Whether you know Shiba Inus from pop culture’s doge memes or you are a Japanese dog breeds enthusiast, there is no denying the fact that these dogs are hard not to love. From their unique aesthetics to their bubbly personalities, it is easy to see why they are so popular.
If you have a Shiba Inu or are seriously considering getting one, you need to understand what you are getting yourself into in terms of the dog’s care. Their shedding patterns and grooming needs, in particular, are very important to understand, as the Shiba Inu’s coat contributes to not only their physical appeal but also their overall health.
To help you out, here is a guide on Shiba Inu’s coat care based on the most commonly asked questions regarding their shedding and grooming.
How Bad Is Shiba Inu Shedding?
Shiba Inu dogs shed minimally for most of the year. However, Shibas are not considered hypoallergenic and actually produce dander just like any other dog breed.
While Shiba Inus may not be the heaviest shedders, they still require constant coat care to minimize your dander clean-up responsibilities. To help you predict and plan for this, here are a few of the factors that determine how much your Shiba Inu will shed.
Season
Shiba Inus shed minimally to moderately for most parts of the year. However, during spring and fall, they go through an undercoat blowout, where they shed very heavily.
During this time of the year, you may want to consider tweaking your grooming practices to provide better coat care to your Shiba Inu doggy.
Grooming Practices
How well and how often you groom your Shiba Inu’s coat will also determine how much they shed fur and other forms of dander around your home.
Ideally, you should brush your Shiba Inu about 3 times a week with a high-quality grooming brush. This will not only get rid of loose fur but also detangle any knots that would, in turn, develop into mats.
Coat Health
A Shiba Inu with an unhealthy coat may shed more than other Shibas. Increased fur loss and production of dander is common with conditions that cause skin irritation. These include contact dermatitis from allergic reactions, as well as skin infections.
General Health
Finally, your Shiba Inu’s general health could determine how much they shed. Hormonal conditions like Cushing’s Disease and hypothyroidism are notorious for causing alopecia where the dog loses large amounts of fur.
This increased fur loss with the Shiba may either happen in patches or throughout the entire coat.
How Long Does Shedding Last Shiba Inu?
Shiba Inus shed throughout the year. However, there are seasons where it is worse than others.
Shiba Inus typically shed heavily during spring and fall months. For those raised in the Northern Hemisphere, this seasonal Shiba Inu shedding occurs during the months of March to May and again from September to November.
The increased shedding in your Shiba Inu during these seasons will not last the entire fall or spring. In fact, most only go through increased shedding for 2 to 4 weeks, after which the Shiba Inu goes back to the minimal and moderate shedding patterns.
How Do I Get My Shiba Inu To Stop Shedding?
There is no way to stop your Shiba Inu from shedding. However, there are a few strategies that you could try out as a way to help you minimize the burden of shedding and thus you’re your life easier.
Here are tips that should help you minimize the volume of shedding from your Shiba Inu both for the sake of their coat health and for your own convenience. Let’s get right into it!
Brush Your Shiba Inu 3 To 4 Times A Week
Brushing your Shiba Inu on a regular basis is the best way to minimize the amount of fur and dander you have to deal with around your house. Brushing helps by getting rid of loose fur on the Shiba’s coat before it is strewn all over your home.
In addition to ensuring that you brush your Shiba Inu regularly, you have to invest in high-quality grooming tools. We recommend brushes with strong, metallic bristles that are ideal for the Shiba’s dense coat.
Wash Your Shiba Inu Every 6 Weeks
Washing your Shiba Inu on a regular basis is another strategy to help minimize shedding by promoting the doggy’s coat health. However, if you know anything about Shiba Inus, then you know that they hate baths.
For the best results, work with long intervals of 6 to 8 weeks. Always use high-quality shampoo and conditioner products that will give you long-lasting results.
Deal With Any Underlying Coat Health Issues
If your Shiba Inu is shedding more than usual and it does not coincide with their seasonal increased shedding patterns, chances are that there is an underlying health issue to blame.
This makes routine vet visits and regular coat health care very important strategies to help you minimize your Shiba Inu’s shedding. You could also prevent these by giving your Shiba health supplements, like omega oils and vitamin E.
Invest In A High-Quality Pet Vacuum Cleaner
Even with regular brushing, your Shiba Inu will still shed some fur around your home. To deal with the issue, just invest in a vacuum cleaner specifically designed to clean up pet dander.
This will help keep your furniture, carpet, and floor clean and is a great way to complement the grooming practices we have highlighted above.
For this purpose, we highly recommend iRobot Roomba i3+, as its small form factor comes with a powerful suction. This cleaner also comes with automation features to help you to clean up after your Shiba Inu, making it one of the most efficient vacuum cleaners on the market.
Should I Shave My Shiba Inu?
You should never shave your Shiba Inu if you ever have one. The only exception to this rule is shaving to deal with severe matting. Even with these conditions, it is best to leave the shaving to a professional dog groomer to avoid permanently destroying your Shiba Inu’s beautiful coat.
For some perspective, here are some of the main reasons why you should never shave your Shiba Inu.
It Compromises Coat Quality
Shiba Inus are double-coated with a thick and soft inner coat and a short, stiff, and straight outer coat.
When the Shiba Inu is shaved completely, the two layers rarely grow back in the same pattern and quality that they did before.
This will leave your Shiba Inu with a wiry and almost Velcro-like coat that is nowhere near as beautiful and protective as its original coat.
It Irritates Skin
Shaving your Shiba Inu also puts them at risk of skin irritation. This is usually a result of the presence of ingrown hairs. This puts your Shiba in a great deal of discomfort that could very easily have been avoided.
It Interferes With Thermoregulation
One of the most important functions of the Shiba Inu’s double-layered coat is thermoregulation. By shaving the doggy, you rob them of this protective layer. This can result in issues like hypothermia during the winter and overheating during the summer.
