You can’t resist the adorable foxy look of a Shiba Inu, but are they the right match for you? You want to bring this dog home, but its fluffy coat grabs your attention. And now you are in a dilemma whether Shiba Inus are hypoallergenic or not? Every allergic person needs to give attention to a dog breed before buying one.
Are Shiba Inu Hypoallergenic?
Shiba Inus are not hypoallergenic, hence not a suitable choice for allergy sufferers. Many people misunderstand the term “hypoallergenic”. It doesn’t mean that hypoallergenic dogs don’t shed because every dog sheds. Hypoallergenic means that these dogs shed less amount of dander than others.
Shiba Inus shed a lot of furs. Shiba Inu goes through light shedding twice and two times heavy shedding in 12 months. During this time, the fur will be largely dispersed around the house. Everything will be covered in a dog’s hair from your clothes, furniture, and carpet. Don’t be surprised by massive shedding because Shiba has double fur.
Why Are You Allergic To Dogs?
If you ask people why they are allergic to dogs, most will probably say because of fur. But that is not right. Dog’s fur is not the cause of your allergy. Instead, it is the dander and saliva of the dog that triggers your allergy. Dander is the dead skin consisting of a protein which is the real reason behind allergy. Saliva also contains this protein.
Dogs shed dander and fur, which gets anywhere, with air being very tiny in size. Moreover, it remains embedded in the carpets and furniture for an elongated time even if the pet is not there. The problem happens when you breathe, and these particles get into your lungs via the nose and mouth.
Dander is not problematic in the air, but when it enters the body of an allergic person, it triggers an allergic reaction. This is because the immune system of allergic persons is very sensitive. Here are some common symptoms of allergic reactions. Coughing, red eyes, sneezing, wheezing, rashes, skin inflammation, sore throat, and stuffy nose.
Does Shiba Inu Have a Double Coat?
Shiba Inus have a double fur layer. The outer fur layers are stiff and straight fur. The outer fur helps in protection against environmental factors like sun, water, and air. While the inner layers are soft, thick, and fluffy inner coats. It keeps the Shiba inus warm and cosy. Shiba Inus were originally bred as mountain hunting dogs in Japan, so they need to stay warm.
Some dogs have hair, while others have fur as the outer coat. Dogs with hair are better for an allergic person as they shed less. While fur dogs are massive shedders. Shiba Inus are fur dogs, so they are not a good match for allergic people.
How Many Times did Shiba Inu Shed Fur?
Shiba Inu keep on shedding moderate fur throughout the year. And then, two times a year, they undergo high volume shedding. The time when they blow their undercoat is the time of heavy shedding. This shedding lasts for a month at least. You have to brush the dog’s hair regularly to manage all the shedding fur during this period.
How To Avoid Allergy Reactions From Shiba Inu?
You have already decided to bring a Shiba Inu home, but you are also concerned about allergic reactions. Here’s how you can avoid triggering your allergic reactions because of Shiba Inu’s fur.
Brush Regularly
If you don’t want your dog’s hair scattered all around, make sure to brush its hair regularly. Follow the routine of hair grooming and brushing at least twice a month. During the heavy shedding season, brush twice a week. You can use any dog brush, but a deshedding brush is best. It will help you manage the shedding by raking deep in the fluffy coat and pulling any detached fur.
The soft edges of the deshedding brush protect scratches from getting scraped. You should also get a brush with soft bristles and a com for regular hair grooming sessions. First, brush the dog’s fur with soft bristles in a circular motion. Then use the de-shedder to rake up the detached hair. And finally, comb the fur to eliminate any remaining stray hairs.
Bathing
Bathing is also a great way to reduce the spread of dander across the home. Bath your dog two times a month. Shiba Inu’s fur is water and dirt resilient; they don’t need frequent bathing. Moreover, Excessive bathing can cause shibas to develop skin allergies and cause the drying of natural oil in their fur.
Regular Grooming Visits
If you can’t manage a dog’s grooming routine at home, the best idea is to see a professional groomer now and then. The groomer will be of great help in managing dander during the massive shedding season. The groomer will loosen the fur and get rid of shedding fur. It helps to minimize the allergic reaction.
Conclusion
Are Shiba Inu Hypoallergenic? Shiba Inu is a beautiful dog breed and a perfect family pet. But sadly, this dog breed is not best for allergic persons. This is because shibas have a double fur layer, and they shed two fur throughout the year with massive shedding at least two times in 12 months. Their dander can trigger severe allergic reactions in the family and owner.
If you have already procured a Shiba Inu, then follow a grooming routine to avoid triggering allergic reactions. Brush and bath twice a month. During the massive shedding season, brush twice a week to manage excessive fur.