Do French Bulldogs Shed A Lot [9 Shedding Causes]
People ask do French Bulldogs shed a lot, after reading this article you will learn everything you need to know about French Bulldog shedding.
One question that frequently comes up for potential owners is whether or not French Bulldogs shed a lot.
In this short blog post, we’ll explore the shedding habits of French Bulldogs and give you all the information you need to make an informed decision about adding this lovable breed to your family.
Do French Bulldogs Shed A Lot?
Yes, French Bulldogs do shed twice a year, they lose their undercoat to keep them from overheating, especially during the summer.
However, French Bulldogs have a short, fine, smooth coat that is very easy to groom and maintain, they require weekly brushing to avoid excessive shedding.
Causes of French Bulldog Shedding
Although shedding is normal for dogs, the amount and frequency are usually determined by their health, breed type, and many other factors which are:
1. Temperature rise
A rise in the body temperature of a French Bulldog will lead to shedding, this is because French Bulldogs are prone to heat exhaustion.
French Bulldogs shed a lot especially those Frenchies who live in a hot region experience more shedding as compared to those who live in a moderate region.
Most of the time French Bulldogs experiences a rise in temperature it normally results in shedding, which can be minimal.
Therefore, you should not over-exercise your Frenchie, 10 minutes walk per day is fine.
If you over-exercise them, be sure to see hairs everywhere in your house.
Always keep their temperature in check and avoid any activity that will cause the rise of their temperature.
2. Pest Bites
French Bulldogs shed a lot because fleas, mites, and lice are pests that can attack Frenchies, a single bite from these pests can cause a whole lot of problems.
French Bulldogs are not always comfortable with pest bites and this bite can lead to shedding, even though the level of shedding is minimal.
Whenever your Frenchie gets any pest, the shedding will continue until the parasite is removed.
As this happens the French Bulldog is itching and will start scratching itself which can cause bald spots.
Flea bites can cause many health challenges, one of which is shedding at high or low levels.
French Bulldogs are very allergic to flea bites therefore ensure that your French Bulldog does not get close to fleas.
Learn more about caring for French Bulldogs
3. Age
French Bulldogs shed a lot as puppies have been known to go through a puppy phase where they lose their puppies around the age of five to seven months.
However, you can argue that older French Bulldogs shed more hair because they are bigger and have a larger surface area of hair.
Frenchies above middle-age tend to suffer from more health issues which can contribute to hair loss.
4. Stress
French Bulldogs shed a lot because too much stress can cause hair loss in dogs, and the French bulldog is no exception to this rule.
When the French Bulldog is overwhelmed, hormonal changes occur repeatedly, causing high or minimal secretions.
For the same reason, often when things get really interesting, you’ll feel that your dog starts throwing hair more.
For example, you notice that when you come home from a trip that there are hairs everywhere.
So, stress-related dog hair loss is always associated with anxiety, depression, and other bad things.
5. Dietary Imbalance
French Bulldogs shed a lot because just as humans react to food imbalances, the French bulldog reacts to food imbalances.
One reaction to a dietary imbalance in French bulldogs is a certain degree of hair loss.
Be sure to visit your vet if you notice any unusual spills in winter or spring.
We are what we eat and that goes for Frenchies as well. The healthier their diet, the healthier the French Bulldog.
A balanced diet provides the nutrients and vitamins needed to maintain healthy, healthy hair follicles that won’t break and cause excessive secretions.
Omega-3 fatty acids are well known for promoting healthy hair growth, so adding them to your French Bulldog meal is never a bad idea.
A liquid diet in the life of a French Bulldog is also important because dehydrated skin can lead to unnecessary hair loss.
6. Seasonality
The season is the main reason for French Bulldogs’ shedding because it determines the rate or intensity of shedding.
In spring you will experience high levels of Frenchies droppings compared to winter.
It is therefore reasonable to say that the time of year affects the shedding rate in the French Bulldogs.
French Bulldog shedding usually occurs during the summer and winter which is why we say French Bulldogs shed a lot.
They avoid a bit of summer heat by shedding their undercoat and then shed their summer undercoat to grow thicker coats for the winter.
In mild temperatures, there is low shedding for French Bulldogs, therefore during the hot season, you have to keep your French Bulldog temperature low.
