While shedding is normal, excessive shedding in your Bulldog is a cause for concern. Excessive hair loss can happen due to several reasons. Moreover, it can be a sign of an underlying medical condition.
Why is my Bulldog shedding hair excessively? Some of the causes of excessive shedding in Bulldog include:
- Improper nutrition
- Medical conditions
- Allergies
- Hormonal imbalances
- Infections
In this article, you will not only learn about the causes of excessive shedding in detail but will also learn how to decrease shedding.
Related: Can You Shave an English Bulldog?
Reasons Your Bulldog Sheds Excessively
Your Bulldog can be shedding excessively due to several reasons. Examine your dog’s hair if it is shedding too much. See if the skin below the fur is discolored, flaky, or normal. Check if the hair has a healthy sheen. Get in touch with your pet’s vet to find out whether this shedding is part of a problem or natural. Also, the vet will be able to determine the exact reason for shedding. And don’t forget to mention any poor mental state or loss of interest in eating to your pet’s vet.
Some of the causes of excessive shedding include:
Improper Nutrition
A poor diet is a primary reason for too much shedding. It lacks minerals and vitamins that are essential for the growth of your Bulldog. Therefore, concentrate on a diet that is high in veggies, fruits, and meat. In addition to enhancing your dog’s overall health, a nutrient-rich diet will increase the resistance and strength of your Bulldog’s coat. On top of that, a diet high in nutrients and vitamins help your pet’s hair follicles to grow resilient and strong.
On the other hand, a grain-free diet can negatively affect the health of your Bulldog. It’s worth knowing that a few breeds are gluten intolerant.
Medical Conditions
Medical conditions, such as alopecia, hypothyroidism, and Cushing’s disease, can also lead to excessive shedding of hair.
- Alopecia X: Also known as Black Skin Disease, alopecia X happens when there is an imbalance of sex hormones. This medical condition causes hair loss in your Bulldog. Alopecia X can be treated through the intake of hormones. Find out more about Alopecia here.
- Hypothyroidism: When your Bulldog’s thyroid fails to make sufficient thyroxine, it can lead to bald patches on your pet. Thyroxine is a hormone that is essential for your dog’s health. It plays a significant role in bone health, digestive function, metabolism, and heart function.
- Cushing’s Disease: When your pet’s adrenal gland synthesizes too much cortisol, it can lead to excessive shedding. This condition is known as Cushing’s disease and can be treated by your vet. Are you interested in knowing more about Cushing’s disease? Check out here.
Parasites
Parasites, such as worms, ticks, fleas, lice, and mites, can cause excessive shedding in your Bulldog. They cause great discomfort and, if left untreated, can cause your dog’s hair to fall out.
You may wonder – how would I know my dog has parasites?
Well, here are some of the symptoms and signs of parasites.
- Dull coat
- Reduced activity
- Loss in weight
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Scooting
- Swollen belly
Your vet may recommend medications to treat parasites.
Allergies
Allergies are one of the causes of shedding in Bulldogs. Your pet might be allergic to shampoo or other cleaning products. Also, some dogs can be allergic to certain foods.
Here are some of the possible signs of allergies to look for
- Continuous licking
- Itchy ears and eyes
- Vomiting
- Sneezing
- Diarrhea
- Inflamed and red skin
- Itchiness
- Hives
- Swelling of the eyelids, lips, ears, and face
- Red skin
You also need to know that the saliva of parasites can cause allergies in your Bulldogs. Therefore, try to protect your dog from pests. Flea bites can make your Bulldog shed more hair and itch. Many dogs are allergic to fleas and pests. If your Bulldog suffers from a flea allergy, even one bite can trouble it a lot. Thankfully, some shampoos and powders are particularly made for pest problems.
Stress
Your Bulldog can experience excessive hair loss due to stress. A dramatic change in life or the arrival of a second dog can stress your pet and lead to excessive shedding. You should know that stressful situations can cause a host of health issues in your Bulldog.
Stress in dogs can manifest itself in many ways, including licking, scratching, vomiting, and diarrhea. What’s more, too much licking and scratching can cause bald patches. And dogs that lick one specific spot on their body excessively can suffer from skin infections or lesions.
Hormonal Imbalances
Excessive shedding can also happen because of hormonal imbalances. Some dog breeds shed their hair excessively after neutering, spaying, or giving birth.
During nursing or pregnancy, female dogs experience shedding of hair related to hormonal changes. To conserve the energy they will need to raise their litter, the hair follicles enter a resting phase, causing the dog’s coat to shed excessively.
