This phenomenon persists, despite canine domestication and the fact that, luckily, most dogs live in comfortable homes. Now that they do not live in the wild, dogs begin to lose their “summer” hair at a variable rate, depending on where they are and their way of life. It is not the same that they spend most of the day outside instead of at home.
The fall begins
As soon as we observe, we will notice that the pet is losing strands that give way to the fur intended to protect it from the rigors of the cold. Sometimes, autumn surprises us with abrupt and sudden drops in temperatures, especially in the early hours of the day, on morning walks with our furry friend. Low temperatures and humidity can cause a drop in the dog’s natural defenses , which will be more prone to disease.
Washing and brushing
Depending on the type of hair of your dog, this will be the frequency and intensity with which you will have to wash and brush it. Always think that if you do it regularly, your pet will feel much better and more comfortable. You will no longer have so many itching due to tangled hair, and brushing will improve your blood circulation and remove dead hair . In this way we will also make their coat more beautiful and durable: it will shed much less and it will gain resistance. When he grows up he will also be much healthier and stronger.
What is the easiest hair to care for?
Logically, short-haired dogs are the ones that give the least problems in this regard. It is much easier to keep their coat healthy, since its care does not involve a great effort. You just have to brush them from time to time, with some regularity, without overdoing it so as not to harm the skin, which is much more sensitive. With a simple brush or a comb you can complete the job without difficulties, but always against the grain, to better remove dead hairs .
And the most laborious?
Without a doubt, that of animals that sport silky fur . You have to wash their hair at least once a month, in addition to cutting it very often. It is important that you use a fine brush to remove tangles. Finish the process with a bristle brush, which will brighten your friend’s lustrous hair.
And with the rough and smooth coats …
Dogs that have a smooth coat do not require much care. They only need to be brushed once a week to remove dead hair. On the other hand, if your dog has a rough and matte coat, we recommend that you brush it daily.
The effects of cold and humidity: risk groups
Many dogs accuse the arrival of cold and humidity. These risk groups include:
• Short-haired dogs (even if they are large).
• Elderly dogs , since many have joint discomfort or ailments that are accentuated at this time of year.
• Small animals , which sometimes find it more difficult to regulate their body temperature.
• Dogs with respiratory or heart conditions , particularly if they are brachycephalic, since the peculiar anatomy of their respiratory system makes it difficult to recover from pharyngitis, laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia …
• Puppies , because their immune system is still immature. In addition, they are more vulnerable if they are in their vaccination period. Cold, drafts and humidity pose a significant risk to your health.
If the dog suffers a cold, its natural defenses will work less efficiently, and it will be more exposed to the action of bacteria, viruses and parasites. The same is true if it is wet. Therefore, in these months it is advisable to use Menforsan waterless shampoos.
And don’t forget to protect and care for your pads!
The cold of autumn and winter forces us to attend to the pads of our dogs, because they are always in contact with the ground. So that they do not crack or burn in the event of snow or the thermometer drops a lot, Menforsan proposes the use of its moisturizing and protective gel for the pads.
