The Shed Dread
Spring is around the corner and in my house that means one thing, shedding season is about to start. Pugs blow or shed their existing coat twice a year, in the Spring to get rid of their thicker winter hair and in the Fall to allow their winter coat to grow in. Of course, pugs shed all year-around with Fawn, Apricot, Silver being bigger shedders to their black and white counterparts. It can be a hair-raising experience, but to understand and combat against the bi-annual shed dread you will come out a winner and your pug will thank you for it.
Why the heck do pugs shed so much? Pugs have more hair packed into their small frames per square inch of their bodies compared to other breeds which causes them to omit more hair. Fawn, Apricot, and Silver pugs have double coats which makes twice the shedding fun. Black and white pugs have one coat so shedding may be less noticeable, but it happens. Pugs shed all year long on top of their seasonal blowing and excess shedding could be a result of triggers and health.
What triggers shedding? There are different triggers that can determine a pug’s shedding. One of the biggest shed triggers is stress. My guys will do this during a thunderstorm or if they hear a loud noise. Anxiety will cause additional shedding. A change in environment, separation, or a change in routine can set off shedding. Also, a change in shampoos or food can offset shedding. If you find your pug is shedding more than normal and you counted out any of these triggers, check with your vet.
Shed Management. To get ahead of shedding, it is best to have routine bathing and brushing. Brushing your pug once a week and two to three times a week during their seasonal shedding will help. I like to use two types of brushes. I like a pin brush or a FURminator to get the dead undercoat hair out. Use a pin brush gingerly as this can get caught in their skin rolls. After using a pin brush, I go over their coat with a soft bristle brush. I find that the soft bristle brush smooths and shines their coat. I will also brush them at bath time, which is monthly. I have wet/dry grooming gloves and use them during shampooing. Also the type of shampoo will help with shedding. I like an oatmeal-based shampoo and one with coconut oil in it is a plus. I also use a hydrating conditioner to maintain the healthy oils in their coat.
Shed Combat. You are going to have to have some tools to clean up those hairs or as we call it in our house: Pug Glitter. You are going to need microfiber cloths to wipe off your surfaces of pug hair. A good pet vacuum is a must. I like Dyson and Shark brands, but we have a Shark in our house as it is more budget friendly. Our Shark has an easy to dump canister that can lift away to easily clean our sofa, chairs, mattress, the pugs’ beds, and stairs. It is also great on our hard surface floors in the kitchen and bathroom. I also use a wet swifter on the hard surfaces after vacuuming. I like the regular Swifter wand instead of the wet jet, you can use your own microfiber cloths and cleaners to pick up any hair or dander left behind by the vacuum. A good lint roller will help with a quick clean-up.
Shed Dread can be a daily battle in your home, but with management and tools you can win the battle over pug glitter.