Pugs make great pets. Pugs are intelligent, loving, and have fun personalities. But like with any other furry pet, there are several things to consider before getting a pug for your home. One of these concerns is shedding.
So, how much do pugs shed? Pugs are a heavy-shedding breed, and they shed their fur all year round. Pugs go through the same cycle of hair growth, rest, and loss as other dogs, except much faster.
However, this doesn’t mean they aren’t great pets. All this means is that if you’re a soon-to-be pug owner, you should be prepared to deal with dog fur.
Continue reading to learn why pugs shed and how best to control excessive shedding.
Why Do Pugs Shed So Much?
As discussed earlier, pugs do not shed only seasonally like most dogs. But that’s just one of several reasons for their excessive shedding.
One other major reason is that, except for some black pugs, most pugs (apricot, apricot fawn, some black, silver fawn, and fawn pugs) have double coats.
This means that they have a short outer coat on top of a soft inner coat. This causes them to shed way more than dogs with just a single-layer coat.
Additionally, the shedding rate of furry pets varies with respect to the number of hairs per square inch of the particular breed.
While most dog breeds have 100 to 200 hairs per square inch, a pug coat is tightly packed with an average of 600 hairs per square inch. This, combined with their double coat, means that they shed way more hair than other dogs.
Factors That Affect the Rate at Which Pugs Shed
Seasons
Your pug’s coat will keep shedding no matter the season; however, their rate of shedding increases during the spring and fall. Seasons affect a pug’s shedding because of the change in outside temperature.
In the fall, a pug sheds a lot to make room for a thicker winter coat that will warm them against the cold. As the air becomes warmer in the spring, shedding occurs again so that a pug can trade their thicker winter coat for a lighter summer coat.
Hormones
Cortisol, estrogen, progesterone, growth hormone, thyroid hormone, and testosterone are just some of the hormones that affect a pug’s shedding.
For example, the thyroid hormone secretes thyroxin, which causes hair follicles to spend an extended period of time in the growing phase. A decrease in the number of thyroid hormones results in the shedding of hair.
Female pugs shed a lot after completing their canine heat cycle. The hormonal cycle of pregnant and new mama pugs tends to be a huge factor when it comes to shedding.
Dogs generally shed a lot after the surgical removal of their reproductive organs, although this shedding is temporary. Spaying or neutering your pug alters its hormone levels, causing increased shedding after the surgery.
Skin Infections
Dermal infections may lead to excessive shedding. Bacteria can weaken the roots of hair follicles which can cause a loss of hair. Lack of a proper bathing routine will allow dirt to block skin pores and increase body odor.
Itchy skin is a sign of skin infection, and your pug might tear its skin trying to scratch. Visiting the vet will put the abnormal shedding under control. Make use of all-natural pet shampoo to remove bad odor from your pooch.
Allergies
Some pugs could suffer from allergies, and these allergic reactions can cause itching. When dogs itch their skin, they forcefully remove bits of hair, so their shedding rate increases.
Age
The age of some dog breeds doesn’t always affect how much they shed, but the age of a pug certainly does. A pug puppy will shed its coat as it gradually transitions into adulthood. Adult pugs tend to shed more as they grow older.
Pigmentation
The color of your pug determines how much it sheds. Black-haired pugs don’t tend to shed as much as lighter-colored pugs.
Diet
A balanced diet improves the immune system of a pug. A good diet rich in omega fatty acids is essential for your charming companion’s coat. High-quality food with the right balance of omega can strengthen hair follicles and cause less shedding.
How to Deal With Your Pug Shedding
While your pug undergoing normal shedding is a sign of a healthy pug, cleaning up loose hair all over your house is generally unappealing.
Regular bathing for your pet is an absolute must if you want to promote healthy skin. The use of de-shedding shampoo is advisable to minimize over-shedding and prevent dry skin. Regular grooming, including brushing your dog’s fur daily, will help keep their coat healthy and minimize shedding.
If you’re regularly brushing your pug, you should use high-quality grooming tools. A vacuum cleaner will also be handy to keep your house clean.
There is no permanent solution to stop shedding. If you cannot deal with a dog that sheds, then maybe a pug isn’t the right dog for you.
Tools such as grooming gloves, a pet vacuum, a bristle brush, natural shampoo, a stainless steel comb, hair clippers, a boar brush, nail clippers, a rake, and a nail file can all be useful in combatting shedding.
Conclusion
So, how much do pugs shed? The answer is quite a lot. If you are trying to decide whether or not to get this wonderful dog, make sure you are capable of dealing with shedding. It is part of the responsibility that accompanies pug parenthood.
High-quality food, vet care, and basic grooming maintenance can help minimize shedding and keep both you and your pug happy.
