Dog Blowing Coat: What It Is and How to Cope

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 17, 20263 min read

Owners of Huskies, Malamutes, Shepherds and Retrievers know it well. One week the dog seems normal, and the next there are clouds of fluff in every corner. This is blowing coat, and while it is dramatic, it is natural and temporary.

What is blowing coat?

Double-coated dogs grow a dense undercoat for insulation. When seasons change, the old undercoat releases in large clumps so a new one can grow. The process is often called blowing or blowing coat because the hair seems to explode off the dog. See double-coat grooming.

When it happens

Most dogs blow coat twice a year. The spring shed removes the thick winter undercoat, and the autumn shed prepares for winter. Intact females often blow coat a few months after a heat cycle or a litter. Dogs living indoors with artificial light and steady temperatures may shed more erratically. See why dogs shed.

What it looks like

• Large tufts of soft, fluffy hair coming off the body
• A patchy, scruffy look as old and new coats overlap
• Hair on furniture, clothes and floors
• Itchiness, as loose hair irritates the skin

Step-by-step survival plan

1. Brush daily. Use an undercoat rake and a slicker brush, working in sections. See how to use an undercoat rake.
2. Give a bath. Warm water and shampoo loosen dead hair. See how to bathe a dog at home.
3. Dry thoroughly. A high-velocity dryer blows out loose undercoat. See best high-velocity dryers.
4. Brush again once the coat is dry.
5. Vacuum and clean. Expect hair for a while.

Do not shave

Shaving a double-coated dog does not stop shedding. It can ruin the texture and growth of the coat and remove sun and heat protection. See should you shave a double-coated dog.

Support from the inside

Feed a balanced diet and provide fresh water. A complete food supports skin and coat. See how to read a dog food label. Do not add supplements without asking your vet.

Professional help

A groomer can perform a deshedding treatment, which includes a bath, conditioner and blow-out. Many owners book one at the start of the shed. See how to choose a professional dog groomer.

When it is not normal

Contact your vet if you see bald patches, red or flaky skin, strong smell, constant scratching, lethargy or changes in appetite and thirst. See dog skin allergies.

Keeping the house manageable

Use washable covers, vacuum often and brush outdoors. See how to reduce dog shedding at home.

Be patient

The new coat comes in over weeks. Keep brushing until little loose hair comes out and the new coat looks full.

A week-by-week plan

• Week one: Start daily raking and brushing as soon as clumps appear. Book a deshedding bath if you can.
• Weeks two and three: Continue daily sessions of ten to fifteen minutes. The amount of hair coming off will peak and then start to fall.
• Week four: Drop to every other day as the new coat fills in. Check the skin for redness.

Tools to keep by the door

A rake, slicker brush, lint roller and an old towel to rub your dog down after walks keep loose undercoat from spreading. Bag the hair you collect and put it outside, since birds sometimes use it for nests.

Itchy skin during a blow

Loose hair trapped against the skin can itch. Regular brushing relieves it, and a bath helps. If your dog scratches until the skin is red, see your vet to check for allergies or parasites.

The takeaway

Blowing coat is natural. Brush daily, bathe and dry, avoid shaving and enjoy the fresh coat that follows.