Each owner of the dog will certainly encounter molting at the Spitz. During age-related changes, the dog loses most of its coat, which is why it starts to look not very attractive. We will analyze when the shedding begins on the Spitz. We will find out what causes the dog to suffer from excessive hair loss, and what signs may indicate a pet’s disease.
General information
Spitz is very similar to the little fluffy bears. The fur coat is soft and thick, they have a very dense undercoat. The integumentary outer hair wraps around the neck, paws, tail and body. The undercoat consists of thick and soft hair that adheres very tightly to the dog’s skin.
During age-related links, Spitz begin to look shabby and untidy, but this is a natural process that all dog owners of this breed need to know about. Hair growth on a pet’s body goes through a certain cycle. At first, he begins his development from the follicle. Under the influence of external factors, the hair receives certain damage, its bulb is destroyed. During molting, hair loss occurs. After a new one begins to grow in its place.
Most notably, the moult at the spitz becomes during the age-related change of hair. Animals that do not participate in the reproduction of their offspring and live in warm apartments, molt almost imperceptibly to the owner.
We list the main reasons for the molting of the Spitz.
Age change of wool
The main reason that owners may encounter molting a pet is the age-related change of hair for the Spitz. Up to two months, puppies look most charming. They have soft, baby and fluffy hair. Most often, sellers take their first photos at this age, since the dog looks the most attractive.
From three months old, the Spitz begin to change very significantly. Their ears grow and their faces stretch out. During this period, the change of wool to an adult begins, but it is not so noticeable yet. The first molt in the Spitz occurs at the age of 4-5 months. It was at this time that the dog was almost completely bald. The puppy looks larger and a little disproportionate. Abundant hair loss during this period is considered a natural process, and therefore it is not worth worrying about it. The puppy begins to significantly grow fur at 6-7 months. He is becoming more and more like an adult Spitz.
Shedding of the Spitz per year is also quite abundant. The dog again loses a lot of hair and finally “changes clothes” into an adult coat. This molt is called junior. Subsequent such changes are not so noticeable. The coat of the dog is finally formed at the age of 2-3 years.
Seasonal molt
In response to changes in ambient temperature and daylight hours, increased release of melanin occurs in the pituitary gland of a pet. It is this hormone that is responsible for seasonal molting in Spitz. It occurs twice a year: in spring and autumn. Before the heat, the dog loses most of its undercoat. The amount of integumentary hair remains unchanged. Before the cold, the Spitz begins to grow thick and warm undercoat. Animals that live in warm indoor conditions in winter molt evenly all year round.
Hormonal changes in the body
In most cases, molting associated with hormonal changes is more characteristic of females. Bitches can shed a small amount of hair during estrus. In addition, they can almost completely lose their entire coat after childbirth. This is a natural process that is associated with feeding puppies and a lack of vitamins and minerals. When buying a baby, you should not worry if his mother looks bald and unprepossessing. For a Spitz, this is quite normal, so do not be afraid that the puppy may inherit any disease from an adult dog.
We list the main types of hormonal changes due to which molting can occur in Spitz:
- Fragility of the hair in the area of the chest, back and neck can occur with a lack of thyroid hormones.
- Excess cortisol in the body leads to a deterioration in the quality of the coat.
- In the presence of a high level of estrogen in females, hair loss in the genitals is possible.
- After sterilization, due to the lack of the mentioned hormone, the rate of growth of hair is significantly slowed down in bitches.
Other possible causes of molting
We list other possible causes of molting in Spitz:
- an allergic reaction to food, hygiene products, antiparasitic drugs, medicines and more;
- nutrition of low quality feed;
- vitamin deficiency, a lack of minerals in the body;
- inflammatory processes in the body, a decrease in immunity due to the disease;
- parasites - fleas, ticks, helminths;
- fungus.
Puppies of 4-6 months who were not exposed to molting, as well as adult Spitz over four years of age, are at risk of alopecia X. In this condition, hair loss occurs in the dog. Only limbs and head remain hairy. Most often, the disease manifests itself after shaving soft fluff in a puppy, as well as after a very short haircut in an adult dog.
How to care for a dog during molting
During intensive molting of a Pomeranian spitz, it is necessary to comb every day with a special brush. It consists of small iron long teeth. They help remove fallen hair, save hair from tangling, massage the skin and stimulate blood circulation. For puppies it is better to choose a brush with soft bristles so as not to damage delicate skin. To speed up the process of hair loss, you can use slicker.
During the molting period, a German Spitz cannot be cut, otherwise the hair may stop growing altogether. It is also worth giving up swimming. Soap and water can confuse the fallen wool into tangles, which will be very difficult to unravel, and therefore, most likely, they will have to be cut, which is undesirable during this period. It is worth bathing the dog in extreme cases: before exhibitions or to wash off serious pollution.
Spitz diet during molting
During molting, the dog needs to be given vitamins and minerals. Food must be properly balanced, contain a lot of protein. It is worth introducing into the diet:
- lean beef and chicken;
- cereals;
- heat-treated offal;
- vegetables;
- sea fish.
When to start to sound the alarm
Spitz molting may indicate an animal disease. Non-seasonal, profuse hair loss that does not stop can be a signal of a dog's health problems.
The main symptoms indicating pathogenic molt in the Spitz:
- complete baldness of certain skin areas;
- itching, inflammation of the skin, wounds and abscesses;
- hair loss around the eyes, redness of the mucous membrane;
- baldness and darkening of the skin;
- hair loss around the female genitals;
- thin and brittle hair;
- dull hair;
- the absence or delay of age links.
The condition of the coat primarily indicates problems with the health of the animal. There are a large number of diseases that can lead to profuse hair loss. For an accurate diagnosis of the cause, the dog should be shown to the doctor. In the absence of timely treatment, the coat may not recover completely. Some diseases can lead to serious complications.
Conclusion
Thus, Spitz are famous for their thick and fluffy hair. Their appearance changes significantly during age links. During this period, the dog must be treated with special attention. The hairs that have fallen out need to be combed out to avoid rolling off the wool. It is highly undesirable to bathe a dog. In the event of a suspected disease of the animal, the Spitz must be shown to a specialist.