My Brindle Pug Dog Is Shedding

Pugs are even-tempered, friendly pets in the toy group of canines. The American Kennel Club lists two pug coat colors: black and fawn. Brindle pugs have fawn, black and silver markings and are rare. This pug variety is subject to controversy. Certain people claim brindle pugs are purebred; others say the brindle pugs were obtained by breeding a pug with a brindle dog breed. Regardless of the coat color, pugs have short coats and typically shed a lot. Your pug may also shed due to an underlying condition.

  1. Normal Shedding in Pugs

    • Pugs spend most of their time indoors, so they shed through the year. If you notice a change in the shedding pattern, this may be caused by a few normal changes or medical conditions. Puppies shed more when they exchange their puppy coat for their adult coat, so expect to see more shedding when your brindle pug is between 6 months and 12 months old. If you have a female pug, she'll shed more when she comes in heat and after giving birth, because she goes through hormonal fluctuations.

    Medical Conditions Causing Shedding

    • Excessive shedding in brindle pugs can be caused by an underlying condition such as hypo or hyperthyroidism, skin infections, mange or allergic reactions. Stressed pets may shed more than usual. Look for additional symptoms, such as excessive scratching and chewing of skin, bald patches, red or irritated skin, sneezing, watery eyes, excessive thirst and urination, weight loss, a dull coat or other alarming symptoms.

    Veterinarian Treatment

    • If your pug is shedding due to hormonal changes or when it switches to its adult coat, you don't need to apply treatment because the shedding is temporary and will resolve without medication. However, if you suspect your pet has a medical condition, it needs medication. If the pet has a thyroid issue, it needs hormonal therapy. You can control allergies with antihistamines or allergy shots. The treatment for skin infections includes topical creams and in severe cases, oral antibiotics.

    Control Shedding

    • One way to control shedding is to groom your pug regularly. This removes dead hair while you brush your dog, so it won't be shed in your house and over your furniture. Control your pug's diet and make sure it gets the nutrients necessary for its age. Invest in high-quality kibble with digestible protein sources. Supplement your dog's diet with fatty acids, which are also found in fish oil.