Shedding Management Resources:

• Comprehensive selection of dog grooming tools, including de-shedding tools, brushes, and combs
• Complete range of cat grooming products for feline coat care
• Professional dog grooming services with de-shedding treatments
• Self-wash stations with high-velocity dryers for effective at-home de-shedding baths
• Premium, all-natural pet foods that support healthy skin and coat from within
• Ultra Oil and other coat supplements for targeted nutritional support
• Free nutritional consultations to address dietary factors affecting shedding

Our knowledgeable staff can help you identify the right tools, products, and strategies for your specific pet’s coat type and your shedding management goals.

Visit us at our Westminster or Reunion location to explore our grooming product selection, schedule a professional grooming appointment, or book time at our self-wash station. We’re here to help you take control of pet hair and create a cleaner, more comfortable home for both you and your furry family members.

Because while you can’t stop shedding entirely, you absolutely can manage it successfully, and we’ll show you how.