Why does my pet seem to shed all year round - especially right before winter?

You can quickly put on a warm coat for the first day of winter, but your dog or cat needs a head start to grow that extra fur. To make a room for the new, your pet will have to start shedding its summer coat long before it gets cold. Factors that influence when to start shedding include breed, age, and temperature. But the most important signal is the seasonal change in the amount of daylight. For dogs and cats, shorter days are an indication that it’s time to get out their winter coats. Longer days are a sign to take them off again.

The reason many indoor pets shed continually is that their bodies are not as tuned in to the changing seasons.

– Dr. Larry McDaniel, DVM for the “Purina® Animal Instincts” Podcast Series

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