You will be surprised by the level of shedding if you don’t take care of them during the hot season.
7. Food or Medication Allergies
French Bulldogs shed a lot because it is very common for Frenchies to be allergic to certain foods or medications.
Always remember that most French Bulldogs have a sensitive stomach and can be very picky
If you don’t know why your dog is shedding so much, the first thing you can do is replace his food with a brand-new one that is vet-approved.
If you have just started giving your Frenchie medication or medical treatment, you can also check if your French Bulldog is having an allergic reaction.
When you have excessive shedding, you can also try changing the brand of shampoo you use, checking what you last fed your Frenchie, and visiting the vet.
Learn more about food French Bulldogs should not eat.
8. Infections and Infestation
Bacteria pathogens, Fungal Infections, and infestation are one of the main causes of hair loss in French Bulldogs.
These health challenges usually cause a lot of discomfort and lead to hormonal imbalances which in turn lead to hair loss.
Bacterial infections such as salmonella can be acquired from eating raw foods such as raw chicken.
The problem can also arise from a fungal infection. This can happen if your French Bulldog comes into contact with mold or other types of mold.
Even your treats and dry food can grow mold so always keep them safe after use.
Remember that French Bulldogs are very curious and will sniff out anything they find in the corners of your house.
So make sure your home and the places your Frenchie visits regularly are free of mold and moisture on the walls.
Excessive shedding can occur after a walk, when Frenchie during the walk inhales spores on the ground, on birds, and more.
9. Hormonal imbalance
French Bulldogs shed a lot because of hypothyroidism and hypothyroidism is the most common hormonal imbalance in French Bulldogs.
Hypothyroidism usually occurs in Frenchies from the age of 3 years and is most often caused by immune-mediated destruction of thyroid tissue or, occasionally, by natural contraction or atrophy of the gland.
The thyroid is paired and sits on either side of the airway or windpipe.
The hormones produced there affect the rate of metabolism in every system in the body.
Hypothyroidism occurs when too little hormone is produced and can cause many symptoms and affect many organs.
Apparently, the most obvious change is seen in your Frenchie’s hair, and the hair tends to become dry, brittle, and thin, with hair loss or alopecia.
Secondary skin infections are very common, as are skin thickening, flakes, oil, and odor.
How to control shedding in French Bulldogs
Here are the best common ways of controlling shedding in French Bulldogs, since you can’t stop it but you can control and manage it through the following ways:
Weekly Brushing of Your French Bulldog
A brush is the most effective way to deal with French Bulldog hair loss. Not only does it help stimulate blood flow to the skin’s surface, but it also distributes natural fats.
It also means you can get loose bristles on the brush instead of landing on the floor or couch.
Always offer treats before and after you brush, because French Bulldogs love treats. However, it is recommended that you clean for at least 11-15 minutes on average.
Depending on your schedule, you may be expected to brush your French Bulldog at least twice in 13 days, but if you’re busy, you can brush once a week.
when you think of why French Bulldogs shed a lot, weekly brushing should also be considered as a control measure.
Use of Supplements
Dietary supplements usually contain natural fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-3 fatty acids, which are very beneficial for Frenchies and help keep their skin and coat in tip-top shape.
So if you have French Bulldogs with skin conditions tend to itch and scratch excessively, which in turn results in more hair being pulled out of the follicles.
Take a good supplement for your Frenchie to help reduce shedding, and to reduce excessive scratching.
In addition to good food quality, fish oil supplements that can also provide these ingredients are very helpful in terms of hair removal.
Apart from providing skin and coat benefits, fish oil also supports healthy joints and bones.
Avoid Giving Your French Bulldog Table Scraps
Bulk waste is an incomplete Frenchie’s diet and can cause instability in any Frenchie’s digestive system, ultimately leading to unnecessary hair loss.
Did you know that if your French Bulldog tries to pick up debris from the ground, it can trap pathogenic bacteria?
Don’t think it’s right to let your French Bulldog lift food off the ground, because it is not right.
Always put your French Bulldog food in a clean box. Avoid dropping food from the table while eating.
Keep Your French Bulldog Hydrated
What many French Bulldog owners don’t realize is that water is one, if not the most important, part of their Frenchies’ diet.
