Pit bulls are a popular breed of dog known for their intelligence, loyalty, and muscular build. If you’re wondering, ‘Do pit bulls shed?’ pit bulls do shed, but not as much as other breeds.
They’re single-coated dogs and aren’t a hypoallergenic breed. However, most pit bulls are low-to-moderate shedding dogs throughout the year.
Read on to learn about pit bull shedding, its causes, how to manage it, and some tips for keeping your home clean with a pit bull for a pet.
Do Pit Bulls Shed?
Pit bulls are a type of medium-sized dog that can range in size from 30 to 85 pounds. Their coats come in various colors and patterns, including brindle, black, white, red, and blue.
While pit bulls shed, it isn’t as much as other breeds with longer fur.
These single-coated breeds won’t have the “blown-coat” event experienced by double-coated dogs. Since there’s no undercoat to shed, they’ll be shedding the same average amount of fur all year.
Pit bulls are considered to be a medium-shedding breed. They typically shed year-round but may have heavier shedding periods during the spring and fall.
It’s important to keep up with regular vacuuming and cleaning around your home if you own a pit bull, as their hair can be pretty difficult to remove once it has settled on carpets or furniture fabrics.
Reasons Why Pit Bulls Shed
The amount a pit bull sheds varies with the breed and individual dog. Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and American Pit Bull Terriers are those pit bull breeds that shed moderately.
The American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Bully have slightly thicker coats that shed more heavily.
Some pit bulls may shed all year, especially if exposed to indoor cooling or heating. The environment also plays a role in your pit bull shedding; humidity and temperature can affect how much a dog sheds.
Typically, pit bulls experience increased shedding twice yearly – over the spring and fall.
In the winter, pit bulls grow more hair to help them stay warm in the cold. Their lighter summer coats fall out, making way for the heavy coats.
And in spring, when warm weather is around the corner, their heavy coats fall out, helping them stay cool over summer.
The natural process of shedding helps dogs get rid of dead hair and regulate their body temperature. Shedding is more common during seasonal changes when their coats must adjust for the weather.
Besides the increase in seasonal shedding, a poor diet produces dry skin, causing your pit bull to shed more.
Reasons for Excessive Shedding
While pit bulls have minimal shedding throughout the year and shed more during winter and spring, a pit bull that sheds too much could have a few causes.
A coat that’s lost its sheen and suddenly sheds means your pit bull is struggling with illness. And poor diet, dehydration, or excessive bathing could also lead to skin dryness, causing extra shedding.
One of the common reasons for fur loss is mites or other parasites. If your pit bull is scratching itself constantly, it’s likely a parasite.
Yet another reason for more than average shedding is anxiety and stress. Any changes in their routine could also increase their stress levels. Although it’s usually short-term, it would help to figure out the source of stress and help resolve it.
Underlying health problems may cause excessive shedding. Fungal or bacterial infections, kidney, liver, thyroid, or adrenal disease are common medical conditions leading to shedding in pit bulls.
However, there’s also the possibility of allergies (food and environmental) leading to pit bulls shedding more than usual. If you introduced something new to your pup for the first time, and it seems like there’s more shedding than usual after this, it’s probably because of allergies.
Despite checking for all these reasons, if you can’t figure out why your pit bull is shedding more than average, it’s best to consult your veterinarian. It might help rule out any medical issues and help you feel at ease.
How To Reduce Shedding in Pit Bulls?
Pit bulls have short hair that is easy to groom and maintain. They require regular brushing to help reduce shedding and keep a healthy coat.
Some pit bulls may not shed at all, while others may require more frequent grooming to keep their coat healthy and free from mats or tangles.
It’s important to provide them with plenty of exercise daily to stay physically and mentally healthy.
They’re prone to skin allergies, so keeping their environment clean and free of allergens like dust mites or pollen is essential.
Pit bulls can be sensitive to extreme temperatures, so they should be kept indoors during hot weather or cold snaps.
