Dogs

How to Stop Pugs From Shedding?

If you are a pug owner you know that your pug sheds a lot. First of all, there is nothing to worry about. You should know that dogs usually have a three-stage cycle to lose their hair. They form, grow and then fall. In pugs, the cycle is much faster. Once you adapt to the entire cycle there won’t be issues as far as managing your pug hairs is concerned. Some small observations though help you manage your pug’s hair loss issue better. Like, don’t bathe your pug frequently. See if your pug has allergies. In certain seasons the shedding is a lot worse. Like this, there are many issues. Let’s look at it in more detail.

Contents

1 Why Do you Think Pugs Shed So Much?
2 How Much Do Pugs Shed? Reasons of Shedding
3 At What Age Do Pugs Start Shedding?
4 Do All Pugs Shed a Lot?
- 4.1 How to Stop Pugs from Shedding?
5 Items That Can Help You With Your Pug’s Shedding Problem
6 Do Other Dog Breeds Shed?
7 Can You Stop a Pug from Shedding?
8 What Home Remedy Can I Give My Dog for Shedding?
9 Can shedding look like a sign of illness for my pug?
10 FAQ’s On Pug Shedding
11 Final Words!

Why Do you Think Pugs Shed So Much?

Pugs shed due to a variety of reasons. Many pugs have two-layer coats in them. The undercoat is much coarse and hard compared to the upper coat which is light. Pugs having two coats will shed more than a pug with a single coat. You might have felt that pugs are a lot hairy than other dogs.

Pugs pack around 600 hairs in one square inch. That is much more than the average of 100-200 for other dogs. There are other reasons as well. Pugs have originated from Tibet in China. And, Tibet is very cold. So, pug ancestors can have more hair since they come from a colder region. Pugs also are known to shed year-round. Coupled with other issues like allergies and health issues they are more prone to shedding.

How Much Do Pugs Shed? Reasons of Shedding

Many factors affect pug shedding. There can be health issues that will prompt your pug to shed more. Likewise, your pug can shed less or more depending on the season.

Puppies Shed More

Puppies indeed shed the same as adults if not more. Puppies tend to shed more when they transition to become adult pugs. Their hairs seem to change and it’s okay if you see your pug shedding a lot. Though, it’s important to keep an eye on any bald spots. If any bald spots emerge on your puppy that can mean it’s a health issue and a cause for concern. The shedding however can be much worse when puppies grow to 1-1.5 years old.

Seasonal Problem

One thing you might have understood by now is that it’s a seasonal issue. Pug shedding however happens every season but intensifies during winters. The shedding is much more during winters. It’s also the time when pugs lose their winter coat. It is also during the prelude of winters that shedding happens a lot more. It’s a biological tactic of their bodies to shed hairs and bring in new hairs. It helps to insulate them in the cold. They also shed more in spring. It’s a natural mechanism of bringing in new hairs to keep them alive.

Coat Determines Hair Loss

Well, some pug owners have found out that pugs with certain coats shed less. Black pugs have been found to shed less. So, you might want to consider this before bringing a pug to your home. Black pugs can also have a single layer of coat rather than a dual-layer of both under and overcoat. This can be a reason for them shedding less.

Allergies Can Cause Shedding

Allergies tend to cause shedding. When your pug has an allergy issue with any product, it can cause more shedding. Pugs can have allergies to a lot of household cleaning products like pet shampoos, pollen, pest bites or even certain dog food brands. Along with hair loss, you might want to look for if your pooch starts licking itself aggressively.

In this case, you can take your pooch to an experienced vet who can give you tips to deal with your problem.

Female Hormonal Problems

Female pugs tend to shed a lot when they face heat. It’s advised to spray them with water during summers. As the hormonal imbalance is triggered due to high temperature. If you can spray them with water, hormonal issues will subside.

Bathing Causes Shedding

Anyone who bathes their pug knows that it leads to shedding. Pug owners tend to massage the hairs as the brush cannot reach the deeper skin of your pug. Dog shampoos are usually applied to make the hairs stronger. But to let it seep into the skin you need to massage the skin and this can lead to the loosening up of hairs. Shampoos tend to let go of the oil that traps the dead hairs. And, hence we see more hairs come off of your pooch after a bath.

At What Age Do Pugs Start Shedding?

According to Vets, Pug Puppies start shedding at around the age of 3 months (12-14 weeks) as they start the transition out of their puppy coats.

Do All Pugs Shed a Lot?

