French bulldogs are one of the best breeds that anyone could ever adopt. They are fun and adorable animals that are very easy to take care of and manage.
Dogs have furry coats so that their skin stays protected from heat. It also helps to keep them warm during the winter. Most of the time, a shiny, healthy coat is what completes a dog.
Like humans, animals shed because their bodies are trying to start a new cycle of growth. Some breeds shed more than others, and there can be many different reasons why a dog sheds a certain amount. In some cases, it can be a sign of an internal problem.
Why Does Your French Bulldog Shed?
There are many reasons why a dog will shed its hair. If you have suspicions that something might be wrong, you should inspect the hair first.
Check to see if it is losing its shine or fullness. You should also take a look at the skin to see if it is changing color or becoming very dry and flaky.
1- It Is Eating the Wrong Food
One of the biggest reasons why dogs shed is because they are not on the proper diet. Most people waste time buying cheap dog food from their typical grocery store. Feeding your dog cheap food is a grave mistake that results in excessive shedding.
Your french bulldog needs the proper amount of nutrients daily. You should take extra time to make sure that the food you buy is supporting just that. If it does not meet those requirements, you should not buy it.
You should also take the time to look for quality dog food even if it means you have to get it from a place you are not used to shopping.
The contents of the food should trump its price. Pet food that is nutrient-rich and quality is only about $5 for each pound.
Most pet owners try to base the diet off of their own. For example, they give dogs gluten-free food. According to Pet MD, a grain-free diet can be more harmful to the dog than anything else.
Most breeds can tolerate gluten. Just like humans, only a small percentage of them are severely intolerant to gluten. Gluten is actually a neutral food that is not necessarily bad or good.
2- You Are Using a Certain Shampoo
If your french bulldog is shedding more than normal but you do not think food content, intolerance, or medical problems are the cause, try grooming.
One of the worst things you can do to your french bulldog is to use your own shampoo to clean it. The chemicals in human shampoo are far too harsh for the skin and hair of dogs.
You might also want to check to make sure that you are rinsing the shampoo out thoroughly when you are washing your french bulldog. Most dog owners will wash the dog and leave lots of lather and soap left behind.
This can irritate the skin and cause excessive shedding. Make sure that you rinse multiple times and even when you think you are done the washing, rinse once more to make sure.
3- The Dog Is Stressed or Anxious
Most doctors or professionals will agree that if a dog is shedding more than normal, it is likely going through some type of stressful or anxious mood. This can be triggered if the dog has experienced major changes recently.
If you or anyone else recently brought a new child into the home, that can be an example of what could give the dog stress. If you have significantly changed its routine, this could be another cause.
If you go to the vet, you have to keep in mind that this visit is another thing that might cause stress and anxiety in the dog. Be careful with your french bulldog and be gentle when you are handling it during the trip.
Bring treats and toys or be very affectionate while you make your way there. According to PLOS, bonding with your dog can reduce stress and improve behavior.
4- There May Be Parasites on the Dog
If you see that your french bulldog is scratching a lot more, it might be bothered by insects. Insects like fleas and parasites are pretty common amongst dogs.
Those insects and the irritation they bring to your french bulldog can be the beginning of a serious medical problem. This can cause skin infections and internal problems.
According to Tad B. Coles and Michael W. Dryden, cats and dogs are pretty much flea and tick magnets. They attract them more than any other animal.
Fleas are insects and are most commonly defeated with some sort of insecticide. Ticks are not insects. They are arachnids and are most commonly defeated with acaricides.
A good example is that if a cat suddenly attracts fleas, fleas can cause the cat to have anemia. This will be fatal to the cat.
This is why it is best to take immediate action against these harmful beings. Be wary when using chemicals or store-bought remedies.
You can use store-bought products to get rid of the bugs. But that is something you should run over with your veterinarian first because some of those products can be even more dangerous if you are not careful.
If you have multiple dogs and cats, take an extra step to prevent the bugs from spreading from one pet to the other. They can travel on other pets along with our clothing and other objects in the house.
This is another thing that you can discuss with your vet. They will give you advice on how you can better manage the situation.
5- It Might Be a Hidden Medical Issue
Excessive shedding could be a sign of an underlying medical issue. Sometimes it can be a sign of a hormonal imbalance or tumor growth.
According to Science Direct, excessive shedding can also be a sign of cancer in most dogs. Some breeds will have excessive shedding after giving birth to pups.
