If you own a hairy pet like a dog or a cat, you know the peril of cleaning pet hair from your home. People with a Pug know how hard it can be to clean their hair from upholstery, carpets, floors, and other furniture.
If you are a Pug owner and want to know why your Pug sheds so much and how you can reduce the shedding problem, you are at the right place.
Key Takeaways
Pugs shed so much because they have a double coat or due to allergies, old age, or hormonal cycle.
Excessive shedding accompanied by itching, baldness, and allergies in the coat requires urgent medical attention.
Regular grooming, a healthy diet & supplements, and high-quality breed-specific shampoo and conditioners can help reduce pug shedding.
Reasons a Pug Shed So Much
There is nothing to worry about a Pug shedding so much. It is 100% normal. Let’s check out the reasons why a Pug sheds so much.
Natural Reasons
Double Coats
Pugs have double coats. It means they have two furs layers: one dense and short undercoat and a longer outer layer with long guard hairs. They have more hair to shed than single-coat dogs. Other breeds like Shiba and Huskies also have double coats.
Year-around Shedding
Pugs shed around the year. The shedding in some dogs increases during the summer and spring seasons after winter.
Non-Natural Reasons
Allergies
Pugs are sensitive dogs and can catch allergies from cleaning products, pollen, pest bites, or other disease-causing organisms. Behavioral changes and excessive licking of the affected area mostly accompany allergy-related shedding. If you suddenly notice that your Pug’s shedding has increased, you must contact a vet immediately.
Age
Pug puppies shed a lot compared to adult dogs. The shedding slightly reduces during adult age. It then increases when your Pug becomes a senior dog.
Hormonal Cycles
Female Pugs (that haven’t been spayed) may shed more during their heat cycle. The hormonal changes during heat can affect shedding. You may see her losing more towards the end of her cycle.
How to tell if my Pug is Shedding too much?
It often gets difficult to identify between normal and excessive shedding. First-time Pug owners are worried about their Pugs shedding too much. However, there are some signs that you can use to identify excessive shedding, like itching, baldness, irritation or allergies, or thin fur. These problems may also show some underlying medical conditions. Hence, it is best to talk to a vet when you notice such things.
Different Ways to Control Your Pug’s Shedding
You cannot eliminate the shedding, but you can control it. Here are some ways you can reduce your Pug’s shedding to some extent.
Regular Grooming
A regularly groomed Pug sheds less hair than a dog that isn’t groomed often. Brush your dog regularly to remove dislodged in your little friend’s fur. It is better to brush outside and use shredding tools like formulators, grooming gloves, and mitts.
Most Pugs do great with a weekly grooming session for 15-20 minutes. Some may need grooming daily or on alternate days. Keep grooming sessions for a maximum of 20 minutes, as you can’t stop the hair from coming off no matter how hard you try.
Bathing
Bath your Pug at least once a month with shampoos specifically designed for de-shedding. Pugs shed a lot during baths, so don’t worry if you see too much hair coming off. Make sure the hair doesn’t enter your sewerage system, as it can block your septic tank or sewers.
Dry your Pug before letting them out, as letting your dog go wet will result in wet hair in your home. Go gentle around the whiskers, as pulling them may hurt your dog.
Diet & Supplements
Keep your dog well-fed and hydrated to reduce hair fall. Your vet may recommend certain supplements to control excessive shedding if it is accompanied by a food deficiency. Omega 3 fish oils are great for keeping your Pug’s fur intact and reducing hair fall.
Don’t forget to talk to your vet before adding supplements to your dog’s diet.
Allergy Prevention (Fleas, Ticks & Mice)
Excessive shedding can sometimes happen due to fleas, mouse, or tick attacks. Your dog may catch these pests from the lawn or while playing outside with other dogs. A common symptom of such problems is excessive licking of the affected area. Check your dog if you notice him licking too often.
Flea and tick collars are effective in preventing such attacks. However, it is better to consult a vet for medication.
Don’t Shave Your Pug
There is a common myth that shaving your Pug helps deal with shedding. This isn’t true. A pug’s shedding is not linked to the length of its hair. It is a natural process that is bound to happen. You can only slow it down with various techniques.
A shaved Pug is more prone to pest attacks, sunburns, allergies, and injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time of year do Pugs shed the most?
Pugs shed year-round. However, shedding can increase in spring and summer as the weather gets hotter, and they shed faster to stay cool.
Do all Pugs shed equally?
No. Black pugs don’t have double coats of fur. They don’t shed as much hair as white or other pugs.
How can I clean my Pug’s hair?
You can conveniently clean your Pug’s hair with a heavy-duty vacuum cleaner specifically designed for cleaning pet hair. Ensure your vacuum has special attachments to remove pet hair from nooks and corners.
Can a change in place or routine increase shedding?
While there is no medical claim to support this question, some Pugs do shed more when you change their routine or change their residence. It is linked with hormonal imbalance and emotional distress that can sometimes lead to excessive shedding.
My Pug is shedding in clumps; do I need to worry?
No. This is perfectly normal. Clumping usually happens at the start of winter and summer. However, excessive clumping at any time of the year must be discussed with a vet.
Does spaying help reduce shedding?
Yes. Spaying a female Pug helps reduce shedding because it eliminates shedding due to hormonal imbalance. Spaying has various other benefits, too. It is highly recommended if you don’t want to breed her.
