The Cane Corso is a large dog that has its origins in Italy. Its popularity has grown throughout the world but many pet owners find that caring for these beautiful creatures might be a little more intricate than expected, especially when it comes to grooming their fur. Below is more information about the type of fur a Cane Corso has and how you can keep it healthy. What is a Double Coat?
Despite having very short hair, Cane Corsos have a double coat. Double-coated dogs do tend to shed more. A double coat is a type of fur an animal has that contains two layers. The lower layer, also known as the undercoat, is made up of short wool-like hairs and the upper layer is made of longer ones known as guard hairs. This is because their undercoat grows much faster than the upper layer of fur. Because of this fast growth they will shed more fur compared to single-coated dogs.
The undercoat thickness will vary depending on the climate the dog lives in. You can tell the undercoat from the upper coat based on the fur’s shininess because it tends to be much darker.
What Time of Year Do Cane Corso Shed the Most?
Most cane corsos shed during the spring and fall. During the spring, canines will start to lose their undercoat to help keep them cool during the warmer months of the year. As cooler weather starts to return, old hairs will fall out to make room for new thicker ones.
How Do I Get My Cane Corso to Stop Shedding So Much?
While you can’t stop a dog from fully shedding, you can limit how often it happens, especially if the shedding is caused due to sensitive skin or a medical condition.
Always Brush Them
One reason why dogs seem to excessively shed is because they have so much old hair stuck in their fur. By brushing them daily, it will remove this loose fur and stop it from irritating other hair follicles. It will also keep the fur from falling out and getting all over your living space.
Make sure to use a gentle brush on their skin. If they have sensitive skin, the bristles could irritate it leading to further shedding. You might want to search for a deshedding brush or use an anti-shedding glove that you can rub over their skin.
Some dog owners make the mistake of shaving their furry friend. While this might bring temporary relief, it can actually damage their fur causing it to grow back in strange patches or being more coarse than normal.
Moisturize Their Skin
Sometimes dry skin can also cause extreme shedding. To help with this, it’s important to keep your dog’s skin moisturized. This can be done by massaging special dog skin lotions, coconut oil, or shea butter on their body. You could also add fish oil to their diet which is packed with Omega-3 and antioxidants that repair dry skin.
Reduce Stress
Dogs can shed due to stress. This stress can be caused by a variety of different things, including loud noises, memory loss, separation, and being in large groups of people or other animals. If you notice that your dog tends to be stressed or overwhelmed in certain situations, try to prevent them from being in it. This can help to keep them calm while stopping atypical shedding.
Make Sure They Drink Plenty of Water
Dehydration can lead to itchy and dry skin which can cause abnormal shedding. You should make sure your dog is drinking enough water throughout the day to help prevent it.
How Often Should I Brush My Cane Corso?
A Cane Corso should be brushed at least once a week. You can use a thick brush that uses sharp yet gentle bristles to get into the undercoat. However, if you have a puppy Cane Corso you’ll want to use a much softer brush, such as those with rounded ends, because their skin is still developing and can be easily irritated.
How Often Should I Bathe My Cane Corso?
It’s important to regularly bathe your Cane Corso. They should have a bath every 20 days as this will help to remove dirt and hair hidden in their fur. It will also keep their skin from becoming infected which can result in them having a bad smell.
How to Reduce Shedding Through Nutrition
While brushing your dog can help stop shedding you can also reduce it through their diet. To do so, you can drizzle some flaxseed oil over their food or invest in a specially-made kibble designed for dogs who tend to shed often. This kibble is usually made with skin-friendly ingredients like oatmeal, salmon, and lamb.
In addition to this, you could add more vitamins and minerals to their meals. Some of the best to use to help reduce shedding are iron, vitamins A and E, and biotin. These can be given in a powder supplement or through food like eggs, carrots, sweet potatoes, and broccoli.
What Causes a Dog to Shed More Than Usual?
Sometimes a dog might shed more than usual due to their environment or a medical issue. Some of the most common causes of uncontrolled shedding are:
• Stress
• Parasites
• Sunburn
• Fungal infections
• Parasites
When Should You Be Concerned?
However, there are a few signs that indicate when you should be concerned. One is that your dog isn’t just shedding, but losing their fur. If your dog’s hair also looks and feels very brittle or falls out when you touch it, this can be worrisome. Because of this, if you notice any of these symptoms it’s a good idea to bring your pet to a veterinarian.
Cane Corsos are great dogs who are known for their quiet and even-tempered personality. While they do shed, this is only during a certain portion of the year. However, by regularly brushing and bathing them you can keep their fur healthy and prevent excessive shedding.
