How much does a Rhodesian Ridgeback shed?

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is for many an absolute dream dog. But before getting a Ridgeback, it is necessary to get more familiar with the breed and also include the negative factors in the decision. A central issue is often the dog hair. In this article, I deal with the question of how much does a Rhodesian Ridgeback shed.

The Rhodesian Ridgeback sheds all year round. There is a constant change of coat. Old, dead hair falls out and new hair grows back. How much a Ridgeback generally sheds cannot be answered as a general rule, because it is often very individual. Factors such as nutritional deficiencies or stress can also cause a Ridgeback to shed more. A Ridgeback is definitely not suitable for allergy sufferers.

Why does a Rhodesian Ridgeback shed?

The Ridgeback sheds for the same reason that many other dogs shed. The dead fur falls out and is replaced by new fur. This is a year round process.

The Ridgeback has little to hardly any undercoat and for this reason needs a coat in the winter, nevertheless, towards spring and fall they may shed a little more than normal.

Why does my Ridgeback shed extremely?

If your Rhodesian Ridgeback sheds extremely, it can be due to several reasons.

Food allergy:

If your Rhodesian Ridgeback can’t tolerate the food (even if it is a good food) it can cause him to shed more than normal. It could be that he is allergic to a specific ingredient.

Nutrient deficiency:

Are you feeding a cheap food that is low in nutrients? If your food is low quality and lacks good nutrients, your Ridgeback may be shedding like crazy.

But it may be that your dog has a greater need for specific nutrients in general, such as omega 3 or zinc. Better said, that he shows symptoms like heavy shedding faster than other dogs. Not every dog reacts the same to a deficiency.

Just because you feed 2 dogs identically, but only one sheds heavily doesn’t mean they can’t both have a deficiency.

Stress:

Stress is a common factor in severe hair loss. Dogs can be stressed in a number of ways. A Rhodesian Ridgeback needs a lot of exercise.

If they don’t have enough activity for an extended period of time, it can cause stress which then leads to severe hair loss.

Does your Rhodesian Ridgeback need to be left alone for long periods of time? Maybe your Ridgeback is stressed because he has to stay alone for several hours a day. This does not always manifest itself through loud barking and yelping.

Lack of water:

Lack of water can be a reason for severe hair loss in the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Is your Ridgeback drinking enough? Some dogs, just like us humans, drink too little to ensure a healthy metabolism.

Especially a Ridgeback that needs a lot of exercise has a higher fluid requirement than a couch potato.

A dog needs about

• 50 – 100 ml per KG-body weight of water per day, if you feed dry food.
• 20 – 50 ml per KG body weight of water per day if you feed wet food.

If you often go jogging or cycling with your dog, the water requirement is naturally higher. Likewise in the summer when it is warmer.

Diseases:

Maybe your Rhodesian Ridgeback is also sick and the symptom is severe hair loss. If you can rule out everything else, a visit to your veterinarian is recommended.

Hormonal hair loss

Often dogs tend to shed more due to hormones. When your Rhodesian Ridgeback enters the puberty phase, it is possible that he will shed more during this time.

But also a castration, can lead to stronger hair loss.

Tips against severe hair loss

First of all, make sure that you eliminate all factors that lead to severe hair loss in your Ridgeback.

Feed a good dog food so that your Ridgeback gets all the important nutrients and is as healthy as possible.

Avoid unnecessary stress for your dog. Make sure he gets enough exercise and mental activity.

If you have to leave your dog alone often, get a camera to check how he behaves when he is alone. Just because he doesn’t bark and the neighbors tell you about it, doesn’t mean he isn’t stressed.

Maybe he walks around the apartment restlessly all the time or exhibits other noticeable behavior, but no one notices.

Check how much your Ridgeback drinks daily. To do this, simply measure the water that you put in his bowl every day. In the evening, check if the bowl is empty and add up the individual fillings.

Home remedies for severe hair loss

Below I present a few home remedies that work for many – unfortunately not all – dog owners more or less well and reduce shedding somewhat:

Omega 3

Depending on what you feed, it may be that your dog nevertheless takes up too little omega 3 fatty acids. Give your dog additional Omega 3 oil* to reduce shedding

Zinc and Biotin

Zinc and biotin* are important nutrients that help your dog’s skin and can help reduce hair loss. A deficiency of these substances can also be the reason for severe hair loss.

Brewer’s yeast

Many dog owners swear by brewer’s yeast* when their dog is shedding heavily. (like take this too). Brewer’s yeast, thanks to the high content of B vitamins, has a positive effect on the coat but also on eyes, skin and bones.

Brushing

When you are out and about, for example in the woods, take a brush for short hair* and brush your Ridgeback properly, loosening dead hairs before they fall out on their own. Any hair he loses on a walk, he won’t lose in your home.

*Amazon advertising/affiliate links

Is a Ridgeback suitable for allergy sufferers?

Since the Rhodesian Ridgeback generally sheds, it is not suitable for allergy sufferers. The problem is not the dog hair in general, but the protein compounds from the saliva and urine that are on the hair.

So if your Ridgeback loses hair now, they are everywhere in the apartment and on your clothes and you come into contact with the protein compounds and react to them. Some more, some less.

Coat care for the Rhodesian Ridgeback

Coat care of the Rhodesian Ridgeback is relatively simple. The short coat is easy to clean and also quick to dry if the dog gets wet.

Conclusion: How much does a Rhodesian Ridgeback shed?

As a rule, a healthy Rhodesian Ridgeback will shed similarly to many other short-haired breeds. However, external factors such as nutritional deficiencies or stress can have a negative effect and increase shedding of a Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Maintain a healthy diet and avoid unnecessary stress to keep your Rhodesian Ridgeback comfortable and healthy, and avoid excessive shedding.

Osetrik-stock.adobe.com (Contributed image)