The Samoyed dog breeds were initially bred to assist the Samoyedic people in herding reindeer. Samoyeds naturally have a thick, dense coat that has proven to historically protect them from the cold regions of northwestern Siberia throughout such journeys.
Samoyeds shed twice a year heavily. This particular breed of pooch grows extra fur throughout the colder climates, and when the temperature changes- their hair drops rapidly.
For first-time Samoyed dog owners, it’s a good idea to learn why this breed sheds as much as they do- to begin combating this problem effectively. In this article, you’ll discover everything you need to know about a Samoyeds shedding cycle, as well as what you can do to maintain it!
Why Do Samoyeds Shed So Much?
Much like hair loss within humans, animals like cats or dogs are no different. Some breeds of dogs, like the Shiba-Inu, Alaskan Malamute, and yes- Samoyeds shed more heavily than others.
Shedding occurs for many reasons, such as seasonal changes- which in this case, is the reason behind why Samoyeds shed so much.
In the winter, a Samoyeds coat becomes even thicker (-than it already is), and when the season changes- their excess fur begins to shed.
Other reasons why a dog might shed excessively can be due to medical issues, pregnancy, during their heat-cycle, old-age, or overall poor health/diet.
The Samoyed shedding cycle is a natural process that should be understood and dealt with accordingly for respective future owners.
Unfortunately, there is no way to stop a Samoyed from shedding so much wholly; however, there are ways you can learn to adapt to it. Continue reading to find out more.
When Samoyeds Shed?
When Samoyeds shed, they shed massively! A typical shedding season lasts between 2 – 5 weeks. These seasons usually occur within spring and fall, right before the approach of summer and after winter.
The most visible sign that your Samoyed is about to come into their shedding season is the obvious fur that will be left around your home.
Other signs that your dog is about to shed can be the texture of his coat, usually appearing smoother and fluffier to touch. This is an excellent indication that he’s about to come into his shedding season.
Note: If you notice large fur patches missing on your Samoyeds body, this is not a natural process in their shedding cycle- thus, consider seeking a trusted veterinarian.
Elements That Can Affect Your Samoyed’s Shedding
As mentioned before, seasonal changes are the leading cause of a Samoyeds shedding.
Samoyeds have thick fur, to begin with, so as the fall and winter season approaches- they grow excessive hair to keep them warm and protected during the cold temperature changes.
Once spring comes around, they shed heavily to prepare for the summer heat (where they don’t want or need as much hair on their body.)
This process repeats every year and can happen once or twice, depending on each Samoyed pooch.
Abnormal Shedding
Briefly mentioned in “Why Do Samoyeds Shed So Much,” excessive or abnormal shedding can be the result of various issues. However, Samoyeds shed a lot, usually once or twice a year. Anything more than that can be a sign of something more serious.
Medical Issues
Bacterial infections, thyroid disease, skin allergies, or an inflamed bowel are different medical issues that might be contributing to abnormal shedding within your Samoyed.
Pregnancy and Birth
Once your female Samoyed has given birth to her litter, expect fur-loss and weight-loss too. This is normal and a natural part of her recovery cycle, so don’t freak out.
Heat-Cycle
If your female Samoyed isn’t pregnant and continuing to shed abnormally, she’s most likely on her heat-cycle. This can be deterred by spraying your pooch.
Old Age
The older your Samoyed becomes, the slower their metabolism runs. As a result of this, fur-loss or shedding becomes more visible and frequent.
Poor Health/Diet
Poor diet and feeding on cheap dog-food contribute immensely to abnormal fur-loss. If your pooch is not getting enough nutrients or protein that they need to sustain a healthy lifestyle, excessive shedding becomes prominent.
Stress
Any type of prolonged mental or emotional stress your Samoyed is exposed to can influence fur-loss. The effects of stress can cause your dog’s natural defensive mechanism to increase, causing an influx in abnormal shedding.
If you’re worried about the health of your Samoyed, seek a trusted veterinarian to discuss further.
Tips for Shedding Season – Keep Your House From Being a Mess
Before shedding season hits, it never hurts to learn as many tips as possible- that way, you’ll not only keep your house from being a mess, but your pooch will be happy too!
