If you’ve ever pet a Shiba Inu, you’ve likely noticed that your hand doesn’t come away with a ton of fur after you play with them. But does this mean they don’t shed? Hardly.
The truth of the matter is that a Shiba Inu possesses two distinct coats, and while they’re not the most extreme shedders throughout most of the year, they do shed some. Not only that but twice a year, they’ll shed more than just about any other dog on the planet!
But why is this the case, and what can you do to help control the amount of hair coming off your pup? We’ll answer those questions and more for you here.
How Much Does a Shiba Inu Shed?
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Shiba Inu is a moderate shedder and only sheds an average amount for a dog. But while that technically might be true, it only tells you part of the story.
That’s because a Shiba Inu has a double coat, and twice a year, they completely blow coat. This means they shed the entirety of one of their coats and regrow it to adjust to the new season. When this happens, your Shiba Inu is far from a moderate shedder, it’s an extreme shedder.
The flip side is that you only have to deal with this twice a year, while throughout the rest of the year, a Shiba Inu hardly sheds at all. So, when you put it all together, they’re a moderate shedder, but the truth is that throughout the year, they’re either shedding a ton or not at all.
The 4 Tips to Help With Shedding
If you’re finding that your Shiba Inu is shedding more than they should or if you’re just trying to reduce the amount they shed, even if it’s a normal amount, there are a few things you can do. We’ve highlighted four helpful tips that can help reduce the amount of hair your Shiba Inu sheds.
1. Consistent Baths
While you can definitely overdo it with baths, a bath once a month can be one of the most effective ways to help control shedding. In fact, when they’re blowing coat, you might want to consider increasing the interval to once every 2 weeks to help get rid of all the extra hair.
However, baths do strip your Shiba Inu of essential oils and nutrients on their skin and coat, so you’ll only want to use a pet-safe shampoo.
2. A High-Quality Diet
If your Shiba Inu is shedding far more than they should throughout the year, the problem might be with their diet. Your pup requires a ton of different nutrients to ensure their skin and coat gets everything they need. Low-quality food doesn’t come with everything their bodies require, so ensure you’re feeding them a high-quality diet that meets all their nutritional needs. When in doubt, reach out to their vet to ensure the food you’re giving them is adequate.
3. Consistent Brushing
If your Shiba Inu is blowing coat, one of the best things you can do to help get it under control is to consistently brush them. We recommend brushing them out at least once a day during these times, although you might see the benefits of brushing them out twice a day.
When they’re not blowing coat, you won’t need to brush them out as often, but brushing them at least monthly helps control shedding and keeps knots from forming.
4. Supplements
While we recommend reaching out to a vet before giving your dog any supplements, there’s some evidence to support giving them a fatty acid supplement once a day can help with shedding. Fatty acids help with skin and hair growth and maintenance, and because of this, they can lead to a healthier coat. And, of course, a healthier coat means one they won’t need to shed as often, which translates to less shedding for you. Talk about a win-win!
In Conclusion
Now that you know a little more about how and why a Shiba Inu sheds the way they do, all that’s left is for you to start getting everything you need ready to deal with them blowing coat twice a year! While it’s a pain when it happens, it also means you don’t have to deal with it throughout the rest of the year, and that’s a tradeoff many pet owners would take.
Featured Image Credit: Ultraskrip, Shutterstock
