One question that many Vizsla owners ask themselves is Why Is My Vizsla Shedding So Much? It can be alarming to see your furry friend lose so much hair, and it can leave you wondering what’s wrong. However, sometimes the answer might not be as simple as a medical condition- there are some other factors at play.
So, why is Vizsla shedding so much? Although shedding is somewhat typical in Vizsal, there are for sure some factors that increase the shedding of your Vizsla. Such as health issues, health conditions, environmental stress, diet, and nutrition. Besides this, low-quality shampoos, overbathing, and lack of grooming can also cause shedding in your dog.
In this article, we’ll explore how to deal with excessive shedding to keep your house from feeling like an overstuffed hamster cage.
Does Vizsla Shed Too Much?
A dog’s coat and skin are constantly changing. As a result, Vizslas undergo periods of intensive growth when the hair follicles produce more hairs than usual to make up for lost ones.
In the rest phases, they shed their excess fur to prevent matting or dirt from accumulating near the roots of those growing hairs. In general, dogs shed all year round, but some breeds have more pronounced relieving periods than others.
Why Is My Vizsla Shedding So Much?
Vizslas have thick coats, and they come in a variety of colors such as black, brown, and golden-rust. They will typically be around 18 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 45 pounds or more when fully grown.
Vizslas are prone to shedding, but it is not typical to shed as much as some other breeds do. Some things that may increase the amount of hair loss in your Vizsla include:
Shedding Is Normal To Some Point
Vizsla shedding is expectable up until a certain point, which varies depending on the dog breed in question. For example, suppose your Vizsla sheds during the growing season and is a heavy shedder. Then, Vizslas typically shed a lot in the Spring and Fall to get rid of their old (dead) fur.
However, during the winter months, Vizslas should not shed much if they are healthy as it’s their time to protect themselves against outside threats such as freezing weather or parasites in stagnant water from ponds and lakes. On the other hand, if your Vizsla continues to shed during the winter months excessively, then something may be wrong.
Skin And Coat Condition
Vizsla’s skin and coat condition is an essential factor in determining how much they shed. If their coat is dry, brittle, or malnourished, it can lead to excessive shedding as the hair will fall out more quickly if not properly maintained.
Usually, skin conditions like scaly, dry, and cracked skin coats will lead to excessive shedding. If you think your Vizsla’s skin and coat condition is wretched, take them to the Vet to determine what needs improving before it becomes too severe a problem.
Vizsla Might Be Shedding So Much Due To Lack Of Nutrition
A well-balanced diet is essential for maintaining good skin and coat conditions as well as preventing excessive shedding. Protein-rich foods like salmon, chicken, beef, and eggs are great options for this as they provide the necessary nutrients to keep a Vizsla’s coat healthy.
Vizsla Might Be Shedding So Much Due To Allergies
If a Vizsla is allergic to pollen, dust mites, or other animal allergens, this can lead to excessive shedding. Usually, the overactive immune system causes an allergenic reaction. If your Vizsla starts excessively scratching itself, you should consult with your Vet for a course of antibiotics.
Vizsla Might Be Shedding So Much Due To Undetected Health Issues
Suppose the Vizsla scratches itself excessively or has an increased appetite. In that case, you need to consult with the Vet to investigate the undetectable health issues. If you do not take them in, these issues could worsen and lead to more severe problems.
Vizsla Might Be Shedding So Much Due To Aging
It is also possible for a dog’s coat to become less fluffy and shiny as they age. Further, this can be due, in part, because the hair may start getting finer or thinner with time. And this will make Vizsla shed more often than before.
Further, as your Vizsla grows older, its body functions will start to slow down. And this means that they will produce fewer oils on their coat and skin to stay healthy. Thus, it results in more shedding, which is why they may need brushing more often.
Environment They Are Living In
The environment where your Vizsla lives is another factor in how much they shed because it can trigger allergies that trigger excessive shedding. For example, if your Vizsla lives in an environment with many allergens like dust, it will cause the hair coat to fall out more quickly and lead to them shedding excessively.
Low-Quality Shampoo And Inappropriate Brushing
Avoid using a low-quality shampoo that may contain chemicals and fragrances which can irritate your Vizsla’s skin and coat. It is also why it is essential to use the correct type of brush when brushing their fur.
