Everything You Need to Know About Pug Shedding and How to Reduce It
Pugs are one of the most adorable and unique pets to keep. They are smart, funny, and loyal. The best part is that they don’t take up much space around the house. In fact, they’ll probably spend most of their time snuggling on your lap.
As a Pug parent, you might wonder, ‘do Pugs shed?’ The answer is a big yes. Pug shedding is a big problem. Pugs are hassle-free dogs, but their heavy shedding is something you’ll have to deal with.
But don’t worry!
Learn why and how much Pugs shed can help you to tackle the Pug shedding problem. As a pet owner, you can do many things to manage Pug shedding. Here, we will walk you through a detailed guide on Pug shedding.
So, without further ado, let’s get into it!
Do All Pugs Shed?
Certainly! Every Pug sheds like crazy, especially fawn, white, and apricot fawn. This is because they tend to grow a double coat. This naturally increases their Pug shedding as compared to Pugs that only have a single coat. Black Pugs shed less as they have a single coat.
Yet, it doesn’t matter whether you have a Pug with a single or double coat. Pugs are a heavy shedding breed. With that said, let’s find out how much Pug shedding there actually is.
How Much Do Pugs Actually End Up Shedding?
Most dogs are seasonal shedders. For example, some grow thick coats during winter and shed it later in spring. However, Pugs shed hair year-round. They go through the hair shedding cycle faster than other breeds. Each Pug goes through different stages of shedding.
There are four stages of Pug shedding; anagen, catagen, telogen, and exogen that every dog goes through. Anagen is the first phase in which your Pug will quickly grow new hair. This is the fastest stage of hair growth. How long the hair follicles grow depends on your Pug’s type and overall health.
The next stage is the catagen phase. The Pug’s hair follicles will gradually halt new growth. This Pug shedding phase usually lasts 10-20 days, followed by a period of rest.
The third stage of Pug shedding is the telogen, where there will be no new growth.
And, the last stage is the exogen phase, where your Pug will begin to shed profusely.
Pugs go through each of these dog breeds faster than other breeds. There’s no estimate of how many times they’ll shed.
However, you can expect Pug shedding year-round – and more so during the warmer months. This is the time when they rapidly begin to lose their winter coats. Now, you must be wondering why Pugs shed faster than other dog breeds.
Well, there are many reasons for it. Read on to find out!
Why Is Pug Shedding so Excessive?
Pugs generally have more hair on their body than other dogs. Most dogs have 100-200 hair per square inch. Pugs, on the other hand, have 600 hair per square inch on their body. That’s a lot of hair. The greater the hair growth per inch, the more Pug shedding you can expect.
Aside from this, other factors influence why your Pug sheds so much. Let’s explore them one by one.
Factors that Influence Pug Shedding
Color of the Pug’s Coat
Pugs with double coats shed the most. These are often the ones with lighter hair coats like apricot-fawn and silver-fawn. The inner layer of their coat is generally soft and falls off easily. The outer layer of the coat is short, which adds to the speed of Pug shedding.
Pet owners with black Pugs usually experience less Pug shedding phases. This is because they have a single coat. Hence, you will find pugs with a thicker and lighter coat to shed in large amounts.
Apart from the coat color, the quality of the coat can influence shedding as well. When the coat quality is poor, there’s more hair breakage. This can further increase the amount of Pug shedding. If your dog isn’t consuming healthy omega-3 fats, they won’t be able to develop a healthy coat.
Moreover, lack of grooming and brushing can also weaken the hair follicles.
With that said, here are some other reasons that can contribute to pug shedding.
Pugs Shed More As Puppies
If you own a Pug puppy, you should expect excessive Pug shedding. While adult Pugs will shed more because of their size, puppies go through a season too. Puppies at 4-6 months of age start shedding their coat. For Pugs, the shedding will usually begin around the age of 3 months.
It usually takes 2-4 weeks for a Pug puppy to lose their coat. There’s going to be excessive Pug shedding at this time, so you’ll have to deal with a messy, hairy house. However, this should make you happy. Despite the hair everywhere, the shedding is a sign that your pup’s growing!
The baby coat will take time to come off. After this, your Pug will begin to grow a beautiful adult coat. The whole transition can even take a few months. Your pup will officially become an adult once it’s 1 or 1.5 years old. From here on, you can expect a frequent Pug shedding routine.
