Chow Chows are a medium-sized Chinese canine dog breed that became popular because of their bear-like physical look. Their fluffy signature fur is what people identify them with. Their thick fur contributes to their heavy shedding, which can be annoying. Their fluffy coat looks adorable until you have to keep up with the daily grooming routine. However, Chow Chows are the best pet buddies if you’re searching for one and don’t mind the molting. They are very loyal and intelligent dogs that will be the perfect fit for you and your family. Take good care of your Chow Chows and experience the most rewarding results.
Do Chow Chows shed? Yes, they are actually considered heavy shedders. And if you are among the Chow Chows pet parents, you are probably aware they tend to leave hair everywhere. They also experience the blowing of coats twice a year during spring and fall. The only way you can address their issue of excessive shedding is by concentrating on their diet, grooming routine, and health.
Molting will be your daily focus as a responsible pet parent. Chow Chows require more attention to keep their excess fur in check and their fur looking healthy. Therefore, this article will benefit both you and your canine. We will look into the shedding levels of Chow Chows, why they shed, coat type, how to minimize their shedding, and if they are hypoallergenic. So, if you are already a Chow Chows parent or you are thinking of adopting one, stay tuned and learn something so you can live comfortably with your furry friend.
How Much Do Chow Chows Shed?
Once you understand the question, do Chow Chows shed, you will definitely want to know how much they shed. Chow Chows are heavy shedders, and they have two types of coats, rough and smooth. Both are double-coated and shed seasonally, although the rough coat (the most common type of Chow Chows) needs more brushing to evade mats since they have thick and longer fur. The Chow Chows are among the heaviest shedders of all canine breeds. They will shed more during the seasonal shedding in spring and fall. How much your Chow Chows sheds will also depend on several factors like diet, overall health, hormonal changes, allergies, and grooming.
Why Do Chow Chows Shed?
Shedding in dogs is expected and, in fact, it will likely be in high amounts during seasonal shedding. All that is happening is that your Chow Chows is losing his old fur and making way for a new one. Your Chow Chows will also shed during the blowing of coat season. It could also be shedding more because of poor diet, stress, allergies, or an underlying health issue. It’s upon you to differentiate the normal from the abnormal shedding. The best way to tell if your Chow Chow is undergoing unhealthy shedding is if their skin is patchy, red, and irritated. Either way, if you are concerned about your Chow Chow’s shedding, contact your vet to help you out.
Shedding Seasons and Frequency
Nature prepared the Chow Chows to be highly adaptive to changes in climate via the molting of their fur. Like any other double-coated canine breed, the Chow Chows will experience seasonal shedding, mainly during the spring and fall. Your Chow Chows will shed their heavy winter coat in spring and their lighter fur in fall. Therefore, expect a lot of shedding during these two times of the year. This is something to be mindful of, especially if you have dog allergies because most allergens are released into the air during shedding. You will also have to maintain a grooming routine to help keep their shedding under control.
Unhealthy Shedding
Unhealthy shedding can be deadly for your pup if it’s not managed early. Always keep an eye on your Chow Chow for unhealthy shedding. Some of the causes of unhealthy shedding include improper grooming, poor diet, or your puppy might have some allergies. Unhealthy shedding can also be a result of an underlying health problem. So, regular check-ups with your vet can help identify such issues earlier enough and prevent excessive shedding. Some of the symptoms of unhealthy shedding in your Chow Chows include bald patches, delicate skin, and soreness, and if your pup’s fur is feeling slick and oily.
What Type of Coat Does Chow Chows Have?
As I mentioned earlier, the Chow Chow is double-coated, meaning it comprises two layers of fur. Their undercoat consists of short hair with a wool-like look, and it aims to keep the puppy warm in colder months. This allows the Chow Chows to live in cold areas. On the other hand, the outercoat comprises long hair that protects them from any harmful substances. Their dense outercoat makes them the fluffiest canine breed ever.
In addition, the Chow Chow comes in two different coat types: the smooth- and rough-coated. Both coats shed a big deal and even more during the seasonal shedding. That being said, the rough-coated Chow Chows shed more than the smooth-coated ones.
How To Manage and Reduce Chow Chows Shedding?
