Course 14 · Shedding and Undercoat · Lesson 9 of 12

How do you check skin while deshedding?

Published 29 October 2026 · Updated 29 October 2026 · About 6 minutes · General information only. This lesson does not diagnose or treat any condition.

Check skin while deshedding by parting the coat in sections as you work, looking at skin colour and texture, feeling for lumps, heat, tenderness, flaking or sores, and noting any change from normal. Deshedding is an ideal time for skin checks, because the coat is parted, loose hair is removed, and skin is exposed section by section. A skin check done during deshedding catches change early, without a separate examination, provided it is systematic and recorded, and provided abnormal findings are referred rather than treated at home.

Why is deshedding a good time to check skin?

Deshedding exposes skin that is normally hidden by coat, especially undercoat, and it does so in a systematic, section by section way. That makes it easier to see the whole skin surface, rather than only the areas visible on the top coat. Loose hair removal also reveals flaking, crusting, parasites, wounds, and lumps that would otherwise be hidden. The owner is already handling the dog, in good light, with tools ready, so adding a skin look to each section costs little time. Deshedding also gives a baseline: a dog deshedded regularly will have its skin seen regularly, so change is recognisable. A dog deshedded rarely may have skin problems that go unnoticed for months. The check should be part of the routine, not an extra task: part, look, feel, note, move on. That rhythm keeps the check thorough without making deshedding a long, stressful examination. Owners should also check skin that is not deshedded, such as belly, ears, face and paws, during the same session, so the whole body is covered.

What should you look and feel for?

Look for colour change, redness, pallor, darkening, flaking, scaling, crusting, sores, wounds, discharge, swelling, hair loss patches, and parasites or parasite debris. Feel for heat, tenderness, lumps, thickening, or texture change, and watch the dog’s reaction to touch in each section. Compare sides: one side that is redder, hotter, or more tender than the other deserves attention. Note the location, size, and appearance of anything abnormal in plain words, with date, and take a photograph in good light if the dog allows it. Do not squeeze lumps, scrape flakes, or apply products to abnormal skin. Normal skin varies by breed and individual: some dogs have pigmented skin, some have dry skin in winter, and some have moles or tags that are long standing and unchanged. What matters is change from that dog’s normal, and new findings that appear suddenly or worsen. A skin check is an observation, not a diagnosis, and many skin conditions look similar, so veterinary assessment is needed for abnormal findings.

How do you check systematically without missing areas?

Check systematically by following the same order each time, such as neck, back, sides, chest, belly, legs, tail base, ears and face, working in sections and overlapping slightly. Part the coat with a comb, look at skin, feel gently, then move on. Keep the dog calm, with breaks and rewards, and keep sessions short, splitting a full check over two days if needed for a large dog. Use good light, and a torch at an angle if needed, without shining it into eyes. Record findings as you go, in a few words per section, rather than relying on memory at the end. If a section is sore, skip deshedding there, note it, and seek veterinary advice if soreness persists. Do not check skin by pulling hair, parting forcefully, or pressing hard, because that can injure skin and distress the dog. A systematic check is thorough because it is ordered and recorded, not because it is forceful or prolonged.

How do you record findings for the vet?

Record findings in plain words, with date, location, appearance, size, and whether the dog shows pain, itching, or behaviour change. For example: 28 October, left side, mid back, red patch, about two centimetres, flaky, dog flinched when touched. Avoid interpreting the cause, and avoid recording a diagnosis from online sources. Bring notes and photographs to the vet appointment, and share information about diet, medication, recent changes, and grooming products used. If the vet advises monitoring, agree what to watch for, how long to monitor, and when to call back. That agreement turns monitoring into a plan. Do not wait for a routine appointment if a finding is sudden, spreading, painful, discharging, or accompanied by illness. A prompt phone call with clear notes is better than a delayed visit with complete notes. Home skin checks are valuable because they provide a history, and that history helps the vet decide urgency and tests.

When should you stop and get help?

Stop deshedding and contact a vet if skin is red, swollen, broken, discharging, smelly, painful, or if a lump is new, growing, or bleeding, if parasites are found in large numbers, if the dog is scratching, licking, or in pain, or if the dog seems unwell. Do not treat skin findings at home with creams, antiseptics, medicated shampoos, or home remedies, and do not continue deshedding over sore skin. Contact a groomer for help with deshedding technique if skin is irritated by tools, and ask for an in person demonstration. Skin checks during deshedding are early warning, and their value lies in prompt referral, not in home treatment. A section by section look and feel, recorded plainly, turns every deshed into a health check without adding stress.

Parting the coat section by section, looking and feeling for change, and recording findings plainly turns deshedding into a regular skin check that catches problems early, while leaving diagnosis and treatment to the vet.

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