Yes, Basset Hounds do shed. Based on their shedding patterns, basset hounds can be considered moderate to heavy shedders. The coats of the Basset Hound tend to be short, smooth, and water-resistant, making them relatively easy to maintain. Remember that they shed all year round, so brushing them regularly is necessary to keep this under control.
If you already have a pet dog at home, you are likely already familiar with the concept of shedding. Many dogs shed their coat to maintain a healthy core temperature, so in the warm months, the coat will be lighter, and in the winter, it will be heavier. During the shedding process, a dog’s dead and damaged fur is shed to make way for healthier, newer hair growth.
All dogs shed naturally and cannot be prevented from doing so. Imagine a situation where the skin appears distressed or unhealthy due to excessive shedding. If that is the case, there is likely an underlying medical condition that must be treated.
Other factors that affect shedding, such as the season, the dog’s age, the dog’s diet, the condition of the dog’s coat, and so on, can also affect shedding. Allergies or other underlying health conditions can also cause some cases. Your veterinarian will be able to assist you if you have any concerns.
The Basset Hounds Coat
Basset hound coats are naturally oily, and it serves as an effective rain shield and allows them to shrug off being wet with ease. There will be times when a basset will need to be bathed, but not too frequently to affect the oiliness of the coat.
To get to know your dog’s coat, you must spend time with them and adjust accordingly. If you do not feel that your Basset requires a bath, there’s not much reason to bath it.
Bathing helps to dislodge a great deal of excess hair and, in doing so, will reduce the amount of hair that is strewn about the house; additionally, they will smell great as well.
Is Your Bassett Hound Overshedding?
A dog can shed excessively for several reasons. You should check the animal’s hair as one of the first things you need to do if such a thing happens. The hair should have a healthy sheen to it. Do you notice any discoloration or flakiness beneath the fur, or does the skin appear flaky or dry?
| Imbalanced Diet: Poor diet is the number one reason why Basset Hounds shed excessive amounts of hair. When you buy a 40lb bag of cheap food, and suddenly your dog starts shedding more than usual, this is usually a good sign something is not right. While the food meets the minimum requirements for quality, it may lack sufficient protein or nutrients for your dog. |
| Stress: Stress can also cause excessive hair loss. Furthermore, suppose your Basset Hound’s routine has recently changed, or a new pet has recently been added to the household. In that case, the stress of those changes can increase shedding. |
| Parasites: You may notice your Basset Hound, which is excessively scratching, is infested with fleas, ticks, or mange mites. In addition to the itching and scratching caused by these parasites, the itching and scratching can also result in more serious health issues, such as rashes and secondary skin infections. |
| Underlying Diseases: A large amount of hair loss may also be caused by hormonal imbalances. When they are younger, some breeds lose a great deal of hair after having their puppies spayed or neutered. Notice shedding on different parts of your Basset Hounds body, clumps of shedding, or skin discoloration. These could also be symptoms of various serious problems such as bacterial infections, ringworms, and other fungal infections, thyroid diseases, Cushing’s disease, skin allergies, inflammatory bowel conditions, and genetic disorders associated with your skin. |
How to Look After Your Shedding Basset Hound
Brushing
Basset Hounds do not need to be difficult to manage regarding shedding. If you are looking for quality coat supplements and tools that do cleaning and washing your dog a breeze, we have a few suggestions.
There is no need to worry about whether your dog has hypoallergenic fur or not as long as it is brushed regularly. As a result of their short coat, Basset Hounds don’t have to worry about matting. You should, however, use equipment suitable for your Basset Hound’s coat.
Since Basset Hounds do not have heavy double coats, using heavy-duty tools is not necessary when grooming with them. Your veterinarian may recommend brushing your dog’s hair once a week due to the thin coat it has. You should be careful with this brush to avoid injuring your dog’s skin.
You should avoid brushing them too frequently as this can irritate their skin. As a result, it is not a good idea to brush the same area too often. However, during the shedding season, you may want to consider brushing twice a week.
Washing
Another method to control the amount of shedding that Basset Hounds exhibit is to bathe them regularly. You must bathe your dog at least four times a year. Depending on how clean your dog is, he may shed more or less depending on the condition of his coat.
Dogs that play outside more often might need to be bathed more often than pets that don’t play outdoors. However, trying to strike the right balance can be challenging. In conclusion, it is preferable not to give your Basset so many bathes in a row. As a result, a dog’s coat contains natural oils, which prevent the fur from drying out due to direct sunlight.
Bathing the Basset Hound too often results in the loss of their natural oils, so their coats will become dull and dry if they are too frequently bathed. If your veterinarian recommends that you bathe your dog more frequently, you may need to do so regularly.
Shampoos for Shedding Basset Hound
Bassets should not be bathed with human shampoo. Compared with a human, the skin of a dog is extremely delicate. As opposed to humans, who have 10-15 layers of skin, dogs only have 3-5 layers of skin.
If you are buying shampoo for your four-legged friend, you must ensure that it is designed for your pet. The process is very low cost, and if you do it, you’ll be able to make your Basset happier than ever before. It is important to also take into consideration that there are a lot of other chemical compounds that may also be harmful to your dog.
Fatty Acids For Dogue Basset Hound
When the shine of your Bassett hound coat starts to fade, which is often an indication of the coat’s ill health, the use of omega-6 supplements can help restore the shine. There is no need to purchase your dog’s vitamins and minerals from the pet store, as pet stores sell omega-6 supplements. Still, sunflower or sunflower oil can also be used.
It is believed that corn, evening primrose oil, and borage oil all contain omega-6 oil. There is also evidence that fat obtained from pork and poultry is beneficial. It is highly recommended that you consult your veterinarian before adding supplements to your dog’s diet.