Course 14 · Shedding and Undercoat · Lesson 6 of 12

How often should deshedding be done in shedding season?

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

In shedding season, deshedding should be done more often than usual, in short frequent sessions rather than long occasional ones, matched to coat type: double coats may need deshedding every two to three days during blowing coat, short coats may need daily or every other day brushing, and curly or single coats need combing every few days to remove trapped hair. The exact frequency depends on how much loose hair is released, how the dog tolerates grooming, and whether skin stays healthy. Frequency should increase gradually as shedding increases, and decrease as it settles, with skin checks between sessions.

How does shedding season change the routine?

Shedding season, usually spring and autumn, increases the volume of loose hair dramatically, especially in double coated dogs blowing coat. The normal routine, which may be weekly, will leave loose undercoat to pack, mat, and trap heat if it is not increased. Owners should expect to deshed more often, to find more hair in the home, and to need more time for home cleaning, as in lesson 7. The routine should change in frequency, not in force: sessions should stay short and gentle, but happen more often. A double coat that is deshedded weekly outside shedding season may need deshedding every two to three days during blowing, in sections, over several short sessions. A short coat that is brushed twice a week may need brushing daily during heavy shedding. The change should be planned: note when shedding increases, increase frequency, and note when it decreases, so the routine returns to normal. Keeping a simple record of shedding intensity and grooming frequency helps owners see the seasonal pattern and plan for the next year.

What schedule suits different coat types in shedding season?

Use the table as a starting guide, then adjust to the individual dog. Double coats need the most frequent deshedding during blowing, with sectioned work and rest days. Short double coats need frequent rubber brushing and combing, with undercoat rake use where appropriate. Short single coats need frequent gentle brushing, without blades. Long single coats need combing every few days to remove trapped shed hair before it tangles. Curly coats need combing every few days, because shed hair is trapped in curls and will mat if not removed. Puppies and older dogs need shorter, more frequent sessions, with extra attention to tolerance and skin. Dogs that live indoors, with heating and artificial light, may shed more evenly and need a steadier frequency all year, rather than a sharp seasonal increase. The schedule should be reviewed weekly during shedding season: if loose hair is still packing, increase frequency slightly; if skin is sore or the dog is tired, decrease frequency and seek groomer advice.

How do you balance frequency with skin health and tolerance?

Frequency must be balanced with skin health and tolerance, because over grooming can irritate skin, break hair, and distress the dog. Signs of over grooming include red skin, soreness, scratching after grooming, broken guard hairs, a thin or frizzy coat, and a dog that resists grooming. If those signs appear, reduce frequency, reduce pressure, and check technique and tools, as in lesson 3. Rest days matter: even during blowing coat, a dog needs days without deshedding, to let skin settle and to rest. Split a full deshed over several days, rather than doing it all in one day, and keep each session to 15 to 20 minutes for a double coat, or five to ten minutes for a short coat. Reward the dog, keep sessions calm, and stop if the dog shows stress. If the dog cannot tolerate the frequency needed, seek groomer help for a professional deshed, rather than forcing home sessions. A groomer can remove large amounts of undercoat safely in one visit, with professional tools and handling, and home frequency can then be reduced to maintenance.

What should you do when shedding season ends?

When shedding decreases, reduce frequency gradually, returning to the normal routine, but do not stop grooming entirely. Continue regular combing and skin checks, because the new coat needs care and because mats can form as the coat settles. Note the dates of the shedding peak, the frequency that worked, and any skin or tolerance issues, so next season can be planned. Clean grooming tools, check them for wear, and replace worn tools before the next season. Review home cleaning routines, as in lesson 7, and reduce cleaning frequency as hair in the home decreases. If the coat does not return to normal density, if bald patches remain, or if skin changes persist after shedding season, contact a vet, as in lesson 12. Shedding season is a predictable, temporary increase in work, and a routine that flexes with it, without over grooming, keeps the dog comfortable and the home manageable.

When should you stop and get help?

Contact a groomer or vet if skin becomes sore, if the dog shows pain or distress during deshedding, if coat becomes patchy, thin, or damaged, if shedding does not settle, or if the owner cannot keep up with the frequency needed without distressing the dog. Do not increase frequency to daily long sessions, do not use blades or clippers to speed up deshedding, and do not bath frequently to control shedding. Professional help, in the form of a groomer deshed or a vet skin check, is part of shedding season care, not a failure of home care. A frequency that is sustainable, gentle, and matched to coat type will do more good than an intensive routine that harms skin and trust.

More often, shorter, and gentler is the shedding season rule, with rest days, skin checks, and a return to normal frequency as the coat settles.

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