Are you thinking of getting a bulldog? If so, you might be wondering do bulldogs shed? How difficult cleaning your home will become after getting him?
A brief answer to this question is YES! Bulldogs do shed. But the good news is, not as much as other breeds do. When bulldogs shed, their hair is less noticeable on the floor, furniture, and other areas. In general, bulldogs can be considered as the “average” shedders.
No matter you are a new bull parent or you already had one, I will address all your concerns in this post from reasons behind shedding to reducing and grooming your bulldog. So, without any further ado let’s begin!
You can learn about shedding in other dog breeds like Boston Terrier, Pitbulls, Vizsla, Pugs, Great Danes as well.
Do Bulldogs Shed? Everything You Need to Know
Bulldogs have short, fine, and smooth hair coats. Glad tidings, cleaning up is relatively easy. The coat also develops with age, and a bulldog puppy usually sheds more than an adult dog.
As the fur matures, the bulldog’s shedding can be slowed down with proper grooming.
1) How Does Shedding Happen?
Shedding happens when a dog loses a dead or damaged coat to let new and healthy fur grow. Some dogs shed continuously all year long, while some shed seasonally or don’t shed much at all.
But you should keep in mind that shedding is normal in all dog breeds and it is something you can’t fend off.
2) Causes of Unnecessary Bulldog Shedding?
If you are observing your bulldog is shedding unreasonably, it can be due to quite a lot of reasons. You must seek professional advice.
Your Vet can examine your bully better and can tell you whether the shedding is normal or due to any ailment.
10 Reasons That Cause Excessive Shedding in English Bulldogs
Shedding hair is quite normal in dogs. But if you think your bully buddy is shedding excessively, it can be due to the following reasons:
1) Parasites:
Parasites are a major cause of shedding in bulldogs. Some of the parasites that affect your bully’s fur are fleas, lice, mites, etc.
They treat the body as a host, get all the nutrition required for their growth, and in return damage your boy’s coating. They can also indulge your bulldog in other diseases.
2) Inadequate Nutrition:
Failure to provide balanced nutrition to your bulldog will also result in excessive hair loss, which may be due to overeating, malnutrition, or low food quality.
Not only that, but a poor diet can also cause other illnesses to your canine. Make sure you feed him proper food that is meant for bulldogs. They can suffer from illnesses that other dogs may not.
3) Allergies:
Like humans, dogs can also be allergic to some food ingredients. You should do some research on what foods can be allergic to bulldogs because allergies can play a massive role in unnecessary shedding.
4) Bacterial and Fungal Infections:
Bacterial and fungal infections can also lead to excessive shedding of bulldogs. Some common bacterial and fungal infections found in bulldogs are Ringworm, Candida, and Pyoderma.
5) Medications:
If your dog has been ill lately, it is certainly possible that the medicines are now showing some adverse side effects.
Kidney, thyroid, and liver diseases are common in dogs. The use of some medicines for a long period can cause hair loss. You should speak to your Vet for assistance.
6) Licking:
As a dog parent, you must have seen your dog licking his skin. It is usually considered good for his skin coats. But if your bulldog licks his skin as a result of any allergy or infection, this can cause hair shedding.
7) Sunburn:
Sunburn can also cause hair shedding in bulldogs. Watch out for red patches on your bull’s skin to be treated properly.
8) Contact with Irritating Substances:
If somewhere in your home there were reactive or caustic substances, they might have reacted to your bull’s skin and are resulting in shedding.
9) Pregnancy and lactation:
Pregnancy and lactation are important factors that cause hair shedding in bulldogs. Bulldogs tend to lose hair during pregnancy and lactation.
10) Cancer:
In case your bulldog is suffering from cancer, it is a potential reason behind unusual shedding. you can get it treated with the medicines recommended by your Vet.
How to Reduce Shedding in Bulldogs? 6 Tips to Stop It!
