Dog Grooming & Clean Up Pit Bulls
How Much Do Pitbulls Shed + How To Keep The Shedding Manageable
Rocky Kanaka
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Pitbulls are loyal, energetic, and absolutely adorable! But do pitbulls shed? As short-haired dogs, you’d think they don’t shed too much, right?
If you think pitties don’t shed a whole lot, you’d be correct! However, that doesn’t mean they don’t need a thorough grooming regimen to reduce hair loss. If left unattended, you might just find yourself covered in a layer of fur! To keep your pitbull happy and healthy, check out our favorite grooming tips for pitbulls:
How Much Do Pitbulls Shed?
While pitbulls do shed, they don’t shed nearly as much as other dogs, especially ones with double coats. Pitbulls shed just as much as the average dog, but their extremely short and thin coats make it seem like they don’t shed much. Before you know it, you might encounter piles of pittie hair around your home!
How Bad Do Pitbulls Shed?
It’s hard to determine how “bad” a dog’s shedding is because it’s different for everyone. When I talk about “bad” shedding, I’ll use “ease of cleanup” as the baseline for shedding damage. Heavy shedders with fine, thick undercoats like huskies and corgis are challenging to clean up after, but the pitbull’s short fur won’t require a lint brush to get rid of, as long as you clean your home regularly.
When Do Pitbulls Shed the Most?
Pitbulls shed roughly the same amount of fur year-round, but they do have specific shedding seasons.
How Many Times a Year do Pitbulls Shed?
A pitbull’s shedding season determines how thick their shed fur will be. In the winter, pitbulls will shed their thinner fur in favor of a warmer, thicker coat, and they’ll shed that winter coat again in the spring. While your pitbull will shed roughly the same amount all year, you’ll likely see thicker furs during colder months.
Are Pitbulls Hypoallergenic?
Despite their short hair, pitbulls are not hypoallergenic dogs. They still produce dander, which is the leading cause of pet allergies. While some short-haired dogs don’t produce as much dander as others, the main thing that makes a dog “hypoallergenic” is that they don’t shed their fur or have hair instead of fur.
So, Do All Types of Pitbulls Shed?
All dogs under the pitbull umbrella shed their fur and tend to shed the same amount of fur proportionate to their size. Basically, the larger the pittie, the more loose hair you’ll find on their favorite spots. Fur color also tends to stand out more against contrasting furniture. For example, if your beautiful black pitbull loves his baby blue blanket, those shed hairs will stand out!
Is Shedding Healthy for a Pitbull?
For all dogs with hair or fur, shedding is a normal, healthy part of life. Like us, dogs lose some fur throughout the day, and these shed hairs will wind up lying around your home. As you get to know your pitbull, you’ll establish a baseline for how much shedding is healthy. If you start to see bald spots, thinning hair, or red, itchy skin on your pitbull, talk to your veterinarian immediately. Excessive shedding is often a sign of other underlying conditions varying from sensitive skin to parasites.
Methods to Control Pitbull Shedding
So, how do we manage our pitbull’s shedding? Generally, there are several things you can do to keep their coats healthy and their shedding to a minimum:
A Healthy Diet and Exercise
A balanced, healthy diet is one of the best ways to keep your pitbull’s coat looking shiny and smooth. Pitties need a combination of meats, fruits, and vegetables to stay healthy, and ensuring they have all their vitamins in one place is essential to preventing dry, itchy skin and hair loss.
Food allergies are a common cause of hair loss, too– if you’re worried that your pitbull might be struggling with a food allergy, talk to your vet as soon as possible!
The three foods that are super healthy and that almost every dog loves, even the pickiest dogs, are:
1. The Farmer’s Dog.
This is a fresh-frozen food that’s delivered to your home in just the right amounts for your dog. There are a number of fresh frozen dog foods available on the market and I tested them all. The Farmer’s Dog came up the winner with my picky dogs. You can see the fresh frozen food test here.
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2. Sundays Food For Dogs
This is an air-dried food. It has the convenience of kibble (just pour it in the bow) but is much much healthier. It’s like little pieces of jerky, so dogs go crazy for it. There are a number of air-dried foods on the market. My dogs tested 3 of them. You can see the results of the air-dried food test here.
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3. We Feed Raw.
