BEST TIPS AND TRICKS FOR PUG HAIR MAINTENANCE AND GROOMING

This article covers everything you want to know about pug hair! We will go deep into Pug Shedding and exoplore some easy tricks to stop pug shedding. We’ll talk about the different pug breeds and how pug mix can change the way it sheds hair. We will even go into medical issues that could be causing your pug to lose more hair than normal.

So if you want to know about pug hair, then you came to right place. The bottom line is all pugs shed, however there are ways to help limit or stop your pugs shedding . Is pug hair covering all your clothes? Is pug hair on your furniture? How do you get pug hair off your clothes and even better, how can you keep them from shedding so much. This pug hair article is here to help! Were going to make sure your shedding pug hair doesnt take over your life and that you are in charge not the pug hair.

Its common for pug owners to ask: Does my pug shed too much? Why does my pug have so much hair? Why the bleep am I always covered in Pug hair? And how can I stop my pug from shedding so much pug hair?!?!

This Article on Pug Hair Grooming and Pug Shedding discusses:

• Facts about Pug Shedding

• Simple tips for reducing pug hair around the house.

• Do Black Pugs Shed As Much as Fawn Pugs?

• Tricks and Tips to help with Pug Shedding

• Common Pug Shedding Tools

• Should I shave my pug?

FACTS ABOUT PUG SHEDDING

Most fawn pugs have a full thick coat of coarse hair. These little tan furballs will naturally lose old or damaged hair by a process called shedding. Shedding is a natural loss of hair in pugs that allows the new coat of hair to come in. Though shedding is a normal process for Pugs, the amount and frequency of hair shedding often depends upon your pugs health. It can also depend on the season-many Pugs develop thick coats in the winter that are then shed in puffs of pug hair in the spring. It is said that dogs who are kept indoors, are prone to smaller fluctuations in coat thickness and tend to shed fairly evenly all year, and this is the case with most constantly shedding pugs.

To help with pug shedding we compiled some of the best tips and tricks to help with your pug shedding!

BLACK PUGS OR FAWN PUGS?
WHO SHEDS MORE

Do some pugs shed more than others? Do Black Pugs shed more than fawn pugs? The truth is that all Pugs shed, and they shed, and they shed A LOT. Even though they have short hair, Pugs have a double coat of that hair. This means there is twice as much hair to coming off them with every pet. Anecdotally, most people think Black pugs dont shed as much as Fawn pugs, but the truth is both shed a bunch. Some Black Pugs have only a single layer of fur, however the rapid hair follicle cycle still exists and leads heavy shedding. 

TRICKS AND TIPS FOR PUG SHEDDING

REGULAR GROOMING: Though you cannot stop your healthy pug from normal shedding, it is possible to reduce the amount of hair that gets on your clothes and furniture by brushing your dog regularly. There are  a few brushes and combs below that we find work best to reduce pug shedding. Brushing is the best cure for a shedding pug. It doubles both as pug hair removal and is amazing for bonding time between you and your pug. You can brush your pug every day, and additionally get a pug de-shedding tool (like this Furminator) Grooming your pug outdoors can greatly reduce the amount of pug hair that gets kicked up in your home. 

BATH TIME: Pug bath time is fun for everyone! Bathing your pug once a month is great for hygiene and helps create a strong bond between you and your pug! Preferably use a mild, hypoallergenic shampoo that doesn't irritate your pugs skin or dry out that ever shedding pug hair. Pugs are highly susceptible to dermatitis-type conditions so choose your puppy shampoo wisely. Rocco and Roxie make a great hypoallergenic pug shampoo we like. Your pug's large eyes can be irritated easily as well as their floppy ears. Try not to get shampoo in these areas. Once bathtime is finished comes drying! Your pugs thick coat can take forever to dry, so start with a towel, then move on to a blowdryer on low setting. Most pugs will get an accute case of the zoomies after getting wet. Running around the house after bath time is one of Momo's favorite activities! 

SUPPLEMENTS: Some vets think dietary supplements, like vitamin A and fatty acids could help reduce shedding in pugs. A lot of people also give their pugs fish oil supplements, like these 5 Paws Soft Chews. Another option is to add a tablespoon of flaxseed or olive oil to his food is one way of doing this but please talk to your vet before giving any supplements to your pug.

GET A BLACK PUG: Joking! But not really joking. As we discussed before, most black pugs only have one coat of hair (versus the fawn pugs double coat of fur), so they end up shedding a little less. Also if you are super fashionable and wear mostly black, your new pugs hair is less likely to show up on your monochrome wardrobe! 

BEST PUG SHEDDING AND GROOMING TOOLS

Regular grooming is the only sure trick to reduce your pugs shedding. Luckily it is also a great bonding activity between you and your pug.  Here are our 3 favorite brushes and combs below that we find work best to reduce pug shedding!

I love the brush gloves below, because its so easy to just sit back and spend some quality time grooming your little puggy by just petting them. My second favorite is the furminator on the right. If your going to buy it, do yourself a favor and make sure to get the short haired breed size medium! I know most pugs are probably a small breed, but you will enjoy the larger size!