As stated earlier black pugs do not shed as much as pugs of any other colour. The reason being black pugs have only one layer of coating of fur. So, they do not shed as much compared to other pugs which have the double coating of fur.

How to Stop Pugs from Shedding?

Well, I can understand your worries and you might be going crazy regarding your pug’s shedding problem. But, do not worry there are techniques to control your pug from excessive shedding. It would be too much to expect to stop the problem completely. But you can do small steps to get a hold of the problem.

Look at your pug’s nutrition: Nutrition is a key factor that can curb shedding. You should look at the kind of foods that your pug eats. Your pug should get the best nutrition that you can afford. Make sure your pug has been getting all the essential fatty oils that will keep its fur intact. Omega-3 extracted from Tuna or salmon should be provided to your pug. Do not feed your pug any low-quality food like corn or grains. Your pooch might also be hungry due to the kind of food you’re feeding him. A poor diet can not only increase shedding but can also cause health problems for your pooch. If by any means you are not able to provide your pooch with good quality food. You can use supplements to complete your pug’s diet. Look for EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) specifically as they can reduce hair wreckage in your pug. You can also provide both olive oil and flax oil in your pooch’s diet. But run through your vet once before adding it.

Get them fresh water to drink: Hydration is very important for pugs. Having adequate water can help them to have better fur, reduce dryness and even tackle health problems. Dry skin is also known to further aggravate shedding. So, it’s important to provide fresh clean drinking water to your pooch.
Brush and groom your pug regularly: You need to brush your pug’s fur regularly. They need to be groomed as they have double coats. If you do not brush their fur properly the hairs can get stuck inside and form debris which can eventually lead to health problems. If dead hairs get trapped inside of their fur it can block other hair follicles that form new hair. You should also bathe your pug in intervals of 3-6 weeks. More frequent bathing can cause more hair damage.
Care about your pug’s emotional well being: It’s good that we are discussing much in detail about the pug’s shedding problem. But you should know that pugs also shed more when they are emotionally vulnerable or stressed. So, you need to look after your pug’s emotional health as well. The home environment that they have can have a deep impact on them and hence make them more stressed. Some stressful issues that your pugs might face that you need to watch out for:
Leaving your pugs for longer periods: You need to know that for a pug their entire life revolves around you. When you leave your pug alone for extended periods. Well, they can feel vulnerable, depleted and can also suffer from separation syndrome. So, it will be of great use if you could hire someone to walk your dog or a neighbour that can watch your dog. You can also hire a dog walkie.
Pug’s don’t like surprises: Pugs are very much adapted to follow a certain routine. Sudden changes can be a lot for them to take. Always make the process of transition easier for them. If any changes are drastic like moving to a new home or going on a vacation consider leaving them with a caretaker. They are much safer when they do not have sudden changes going on near them. It is advised for you to make a schedule for your pug. And you should try to stick to the schedule. There can be a morning walk, eating-playing cuddling, bed routine. And completing any of these routines should fetch your pug a treat.
In any case, you feel distant from your pug. Or you see they are not able to express themselves. You offer unconditional love to them. In no time they will be seamlessly able to be comfortable with the change.
Look at your pug’s physical health: Along with your pug’s emotional health, it’s important to look after their physical health as well. Conditions that can be abnormal and not just a small problem for your pug:
1. They lose patches of hair rather than a few hairs.
2. Your pug scratches the same spot and licks it.
3. Your pug already has allergies and is losing hair as well. In this case, they might be developing a new allergy.
4. Your pug has been stung by an insect (this might lead to developing an allergy situation)
5. Your pug eats less and behaves differently.

In all these cases, you are advised to visit a veterinarian and know more about the underlying issues with your pug. Nonetheless, it is advised that you visit a veterinarian on a 6-month basis to see if your pug has any health problems.

Try to control shedding at home: There can be a lot of smell at your home due to excessive shedding. You need to have a plan to keep your home clean despite your pug’s heavy shedding. So, it is advised that you put a wet/dry mop, brook, pet vacuum and several lint brushes in your closet. You can use the lint rollers whenever required to pull hairs out of your clothing, furniture, padded beds etc. You can also look for a vacuum cleaner that has detachable parts. It can specifically draw out hair from not inaccessible places.

