If your dog has started shedding noticeably more this month, you're not imagining it. Fall coat blow is one of the most searched dog questions every September and October, and for good reason: the volume of hair a shedding breed can produce during this period often catches dog parents off guard.

The good news is that this kind of shedding is almost always completely normal. Here's what's actually happening, and what you can do about it.

Why do dogs shed more in the fall?

This process is known as photoperiodism, which refers to how your dog's coat responds to changes in daylight. As days grow shorter, the drop in light exposure signals your dog's body to shed their lighter summer coat and begin growing in a denser undercoat to prepare for colder weather. This is most noticeable in double-coated breeds like Huskies, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds and Corgis, though many other breeds go through some version of it as well.

This process is sometimes called "blowing coat," and it's different from the low-level shedding your dog does all year round. Instead of a slow, steady hair loss, blowing coat tends to happen in a shorter, more intense window, which is why it can feel like it came out of nowhere.

Is my dog shedding too much, or is this normal?

Generally, if your dog is eating, drinking, playing and behaving normally, heavier shedding on its own isn't a cause for concern. What's worth paying attention to is texture and pattern. Bald patches, red or irritated skin, or fur that's coming out in clumps rather than a steady increase are worth mentioning to your vet, since those can sometimes point to something other than a seasonal coat change, like allergies or a skin issue underneath.

Does brushing actually help, or is it just something people say?

Brushing genuinely does help, and not just because it collects hair before it ends up on your couch. Regular brushing removes loose fur before it has a chance to mat, which matters most for double-coated and curly-coated breeds, since matting can trap moisture and irritate the skin underneath if it's left unaddressed. Brushing also helps distribute natural oils through the coat, which can make the whole shedding process look and feel a little less dramatic.

The trick is consistency over intensity. A few minutes, a few times a week, tends to make a much bigger difference than one long session after the shedding has already piled up. If brushing has been hit or miss all summer, this is the moment to bring it back into rotation before things get out of hand.

A detangling spray makes the whole process considerably easier, especially once the undercoat starts coming in. Smooth Coat Detangling & Conditioning Spray softens the coat and loosens knots before the brush even touches it, so you're working with the fur instead of against it. Paired with the Daily Grooming Brush, together known as the Smooth Daily Duo, it turns what could be a wrestling match into a five-minute habit that actually keeps up with the season.

Does diet affect shedding?

To some extent, yes. A dog's coat is largely made up of protein, so diets that are low in quality protein or essential fatty acids can sometimes contribute to a duller coat or excessive shedding. This doesn't mean every shedding dog needs a diet overhaul. Most dogs on a complete, balanced diet are shedding simply because of the season, not because of what's in their bowl. If shedding seems unusually severe or is paired with other symptoms like dry, flaky skin, it's worth a conversation with your vet about whether their food or supplements could use a look.

Should I be bathing my dog more during shedding season?

During shedding season, more frequent baths can help loosen and wash away dead fur that brushing alone doesn’t always catch. If you’re bathing your dog more often, using a gentle shampoo and conditioner becomes even more important than ever. Harsh, stripping formulas can dry out the skin underneath all that loose fur, which tends to make shedding and irritation worse. Soothe Shampoo and Nourish Conditioner, part of what we call The Wash Ritual are designed to clean without disrupting the skin barrier, so bath day supports the coat reset instead of working against it.

Why does my dog seem itchier along with all this shedding?

This is a common pairing in fall, and there are usually two things going on at once. First, all that loose undercoat can feel itchy simply because it's ready to come out. Second, dry outdoor and indoor air from heating systems kicking back on can leave skin drier than it was all summer, which shows up as itchiness separate from the shedding itself. If your dog seems more irritated than usual, a gentler cleansing routine can help address both at once, rather than assuming it's "just shedding" and letting it go unaddressed.

Will shedding ever actually stop?

For most double-coated breeds, coat blow is a seasonal event rather than a permanent state, and it typically settles down over a few weeks once the undercoat has fully come in. Regular shedding continues at a lower level year-round, but the intense, everywhere kind tends to taper off once the transition is complete. Staying consistent with brushing during the peak weeks is what shortens that window the most.

The takeaway

Fall shedding can feel overwhelming, but few simple habits make a real difference. A dog getting ready for colder weather is going to lose some fur along the way, and the best approach isn't to panic about the volume, it's to stay consistent with the healthy basics: brushing a few times a week, a gentle wash routine, and some attention to their skin underneath all that fur. Handled that way, you will get through coat blow season much easier.