On the other hand, if your Bulldog’s skin is discolored or dark, it could be due to tumors, allergies, or an endocrine imbalance.
However, skin discoloration and shedding on several body parts may be an indication of many serious problems, such as inflammatory bowel disease, skin allergies, bacterial infections, thyroid disease, and fungal infections.
If your Bulldog’s vet believes that hormonal imbalances are the cause of excessive shedding, they may begin reproductive hormone therapy and suggest omega fatty acid supplementation and dietary changes.
Infections (Bacterial or Fungal)
A fungal infection can also lead to excessive shedding in your Bulldog. Yeast infection and ringworm infection are the two common kinds of infection. Candida albicans causes yeast infection. You should know that your pet will be more vulnerable to suffering from this infection if its immune system is weak due to poor nutrition or a cold.
Signs of Yeast Infection
- Skin irritation
- Itchiness
- Inflammation
Ringworm is the second kind of fungal infection. The Dermatophyte fungus causes this infection.
Signs of a Ringworm Infection
- Rash
- Scaly skin
- Itchy skin
- Hair loss
Here are some of the signs of bacterial infections.
- Weakness and lethargy
- Discomfort and pain
- Fever
- Infections of the ears, eyes, and skin
- Runny eyes or nose
- Vomiting
- Coughing
- Abscesses on the skin
- Wound infections
- Loss of appetite
Your pet’s vet may suggest several treatment options depending on the kind of infection.
Learn more about fungal and bacterial infections here.
Do Bulldogs Shed More in the Summer?
Your Bulldog sheds its hair to remove damaged or old hair. Shedding helps to make your pet’s coat thinner to help keep your bulldog cool during summer. On the other hand, your dog will restore the lost hair to form a thick coat during winter. Your pet sheds different amounts of hair during different times of the year. In addition to this, the volume of shedding differs from one dog breed to the other.
In other words, your pet has a summer coat and a winter coat, and they shed because of this. They shed their summer coat in autumn and shed their winter coat in spring. Furthermore, your Bulldog sheds its hairs excessively in the summer months to stay cool.
Bulldogs do not shed as much as other dog breeds.
However, if you suspect that your Bulldog is shedding its hair more than it should, consult your pet’s vet as soon as possible.
Tips For Decreasing Shedding
Do Regular Brushing
Your Bulldog needs regular brushing. So, remember to brush your pet daily. Use a toothbrush that has compact bristles to remove your pet’s loose hair. Brushing your bulldog daily will keep its coat and skin healthy. Therefore, your dog will shed less hair.
Feed a Nutritious Dog Food
Food sensitivities and allergies can affect your Bulldog’s hair and skin. Buy dog food that has no added sweeteners or artificial colors. Cheap dog food contains ingredients that are difficult to digest. It’s best to choose foods that contain meat as their primary ingredient. Your pet will be able to digest and absorb these foods properly. Nutritious foods can significantly reduce hair loss and improve your Bulldog’s coat. However, it’s worth knowing that while good nutrition can significantly decrease excessive shedding, it will not completely stop it.
In addition to this, when feeding your Bulldog a new food for the first time, you should also look for reactions. If your pet develops a reaction to a particular food, replace them.
Invest in a Good Collar
A poor collar can lead to irritation and allergic reactions. Additionally, it can make your pet scratch his neck area repeatedly. Therefore, you should invest in a good collar.
Use a Good Vacuum
Vacuum your house as frequently as possible. These will keep allergens and mites to a minimum.
Use A Fatty Acid Supplement
Omega 3 and 6 fats can help reduce hair loss and increase the growth of the coat of your pet. So, choose food products that contain good amounts of these fatty acids. Salmon oil is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).
The fish oil will help keep your pet’s coat silky and cleanse it. Besides, it also contains essential nutrients that keep your dog’s coat healthy. Buy nutritional foods that are specifically made for your dog. Add foods, such as kale, fish, flaxseed, and spinach to your Bulldog’s diet to improve its wellbeing and health.
Bathe Your Bulldog
It’s important to know that the skin of Bulldogs is more sensitive than other dog breeds. Therefore, do not use harsh shampoos on your pet. It would be best if you did not use your shampoo on your Bulldog, as it can irritate their skin.
Oatmeal baths can help make your Bulldog’s coat and skin healthier, so we recommend those.
However, remember not to bathe your dog frequently. Don’t wash your Bulldog more than once a week only. Too many baths will strip your pet’s skin of natural oils and leave it flaky and dry. Natural oils are important to keep your dog’s skin healthy.
If you want to know more about dog care, check out this youtube video.
When to See the Vet?
