The days of hot temps and poolside lounging have come to an end and autumn is upon us. Here are some tips to care for coats in the cooler months ahead.
Condition sun-damaged coats. Summer likely brought a wave of outdoor activities. Just like the sun can damage human hair, dogs’ coats can suffer from sun damage, too. If your pup’s strands seem dry or over-bleached by the sun, try an autumn reset with a nourishing conditioner or coat spray that can help their coat look healthy and shiny again.
Wash away allergies. The change of season triggers changes in plants and weather, which often triggers allergies—your dog’s and yours. As soft as your pup’s coat can be, it also acts like Swiffer®, locking in pollen and other allergens that can cause sneezing, itchy eyes, and skin rashes. Our resident Veterinary Dermatologist, Dr. Anthea Schick, recommends bathing your dog weekly to reduce allergens for both dogs and humans. It’s also important to use a ph-balanced moisturizing shampoo to help prevent your dog’s skin from drying out.
Prep for fall shedding. The leaves are falling—and so is your dog’s fur. It’s normal for dogs to lose their light, summer coats to allow for their heavier, cold-weather coats to come in. You’ll likely notice this change more in double-coated breeds, like collies and shelties, as they lose lots of fur from both their overcoat and undercoat this time of year. Prep for the fallout with frequent brushing. Run a comb or brush against the grain and close to the skin to catch any falling strands. More fur on the brush means less fur on your clothes.
