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The Dreaded Shed
You glance at your watch before you head out the door to work.
It’s 6:45 AM.
For once, you have a few minutes to kick back and relax before today’s big meeting.
You decide to hop on the couch, flick on the news, and sip your coffee.
“Wow, I really have it together, don’t I?”, you think to yourself, proud at what a fantastic morning you are having.
Before you know it, it’s time to hit the road and go to work. You’re running late.
You run to the living room, grab your briefcase, and run toward the door.
…
Something catches your eye in the mirror
“Oh god, not again!”
To your surprise, you are completely covered in Frenchie hair with no time to spare!
How in the world did this happen?! How do I make sure this never happens again?
Why is my Frenchie shedding so much!?
All dogs shed– some just shed a bit more than others…
You might see Frenchies’ short coats and think that they don’t shed– but this couldn’t be any further from the truth!
Frenchies actually shed quite a bit! Just take a look at this video from Griffin Frenchie on how much their two Frenchies shed in just 3 days!
Is it excessive shedding?
Frenchies actually shed quite a bit… but could your Frenchie’s shedding be more-than-normal?
A little bit of shedding is normal, but it is definitely possible for your Frenchie excessively.
Excessive shedding in French Bulldogs can be caused by stress, poor nutrition, allergies, or serious medical issues.
Signs of excessive shedding in French Bulldogs
Look out for these signs. If you notice any of these, be sure to bring it up at your next vet appointment.
- Skin irritation
- Open sores
- Bald spots
- Coat thinning
- Dull & dry hair
- Constant scratching, foot licking, and/or face rubbing
Regardless the reason for your Frenchie’s shedding, there’s often an easy solution.
The hardest part is finding out why they’re shedding.
What even is shedding?
Shedding is a completely normal process for dogs in which they get rid of their old or damaged hair according to WebMD Veterinary Reference.
Different dog breeds shed more or less than others, but Frenchies are notorious for shedding quite a bit.
Some breeds also shed to control their body temperature throughout the year, producing a thin coat during summer, and a thicker one during cold months.
How Do I Stop my French Bulldog From Shedding?
Fortunately, there are many ways you can put an end to your Frenchie’s shedding problems.
Just know that it’s impossible to completely stop all shedding, but with these tips you should be able to bring it to a minimum.
6 Tips to Stop your Frenchie’s Shedding
- Proper skincare & regular bathing (but not too often!) with a good shampoo.
- Use de-shedding tools such as the Furminator
- Rule out food allergies
- Deshedding treatments
- Increase your dog’s water intake
- Supplements such as fish oils, flax oils, and brewer’s yeast have been shown to reduce shedding, reduce inflammation, and promote growth of the undercoat
The importance of grooming
Sure, Frenchies are pretty low-maintenance when it comes to grooming… but they’re not zero-maintenance!
By staying on top of your Frenchie’s grooming, the days of your couch, clothes, and bed being covered in Frenchie hair can be over!
Must-Have Grooming Supplies
pH-balanced, soap-free shampoo
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Significantly reduce loose hair
Curved edge that conforms to your Frenchie's body for comfort
No risk of cutting skin or damaging their coat
All-natural
Free of alcohol, chlorine, parabens, fragrances, and other harsh chemicals
How to Deshed a French Bulldog
Are you looking for a home remedy for your French Bulldog’s shedding?
Look no further than the FURminator!
Significantly reduce loose hair
Curved edge that conforms to your Frenchie's body for comfort
No risk of cutting skin or damaging their coat
I’ve tried tons of grooming brushes that claimed to get rid of loose hair and dander– none worked as well as the FURminator.
- Get a brush like the FURminator or this glove
- Brush their coat
- Repeat weekly
If you want your Frenchie to stop shedding, you should be bathing them at least every other week to capture any loose hair, as well as using some other grooming tools like the FURminator.
What causes French Bulldogs to shed excessively?
There are few reasons your Frenchie could be shedding more than usual. The most common reasons are stress, poor nutrition, and medical problems.
1. Stress
Just like us humans’ skin breaks out when we get stressed, the same thing kinda happens with our Frenchies too.
Believe it or not, it’s called stress shedding, and the best way to treat this type of shedding is to keep your Frenchie comfortable or have them wear a calming jacket.
Effective in 80% of dogs
Calms your Frenchie during fireworks, thunder, separation, travel, vet visits, grooming, and much more with no training and no medication
Comfortable & easy to put on or take off
Relieve stress-related behaviors such as jumping, excessive barking, and inappropriate marking
2. Poor nutrition
Your Frenchie is what it eats. Cheap, unhealthy dog foods full of additives and low-quality protein are just one of the causes of excessive shedding.
Nutrition tips for shedding
- Stay hydrated!
- Don’t skimp on their diet, and be aware that food allergies can cause excessive shedding & hair loss
- Supplements such as fish oils, flax oils, and brewer’s yeast have been shown to reduce shedding, reduce inflammation, and promote growth of the undercoat
If you want to keep your Frenchie as healthy as possible, keep their coat shiny and glistening, and keep shedding down to a minimum, you must feed your Frenchie a high-quality diet.
Ollie is a great option for those looking to feed their Frenchie human-grade dog food.
Nutrition tailored to your pup's unique needs.
Freshly cooked and delivered to your door.
3. Medical problems
Abnormally excessive shedding can be caused by various medical issues that only your veterinarian can help you with. If you suspect your Frenchie’s shedding could be caused by any of the following, be sure to pay the vet a visit!
- Parasites
- Fungal or bacterial infections
- Some form of allergy
- Kidney, liver, thyroid, or adrenal disease
- Cancer
- Immune disease
- Sunburn
Frequently Asked Questions
Are French Bulldogs Hypoallergenic?
No, French Bulldogs are not hypoallergenic & shed quite a bit. As a matter of fact, there is no such thing as a 100% hypoallergenic dog.
Do French Bulldogs Shed All Year Round?
Yes, Frenchies shed all-year.
Some breeds shed seasonally… but Frenchies aren’t one of them.
You can expect pretty consistent shedding year-round, which is why it’s important to stay on top of their grooming (at least a little brushing!)
Why is my French Bulldog shedding while bathing?
Surprisingly, baths can be a reason for more-than-usual shedding!
This is because bathing accelerates the shedding process.
Bathing & Shedding Tips
- Don’t bathe your Frenchie too often, as this can lead to more hair loss, dryness, and rid their skin of their natural oils
- Some shampoos can irritate the skin and lead to more hair loss
- You need to make sure you rinse all the shampoo out!
- Frequent brushing (daily or every other day) is recommended after bathing to get rid of all those loose hairs
How much shedding is normal / expected?
Hint: quite a bit
If you’re worried your Frenchie is shedding too much, I wouldn’t be quick to get concerned.
If I pick up my Frenchie for just a minute, my clothes are likely to be covered in hair.
Look out for bald spots
However, if you notice bald spots on their coat, this could be a sign their shedding isn’t normal.
In this case, your best bet is to take them to the vet to be properly evaluated.
What is the best dog brush for shedding?
I personally like the FURminator, however, there are many other brushes that’ll get the job done as well.