If your Bulldog is shedding excessively even after making changes to supplements and food, contact the vet immediately. Fleas, skin infections, and parasites can lead to excessive hair loss. And the right medication can help deal with this condition.
Plus, you should also pay a visit to your vet if you observe any of these conditions.
- Continuous rubbing of face or licking of foot
- Scratching
- Brittle hair
- Scabs, rashes, or redness, bumps
- Bald spots
- Open sores
- Coat thinning
Products That Can Help Reduce Excessive Shedding
Fortunately, there are many products available on the market that are designed to combat shedding. Here are some of them.
1. Vet’s Best Shed & Itch Healthy Coat Supplements
This supplement will help decrease excessive shedding and maintain a healthy coat.
And it contains a combination of natural ingredients such as omega fatty acids, quercetin, yellow dock root, common nettle, and MSM.
Essential fatty acids play an important role in skin health. A balanced ratio of these good fats supports a healthy coat. In addition to this, these healthy fats help minimize your pet’s shedding and keep its skin hydrated.
The herb yellow dock root contains antioxidants that help maintain a healthy coat and skin. Apart from maintaining healthy skin, antioxidants also make the immune system robust. These substances offer protection against free radicals that harm healthy cells.
Nettle is an herbaceous flowering plant that is native to Europe and North America. The nettle leaf keeps your pet’s skin moisturized. It is also useful for dogs that have seasonal allergies.
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) helps maintain the health of the coat and skin. Besides, it helps maintain normal levels of histamine for Bulldogs that have seasonal allergies.
Most people say that this product addresses the issue well. However, some people report that the supplement contains yeast, and their pets suffered from a yeast infection after taking it. Some also say that their pets didn’t like the tablet.
2. Omega Salmon
This supplement is formulated using DHA, vitamin E, kelp, and Wild Alaskan Salmon. It helps make your Bulldog’s coat healthy, decrease shedding, and improve itchy skin. The ingredients kelp and salmon oil have nutritional properties and natural healing. What’s more, the supplement is free of preservatives, sugar, soy, corn, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and wheat.
Key Benefits
- Helps reduce shedding
- Anti-inflammatory
- Enhances skin health
- Decreases redness, dryness, and itchiness
- Helps diminish allergies
- Maintains joint health
- Helps decrease immobility and joint pain
- Boosts immunity
While a majority of people highly recommend this supplement, some say that their dogs didn’t like it.
3. FURminator deShedding Shampoo
In addition to decreasing excessive shedding of hair, this dog shampoo makes your pet’s coat and skin healthy. What’s more, it is enriched with omega-6 fats, papaya leaf extract, omega-3 fats, and calendula extract to condition your Bulldog’s coat. It would be best if you used this shampoo once a month. And if you are using it more than once, pair the shampoo with a conditioner.
Some buyers say that this dog shampoo significantly helps with shedding. However, others report that it can cause severe rashes and may not work as expected.
Here’s a video that explains how to use this shampoo.
This supplement can help reduce your Bulldog’s excessive shedding and improve their coat and skin. This product is great for Bulldogs that have allergies to environmental factors or food. Allergies can make your pet’s skin inflamed and dry. The supplement helps improve mobility while keeping the joints healthy. It also protects your Bulldog’s heart and brain because of the DHA, which improves memory, mood, behavior, and cognitive performance. EPA in this product helps boost heart health and is great for pets that have heart conditions. Additionally, it also helps maintain healthy blood pressure and heart rate.
5. DakPets Deshedding Tool for Dogs and Cats
This grooming brush easily removes 95% of dead tangles and hair from your Bulldog. It also helps keep your floors and furniture free of hair. What’s more, the tool is durable, easy to use, and lasts longer. It is made of high-quality materials. It is great for de-shedding small to large dogs. You can use this tool on all your pets. It’s perfect for dogs that have long, medium, and short hair. This brush protects your Bulldog from coat irritation. It’s worth knowing that regular brushing gives your Bulldog a healthy and shiny coat.
Keep Your Bulldog Fit and Healthy
If your Bulldog is shedding excessively, contact your pet’s vet as soon as possible. The vet will determine the reason why your pet is shedding its hairs too much. He can find out if the shedding is normal, or not. The vet can recommend supplements and medications and suggest ways to treat physical symptoms.
But don’t panic. There are several things that you can do to stop your Bulldog from shedding excessively, such as bathing your Bulldog once a week, brushing your pet daily, providing nutritious foods, and vacuuming your house.
Learn More
If you want to learn more about English Bulldogs or other types of Bulldogs, then consider checking out this Bulldog Handbook on Amazon.