Do Chow Chows Shed?

For most people who are considering a Chow Chow, one of the most common questions they have is “do Chow Chows shed”? Quite simply, the answer is yes; all dogs shed to some extent. However, the amount that your Chow sheds will depend on nutrition, climate and grooming habits, among other things. The following information will help explain how much Chows shed in general, and helpful tricks you can use to reduce it.

The Chow Chow Coat

There are two types of fur common to the Chow breed: Rough and smooth. However, don’t let the coat types fool you, as both can shed a great deal. The rough-coat Chow usually has a texture similar to that of cotton; while the smooth Chows have fur more like that of a Golden Retriever. Though both types shed in their own right, the rough Chow can be worse as they produce what can be called “tumbleweeds” that roll around the house.

If you own this breed you will need to sweep or vacuum your floors daily to every couple days.

Great ways to reduce shedding in Chows

Reducing shedding in Chows is not hard, but it will take some money and time.

High quality food
The first place you should begin is with your dog’s food. The truth is that if you spend a little bit more up front for Holistic kibble (or something equivalent) it will provide you many future benefits. For starters, higher quality foods contain no fillers, which means your dog will eat less and be less prone to food related allergies. In addition, it will provide your pet with the proper amounts of nutrition that he or she needs. The best thing about foods of better quality are that they include many high-quality ingredients to help improve the condition of the dog’s fur and skin. In the long run, a better food can help your Chow shed less.

Supplements
Even the best brands of food can leave room for extra supplements. In other words, giving your dog a daily vitamin and things such as fish oil or glucosamine, can cause no harm. In fact, what these items can do – especially the fish oil and omega 3 – is greatly improve your Chow’s fur; thus leading to a reduced amount of shedding. Aside from cutting down on the hair floating all through your home, such supplements will ensure your dog gets the perfect amounts of essential vitamins and minerals, meant to help your dog live a longer and healthier life.

Grooming
The last thing you can do to help your Chow Chow shed less is by conducting a regular grooming on the dog; however, not weekly, preferably daily – but at least three times weekly. If you use the proper tools while remaining on a schedule, you will effectively remove most of the loose hair. This means you will collect the hair in a brush or comb before it ends up in piles on your floors, furniture or clothing.

In the end, Chows are notorious for shedding. For this reason they are not recommended for people who are allergic to pet dander, or dogs in general. Yet, if you currently own this breed or plan to get one in the future, the best thing you can do is arm yourself with information. If you follow our simple suggestions above, and stick with it – you will notice a considerable reduction in how much your Chow Chow sheds.