Do Shih Tzus Shed? Understanding the Facts and Myths

Shih Tzus are known to be moderate shedders, with an average of 2-3 loose hairs per day. This is due to their double coat, which sheds heavily twice a year.

Their coat is made up of a soft undercoat and a long, flowing topcoat, with the undercoat shedding more frequently. This is a natural process, and regular grooming can help manage shedding.

Shih Tzus shed more during seasonal changes, with peak shedding occurring in spring and fall. Their coat grows longer and thicker during these times, leading to more loose hairs.

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Shih Tzus do shed, but not as much as some other breeds. They are known to produce some loose hair and dander, which can be a concern for people with allergies.

Brushing your Shih Tzu regularly can help decrease the number of allergens on your dog. This is especially true if your dog has dry skin.

Shih Tzus typically shed in two instances: when you're brushing them, and during coat transition, which usually occurs around 10 months to one year of age. During this time, they'll shed quite a bit, but it should only last a few weeks.

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Regular grooming is essential to reduce allergen exposure and prevent matting, which can be painful for your Shih Tzu. Daily brushing is recommended to keep their hair from getting tangled and matted.

You can use a good slicker brush to remove mats and prevent skin infections. However, in severe cases, it may be necessary to shave off all their hair and start over.

Here's a breakdown of the two instances when Shih Tzus tend to shed more:

Regular grooming is crucial in managing allergies with a Shih Tzu. Brushing your Shih Tzu's coat daily can prevent matting and reduce the amount of dander and allergens in their coat and environment.

You should brush your Shih Tzu's coat daily to prevent matting and tangles, especially in long-haired breeds like the Shih Tzu. Daily brushing also stimulates the skin and the hair follicles, which can help keep your Shih Tzu's coat healthier.

Brushing your Shih Tzu's coat regularly can help reduce the amount of loose hair and dander in their coat. This is especially important for Shih Tzus, as they tend to shed their hair into themselves.

Daily brushing can help remove skin flakes while stimulating the skin's natural oils, which act as a protective barrier against dander. Brushing daily will also help keep your Shih Tzu's hair from getting tangled and matted.

Grooming requirements may vary depending on your Shih Tzu's coat type and personal preferences, but generally, Shih Tzus should be groomed at least every 4-6 weeks. This includes brushing, bathing, and trimming the coat to manage shedding and dander production.

Regular grooming can help minimize loose hair and dander in your Shih Tzu's coat. This includes brushing your Shih Tzu's coat at least a few times a week to remove loose hair and prevent matting, as well as regular bathing to keep the coat clean and reduce dander buildup.

Brushing your Shih Tzu's coat daily can help reduce the amount of allergens on your dog, especially if your dog has dry skin. Regular grooming is key to managing shedding and keeping your Shih Tzu's coat healthy.

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Regular grooming can also help prevent painful mats and tangles, which can lead to skin infections and insect invasions. With regular grooming, you can help keep your Shih Tzu's coat looking its absolute best and prevent any infection issues.

Shih Tzus should be brushed at least every other day to prevent matting and tangles. Dog groomers and veterinarians recommend brushing your Shih Tzu every day to keep their coat healthy and prevent painful mats.

Brushing your Shih Tzu's coat regularly can also help stimulate their skin and hair follicles, which can help keep their coat healthier and reduce future shedding.

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Shih Tzus have a unique coat that's made up of two layers: the undercoat and the topcoat. The undercoat is soft and feathery, while the topcoat is longer and fine.

This double coat is one of the reasons why Shih Tzus shed so little. In fact, most of the loose hair from the undercoat gets trapped in the topcoat, resulting in less hair falling all over your home.

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However, there are some instances when you'll notice your Shih Tzu shedding more than usual. These include when you're brushing them, as the act of brushing dislodges loose hair trapped in the topcoat. You'll also notice more shedding during coat transition, which happens around 10 months to one year of age when their coat changes from the puppy coat to the adult coat.

The good news is that this shedding is usually temporary and should only last a few weeks. After 2 to 4 weeks, your Shih Tzu will stop shedding so heavily, and you can go back to their usual low-shedding self.

To manage shedding and keep your Shih Tzu's coat healthy, it's recommended to groom them at least every 4-6 weeks. This includes brushing, bathing, and trimming the coat to prevent matting and reduce dander production.

Here's a rough guide to grooming frequencies:

Remember, regular grooming is key to managing allergen exposure and keeping your Shih Tzu's coat healthy and looking its best.

Feeding your Shih Tzu a proper diet is one of the best ways to keep their skin healthy, which in turn makes for a healthy, smooth, and shiny coat.

Make sure your dog's food is formulated specifically for their size, breed, and age, and look for ingredients like omega-3 fatty acids that help boost skin and hair health.

A diet rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids can improve skin health and fur quality, leading to a healthier and glossier coat that tends to shed less.

Feeding your Shih Tzu high-quality dog food can lead to a healthier and glossier coat, which tends to shed less, as it strengthens hair follicles and reduces the amount of hair that falls out.

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Feeding your Shih Tzu a proper diet is one of the best ways to keep their skin healthy, which in turn makes for a healthy, smooth, and shiny coat.

Make sure your dog's food is formulated specifically for their size, breed, and age.

Feeding your Shih Tzu high-quality dog food, rich in essential vitamins and nutrients, can lead to a healthier and glossier coat, which tends to shed less.

A diet high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids can help strengthen hair follicles, reducing the amount of hair that falls out.

Good dog food also supports overall health, which is crucial because health problems can sometimes trigger excessive shedding.

Feeding your Shih Tzu a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids can help promote a healthy coat and skin.

You can also give your dog omega-3 fatty acids through a supplement, such as Native Pet's Omega Oil, which helps alleviate joint pain and inflammation at the same time.

A healthy pup is a happy pup - and a less shed-prone one too!

Your puppy's shedding can be quite alarming, but it's a normal part of their development. A Shih Tzu puppy has finer, thinner, and shorter hair that will change into its adult coat around 9 to 12 months old.

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Shedding is most noticeable during the transition phase from puppy to adulthood, due to an increase in hair volume. This is a natural process and not a cause for concern.

As your puppy grows, you can expect their coat to thicken and change texture, which may lead to more shedding. This is a normal part of their growth and development.

Shih Tzus are generally considered hypoallergenic due to their low-shedding coat.

This means they're a good choice for people with allergies, as they release fewer allergens into the air.

However, it's essential to understand that even low-shedding dogs like Shih Tzus can still cause allergies.

Most people are allergic to pet dander, which are microscopic dead skin cells, not the hair itself.

Pet dander tends to attach itself to hair, so when loose hair falls out, it exposes allergy sufferers to the allergen.

Shih Tzus can still produce dander, especially if their skin becomes dry and flaky.

Dry skin can happen with any dog breed, and it's easy to spot when a Shih Tzu's skin is dry - they'll be scratching a lot, and their hair will be dull.

To keep a Shih Tzu's skin healthy, feed them the best dog food you can, and brush them more often to stimulate oil glands.

Adding omega oils to their diet can also help, especially if you opt for a liver-flavored supplement that's less smelly than traditional fishy ones.

By taking these steps, you can help minimize the chances of allergic reactions and keep your Shih Tzu happy and healthy.