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Why is my dog shedding so heavily all of a sudden? Is it normal?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 1 year and 2 months old | 11 lbs

I'm not sure but perhaps you can advise me, why my dog is shredding so heavy. When I just got him, he never was shredding so heavy.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Lauren Jones VMD

Veterinarian

Published on April 21st, 2017

I understand how excessive shedding can be difficult to manage! Different breeds inherently have differences in their hair coats and can experience different degrees of shedding. Springtime is generally the time of year where dogs shed the heaviest, as they are ridding themselves of the additional hair grown to stay warmer through the winter months. Other factors, such as stress or endocrine/metabolic diseases (such as hypothyroidism or Cushing's disease) can also cause excessive shedding. However, at 1 year old, Popcorn is quite young to have developed these conditions. Last spring, Popcorn likely would have still had his more downy puppy coat and would have been less prone to a heavy degree of shedding. To more effectively manage shedding around the house, try to bathe Popcorn every 1-2 weeks and brush him daily. Some shedding tools, such as shedding blades or Furminators, can be helpful to remove excess undercoat, but use caution with these tools as they can cause bald areas or skin irritation if used too vigorously! I hope this helps! :-)

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    It could be the time of year causing Popcorn to shed to heavily. He could be getting rid of his winter coat so he will be cooler in the summer. It is common to see an increase in shedding during the spring months. It can also be a result of stress, poor nutrition, or a medical problem. It would be a good idea to have Popcorn seen by a vet for a health check. Medical problems that can cause excess shedding include fleas, mites, fungal or bacterial infections, allergies, kidney disease, liver disease, thyroid disease, Cushing's disease, or immune disease among others. The vet can determine if there is a medical problem causing his excess shedding and can discuss treatment options with you. I would have Popcorn seen by a vet in the next few days. Good luck, I hope this helps!

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