In spring, just like in autumn, dogs and cats like moulting . The coat will renew itself, causing more hair loss than usual.
All year round, dogs and cats lose their hair in moderate ways. But this hair loss intensifies twice a year: in spring and autumn. Explanations.
What is animal moulting ?
The molting of dogs and cats is a completely natural phenomenon that takes place every year in spring and autumn. This period corresponds to the renewal of the coat.
This moult renews the animal’s hair and allows it to adapt to changes in temperature and sunshine. The hair of dogs and cats is thus fuller in winter and lighter in summer.
Molting: a critical period for cats
When it molts, the cat can ingest the equivalent of 100 mg of hair per kilo which will form balls in its stomach. These hairballs may cause problems: vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, and loss of appetite…
But also, in the most severe cases, intestinal obstruction. This is the case when the hair ingested during the toilet is not eliminated naturally in the stool. This is common in those who are sedentary, such as apartment cats, and who get little exercise.
These hairballs have a name in veterinary jargon: trichobezoars. The veterinarian can prescribe treatment to promote the elimination of hairballs if the cat suffers from them. Similarly, there are certain quality industrial foods, rich in fiber, allowing the elimination of these hairballs.
How to fight hair loss-Moulting ?
Brushing your dog or cat more during moulting (spring and autumn) is highly recommended. If the dog or cat needs to be bathed, brushing will take place first.
Brushing makes it possible to eliminate dead hair, thus preventing the animal from spreading it all over the house. Depending on the nature of the coat, the hair forms “pilling” which rolls under the furniture or pricks itself in the fabrics.
Brushing, in itself, is very important for the health of the animal anyway. This is all the more true in the cat which devotes a lot of time to its toilet. On average, 2 to 4 hours a day.
How often should you brush your pet?
The nature of the dog’s or cat’s hair (long, mid-long, short, close-cropped, with or without undercoat, etc.) will determine the intensity of the brushing that should be done and at what pace.
During moulting, it is common to have to go from weekly to daily brushing, for example. Pet stores offer many accessories: combs, brushes, cards, currycombs, rubber gloves with spikes…
Each type of hair has its own “tool”. Otherwise, it is always possible to call on a professional groomer. Especially for the most recalcitrant dogs or cats who have not been used to letting themselves be groomed from an early age.
Brushing his companion also allows you to check the absence of external parasites. But also to avoid the formation of knots. Be sure to brush well on the thighs as well as behind the ears, among others, where the hairs stick together more easily.
When to worry about hair loss?
Throughout the year, any unusual hair loss, whether or not accompanied by itching, excessive licking, appearance of redness, plaques, etc. – should encourage you to consult the veterinarian.
Many diseases or poor diet can cause hair loss.
