It is difficult to find a Shiba Inu owner who is not proud of their dog’s beautiful coat. However, this beauty comes at a price. Shibas have an endless supply of hair during shedding season, and they are also susceptible to a few other causes of temporary Shiba Inu hair loss.
A Shiba loses quite a lot of hair during the shedding period, which occurs in spring and autumn. Improper coat care can exacerbate the hair loss.
A Shiba will never lose as much hair as in the photo below, no dog will, in fact.
Hygiene of the Shiba Inu
If there were a competition for personal hygiene among recognized dog breeds, the Shiba Inu would be a contender for first place. These demanding dogs clean themselves regularly every day. Their skin produces a natural oil that helps them regulate their body temperature in different environments.
This is important for Shiba owners to know because it is actually harmful to immerse these dogs in water or scrub their coat with cleaning products. Shampoo and water remove the natural oil released during self-grooming. They can also cause many problems, including unsightly hair loss and itching. If your dog gets really dirty, dampen a cloth or towel and gently clean them with it.
Shiba Inu Shedding Period
Many Shibas, especially those that spend a lot of time outdoors, undergo two shedding periods each year. Many Shiba owners say their dogs are “blowing coat” during shedding because they lose so much hair.
The coat of the Shiba is often full and pristine in winter. Thus, you might be surprised at how comical or strange your dog looks when they shed that coat in spring.
There isn’t much you can do to stop the shedding, but you can contain the mess. Brush your dog’s entire body several times a day while they are blowing coat, and vacuum your home several times a week. They will lose coat for two to three weeks each season, but you can limit them to a small area of the house until they stop shedding.
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Parasites
Mites, ticks, and many other parasites can be issues for the Shiba Inu, but fleas pose a much greater threat. Shibas are genetically prone to allergies and are at high risk of developing conditions such as flea allergy dermatitis, according to the National Shiba Club of America.
Flea bites itch enough to make any dog scratch the same spot repeatedly, pulling out hair and damaging the skin. But they are much worse for dogs that are allergic to flea saliva, leading to rashes, hair loss, and inflammation with common signs of a flea infestation.
Because fleas cannot penetrate the thick winter coat of a Shiba, it is important to check your dog’s coat weekly or every two weeks to see if any parasites have colonized their skin.
Be careful with preventive treatments: they remain poison, deadly to the little fleas, but not good for the dog either. In some cases, dogs develop neurological problems, such as epilepsy.
Other Causes of Shiba Inu Hair Loss
If your Shiba sheds outside of the shedding season and there are no signs of parasites, they may have an internal health issue. Take your dog to the vet as soon as possible. A quick diagnosis means you can treat your dog as soon as possible, which could make a big difference if their shedding is a symptom of a serious illness. There is a small chance that your dog suffers from a dysfunction in one of their glands or organs.
But don’t worry too much; it is likely that the cause of your dog’s shedding is fully treatable and reversible. They may be allergic to something in their environment, such as pollen, dust, or an ingredient in their food. Shedding can also be a sign of common fungal and bacterial infections, which usually only require regular doses of an oral or topical treatment prescribed by your veterinarian.