Some shed excessively after being spayed and neutered. That is more common with dogs that get the surgery at an older age.
If you find that the dog is only shedding on certain areas of the body, it could be a sign of an even more serious problem. This could be the result of an infection, ringworm, and many other serious diseases and allergies.
Seeing patches of dark or lumpy skin underneath the hair could be the result of tumor growth or an allergic reaction.
If your french bulldog starts to eat less or has a big change in its mood and behavior, keep a record of that and report it to the doctor at your next visit. You should also keep an eye out for the loss of appetite or if the dog starts to become too lazy.
The signs might be there, but it can be pretty difficult to determine what is the cause of excessive shedding. You will not really know until the veterinarian has examined your french bulldog. This is far better than rushing through tons of Google search results in an effort to solve the problem.
What You Can Do to Stop the Shedding
Now that you have learned about the reasoning behind your french bulldog's shedding let's take a look at the steps you can take to stop it and prevent it from happening again. There are many things that you can do to solve this problem.
Try Better Grooming
The fastest way to beat shedding is to either go see a professional groomer or upgrade your grooming routine. First, you want to make sure that you are grooming your french bulldog on a regular basis.
When you brush regularly, you are loosening and removing dead hair and helping the natural oils come onto the surface.
This will help with keeping your dog's coat nice and healthy. According to Europe PMC, grooming actually helps owners bond with their dogs.
Brushing is only half of the routine. You should also make sure that you are bathing your dog properly.
Just like brushing, lathering the hair will help get rid of the dead and excessive buildup that is causing the shedding. Once you get a hold of it you can wash it away once your rinse.
You should aim to brush your french bulldog at least once a week and bathe it every 1 to 3 months.
Take a look at this YouTube video to learn more techniques and tips on how you can properly bathe your french bulldog.
The Grooming Tools You Should Use
This is the part where most dog owners go wrong. Choosing the right grooming tools can sometimes be a pretty challenging process. There are lots of different tools out there that are made for a specific purpose.
In order to skip past the confusion, you should talk with your groomer to get recommendations and tips before you head to the store to buy anything. This is important because each dog has a certain type of hair with different needs.
Here are some of the best grooming tools that you can use for shedding:
Brush
Any brush is a great tool that you can use for shedding.
Comb
Combs are great for getting rid of the dead hairs that attach to the new growth. It is also great for getting rid of tangles. That is best for dogs with thick coats. French bulldogs have short hair that is fine and gentle.
Massaging Combs and Brushes
These products usually come in the form of a brush. This is much easier to use than a regular comb or brush because the bigger size makes it easier to remove the hair faster. It can also help with circulation. Use this if you want a bonding experience with your french bulldog.
Shedding Blades
Shedding blades are sort of like metal combs that remove hair every time you run it through the hair. This would be best for your french bulldog since it has a shorter coat.
Grooming Tables
You can use this depending on how many times you groom your french bulldog. A grooming table allows your dog to sit on top of a higher platform so that you do not have to crouch the whole time.
Get the Proper Nutrition
As mentioned above, nutrition can be the main reason why the dog is shedding. A lack of proper nutrition can drastically change your french bulldog's appearance.
If the coat is becoming dull or dry along with excessive shedding, this is a telltale sign. Dandruff can be another big sign.
Food is not the only cause either. Keeping the dog hydrated will also keep it from shedding too much. Dehydration is what makes the hair dry and hard.
It is exactly what happens when a human is not getting enough water and nutrients. The hair will begin to break off and become weak.
If you think that your french bulldog is not getting enough to drink, try buying one of those automatic water bowls.
This will help your dog get an unlimited amount of freshwater whenever it needs to hydrate itself. All you would need to do is make sure that the water is fresh and clean for the dog.
Conclusion
Excessive shedding can be alarming for any dog owner. But taking extra care and being attentive with your french bulldog will remove most of the worries and stress that cloud your mind.
If you have problems with the hair getting all over your home, try getting a vacuum cleaner that offers a special suction for dog hair and cat hair. You can also invest in upholstery covers that keep your furniture from getting too hairy.
Remember to keep a positive mindset and stay consistent with any routine or regimen that you introduce to your french bulldog. You should always make sure to consult a professional before you attempt to make any significant changes.
As a freelance pet writer and blogger, Shannon is passionate about crafting knowledge-based, science-supported articles that foster healthy bonds of love and respect between people and animals. But her first and very most important job is as a dog auntie and cockatiel, tortoise, and box turtle mama.