Vizsla Might Be Shedding So Much Due To Overbathing
It can be not easy if you don’t give enough baths for a dog like a Vizsla with thick and luxurious coats. Bathing is the best way the quickly remove fleas. However, it can lead to overbathing, increasing how much they shed, and making their coats dry, brittle, or undernourished.
The Best Ways To Reduce & Maintain Vizsla Shedding
Along with deteriorating your Vizslas health, excessive shedding can pollute your house and other people’s houses in the neighborhood. Thus, it is essential to manage your Vizsla’s shedding.
However, shedding is unavoidable. But still, there are some ways you can reduce the amount of excessive shedding of your Vizsla experiences:
Brush Their Coat Often
The first thing you need to do is brush your Vizsla coat often. The more time goes by without brushing the fur, the more it can cause matting and tangles, leading to excessive shedding. Besides this, it also helps in the proper distribution of essential oils in the skin coat of your Vizsla, which will also help reduce shedding.
Use Correct Brushes To Brush Their Fur
The best brush for a Vizsla is the slicker brush. You can use slicker brushes with long strokes, and they also have slots to take out knots without pulling out hair or scratching the scalp. It would help if you brushed it every two weeks as it helps with shedding and keeping the skin in good condition.
The second brush you should use is a pin or toothbrush, which you can use on their face to get in between those wrinkles without causing too much pain.
The third type of brush that your Vizsla needs is the rubber brush. The rubber brushes help groom your Vizsla’s fur with short, quick strokes, and it helps get all of those shed hairs off quickly.
Avoid Overbathing Your Vizsla
The best way to maintain Vizsla shedding is by avoiding overbathing your dog. You can improve the skin and coat condition of a dog with regular brushing. Further, you should brush the fur at least twice weekly, but every day in the summer or for dogs that live outside all year long.
The undercoat will need daily attention if you fail to brush or groom regularly. The best way to avoid over bathing your Vizsla and reduce shedding is by using a shampoo formulated for pets with sensitive skin.
Change Their Diet With Protein Enriched Food
The high-protein diets will promote a healthy coat, as well as reducing the amount of hair your dog sheds on your carpets and furniture. It is because dogs naturally shed during different times in their lives, most notably when they are going through a growth spurt or their coat changes in response to the evolution of seasons.
The protein-enriched diet will help regulate this natural shedding process and improve your dog’s health with regular brushing.
Let Them Play And Exercise Regularly
It would be best if you let your Vizsla play and exercise regularly. It will help them reduce the stress levels in their body, leading to excessive shedding. When they are under stress because of a lack of physical activity, it could cause an allergic reaction or other health issues. You should also ensure that they get plenty of protein in their diet, essential for supporting the coat.
Use Supplements
Food supplements like Omega-rich fish oil may help reduce shedding in your Vizsla. In addition, many people swear by the benefits of meal replacements. If you have a difficult time getting your dog to eat enough protein (your furry friend might be allergic or sensitive), then this is an option worth considering as well. Mix it into their food for the best results.
Use Best Quality Shampoo
Shampoos that are higher in quality and suit the pH of your Vizla’s skin and coat are more likely to reduce shedding than those that do not. Conversely, shampoos with a pH range of less than five are likely to dry out the skin and fur. And this may lead to increased shedding, so check the label before purchasing your next bottle.
Besides this, shampoo with natural ingredients like tea tree oil, jojoba oil, or oatmeal can help soothing skin and coat. The best quality shampoo will have agents restricting excessive irritation like salicylic acid for veterinarians (a topical pain reliever) and benzoyl peroxide, a bleaching agent that kills bacteria.
Conclusion
Summing up, it is natural to shed some hair. For instance, people lose about 100 hair a day. And it is normal for a dog to clear between 25 and 100 strands in one day. But, of course, it will depend on the breed of the dog, its age, and other factors such as the environment they live in or diet.
A Vizsla’s shedding should not be a cause for alarm until you start seeing some bald patches that concern you. Then, if the dog is shedding too much, visit a veterinarian for an examination before trying any home remedies.
Moreover, we hope this article has helped to answer Why Is My Vizsla Shedding So Much?
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