1. Brush Daily
The best way to maintain your dog’s frequent shedding is by brushing their coat every day (or every second day.) Not only will this aid in lowering the fur pile, but it can relieve your Samoyeds mental stress, which shedding can impact.
2. If Possible, Brush Outside
Brushing your dog’s fur outside (if possible) can keep your house from becoming a fluffy mess! It’ll avoid unnecessary fluff from sticking to your furniture, and lower the levels of fur sticking to your carpet.
3. Hair Remover
Hair remover tools are magnificent in saving time; it usually would take to brush your dog’s fur. Grooming devices such as the FURminator Tool, FurVac Dog Hair Vacuum, and similar accessories also work magnificently in keeping your home clean!
4. Vacuum Frequently
A no-brainer, vacuuming your house regularly will be required of you during shedding season- unless you’re happy with fur-balls invading your space! Whatever you choose, shedding is inevitable with Samoyeds; thus- vacuuming is a necessity either way.
5. Bathing Helps
Bathing during the early stages of your Samoyeds shedding cycle aids in loosening their fur and preparing it to slide right off (while in the bath.)
How to Brush Effectively?
Learning how to brush effectively is easy once you get the hang of it. If it’s your first time, expect your dog to be cautious and wary of the devices you use on him. He may be scared or anxious at first, but over time- he’ll become accustomed to it, and he’ll thank you for your assistance. (In his own doggy way).
Here is a list of ways you can brush your Samoyed effectively:
- Start from the top of their head, moving down their body, and repeat
- Check for sores, bruises, or bumps on their body before using a sharp-tooth brush
- Be gentle, especially around their ears making sure not to pull their tiny ear-hairs
- Brush everywhere on their body, including their forelegs and tail
- Go softer on the brushing when around their rear-end (some dogs are more sensitive around that area)
- Have your dog lay down so you can brush their fur in every direction
Other things you can do when aiming to brush your Samoyed effectively is cleaning them outside, or laying on top of a newspaper.
Bathing them beforehand, or switching up the hair remover tools you use depending on their tolerance.
Taking Care of Your Samoyed’s Coat
Taking care of your Samoyed’s coat doesn’t need to be a hard or strenuous duty; in fact- it can become quite easy once you form a familiar routine that’s easy to follow.
The best way to care for your Samoyed’s coat is by:
- Brushing it once a week (during off-season) and daily during shedding season
- Trimming his coat if it becomes too long
- Maintaining your dog on a well-balanced diet
- Using dog-safe shampoos, avoiding harsh chemicals
- Regular exercise can aid in a healthy pooch which overall assists in a healthy coat
Grooming for a Samoyed
Like all dogs, grooming routines are essential- and a Samoyed is no exception. Regular grooming aid in reducing diseases, can promote a healthy lifestyle, and keep your pets pain free!
For the coat, brush once a week during warm seasons and daily during cold seasons. This will keep their fur healthy and assist in having a dust-free environment.
Here are some additional things you can implement into your Samoyed’s grooming routine:
- Brushing the teeth
- Cutting nail beds
- Trimming his coat (if required)
- Cleaning the ears (if needed)
- Wiping of tear ducts (if needed)
- Bathing every-so-often
Here are Some of My Favorite Pets Products
Thank you for reading this post. I hope you found it helpful as you raise your pet. Here are some products i use as a pet owner that I hope you’ll also find helpful.
Flea & Tick Control: I recommend www.canadapetcare.com, they offer flea and tick treatments, collars, flea shampoos, oral capsules. For dogs, flea and tick infestation is deadly and may cause severe diseases if not treated regularly.
Skin & Coat Chews provide a variety of ingredients, vitamins, and minerals that will help a dog with their skin and coat, many breeds have chronic skin conditions that can create stress and frustration in their life when it has not been treated properly. Free Shipping on all orders at discounted prices.
America’s Veterinary Discount: With pet plans starting at $6.58/month, saving on your pet’s veterinary care has never been easier. Click here to join risk-free. Showing your America’s Veterinary Discount card and the participating veterinary staff will reduce your entire medical services bill, no questions asked! Low cost plans, risk free guarantee.