Cyclical Shedding and Hot Spots

A Chow Chow has a thick double coat. The soft woolly undercoat helps regulate body temperature. The outer coat of longer, coarser hair protects the skin against the elements, such as direct sun, water, snow dust, etc.

The Chow Chow's well-purposed, double coat can trap humidity close to the skin - be it after a bath or the sprinklers, a swim or any other 'getting wet' activity. Unless dried properly down to the skin, this trapped humidity quickly causes all kinds of skin complications. Other than parasites, some sources of irritation may be loose hair, grasses and sand near the skin which all cause irritation.

Being very alert to any signs of biting at the coat or excessive scratching one may stop a hotspot from developing.

Twice a year, together with hormone cycles, Chow Chows shed their coats. Starting on the legs, the hair dies off and falls out. This process is gradual and most often new hair already emerges before the full coat of old hair is lost. This way the light skin is protected throughout the process.

Being alert to signs of licking/biting at the coat, the owner should react quickly. Parting the hair one might observe a reddish area. Brush out that area well to remove dead hair. Apply a zinc based powder or methelated spirits to dry out the area and prevent secondary skin infection.

If the skin is already broken, or seems wet and mucouslike, rinse the skin with an antiseptic rinse, brush out any dead hair, clip away excess hair surrounding the area until you are at healthy skin. Allow the area to dry out. Apply methylated spirits or zinc based powder. Be sure what you apply is safe if the dog licks. In severe cases an anti-inflammatory remedy and/or antibiotics may be necessary.

As a preventative measure, blow the coat out with a high powered blower/blaster at least twice a week. This removes loose hair, grasses and sand near the skin. This is particularly important under the tail along the back where the dogs cannot reach.

May your Chow Chow always have a beautiful, healthy coat.