Spring Shedding: Surviving the Great Coat Blow

Why the fur flies

Lengthening daylight triggers the coat change — double-coated breeds (huskies, shepherds, retrievers) 'blow coat' spectacularly over a few weeks, and cats join in. It's hormonal and photoperiod-driven; even indoor pets follow a softened version of the cycle.

Work with it

Daily brushing during the blow beats weekly heroics: an undercoat rake or de-shedding tool lifts the loose wool before the furniture does. Brush outdoors, work in lines down to the skin, and finish with a slicker. A warm bath mid-molt followed by thorough drying and brushing releases huge amounts at once.

Never shave the double coat

A double coat insulates against heat as well as cold and protects skin from sun — shaving disrupts regrowth and removes their climate control. Exceptions are medical or severe matting under professional advice.

When shedding is a symptom

Molting is even and skin stays healthy underneath. Bald patches, broken hairs, dandruff, redness or itching point to parasites, allergies or thyroid issues instead — that's a vet visit, not a better brush.