This raw food for dogs comes delivered to your home is perfectly sized portions for your pup. They primarily source their ingredients from trusted U.S. farmers, with two exceptions: venison and lamb. These ingredients are sourced from New Zealand, where some of the highest-quality and most ethically raised venison and lamb can be found. Pasture-raised and grass-fed and finished, we highly recommend trying these formulas if you’re interested in the best-quality ingredients. Save 25% on your first order.
Supplements:
I highly recommend using a supplement on your dog’s food, not matter what you feed them, to ensure the meal is balanced and they are getting all the right supplements to help them stay healthy. The supplement I use is called The One from Front of the Pack. It has 12 ingredients that have been clinically-proven to keep your dog’s joints, skin, heart, digestion, and even their breath in tip-top shape. It’s also a powder, so easy to sprinkle on your dog’s food. For a limited time, when you buy one month you get a second month free.
Staying Up-to-Date With the Vet
Speaking of vets, frequent visits to the doctor will ensure that your pitbull’s health stays in top form. Keeping up with vaccinations, necessary prescriptions, and general checkups as your dog ages are great ways to rule out potential causes for excess shedding. Plus, it’ll give your vet a baseline to work off of if your pittie starts to feel under the weather.
Grooming Tips For Pitbulls
All dogs need a grooming routine, and pitbulls are no different. A proper grooming schedule will help you manage your pitbull’s shedding and keep them from getting stinky!
How Often Should I Bathe My Pitbull?
Regular baths are super important for dogs, and depending on your lifestyle, your pitbull will benefit from weekly baths. When you bathe your pitbull, try to do so outdoors or somewhere they can shake off excess water.
Shampoo for Pitbulls
Pitbulls have sensitive skin, so they’ll need gentle shampoo to prevent itching and irritation. I recommend using oatmeal-based dog shampoos for your pittie– they’re great for hydrating sensitive skin!
When shopping around for shampoo, make sure you read the ingredients label on the back of each bottle. Avoid shampoos containing parabens, alcohols, perfumes, or coal tar.
How to Brush A Pitbull
Regular brushing is a fantastic way to keep your dog’s coat healthy since brushing stimulates your dog’s hair follicles and spreads oils from the skin around their body. Your pitbull will benefit from a brush for short-haired dogs like a slicker brush, but you can also use a soft, fine-bristled brush.
How to Keep Your House Clean from Pitbull Shedding
Shedding always comes with a bit of a mess, and cleaning up after short-haired dogs can be tricky. Here are some tips for how to keep your house clean with a pitbull:
Vacuum Regularly
Vacuuming at least once a week is the best way to remove pittie hair from your floors and furniture. A vacuum with a fur brush is especially helpful when cleaning linens and upholstery.
Consider A Couch Cover
If you struggle to keep your couch clean, use a couch cover to catch your dog’s fur. Couch covers come in many shapes and styles, and they’re machine washable, too, making them a great choice for low-spoons cleanup.
Dust Often!
Frequent dusting (like dust mopping or dusting high-use surfaces) is another excellent way to rid your home of pitbull hair. Regular dusting will also keep allergens to a minimum during the spring and summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got some unanswered questions? We’ve got you covered with some of the most frequently asked pittie questions:
Why Do Pitbulls Shed So Much?
Pitbulls have short coats, so their loose hairs have nothing to cling to when they shed. That’s why you’re more likely to see a lot of little hairs lying around your home with a pitbull.
Do Pitbulls Shed Year-Round?
Pitbulls shed year-round but also have two shedding seasons in winter and spring.
Why Do Pitbulls Shed in the Winter?
Pitbulls shed their thinner coats in the winter in favor of thicker coats. Once temperatures rise in the spring, they’ll shed the winter coat for a summer coat.
Are Pitbulls Hypoallergenic?
Pitbulls are not considered hypoallergenic, even though they have short coats.
Do All Pitbull Breeds Shed?
Pitbulls are not a specific breed; they’re several breeds covered under one umbrella term! Dogs under the pitbull umbrella include American Pit Bull Terriers, the American Bully, Bulldogs, Bull Terriers, Mastiffs, Boxers, and mixes of these breeds. Each of these dogs sheds year-round.
Do Blue Nose Pitbulls Shed?
Blue nose pitbulls shed year-round. The “breed” is a recessive characteristic pitbulls have that gives their noses a cool hue.
Do Red Nose Pitbulls Shed?
Red nose pitbulls also shed year-round. Like blue nose pitbulls, red nose pitbulls are bred to bring out the recessive gene that gives their noses a red tint.
