The most striking feature of the Shih Tzu is its dense and luxurious coat. That beautiful coat is one of the breed's defining characteristics. The hair is long and thick, with a heavy undercoat, and such a coat needs to be brushed at least once a day.
There are many reasons why a Shih Tzu may shed:
1. Seasonal shedding.
2. Diseases such as folliculitis or eczema, or infestation with large numbers of lice and fleas, can also cause heavy hair loss.
3. Human-caused reasons, such as using human soap, shampoo, detergent, or laundry products to bathe the dog.
4. Deficiency of vitamins and minerals in the body.
5. Excessive salt intake, which can also lead to serious shedding.
Ways to deal with shedding:
1. Develop the habit of brushing the dog regularly. Twice a day with a pet-specific comb is ideal.
2. If the pet tolerates it, clothing can sometimes help reduce loose hair spreading around.
3. Choose the correct bathing product. A good pet shampoo can help protect the coat, reduce the amount of shedding, and even help prevent skin disease.
4. Try not to wear dark-colored clothing if pet hair bothers you.
5. Keep a dedicated hair-removal brush or lint roller at home. Every pet owner eventually encounters this problem, but once we choose to keep them, we should also accept everything that comes with them.
6. If mites are the cause, a special anti-mite ointment can be used, and such products are commonly available in pet hospitals.