Almost every pet parent always asks, “How can I stop my dog’s shedding?” The truth is, you can’t possibly stop your canine from shedding. Others will also ask if they can shave their Chow Chows to reduce the shedding. The answer is no; shaving your Chow Chows isn’t a good solution. They need their undercoat to keep them cool, warm, and protected from sunburn. Controlling the shedding issue comes down to taking care of your Chow Chow’s overall health and fur. Remember, the healthier your Chow Chow, the less shedding will occur.
Chow Chows Grooming
Grooming is the simplest and most efficient method to minimize your Chow Chow’s shedding. If you don’t groom your pup frequently and appropriately, you will have a puppy with tangled fur and twists all over it. This tangling of fur can be very scratchy and painful to your pup. You will have to brush your dog daily to remove the loose fur before it falls out. Brushing also helps redistribute natural oils, thus promoting healthier skin. Brushing multiple times a day during the seasonal shedding can also help keep up with the increased shedding. Most Chow Chow parents swear by the Furminator de-shedding tool as the best to use. You can also opt for a professional groomer who will take good care of your Chow Chows.
Chow Chows Diet
According to many vets, your pup’s diet is crucial for developing healthy fur. A low-quality canine diet can result in dry and irritated skin, thus affecting your pup’s shedding. The food you feed you dog can negatively or positively affect their shedding. So, always provide your Chow Chow with a high-quality diet containing Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids because these nutrients help promote healthier fur. For a more natural home molting antidote, consider adding a small amount of virgin coconut oil to your doggy’s food during the heavy molting season.
Baths, Supplements…
Bathing your Chow Chow is necessary, but the frequency depends on how much they engage in outdoor activities. Once every two months is the bare minimum your Chow Chows needs a bathe. Bathing helps to remove dead hair without making a big mess. It also helps keep the coat clean and healthier, thus reducing the shedding frequency. You don’t want to over-bathe your Chow Chows, though. This will strip them of their natural oils that keep their fur healthy. Over-bathing can also lead to dry and irritated skin, thus increasing their shedding levels.
You can also add vet-approved supplements to your dog’s food to keep their fur healthy. You should consider supplements that will maintain the health of their coats and reduce shedding.
Are Chow Chows Hypoallergenic?
A hypoallergenic dog is less likely to cause allergies. Remember, I’ve used the word ‘less likely,’ meaning there is no canine breed that is 100% safe for allergy sufferers. These allergens causing allergic reactions are found in dogs’ dander, saliva, and urine. All these elements stick to the dog’s hair and are released into the environment during shedding.
The question do Chow Chows shed goes hand in hand with whether or not they are hypoallergenic. These dogs are not hypoallergenic because they have a thick undercoat that sheds quite a lot. This means they produce a lot of fur and dander, which people with allergies can react to due to their delicate immune system. If you have severe allergies, perhaps this is not the right breed for you. Consider more allergy-friendly options such as the Poodle, Maltese, etc.
However, if you already have a Chow Chow and you are looking for ways to minimize or prevent allergies, here are a few tips you can follow:
- Keep the dog away from areas you spend a lot of time in like the bedroom. You should train them that your bedroom is not a doggy place or even keep the doors closed. Sleeping with your puppy is not advisable for allergy sufferers. They will most likely rub themselves against you and leave some fur and dander in your bed. With those irritants right into your nose and eyes, they can easily trigger your allergies.
- Seek allergy medication from your doctor to help lessen your symptoms and live comfortably with your furry friend.
- You can always contain your Chow Chows’ hair by grooming, bathing, and training them where to sleep. Keeping their hair in one area will make cleaning easier and keep other parts of the house allergen-free.
- Wash your hands after petting your pup. Whenever we pet our pups, a few allergens get stuck in our hands and clothes. And if you don’t wash them off, you increase the chances of these substances getting into your eyes or nose and triggering allergies.
- Maintain a high grooming routine to catch fur and dander before they get a chance to fall off during shedding. If you are an allergy sufferer, perhaps you can assign someone else to do the brushing for you and let it be done outside.
- Invest in a HEPA vacuum cleaner and air filter. These two product are able to remove allergens on your surfaces and in the air, thus allowing you to breath fresh air.