Do English Bulldogs shed? Yes, but not as much as other breeds. English Bulldogs have a summer and winter coat. In autumn, they shed their summer coat and in spring, they lose their winter one. When they shed, their hair is less noticeable on furniture and on the ground compared to that of other breeds.
They shed a lot in early spring and late winter. This change can seem crazy since they usually shed lightly. You don’t need to worry because it will only last for a few weeks and everything will go back to normal after this period.
Reasons for Excessive Shedding
Excessive shedding can be caused by various factors. Here are some of them.
- Bad Diet
Check the ingredients of your pet’s food. English Bullies can have sensitivities or allergies that appear as skin infections, excessive shedding and itching.
- Deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids
If your dog doesn’t have sufficient omega-3 fatty acids, he might shed a lot. Flaxseed, fish, kale, spinach and other green leafy vegetables are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids. You can also add flaxseed oil or a fish oil supplement to his diet to solve the shedding problem and also improve the quality of his coat and skin.
- Too much bathing
Excessive bathing removes the natural oils in your pet’s skin and leaves it dry. The natural oils are essential because they protect your pet’s coat and skin from the weather. Other possible causes of excessive shedding include immune diseases, lactation or pregnancy, sunburn, over licking or adrenal, kidney or liver disease.
How to Treat Excessive Shedding
Take your pooch to the vet to determine the main cause of the shedding problem. If it’s not caused by a health problem, you can do the following to treat excessive shedding in your pet:
- Change his diet
If your dog has food allergies, changing his diet can reduce shedding and improve his coat. Feed him premium quality puppy food that contains at least 28% protein. His food should not contain any artificial sweeteners and colors, by-products and grains. If he has flaky and dry skin and sheds excessively, you can add fish oil that contains Omega 6 and 3 fatty acids to his diet.
- Give him a bath as required
This breed can benefit from regular baths. Give him a bath once a week or once a month. If your pooch has been playing outside a lot or is really dirty, you should bathe him. Since the skin of these dogs is more sensitive than that of other breeds, you shouldn’t use human shampoo on your pet because it can cause skin irritation. Giving your pet an oatmeal bath will help because it’s gentle and can make their coat and skin healthier.
- Practice proper grooming
Brush your dog every day. Most English Bulldogs love being groomed. It’s best to start this habit when your Fido is young. Use a fine brush that has compact bristles to remove all the loose hairs on your pet.
Test the brush first by running it down your arm. Is it soft enough for your pooch? If you did not like how it felt, your pet may not like it either. By brushing him daily, he will probably shed less and his coat and skin will be healthier.
Shedding is not a pleasant experience for either the dog or the owner. You won’t have much problem with the English Bulldog when it comes to shedding. If he does shed excessively, you should not panic. Shedding might be caused by his diet or other simple problems that can be easily solved with a few changes.
Before you make an appointment with the vet, you should make changes to his diet, grooming habit and supplements. Let your dog adjust to these changes and observe if his shedding dwindles. If the problem persists, you should take him to the vet.
Fleas, parasites, skin infections and other health problems can cause excessive shedding and need proper treatment from the vet. It also helps to buy a dog from a reputable breeder because you’re less likely to get an English Bulldog that has genetic coat problems.