PUG SHAVING:
HOW TO SHAVE YOUR PUG’S HAIR AND WHY

We have heard that some pug owners shave their dogs in the summer to keep them cooler and reduce shedding. Momo has never been shaves, but she is certainly "shave curious". The below is a great article from www.pugpals.org . We found it super interesting and helpful so are reprinting it here!

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As the summer moves from warm to hot, many pug owners consider shaving their pugs to make their dogs more comfortable. Researching this issue and talking with experts makes one thing very clear: Opinions are divided, with half advocating shaving pugs in the summer, and the other half advising against it. As a pug parent, the best you can do is make a good, well-reasoned and well-researched decision. Consult a trusted veterinarian or groomer to get their input on the subject. Ultimately, though, the decision is yours. Trust yourself to make the right decision for your adorable pug!

Two sides of the argument:

1. A pug’s fur protects him from overheating.

This is the main reason for arguing against shaving a pug. The fur insulates the pug from hot and cold; without that defense, they are at greater risk of becoming too hot in the summer, or too cold in the winter. According to Kathy Salzberg, a Certified Master Groomer who has been grooming pets since 1976, pugs should not be shaved. “They do not get haircuts,” Salzberg said in an article on dogchannel.com. “In fact, having your Pug shaved is a big no-no. That double coat protects them from heat and cold. They don’t tolerate heat and humidity well.”

2. Pugs are indoor dogs anyway, so there is no reason to shave them.

Bred as companion animals, pugs are comfortable at room temperature. They should not spend too much time in the heat. Shaving may be an unnecessary expense.

3. Shaving to keep them cool may actually pose a danger to your pug.

Having a shaved pug might lull you into thinking they are okay outside for more significant amounts of time. Even shaved pugs cannot tolerate extensive time outdoors in the heat. They are still prone to overheating and sunstroke, and shaving adds potential sunburn to the mix.

4. The cooling benefit isn’t significant, and the risk of sunburn and bug bites is greater.

Dr. Sarah Hadley, a veterinarian at Broadway Vet Hospital in Boise, said: “If someone is shaving in the summer to keep their pug cool, I don’t see much benefit because pug hair is pretty short, and taking off what they do have puts them at risk for sunburn.” While all pugs are susceptible to sunburn, fawn pugs are most at risk. It’s important to realize that dogs—whether shaved or not—aren’t immune from the damaging rays of the sun. More bug bites are also a real possibility for the pug without a lot of hair for protection.

5. Shaving a pug doesn’t help with shedding.

Pug owners might make the mistake of shaving their pet thinking that it will solve their shedding problem, but some experts say this doesn’t help. The pug simply sheds shorter hairs, not fewer. There is really no point in shaving a double-coated dog. It doesn’t make them shed less, you run the risk of the coat growing back in even thicker than before, and it may never grow back in right.

“Shave Your Pug”

Interestingly, both groomers and veterinarians recommend this course of action as well. Perhaps an even stronger voice in support of shaving pugs in the summer comes from pug owners themselves.

1. Shave a pug for the dog’s medical reasons.

A veterinarian may direct a pug owner to shave her pug if the dog has a medical problem such as fungus or severe allergy.

2. Shave a pug for your own medical reasons.

This, more than the pug’s comfort, may be a good reason to shave your pug. “I have one client who shaves her pug because of her own allergies and says it really helps cut back on dander,” said Dr. Sarah Hadley from Broadway Veterinary Hospital. “The pug is fine, and the hair grows back normally.”

3. Reputable groomers recommend shaving pugs.

The fact is shaving pugs makes money for groomers. But they are also believers in the benefits of a well-executed shave accompanied by warnings about too much sun right after the shave. The groomers we have talked with say they wouldn’t offer the service if they felt a pug could be in danger because of it.

4. The pug’s hair grows back normally.

Anna Stallcup from Nampa, Idaho owns a pug and has had experience in shaving her pug. “After I shaved my pug her hair grew back really funny and she got ingrown hairs,” Stallcup said. “But my sister also owns a pug and she shaves him every summer and she’s never had

problems with his hair growing back normal. I would just tell pug owners that if they want to shave their pug to try it on a small area of their skin first and see how it grows back and if it’s fine then go for it.”

5. Protect your shaved pug with sunscreen if you are out in the sun for longer than 10 minutes.

This is important especially during the first weeks following the shave. While keeping your pug indoors during the heat of the summer day is a good idea, sometimes we just can’t avoid having our dogs out in the elements with us. For those days, bring along sunscreen for both yourself and your pug. However, all sunscreens are not equal. Research the best sunscreen for your pug. Whether your pug is shaved or not, be aware that the areas on a dog most likely to get sunburned are the nose, tips of the ears, around the mouth, the underbelly, and eyelids.

6. Black pugs are the ones who really benefit from being shaved in the summer.

Because their dark fur absorbs instead of reflects heat, black pugs are better candidates for a summer shave than their fawn.

CONCLUSION

In Conclusion all pugs shed hair, and they shed A LOT! Really the answer is simple, a little elbow grease goes a long way to help stop pug shedding. The best way to stop pug hair shedding is regular grooming. It helps reduce the hair pugs they give off during a normal day and doubles as a bonding time! 

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