It’s important to note that some people with allergies may still react to the dander a pit bull produces, even if they don’t shed much fur.
Grooming Tips for Pit Bulls
Here are some grooming tips to help manage your pit bull’s shedding.
Brushing Regularly
Pit bulls have low-maintenance coats requiring minimal grooming. By regularly brushing your pit bull, the shedding will be under control, and your pit bull’s coat will look healthy and shiny. You must brush your pit bull at least once a week and more frequently during the shedding season.
Brushing also helps distribute the natural oils in their coat, helping reduce dandruff and skin irritation.
First, brush the coat against the hair’s direction to loosen out dead hairs. Then, brush in the coat’s direction to smooth it out.
Use a grooming glove or soft-bristled brush for grooming your pit bull; it avoids scratching its skin.
Regular Bathing
You must bathe your pit bull every few months to help keep its coat shiny and clean. However, if your pit bull spends considerable time outdoors, you might have to bathe them about once or twice monthly.
Remember, it’s essential not to over-bathe your pit bull; there’s the risk of stripping their coats of natural oils and causing dry skin.
Since pit bulls have sensitive skin, consider picking a shampoo or any topical skin product that suits their sensitive skin.
Avoid any harsh or even the average commercially graded shampoo; opt for an oatmeal shampoo or one made for pit bulls.
How to Maintain a Pit Bull’s Coat
If you have a pit bull and you’re wondering how to manage the shedding, here are some valuable tips for doing so:
Regular Grooming for Pit Bulls
A pit bull’s grooming habits are among the most important factors in maintaining their coat. Regular brushing and bathing will make your pit bull’s coat clean, smooth, and shiny.
A quick brush once or twice a week also helps remove loose fur. Use a circular motion to stimulate circulation, remove dead hair and skin cells, and distribute their skin’s natural oils.
When bathing them, use a good shampoo free of chemicals and pesticides. Don’t use human shampoos on your pup; it might irritate their skin.
A Healthy Diet
Feeding your pit bull a healthy diet helps promote a healthy coat and skin and reduces shedding. This means high-quality dog food rich in essential nutrients like vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein.
Supplements are a great addition to a healthy diet. Start with a fish oil supplement, and add some fish oil (available in chewable or liquid form) to your pit bull’s food. Also, check for coat and skin supplements that you can use.
Exercise and Hydration
Exercise is essential for pit bulls and other breeds of dogs to stay physically and mentally fit. Consider walks, allowing them to run and play.
Sufficient hydration is also essential; ensure you provide your pit bull with enough fresh water throughout the day to keep them hydrated.
A Clean Home
With your pit bull shedding around the house, it helps to vacuum and dust your home regularly. It helps reduce the amount of dander and hair in the air. This, in turn, helps reduce allergies and maintain a clean, fresh-smelling home.
An air purifier is a useful device to have at home. It captures about 99.97% of airborne particles, including dog hair and pet odors.
Handy Items To Have Around the House
Having a pit bull at home means you’ll experience average shedding. Here are some items that will help you get rid of the dog fur lying around:
- Vacuum cleaner: Consider a strong powered pet hair vacuum to get all the fur.
- Carpet rake: A carpet rake helps remove pet hair from carpets or shag rugs. They also fluff up your carpets.
- Lint rollers: Avoid fur on furniture and clothes with lint rollers. Keep lint rollers at home and in your car to remove your pet’s fallen hair.
- Furniture covers: The furniture covers will help minimize the amount of pet hair on your furniture.
Summing It Up
The answer to the question, ‘Do pit bulls shed?’ is yes. Pit bulls do shed, but how much they shed depends on the breed and individual dog. They have short, smooth coats that come in a variety of colors and patterns.
Regular brushing can help reduce the hair shed by a pit bull. Also, grooming and bathing can keep your pitbull’s coat shiny and healthy.
Remember, shedding is a natural process for dogs. While you can’t stop the shedding, with proper care, you can manage your pit bull’s shedding and keep them happy and healthy.
