If your dog or cat suddenly seems to be shedding twice as much as they were in July, it's not your imagination — and it's not a coincidence that it's happening in late summer and fall either. This is coat-change season, and a little extra grooming now saves you a lot more vacuuming later.
Why Pets Shed More This Time of Year
Dogs and cats with double coats carry two layers: a soft, insulating undercoat and a coarser topcoat. As the weather shifts, they shed the lighter coat they grew for summer to make room for a denser one that will keep them warm through winter. It's a temperature-regulation system, not a grooming failure on your part — but it does mean loose fur builds up fast if it isn't brushed out regularly.
How Often to Groom During Shedding Season
- Long-haired pets: daily brushing during peak shedding weeks.
- Short-haired pets: several times a week is usually enough.
- Heavy double-coated breeds (think Huskies, Golden Retrievers, Maine Coons): more frequent sessions, and a professional groom partway through the season can help if things get ahead of you.
Choosing the Right Tool: Glove vs. Comb vs. Brush
These tools aren't interchangeable — each is better suited to a different part of the job.
Grooming gloves
Best for pets who tolerate a brush poorly, or for a quick daily pass. Since it works through petting motion, it's the gentlest option and the easiest to get a nervous or brush-shy cat used to. It's better at picking up loose surface fur than at working deep into a thick undercoat.
Deshedding combs
Best for actually getting into the undercoat, which is where most of the seasonal shedding volume comes from. A comb with both fine and coarse sections lets you match the tool to different areas of the body — coarse for a thick ruff or tail, fine for shorter fur around the face and legs.
Slicker brushes
Good for finishing touches and detangling after a deshedding comb has done the heavy lifting, especially on long-haired breeds prone to matting.
Most households do best rotating between two of these rather than relying on just one — a glove for quick daily maintenance, and a comb for a deeper weekly session during peak shedding.
Bathing During Shedding Season
A bath can help loosen dead undercoat fur, but over-bathing dries out skin and can actually make shedding worse. Stick to a gentle, pet-safe shampoo and avoid bathing more often than your pet's coat type calls for.
When Shedding Might Mean Something More
Normal seasonal shedding is even, doesn't leave bald patches, and doesn't come with irritated skin. It's worth a vet visit if you notice red or inflamed skin, constant scratching, a dull or brittle-looking coat, or actual bald spots — those can point to allergies, parasites, a hormonal issue, or an infection rather than a normal coat change. Diet plays a role too: a coat that's struggling generally benefits from a quality protein source and omega fatty acids, so it's worth a look at what your pet is eating if shedding seems unusually heavy for their breed and age.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do indoor cats still have a shedding season?
Often less pronounced than outdoor pets, since consistent indoor temperatures and lighting can blunt the seasonal cue, but many indoor cats still shed noticeably more in spring and fall.
Can I use a deshedding comb on a cat?
Yes, as long as you use gentle pressure and stop if your cat seems uncomfortable — cat skin is more sensitive than dog skin, so a lighter touch and shorter sessions work better.
How long does shedding season usually last?
Typically a few weeks of heavier shedding as the coat transitions, though it varies by breed, climate, and whether your pet spends most of their time indoors or outdoors.
Gear Up for the Season
Pawzium's Pet Perfect Grooming Glove is a great daily option for brush-resistant pets, and our Self-Cleaning Deshedding Comb is built for the deeper undercoat work fall shedding actually requires — and clears trapped fur in seconds instead of clogging mid-groom. For fur that lands on the sofa, try the Reusable Pet Hair Remover Roller. Browse the rest of our grooming and wellness collection for more tools to get through the season with less fur on your floors.