Do Shiba Inus Shed? (Yes, And Here Is Why!)

The Shiba Inu is a dog breed that originated in Japan. They have a smaller stature but are very fluffy dogs.

Of course, this leads people to naturally wonder about this breed’s shedding habits. So, therefore, do Shiba Inus shed?

Since Shiba Inus have double coats, they shed. They’ve also been known to blow their coat. However, with regular maintenance, you can avoid this from happening.

Shiba Inus are not recommended for those who suffer from pet allergies as they tend to leave a lot of hairs with pet dander around.

Before you go and adopt a dog such as the Shiba Inu, it’s important that you learn about their shedding habits so you can ensure you’re better prepared to deal with heavy shedding scenarios.

In this article, we’ll share some tips for you to do just that.

Do Shiba Inus Shed?

The Shiba Inu is a perfect illustration of how appearances can be misleading. His tiny, compact physique may look delicate at first glance, but he is actually extremely strong and powerful.

The Shiba Inu is an elegant, nimble dog with a distinct personality. The toy-like look of this popular breed is perfectly matched with intellect, dignity, and playfulness.

The Shiba Inu, with his independent spirit and regal demeanor, is sure that he is by far the finest, and owners can’t help but concur.

Is It True That Shiba Inus Shed?

Yes. They not only lose older hairs to make room for new ones on a daily basis, like other dogs, but this double-coated breed will also shed their whole undercoat in the spring and autumn, a process known as “blowing their coat.”

This may be avoided with regular maintenance. Shedding is an unavoidable part of life, but knowing what to anticipate and having some helpful hints may make the process go much more smoothly.

We’ll go through everything from daily shedding to getting them acclimated to being groomed in the sections below. You may be confident that if you read this, you will be prepared to care for a Shiba!

How To Deal With A Shiba Inu Blowing Their Coat

First and foremost. What’s the difference between shedding normally and blowing their coat? Below, we’ve compared both scenarios, so you know what to look out for…

Normal Shedding

Dogs, like us, lose older, worn hair and replace it with fresh growth on a regular basis. This is an ongoing cycle as the body attempts to restore and maintain the coat’s health.

The quantity of shedding a Shiba Inu produces on a daily basis is modest and easily managed.

Blowing Coats

Blowing coat refers to a significantly larger extent of shedding. Shiba Inus will progressively lose their fluffy undercoat over the course of three to eight weeks throughout this process.

The top coat will shed a small amount throughout this procedure as well, but the undercoat will shed the most.

Shiba Inus generally lose their coat twice, first as spring approaches and again as winter approaches, with the spring shed being much thicker.

How Much Shedding To Expect

The regular, everyday shedding of a Shiba Inu is unlikely to be observed. After all, just a few hairs are involved at a time.

The amount of hair strewn around the floor, on furniture, and on clothing will be comparable to that of any other dog. On the other hand, you will notice when your Shiba Inu blows his coat.

As the process progresses, tufts and clumps of hair will appear all over the house. Patches of loose hair protrude all over your dog’s body, giving him an unkempt appearance.

The billowing mounds of fur appear greater than they are due to the fluffiness of the undercoat, but make no mistake: there are a lot of furs to deal with. Your Shiba Inu may shed enough hair to fill several big garbage bags from start to end.

Tips For Controlling The Mess

There are two crucial measures you can take to handle the mounds of fur that are blowing through your house during the blowing coat process.

• Establish a regular routine. The first step is to establish a regular brushing routine for your Shiba Inu during the seasonal shed. This will not only make him feel better and assist to speed up the process, but it will also help to reduce the amount of hair that falls out later.
• Vacuum up the fur. The following step will need to be repeated several times. You guessed correctly. Vacuuming. Dander (dead skin cells) is frequently mixed up with lost hair, which can cause allergic responses in certain people. To reduce the mess and allergens, vacuum thoroughly and frequently.

Some owners of the Shiba Inu and other dogs with double coats use a forced-air dryer, a shop vacuum set on blow mode, or even a leaf blower on its lowest level to actually blow the undercoat right off their dogs.

How Often Should You Groom A Shiba Inu?

Keep in mind that grooming often includes tasks like washing, ear cleaning, nail trimming, and teeth brushing, but because we’re talking about shedding, we’ll concentrate on brushing.

Brushing your Shiba Inu only once or twice a week or two is usually plenty. This will assist to remove any dirt or loose hair from the coat while also ensuring that the protective oils are distributed evenly.

This job calls for a normal, slicker brush. You’ll want to brush more regularly and add a few new tools to your arsenal during seasons of excessive, seasonal shedding.

Brushing your coat at least once a day during coat blow will keep the clouds of fur to a minimum.

What About When He Blows His Coat?

When your Shiba Inu first starts blowing his coat, start brushing him every day straight away.

Begin by removing loose hair using a de-shedding tool or an undercoat rake in short strokes, making sure the brush reaches the skin without injuring the dog.

Finish with the slicker brush to catch any remaining stray hairs and give the dog a nice, finished look after removing as much loose hair as possible.

Many owners also prefer to give their dogs a brief wash down with a damp towel to ensure that any stray hairs are removed.

How Do You Get Your Dog Used To Groom?

While rates vary by location, a normal full-service package generally costs between $30 and $65 and includes bathing, blow-drying, brushing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and anal gland expression.

Extra services, like teeth brushing or flea treatment, are generally more expensive.

All grooming appointments should begin with a quick checkup to check for any obvious health issues such as wounds, bugs, and eye or ear infections, whether you select the regular package or a more deluxe edition.

A do-it-yourself facility, like those found at Petco, is a less expensive choice.

These self-service grooming stations generally have all of the necessary tools and materials, and most facilities have employees to assist you.

How Much Is Too Much Shedding?

While Shiba Inus typically shed a moderate amount, there are most definitely times that can be cause for concern.

If you notice clumps of hair falling out of his body, or any bald spots on his fur, then you might want to investigate.

There are many different causes for this, including less serious causes such as stress or fleas and other serious issues such as cancer and thyroid problems.

Regardless of the cause, the problem does need to be assessed by a vet. So if you notice any dog shedding in large amounts like this, it’s time to see the doggy doctor.

Signs That Your Shiba Inu Is Shedding Too Much

Since our canine friends aren’t able to communicate as easily as we are, they depend on us to read their body language and to know when something has gone awry.

There are several signs that your Shiba Inu may be shedding more than what they should be:

• Bald spots
• Large clumps of fur lying around
• Lots of itching
• Bright red or irritated skin
• Visible fur falling off when they shake (Not during the blowing coat season)

What Can I Do To Help With Shedding?

Keeping your pet healthy is the first line of defense when dealing with anything, especially when it comes to shedding.

There are several things you can do to make sure your dog is nice and healthy, which we’ll talk about below.

Diet

Your first line of defense is always going to be what your dog is ingesting. Food allergies are very common among the canine community.

Therefore, it’s important for you to keep an eye on what they’re eating. Make sure their food has no fillers or by-products.

Grooming

Make sure that you’re brushing your dog to help encourage the shed hair to come out of his coat onto the brush instead of falling all around your home.

Also, it’s important to bathe him with premium shampoo to keep his skin nice and healthy.

Supplements

Fish oil has been known to help with healthy skin and fur. Talk to your vet about what supplements you can get for your Shiba Inu that will assist with the overall shedding experience.