Why is my Labrador shedding a lot?

If your Labrador has been shedding a lot, you might be wondering why and what you can do about it.

This post will show you a number of reasons why your Labrador might be shedding a lot and what you can do about it.

So, why is my Labrador shedding a lot? Labradors naturally shed a lot all year round. They shed more when it’s getting hotter by shedding their undercoat and they shed more when it’s getting colder by shedding their overcoat and having denser undercoats.

There are a number of reasons why your Labrador might be shedding a lot and it could be due to a combination of reasons. However, there are a number of things you can do about it.

Why your Labrador sheds a lot

Below are a number of reasons why your Labrador might be shedding a lot and what would make them more likely to be a main reason.

It’s getting warmer

When the weather is getting warmer, your Labrador will shed its undercoat so that it is able to deal with the heat more effectively.

This means that, if the weather has started getting hotter and your Labrador has started to shed more then it would not be something to be overly concerned with. It would be likely that the shedding would be due to it shedding its undercoat.

It’s getting colder

When the weather is becoming colder your Labrador will shed more hair on its overcoat and its undercoat will become denser.

This means that if it is getting colder and it has begun to shed more then it is likely shedding its overcoat. This is also not something to be concerned with.

It sheds a lot naturally

Labradors will normally shed throughout the year. While the weather is getting hotter they shed their undercoats and when it is getting colder their overcoats will shed. So, if you are concerned about your Labrador shedding year round then don’t be and follow the tips mentioned below.

Stress

Stress can cause Labrador to begin to shed more. It would be more likely that your Labrador has been shedding a lot due to stress if it has been scratching at a particular spot a lot and if there is a patch where it is losing fur.

If stress does seem to be the cause then it would help to figure out what is causing it to be stressed. Things that might cause it to be stressed could include someone mistreating it, separation anxiety or recently moving homes. If you can’t figure out the cause, get it to stop or it is shedding in patches then it would help to see a vet with your Labrador.

Poor diet

A poor diet can also cause a Labrador to start shedding. This is because it might not be getting the nutrients that it needs from its food. This would be more likely to be the cause if it has started doing it suddenly since a change in its diet.

In this case, it would help to make sure that you have been feeding it correctly, that no one else has been feeding it and it would help to consult with a vet about its diet.

Skin irritation or fleas

The cause could be that something has been causing its skin to be irritated. Things that might cause it to become irritated could include fleas or using a shampoo that it does not like. This would be more likely if it started shedding more suddenly, it has been scratching itself a lot, it sheds more when you put shampoo on it or you have found fleas.

In this case, it would help to change the shampoo or to bathe it less often and to take measures to get rid of fleas by following the tips below.

Illness

Illness could also be the reason why it has been shedding a lot. This would be more likely if it has started shedding suddenly, it has been behaving differently as well and if it has been showing signs of being ill. In this case, the best option would be to take it to a vet.

Consider

If it sheds evenly or there are bald spots

It would help to consider how your Labrador has been shedding.

If it has been shedding evenly then it would be more likely to be normal shedding especially if it has become hotter or colder. But it could also be due to things such as a poor diet.

Whereas, if it sheds more in a particular area then it would be more likely to be due to things such as stress, fleas or compulsive behavior.

If it has been acting unusually and its shed was very sudden

If your Labrador started shedding suddenly, it would also help to consider what else happened at around the same time that it started shedding.

If it was sudden and the weather hasn’t changed much then it would be more likely to be due to things such as getting ill, fleas, changing its shampoo or a change in its diet. In this case, it would help to take it to a vet.

What you can do about your Labrador’s shedding

Below are some things you can do about your Labrador’s shedding.

Brush it with a de-shedding brush

One thing you can do is to brush it using a de-shedding brush. By doing so, you should be able to brush away the loose fur so that less of it falls off on you and in your house. Generally, it will be necessary to brush it on a weekly basis.

Make sure that it is getting a good diet

It would also help to make sure that it is being fed correctly especially if it has started doing it suddenly since a change in its diet. You can look here to see what the experts recommend you feed your Labrador. It would also help to make sure that no one else has been feeding it.

Get rid of fleas

If fleas seem to be causing your Labrador to scratch itself a lot it would help to talk to your vet about what you should do to get rid of the flees. There are oral treatments that they can recommend that can be very effective in getting rid of fleas. In addition, there are also sprays and combs that you can buy.

It would also help to eradicate fleas from your home by:

• Washing the bedding with hot soapy water
• Vacuuming the carpets and throwing the bad
• Applying an environmental flee control
• Applying a spray, pellet or non-toxic treatment for the yard

Bathe it

Another option would be to bathe it occasionally. Some Labrador owners only bathe their Labrador once per year and experts recommend not to do it more than once per month. If it starts itching itself afterward it might be a sign that its skin is irritated by the shampoo.

Have a vacuum and lint roller ready

Since it is natural for Labradors to shed, it would help to have a vacuum and lint roller ready so that you can get rid of the fur around the house when you want to.

Take it to a vet

If it has suddenly started to shed excessively or it has been showing other signs of being ill, it would help to take it to a vet. By doing so, you should be able to get expert advice tailored towards your particular Labrador and to rule out medical causes.