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Pitbulls are medium-sized, smart, energetic, single-coated, short-haired dogs with a strong build. To many owners’ surprise, despite having short hair and being a single-coated breed, they shed more than similarly coated breeds.
Commonly clubbed together as Pit Bulls, they comprise a few different breeds, including American Pitbull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and American Bully.
More About Pitbulls
Unlike Golden Retriever or Beagles, Pitbulls appear muscular. Even though they are usually medium-sized, they manage to look robust. There are differences in their weight depending on their sex and whether they are mixed breed or not.
Healthy female pit bulls weigh around 30 to 60 pounds, while male pit bulls can weigh up to 70 pounds. They are not extremely tall dogs and can grow around 45 to 52 cm. They live for around 12-14 years.
Pit bulls require a protein-rich diet, but their nutritional requirement is directly proportional to the level of their activity. In other words, older pit bulls can thrive on a lesser rich diet in comparison to a young pup, which requires 1000 calories a day on average.
It is always good to provide an Omega 3 Rich diet, except when it is advised by the veteran to avoid anything in particular. Do not overfeed or underfeed them; you do not want your dog to be obese or have stunted growth.
How Much Do Pitbulls Shed?
Pitbulls shed all year round, but more so during late winter and late fall. To manage shedding, keep your pet hydrated and follow a brushing routine to remove excess hair.
If you’re wondering whether you’re the right person for a Pitbull Terrier, and if you can manage their shedding, you’re at the right place, keep reading, and you’ll find it out.
How to Manage Shedding
Pitbulls are not hypoallergenic, and fur shedding is common. However, excessive shedding can also be a symptom of an underlying disorder that might require a veterinarian’s assessment.
Shedding can also be avoided by a few lifestyle changes for your Pitbull. These include feeding your canine a different type of food with the right mix of nutrients to anti-shedding shampoo and medicines.
Here are some proven ways to maintain a clean and healthy coat for your Pit Bull while also keeping your house and clothes hair-free.
Old School Brushing
For some owners, this is a little time-consuming but your dog will love you for this time. Pitties love attention and having their coats brushed also feels very good! Rather than viewing this as a chore, chalk it up as spending some quality time with your pet! Brushing not only removes old hair but it also spreads the coat’s natural oil throughout the remaining fur, giving your dog a shiny appearance.
Vacuum
Give your house a good vacuum and don’t forget to tackle your dog’s bedding as well. Some dogs even like to be vacuumed as well but don’t do this if it scares your pittie.
Anti-Shedding Shampoo
Shampoo with natural ingredients like Omega Fatty Acids (omega-3 & omega-6), Vitamin-E, oatmeal or aloe vera moisturizers, and coconut deodorant, will keep your furry friend’s skin and fur healthy. This reduces shedding. The right conditioner can further help moisturize the skin and coat of your bully.
A Healthy Diet
Your dog’s food affects the health of its skin and coat. A proper diet is an essential part of reducing fur shedding. Better quality dog food means better health, which will reduce your vet visits and bills while also keeping your Pit Bull happy and less prone to hair fall.
A sudden change in diet, particularly proteins, can, in turn, cause excessive shedding. If your bully has been raised on a chicken-based food and you suddenly make a switch to a fish or beef-based food, you expect a degree of shedding for a while. This can be prevented by gradually introducing your pet to a new food.
Pet Medicine
A more obscure cause of Pitbull shedding is anxiety and or stress. Long periods of separation anxiety, trauma, confinement, or nervousness can cause your bully to shed more than usual, resulting in fur clumps around the house.
In such cases, shedding can even cause bald patches on the dog’s skin. It’s often difficult to find the underlying cause when this happens. But medication can ease the anxiety and reduce fur loss to some degree. But if the cause of the anxiety can be discovered and removed, excessive shedding will be considerably reduced.
Pitbulls are now being recognized as the home-friendly and strong companion that they are and should not be avoided just because of some shedding. The latter is easy to manage or reduce altogether.
The Good News
Well, being short-coated, they don’t need haircuts and are quite easy to maintain, in comparison to more shed-heavy double-coat breeds. Their single-coated fur reduces the shedding to an extent. Plus, following the tips mentioned in this handy guide will ease through the fur fall and make a perfect fur management routine for your bully.
Final Words
To answer the main question once again, yes, Pitbulls do shed but no more than most other dogs. They tend to shed more during the winter months or cold weather. You can take measures to reduce shedding by adhering to a brushing routine, reducing your pet’s stress, and using an anti-shedding shampoo.