Allergies Can Potentially Increase Pug Shedding
As compared to other breeds, Pugs are more vulnerable to allergies and infections. While Pugs shed a lot, sometimes, an allergy can make the problem worse. They can experience skin irritation, hair loss, rashes, and moist dermatitis. This can make them extremely uncomfortable, restless, and lead to frequent licking.
Pugs can get fleas, which can make them super-itchy and even result in excess hair loss. They can also be allergic to detergents and pet shampoos. Pollen and pests from plants can also contribute to Pug allergies.
Dog food is also a primary culprit that can trigger allergic reactions. Common allergens can be found in dairy, soy, wheat, and beef. If your Pug is experiencing severe itching or an upset stomach, look at their food.
Their food might contain some of the allergens mentioned above. For this reason, feed your pup a lean protein like chicken or fish. Make sure his diet is well-balanced with lots of vegetables, fruits, and grains.
Seasonal Influences on Pug Shedding
Another clear reason is the changing of the seasons. We already discussed that Pugs shed throughout the year. But, as winter arrives, Pugs prepare a thicker coat to brave the cold climate. At this point, they will tend to shed quite a lot of hair.
Another seasonal shedding takes place when the winters are ending. As the temperature gets warmer, your Pug will lose their winter coat.
Hormonal Imbalances in Pugs
Just like humans, dogs can experience hormonal imbalances as well. This is common in the case of female Pugs as they go through heat cycles. Changes in the reproductive hormones of a female Pug can influence how much hair she sheds.
The heat cycle generally lasts for 2-3 weeks, followed by shedding. The frequency of Pug shedding is higher in non-spayed female pugs. Your pug can enter heat every 5-6 months or twice a year. Her shedding will probably decrease once she is spayed.
There are things you can do about your pug’s shedding. Don’t shy away from petting a pug due to the massive amount of shedding. There’s a way to manage and minimize the hairy mess. Read on to find out!
How to Remedy Excessive Pug Shedding
Before we delve into this discussion, here’s one thing you must understand. When petting a Pug, shedding is an issue you’ll have to deal with. It’s not something that can be eliminated. Nonetheless, there are ways to control the factors that aggravate Pug shedding.
Here are Some Tips for Pug Shedding to Help you Remedy the Issue
Feed Your Pup a Healthy, Well-Balanced Diet
It’s crucial to deal with the issue internally. We discussed earlier that excessive Pug shedding is often the result of poor skin coat. Your Pug could be shedding due to an allergy or may have a condition called alopecia (excessive hair loss).
All of these conditions are – in one way or the other – linked to a poor diet. A nutritional diet will strengthen your Pug’s immune system.
The reason why your pup may be shedding so much could be due to a lack of omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients are crucial for pugs. They help in promoting shinier and healthier hair coat.
Your dog needs a diet high in omega fatty acids like tuna, salmon, or other high-quality fish meal. These are easy to digest and promote fullness. Omega-3 fatty acids will strengthen the hair follicles to reduce excessive shedding.
Proper nutrition is the key to ensure regular and healthy shedding in pugs. Avoid poor-quality dog food that’s devoid of real protein, complex carbs, and fruits.
If your dog is allergic, avoid dog food containing corn, soy, wheat, and meat by-products. Instead, focus on feeding your pup a delicious, nutrient-dense meal. The ingredients you’re looking for are lean proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbs.
Fiber is also essential, which can be found in flaxseed, oatmeal, and brown rice. Don’t be tempted to settle for cheap dog food. It could risk your Pug’s health. When searching for dog food brands, choose one that offers holistic nutrition.
Enrich Your Pug’s Diet with Supplements
If you think dog food isn’t enough, you can also give your Pug supplements. You can add a teaspoon of flaxseed oil or omega-3 and six oils to his meal. There are many nutritional supplements for your Pugs out there.
As long as it contains healthy fats and antioxidants, they’re safe to use. You can add a tablespoon of a tasty supplement to every 15-20 pounds of dog food. This will ensure that your dog is truly getting a wholesome, nutritious diet.
Fixing your pup’s diet is the fastest way to manage excessive Pug shedding. It will naturally make their skin coat shinier and healthier. A pug’s diet directly affects their overall health and well-being. When you take care of this, there’s no way you’ll have to deal with Pug shedding problems.