French Bulldog puppies usually need an ounce of water for every pound of body weight each day. If your French weighs 20 pounds, they should drink 20 ounces (or 2.5 cups) a day.
Dehydrated skin in French bulldogs is a big cause of hair loss and can increase the amount of loose dog hair you can find in your home.
If you’re having trouble, ask your pup to drink the right amount of water by using any of the following tips:
- Add water to their food.
- Offer ice cubes.
- Provide a treat and praise when they drink.
- Place their water bowl near their bed or an area they often relax in.
Hydration is a simple answer and can help solve the question do French Bulldogs shed a lot?
Learn more about how to make your pup drink water.
Give Your French Bulldog High-Quality Dog Food
A top-quality diet is one way to treat French Bulldogs’ litter.
Good quality dog food will help the French Bulldog maintain a good homeostatic balance.
Higher quality food will simply result in the balance of all the internal organs that are important for maintaining healthy skin.
When feeding your French Bulldog human diet, make sure you have a balanced diet, not a high carbohydrate content.
Stop Changing Dog Food Every Month
Don’t be the one to start excess shedding, as switching food from one food to another can lead to unnecessary shedding.
French Bulldogs are very sensitive and may vomit in response to a new food, so choose one that works for you and stick to it.
If there is a reason to change food, it should be an agreement between you, your veterinarian, and your Frenchie.
If you change your diet, pay close attention to your Frenchie’s reaction even after getting approval from your vet.
Some things to consider when changing your diet include loss of appetite, fever, excessive water intake, unnecessary coughing, and refusal to eat.
Eliminate Allergies
This is one of the most important things you need to do to prevent your French Bulldog from unnecessarily detaching or shedding hair.
There are many things that can cause an allergic reaction in a French Bulldog.
Examples of common allergens are pollen, mold spores, mites, and shed skin cells.
However, food allergies can also manifest in skin conditions or hair loss, so watch out for skin and hair problems with your French Bulldog.
Vacuuming Your French Bulldog Help Too
Vacuuming your French Bulldog is also another good option when thinking about how to prevent French Bulldogs from excessive shedding.
This method removes dead skin and all the dirtiest stuff from your Frenchie’s body, which might make the vacuum a little expensive, but you’ll be using it for other things around the house.
Also, if you are considering a vacuum cleaner, get a good treat so that everything can be done quickly and easily while cleaning your dog.
Regular Medical Check-ups
This is an important step when thinking about how to prevent Frenchie shedding because there are many health problems that can cause shedding.
Remember to always talk to your vet about your French Bulldog and have it checked regularly.
There are many health challenges related to hair loss that you need to know as follows:
- Kidney disease
- Thyroid issues
- Side effects of medication
- Adrenal issues
- Liver conditions
- Cancer
- Bacterial infections
How to make grooming easy?
Here are some tips that will make grooming easy for you and your French Bulldog:
- Start grooming exercises once your French Bulldog arrives at your home.
- Ask your vet for the best grooming tools to use.
- Stick to a specific grooming time and day and don’t skip it
- Always offer treats before and after grooming.
- Allow your Frenchie to get used to the grooming tools by sniffing them.
- Associate grooming with good practice so that your Frenchie enjoys it.
Learn more about ways to control dog shedding.
How Often Should I Brush My French Bulldog
It is a good practice to brush your French Bulldog at least once per week, which should last for 10 – 12 minutes, always brush in the direction of the hair, and do not brush in the opposite direction of the hair.
Learn more about the benefits of grooming for dogs.
Summary
Here is the summary of the whole story on how to avoid unnecessary shedding or control shedding in French Bulldogs:
- Give a balanced diet
- Weekly brushing with de-shedding tools
- Regular exercise 10 – 15 mins daily walk can help.
- Bathing with high-quality shampoo
- Ensure the dog is drinking enough water
- Control fleas to avoid shedding
- Try an Omega-3 Shedding Supplement.
- Control ticks to avoid bites that lead to shedding
- Use a Dog Hair Blower
- Use an Air Purifier for Pet Hair and Dander.
- Weekly control of parasites
- Control and avoid lice and mites attack
- Stop changing dog food always
- Use high-quality dog food
- Regular check-ups