Reasons why do German shepherd shed a lot

Why Do German Shepherds Shed A Lot And Solution For Heavy Shedding

Why Do German Shepherds Shed A Lot And Solution For Heavy Shedding

Reasons why do German shepherd shed a lot
Reasons why do German shepherds shed a lot

Why Do German Shepherds Shed A Lot And Solution For Heavy Shedding: Usually German shepherds shed heavily but there could be other reasons.

We all know that the German shepherd dog breed is known for its beautiful and dense coat and it is obvious long-haired dog breeds shed more. Usually, they shed heavily during season change but there could be other reasons behind it. Here we will discuss reasons why do german shepherds shed a lot and their shedding solution.

Why do dogs shed?

Dogs generally lose old and dead fur from the coat of their body, this is called shedding. All dog breeds shed, some of them shed more and some shed less. Shedding is the natural process by which old fur gets replaced by new fur. Dogs also shed to keep themselves cool and light. Dogs usually shed more during season change.

German shepherd Coat

We all know German Shepherds are famous for their beautiful coats. GSDs have a double-layered coat that consists of an Undercoat and upper coat. Their coat is dense and heavy. The length of the hair could be medium or long.

German Shepherds have a variety of colors but the combination of black & tan is most common. They are also seen in Black, Steel blue, white, a combination of red & black and black & silver color. Some of these colors are quite rare whereas some are common. Usually, the rare ones cost more.

When and How much does a German shepherd shed?

German shepherds are considered heavy shedders because of their coats which is completely true. They are known for shedding all year round in a moderate amount but they shed much heavily during the spring and fall season.

During their shedding season, they need much more grooming and care in order to avoid messiness. We will further discuss solutions.

Factors on which shedding of a German shepherd depends

Diet: Diet plays an important role in deciding the quality of a dog’s coat. It should be nutritious enough to fulfill the daily nutritional requirement of your GSD. If your dog is not getting enough nutrition through its diet then it will make roots of the hairs weak resulting in more shedding.

Age:  Age is also an important factor that decides the amount of shedding of dogs. As the age of the dog increases and he gets older then his hair starts to get thinner and weaker that’s why old dogs tend to shed higher than adults.

Health Status: Increased shedding is a symptom of many diseases also some health issues make the dog shed more. For example dogs with skin diseases and thyroid problems shed abnormally.

Season: All dogs shed heavily during a particular season called shedding season. Like most other dog breeds German shepherds also shed more in the spring and fall seasons.

Living condition: it is obvious that a German shepherd who likes to be indoors will shed less in comparison to a sporty GSD  who loves to play outside and easily gets dirty. That’s why the Living condition is also an important factor of shedding.

Other Reasons for  Abnormal and too much Shedding in German Shepherds

Although German Shepherds are heavy shedders it doesn’t mean there can’t be any other reason for it. Usually, GSDs shed more during shedding season only otherwise they shed moderately. If you observe an unusual fall of hair then there might be other reasons too. Now we will discuss some possible reasons for abnormal or uncommon shedding in German shepherds.

  • Improper diet and Nutritional deficiency.
  • Health issues like Hypothyroidism, Immune diseases, Sunburn, Fungal infections, Skin diseases, Liver problems, and adrenaline diseases can cause unusual shedding.
  • Change in diet
  • Food allergies
  • Fleas and other parasites
  • Change in hormones
  • Frequent bathing
  • Increased shedding can also occur during pregnancy
  • Anxiety and stress
  • Sudden changes in the environment can also result in increased shedding.
  • The side effect of medication

German Shepherd shedding solution

No one wants hair scattered on the floor but you have to understand that shedding is a natural process. It is nearly impossible to stop shedding completely however shedding can be controlled to avoid messiness. Here we are discussing the solution or ways to control German shepherd shedding.

Ensuring proper Nutrition

As we have discussed earlier diet plays a decisive role in determining the health and quality of a dog’s coat. You have to make sure whether your diet is fulfilling the nutritional requirement of your dog or not. It should be rich in proteins and other essential nutrients responsible for hair’s health.

Some people often use vitamins supplements, but too much of them can affect their digestion negatively.

Adding food items like Eggs and tuna to your GSD’s diet can also help in improving their hair’s health and can also reduce shedding. Including cod liver oil can also be beneficial for your dog’s coat.

Bathing

Bathing your dog can be very helpful in controlling shedding. it helps in making your dog cool and removes dirt and extra hair from your dog’s coat. It also helps in removing fleas and reduces the chance of fungal and bacterial infections. An important thing that you have to care about is choosing a good dog shampoo, you should avoid using regular shampoo on your dog.

how often should a german shepherd be bathed?

You don’t need to bathe your German shepherd much often if their coat doesn’t get filthy easily. You can bathe your GSD for around 3 to 4 months of time.

Dogs don’t need to bathe often like humans, you should avoid bathing your German shepherd unnecessarily. Frequent baths can make their skin dry and flaky as they can remove natural oils from their coat and skin.

Regular Brushing

Regular brushing is a very important and basic part of grooming your German shepherd. Brushing helps in removing old and dead hair from your dog’s coat and helps in making it light and comfortable. As German shepherds have a dense coat you can brush them once every couple of days.

But then the question arises which type of brush is good for German Shepherds?

According to the dense coat of the German Shepherd, you can use a Slicker brush or a de-shedding rake.

Keeping your dog hydrated

Dehydration is also a cause of increased shedding. You should make sure that plenty of clean water is provided to your dog.

Ensuring good health of your German shepherd

Increased shedding is a symptom of many diseases or health issues and some of them can be serious. You should take your German shepherd for a monthly health checkup to ensure whether your dog is healthy or not. A vet could identify health issues at an early stage and it could avoid many health-related risks.

 

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