Items That Can Help You With Your Pug’s Shedding Problem

You can use a brushing massaging mitt to brush your pug to its core. It helps in reaching the core and extract the dead hairs out of your pug’s skin. You should brush your pug thoroughly. Start from its head and move to its underbelly. Then move to the tail part of your pug.
You can also use a furminator shampoo that has both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Both of these are essential oils and help in maintaining good hair growth. The shampoo is made out of papaya extracts.
You can also use doopa massaging gloves to massage the underbelly of your pug. This is where your pug feels tickled. Your pooch needs a good rub. And you should do your best to clean him/her. You can use the doopa massaging gloves to clean the deeper hairs of your pug.
Nutrition plays a very important role in your pug’s shedding problem. You should feed your pug with the best dog food available in the market. Good food can create gloss in your pug’s fur and also keep them healthy. Try feeding your dog with Purina Beneful Puppy food which is very nutritious and healthy. It has healthy vitamins to keep your pug healthy.
Healthy oils are very essential for your pug to maintain a healthy hair count. Omega-3. Omega-6, flaxseed oil will minimise your pug’s shedding problem. Good oils will keep your pug’s underskin healthy and strong. You don’t have to face the issue of seasonal patches. 60 count omega 3 and 6 soft chews for pugs are an amazing product for your pug. It will ensure that the fur of your pug is healthy and glossy.

Do Other Dog Breeds Shed?

Well, pugs indeed shed a lot. And, they shed because they have more hair than other dogs. And they shed year-round compared to other dogs who stop shedding after a particular season. Well some other dogs do shed less and they are:

Shih Tzu
Tibetan Terrier
Poodle
Bichon Frise
Yorkshire Terrier
Boxer

Can You Stop a Pug from Shedding?

Well, the answer to this depends on how much is your pug shedding? If they are shedding in normal amounts then there is nothing much you can do. The best way in this situation is to stock up on brushes, mops to deal with the problem but in case there is an underlying problem. You can groom, serve good food, and treat your pug’s allergies. And in no time pugs will stop shedding the excess amount. If you think, it’s something else. Contact a vet and he will provide solutions to your problem.

What Home Remedy Can I Give My Dog for Shedding?

You can use an oatmeal-based shampoo. Oatmeal-based shampoos have been found highly effective in shedding problems. You can brush your pug’s hair with oatmeal shampoo. It will extract out all the dead hairs. It will also treat the itchy skin problem. You can rinse your pug’s hair and let the oatmeal shampoo enter deep skin. Because of its oily properties, the oatmeal shampoo will also wash off the dead hairs. Dead hairs can also block new follicles that will grow new patches of hairs.

Can shedding look like a sign of illness for my pug?

Shedding should not be a sign of illness for any pug. Granted you can determine whether your pug is shedding normally or abnormally. In case your pug is shedding a lot of hair or losing patches instead of some hairs, it can indicate a worse problem. So, you might have to take your pug to a vet and see if he has any bacterial or yeast infection. See, if there are any physical problems that he faces.

FAQ’s On Pug Shedding

Do Black Pugs Shed Less?

Black pugs can shed less. Granted they have a single coat. It has been found out that even black pugs can have double coats. It will be the same result if you have a black pug with a dual coating. But, on average, it has been found out that black pugs shed fewer hairs than their fawn, peach siblings. You might be lucky with the shedding problem if you have a black pooch.

Does Your Pug Have Hair or Fur?

There is not much of a difference between both. But your pug has fur. The technicality of the word is implied. For humans usually, the hair is used, and for animals, hair is characteristically considered as fur.

Why is My Pug Shedding all of a Sudden?

There are underlying medical problems that might have increased the frequency of your pug’s shedding. Infections both fungal and bacterial can cause the issue. Parasites like fleas, lice and mites can cause an issue. Allergies affecting any body part can add to the problem.

Do Chihuahua Pugs Shed?

The answer to this is simple. Yes, they will shed. As you know, they belong to the pug breed. And pugs are known to shed all year round. You need to brush your pug’s fur to get a good hold on the problem.

How to keep your house clean from shedding?

The best idea is to not clean it once. You do not have to deep clean it for a day. Rather, you clean it in bits every day. Put all your cleaning equipment like mops, brooms, brushes in your closet. And look for pug hairs on your home space every day. This way you won’t have to feel overwhelmed the day you decide to clean. If you are a working professional make sure you clean your clothing the day before work. Or you can keep your clothes away from the reach of your pug.

Final Words!

Your pugs are a heavy shedding breed. You would have known by now. But they are sweet, gentle and loving too. The truth still stands that you have to clean your home every day because of the shedding. They can shed more than what they shed usually because of their poor diet, seasonal changes especially winters and spring, or if they have dual coating fur. They can also have some underlying medical condition or allergies that can trigger the shedding. In case of any such occurrence, you should take your pug to the vet.