Taking care of the things mentioned below will surely reduce shedding in your bulldog!
1) Healthy and Nutritious Dog Food:
First thing first, diet plays a vital role in your dog’s overall health. If your bulldog is shedding, you must check what he is consuming.
To control shedding, serve them food high in protein (at least 28% protein). It will keep your dog’s fur thick, healthy, and shiny.
Avoid feeding him anything that is not meant for bulldogs. Bulldogs should not consume any grains, synthetic products, artificial colors, or sweeteners.
Sweeteners can cause skin infections which lead to severe itching and as a result, your companion starts shedding excessively.
2) Bathing with Oatmeal:
Bulldogs have very sensitive skin as compared to any other dog breed. You must take precautions while bathing your sensitive friend. Make sure not to use any human shampoo having a lot of chemicals. Human shampoo can irritate the skin and disturb its pH balance.
On the other hand, try oatmeal bathing for your bully which is better and gentle. Remember excess of everything is bad. Don’t bathe your bulldog more than once a week. Excessive bathing can go the wrong way by drying all the moisture from your dog’s skin leaving it dry and blistering.
3) Omega 3 Supplements:
Omega 3 fatty acids offer various health benefits. If you add these to your bulldog’s diet he is definitely going to shed less.
You should wisely choose food for him that contains a high amount of these fatty acids. Some food items having high amounts of omega 3 fatty acids are spinach, kale, fish, and flaxseed.
A) Flaxseed Oil:
You can further use flaxseed oil. It absolutely helps in growing the skin coat and makes it healthy and shiny.
4) Brushing:
Most people don’t consider brushing their bulldogs however it is the easiest thing a dog parent can do. Choose a soft hairbrush that feels pleasing to your skin.
Carefully brush your bulldog’s hair on daily basis to reduce shedding. It requires time and consistency before it shows results.
5) Vacuum:
To keep your house free of dog hair, invest in a decent vacuum. It will not only keep your house clean but also reduce the risks of allergens for you and your bully.
6) Regular Visits to Veterinarian:
If any of the above methods do not reduce your dog’s shedding, then it’s time to consult your Vet as soon as you can. There can be any other reason behind the excessive shedding of your bulldog. For infections and allergies to be treated you must seek your Vet’s advice.
Grooming Tools for Your Bulldog
aside from making changes to your dog’s diet and hygiene, grooming your bulldog is also very important. Below, I am listing some of the grooming tools you should have for your bulldog.
1) Hair Shedding Brush:
A brush is certainly the most important grooming tool your bulldog needs. You should be very careful while choosing a hairbrush for him.
Make sure the bristles are soft enough to please his body and skin. Brushing not only stimulate their hair coat but also reduces shedding.
2) Proper Collar:
No one likes dirt to be visible on our neck so do our bulldogs. A dirty collar causes itching and irritation around his neck. When he scratches his skin more than usual, hair must shed.
3) Nail Clipper:
Nails can gather dirt and germs in them. It is necessary to clip your bulldog’s nails whenever you feel they need a trim.
4) Bathing Shampoo:
As I told you earlier that human shampoo contains many strong chemicals that can hurt a dog’s skin. If you are choosing a bathing shampoo for your dog, consider a mild one or give him an oatmeal bath.
5) Coconut Oil:
Coconut oil kills viruses, fungi, and bacteria from the body of your bulldog. You can give him a nice massage. It will leave his skin coat shiny and maintained.
Do Bulldogs Shed – Conclusion:
Shedding in all dogs is considered to be normal. As compared to other dog breeds, bulldogs shed relatively less. Often you can’t even notice their hair around you.
But, if your bulldog is shedding excessively, it can be due to parasites, allergies, infections, or hygiene issues. If you take care of your bulldog’s diet, bathing, and grooming it will reduce shedding for sure.
If shedding keeps on happening unusually, don’t hesitate to visit your Vet. They will examine the root cause and treat your bully companion right on time!
