Do French Bulldogs Shed A Lot? Reasons + Solutions
Alex Vicente • Updated on August 22, 2023
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- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
As you’re spoiling your Frenchie with infinite pets and belly rubs, you start to notice a lot of fur coming off, maybe more so than usual.
Now, it’s crucial to note that French Bulldogs shed all year long, unlike other seasonal shedding breeds.
Even though they have a single coat, they’re quite the shedders.
Plus, they’re short-haired, meaning the shedding can be constant.
This begs the question on your mind, “Why is my French Bulldog shedding so much?”
Several answers have varying implications on your little pet’s health.
It could be a lack of proper nutrition, behavioral changes, stress factors, or others.
Stick around to know more about your French Bulldog’s excessive shedding and what you can do about it.
Table of Contents
Is Your French Bulldog Shedding Too Much?
Since French Bulldogs already shed a lot of fur, how would you know when it’s too much?
A few signs can indicate whether you’ve got a shedding problem to worry about.
For one, if your Frenchie is getting bald spots and has a thinning coat, there might be a cause for concern.
Their coat might not be as glossy and thick as it used to be.
Another sign your French Bulldog is shedding too much can be found in their skin.
If you look closer, you might notice a lot of redness, sores, skin ulcers, and overall irritation.
When it comes to their behavior, you’ve got to keep a close eye.
They might be itching, scratching, clawing at their faces, and licking their paws.
Reasons Why Your French Bulldog Is Shedding So Much
The next question on your mind might be, “Why is this happening in the first place?”
Well, it doesn’t always have to be a negative reason.
Some Frenchies shed more than others depending on their environment.
Let’s take a closer look at why a French Bulldog might be shedding too much.
Reason #1: Change in Diet
What your pet eats can say a lot about how its coat will look.
For instance, a diet rich in omega 3 supplements will cater ideally to a shinier and healthier coat.
That being so, brittle and dry hair is more prone to shedding.
Including fatty acids like omega 3 and healthy oils and fats is vital to maintain sturdier hair roots that won’t fall right off from just a harmless pet.
Lack of proper nutrition is one of the main reasons why French Bulldogs are heavy shedders.
Despite most dog foods boasting a rich intake of vitamins and minerals, they sometimes don’t hold the adequate amount needed.
You can either purchase a more reputable dog food brand, include supplements in their diet, or simply go through the natural route and add healthier additions like sardines and flax seeds.
Reason #2: Lack of Proper Grooming
Imagine leaving your hair without brushing it for weeks.
Naturally, it’ll start to clump and tangle.
Once you brush it a large amount of hair comes off your brush.
The same applies to your short-haired French Bulldog.
Leaving them ungroomed for a prolonged period can leave a lot of built-up hair that sheds all over your carpet.
That’s why it might be time to maintain their grooming schedule.
You might even want to brush out your Frenchie’s coat daily.
Reason #3: Females on Their Period
If you own a female French Bulldog, their heat cycle can affect their shedding patterns.
This is especially true during their first period.
Female French Bulldogs’ bodies are normally adjusting to the start of their heat cycle.
These hormonal changes can impact their skin and hair.
You might find bald patches around their bodies as well.
If the symptoms persist even after your Frenchie’s heat cycle is over, then it’s best to get a medical professional’s advice.
Reason #4: Age and Genetics
Genetics will essentially decide whether your Frenchie is a heavy or light shedder.
Scientists have found a gene that’s highly associated with shedding patterns named MC5R.
This gene is responsible for the glands on your dog’s skin that give off sebum or oils.
This points to a possible connection between how much sebum is produced and hair shedding.
Your Frenchie’s gene expression could then play a role in their constant shedding.
The older a French Bulldog gets, the bigger they are, and the more surface area they have.
With more skin comes more shedding.
Having said that doesn’t discount the fact that Frenchie puppies also go through a shedding phase as they mature at around six months after birth.
Reason #5: Surrounding Environment
The weather can heavily affect your Frenchie’s coat.
The breed sheds all year round because when summer comes around, they need to shed out their undercoats to avoid overheating.
When winter starts rolling around, they shed out their summer fur to make way for a thicker coat.
Although French Bulldogs do have a heavier coat for the winter, it’s still a single one and they might need some extra clothes to protect them from the cold.
Reason #6: Coat Color
This might seem unconventional, but the color of a French Bulldog’s coat can point to more or less shedding.
Lighter fur means more shedding than darker fur.
This reason is based purely on several owners’ reports.
There is still a lack of scientific evidence as to why this occurs.
Reason #7: Medical Issues
A myriad of medical complications can adversely affect a French Bulldog’s shedding behavior.
It’s unsurprising for this breed since Frenchies tend to suffer more from skin issues.
They have a lot of skin folds that can trap various infections from lack of adequate grooming or drying.
Another medical reason could be parasitic, fungal, or bacterial.
The most probable cause of the shedding might even be allergies.
For this reason, visiting a vet is your best bet at finding out why your dog is shedding so much.
How Do I Stop My French Bulldog From Shedding So Much?
Check out our tips below on how you can reduce your pet’s shedding levels.
- Provide a diet richer in healthy fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.
- Use appropriate grooming tools such as a glove brush and undercoat de-shedding brush, daily.
- Purchase a suitable shampoo that can prevent any irritation or dry skin.
- Reduce any stressful factors around your house. You can apply essential oils on their collars or beddings to calm down your Frenchie.
- Always make sure your four-legged friend is drinking enough water. Roughly two and a half cups daily should be good.
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To Conclude
Why is your French Bulldog shedding so much?
Well, it could be due to one of the reasons mentioned or even a combination of them.
If the shedding gets too much, then a vet will give you the best advice on what’s causing it.
Other than that, you can always level up your Frenchie’s grooming routine.
Also, make sure their diet is packed with the needed nutrients.
Besides that, your vacuum might end up being your new best friend.
About Alex Vicente
Dog Lover, Founder & Chief Editor at Paws Insider
I’ve been rescuing dogs since a very early age. I got my first dog when I was 9 years old and I remember how he, out of a litter of 6 puppies, started running towards me. He’d just chosen me. Ever since then, my love for dogs only grows stronger and I want what’s best for them. My mission is to let our readers know about the best products in the market for our best friends, as well as providing guides and tips on how we can take better care of them.