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Thick coats

Just like we get our warm jackets out of the cupboard, the animal world also gets ready for the colder months in autumn. Nature provides many of our four-legged friends with a winter coat. This is absolutely essential for dogs and cats, which have a thinner skin than us humans. They moult twice a year, in spring and autumn, and the process can take several weeks. The old hairs are pushed out as new ones grow so it is normal to find more dog or cat hair on the rug than usual.

There are several things that you can do to make moulting easier for your pet. First and foremost, don’t forget to give them a frequent, thorough brushing. Spoil your dog or cat with a soft grooming glove to gently remove dead hairs, which helps to speed up the moulting process. Set aside time for grooming every day during autumn. How long you need to brush your pet depends on the length of their coat.

You can also lend a helping hand in terms of diet. Dogs that have problems moulting can be given vitamins during this time. Vitamin H (biotin) in particular is proven against skin and hair problems, and essential fatty acids can also help. Salmon oil makes dull-looking hair soft and shiny.

Some small animals such as rats and mice don’t moult and hamsters’ fur only partially changes colour. This is why it is important to keep hamsters inside. Guinea pigs moult and this is intensified if they live outdoors. Rabbits also grow a winter coat in autumn.
Autumn also signals a change for many birds. Depending on the species, they moult twice a year – now and in spring. They shed their feathers and new plumage grows. Ducks are one example of a bird that has a partial moult. Parrots, on the other hand, moult constantly throughout the whole year.

Nature makes sure that every animal is suitably equipped – so that no four-legged friend has to freeze in autumn or winter either!