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Do Rat Terriers shed?
Yes, they shed.
How much do Rat Terriers shed?
Rat Terriers are generally considered low to moderate shedders, which means that they shed year-round but the amount of shedding may vary. Rat Terriers have a short, smooth coat that sheds more during the spring and fall when they shed their undercoat. Their shedding is usually not as noticeable as it is with some other breeds, but it can still be significant due to the short and smooth nature of their coat.
What can cause a Rat Terriers to shed more than normal?
Malnutrition
Skin and coat are two of the first things to suffer when a Rat Terriers does not get the proper nutrients from dog food. This is because essential nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids are needed to maintain healthy skin and hair.
If you think your Rat Terriers diet needs improvement, talk to your vet about the best dog food for your pet. You should choose a balanced, high-quality food that is suitable for the size and age of the puppy. You can also add nutritional supplements to your diet.
If you think your Rat Terriers’s diet could use an upgrade, talk to your vet about the best dog food for your pet. You’ll want to choose a nutritionally balanced, high-quality food that suits your pup’s size and age. You can also add a supplement to the diet.
Allergies
Pollen, dust, dirt, mold, flea saliva, and food ingredients are just a few of the allergens that can cause a reaction in dogs. The majority of allergies will result in intense scratching and rubbing, which will cause excessive shedding, hair loss, and even bald patches. If you believe an allergy to be the root of your Rat Terriers shedding, take them to the vet to be checked out.
Parasites
Your dog's shedding may also increase if they have parasitic infestations from fleas, ticks, lice, or mites. You must take your dog to the veterinarian to have an infestation treated. After that, your veterinarian can recommend medications to get rid of the pests and restore your Rat Terriers coat and general health. Then, to prevent the issue in the future, you can start your dog on a pest preventative.
Stress
Your dog can become anxious, just like you can. They might not be under stress for the same reasons, though. Loud noises, thunderstorms, changes in the environment, the introduction of new pets into the household, separation anxiety, and other factors can all cause stress in dogs. And more shedding is a side effect of stress.
If your dog appears to be stressed out frequently, discuss this with your veterinarian.
Hormonal Changes
Have you recently had your Rat Terriers spayed or neutered? Are they in heat or pregnant right now? These kinds of changes can lead to hormonal imbalances in your dog's body, which can cause excessive shedding.
Usually, this will go away on its own, but if you're worried, let your vet know. You should rule out any potential medical issues because your dog's hormonal changes could be caused by a gland problem like Cushing's disease.
Tips to manage your Rat Terriers shedding
1. Brush your Rat Terriers
Even if you visit a groomer to have your Rat Terriers hair cut, you'll still need to maintain a regular home brushing schedule to keep your dog's coat in good condition. The majority of dog breeds benefit from daily brushing with an excellent de-shedding tool. With this type of brush, all dead hair is removed and tangles are smoothed out by penetrating your dog's outer coat to the undercoat. Rat Terriers coat is kept moisturized and healthy by brushing because it helps spread the skin's natural oils throughout it.
2. Bathe your Rat Terriers
While bathing is a great way to keep the coat clean and preserve the good looks of your Rat Terriers, it is not necessary to bathe your dog every day. Use only high-quality, specially formulated dog shampoo. You can purchase it from your neighborhood pet store or an online retailer like Amazon. Look for a product that is suited to their sensitive skin if they have that.
For your pet's best coat health, ask your veterinarian how frequently you should be bathing.
3. Feed your Rat Terriers a healthy diet
You should make sure your dog is eating high-quality dog food that contains the right nutrients for a healthy coat because their diet has a significant impact on the health of their coat.
For an additional nutritional boost, ask your veterinarian for a recommendation and think about including supplements in your dog's diet.