Bathe Your Pugs
Regular bathing is a great way to ensure your Pug can have routine shedding. Bathing does two things in particular. It helps loosen all the dead hair that is clinging onto the pug’s coat. A gentle bath followed by a scrub will slough off the dead skin coat.
This way, you won’t have to deal with a hairy situation on the couch or the bed. By cleaning the hair off your pug during the bath, your pet will shed less otherwise. The other thing bathing does is that it unclogs the hair follicles.
Dog shampoo is usually infused with cleansing agents. These break the oil trapped inside the hair follicles. This further promotes and regulates the shedding process. So, with regular bathing, you’ll be able to predict when your dog sheds and prepare for it.
Brush to Minimize Pug Shedding
Just like bathing, grooming and brushing can greatly help Pug shedding. This is the time to invest in a great massaging and brushing mitt. By doing so, you’ll be promoting faster blood circulation. This can strengthen the skin coat of your Pug and prevent loose hair.
The trick is to start from the pet’s head. Start brushing from there and gradually move towards the tail area. Make sure you spend at least 15 minutes doing this every day. Brushing in the right direction is important for healthy blood flow. This will stimulate the hair follicles and strengthen them.
Brushing your Pug is something you can do daily. It’s also one of the best ways to minimize unreasonable Pug shedding. You will have to set aside some time to brush your Pug daily. Don’t forget his belly!
And, while you’re at it, make sure to brush them outdoors. A garden or a backyard is a good place. This will make the mess all the easier to clean. With regular brushing, there’ll be less hair floating around the house.
Avoid Using Blow Dryers
Many pet owners resort to hot blow dryers on their Pugs after a bath. This can cause more harm than good. The hot air can damage your pug’s delicate coat and trigger hair loss. If you do want to dry your pet, use a cool blow dryer or a soft towel. This will help you avoid the unnecessary heat and still get the job done!
Use a De-Shedding Shampoo
You need to be extra careful when choosing a shampoo for your Pug. A shampoo’s primary function is to loosen the oils and dead skin off the pug’s coat. Yet, it shouldn’t be harsh and stripping. Look for a de-shedding shampoo that gently exfoliates.
Avoid harsh surfactants and try to choose plant-based cleansers for your pug. Soaps, phthalates, and artificial dyes can also trigger allergies linked to hair loss. Therefore, use a gentle shampoo but also targets the huge amount of shedding.
Use the de-shedding shampoo at least once every three weeks. This will reduce excessive Pug shedding and promote healthier skin coat.
How to Keep Your House Clean when Your Pug Sheds
Every pet owner wishes to keep their house clean and hair-free. A hairy mess on the couch, carpets, or curtains can be unsightly. Here’s how you can control it.
Invest in a High-Quality, Powerful Vacuum
If you want to keep your house spot-free, you need to clean it thoroughly. You could be working hard to follow the tips mentioned above. But, this doesn’t mean that you won’t find your Pug’s hair or fur stuck on the couch or carpets.
The only surefire to way to remedy this is to use a good vacuum. And, we’re not talking about just any vacuum machine. Pet owners can’t settle for poor-quality or cheap cleaning equipment. You need a vacuum that has a high suction power. It should be able to suck all the dirt and hair off the couch, carpets, and curtains.
Vacuum your house at least four times a week. This is one of the best ways to control your Pug’s excessive shedding.
Cover Your Couches
Another great way to reduce the mess of shedding is to invest in couch covers. You can place sheets or soft couch covers over your furniture. This will keep it well-protected and safe from catching your Pug’s hair.
Don’t Be Shy to Stock Up on Lint Rollers
And, lastly, get yourself a decent stock of lint rollers. They’re perfect for days when you don’t want to vacuum. Lint rollers can quickly clean away the hair and fur on the couches and carpets. If you want to perform a quick cleanup, lint rollers are absolute lifesavers!
Conclusion
It’s true. Pug dogs do shed more than other breeds. You can still enjoy spending time with your Pug without worrying about the messy Pug shedding.
You can control and reduce pug shedding. It’s best to brush daily, bathe with a de-shedding shampoo at least once every three weeks, and be sure your Pug dogs eat nutritious food containing Omega-3s. Keeping a clean house may take a little more work. Buy a good vacuum with high suctioning power and plenty of lint rollers.
However, your Pug’s love and companionship will make it all worth it!