Long hair Corgi shedding

Reasons For Corgi Shedding And How To Manage It

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Corgis are small and loving dogs that are kept as pets all around the world. And all of those homes are filled with hair as a result of their Corgi shedding.

Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi are susceptible to shedding. This is a result of their double coats which shed throughout the whole year. There are a few things that can lead to heavier shedding.

The Corgi Coat

Both Corgi breeds have a medium-length double coat. The double coat consists of two coats stacked on top of each other – the undercoat and the top coat. They developed this coat to help them withstand the cold temperatures while herding the cattle and sheep.

  • The undercoat has the texture of wool. Its purpose is to be an isolator and keep the dog warm. This is the coat that Corgis shed a lot of.
  • The top coat is called the guard hair. Its purpose is to protect the sensitive skin of the dog from the sun, dirt, and insects. This coat also determines the color of the dog.

When Do Corgies Start Shedding?

Corgis will start shedding once they get their adult coats. This is usually around 6-10 months of age. During the puppy phase, they have a puppy coat that holds on to most of their hair.

Once your Corgi gets to its 6-month mark, you will notice that its coat becomes patchy and clumps of hair start coming out. This is a normal occurrence and begins the transition from puppy coat to adult coat.

Once the adult coat is fully formed, regular shedding will depend on seasonal changes.

When Do Corgies Shed Most?

Corgies shed through the year. But there are two instances when this shedding gets heavier. The spring and the fall.

Due to the fact that this coat was developed to protect the Corgies during all seasons, there is a process called “coat blowing” that helps them adapt.

During winter, the undercoat has the role of an insulator so it grows fast in the fall months leading up to winter.

Contrary to that, during spring, the climate starts getting warmer. There is no more need for the wooly undercoat so it starts shedding off and growing lighter. This repeats year round.

The process of changing the coat in order to adapt lasts around 2 weeks.

What Can Cause More Shedding

Even though Corgis shed throughout the year, there are times when this shedding increases due to some factors.

Improper Diet And Dehydration

Corgi puppies shed more when fed an improper diet. You need to give your Corgi the right amount of food that contains the right nutrients that keep its coat healthy. If your dog suffers from malnutrition, you will notice signs like:

  • Bad breath
  • Dandruff
  • Dull coat
  • Fur loss
  • Stunted growth
  • Weight loss

Dehydration happens when you don’t give enough water to your Corgi. It can also happen as a symptom of heat stroke and vomiting. This lack of water can lead to symptoms like:

  • Excessive shedding
  • Nausea
  • Dry eyes and skin
  • Dry saliva
  • Increased panting and drooling

Allergies

Just like people, dogs can be allergic to some allergens too. These allergens can cause itching and excessive Corgi shedding. 

Some known allergens include dust, food, and insects. If your Corgi has a dust allergy, you will notice symptoms whenever it is exposed to exhaust smoke or dusted areas. Food allergies are usually related to eggs, milk, soy, beef, and chicken.

Your Corgi’s skin will become itchy, dry, and flaky, which will lead to excessive shedding. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include:

  • Sneezing
  • Itching and scratching
  • Red and watery eyes
  • Patches of missing fur
  • Inflamed skin with scabs from scratching

Parasites

Fleas and ticks are the usual suspects when your dog starts itching its skin. This constant itching will lead to shedding and hair loss in the end.

Fleas like to bite dogs and transfer their saliva, which causes dogs to have an allergic reaction. This reaction is manifested with intense scratching, red and flaky skin, hot spots, scabs, and hair loss.

Ticks can also cause itching and loss of the Corgi hair. They can also lead to chronic diseases like Lyme disease.

Scabies is another common problem caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. It causes severe itching causing the hair to fall off much sooner.

Stress

Just like humans, dogs can get stressed too. Higher stress levels can happen because of loud noises, environmental changes, new pets in the home, and separation anxiety. Constant stressing and anxiety can cause excessive shedding in your Corgi.

Make sure to carefully observe your dog and see if there is anything stressing it out. Some signs of stress and anxiety include

  • Avoidance
  • Aggression
  • Pacing
  • Drooling
  • Lethargy
  • Tail between legs
  • Destructive behavior

Give your dog some valerian root to calm it down and prevent this excessive shedding. You should also take your Corgi to the vet to see if a health problem is causing this stress.

Hormonal Disturbances

You can notice your Welsh Corgi shedding more due to some hormonal imbalances. These can happen because of changes like hypothyroidism or pregnancy.

Hypothyroidism is a disease of the thyroid gland where it produces less thyroxin hormone than usual. Some common symptoms include:

  • Weight gain without increased appetite
  • Lethargy
  • Cold intolerance
  • Dry loose hair and skin with excessive shedding
  • Thinning and balding on the coat
  • Dark pigmentation on the skin
  • No regrowth of hair after clipping
  • Slow heart rate

Pregnancy is also an important factor that can lead to shedding. Pregnant mothers have less calcium to maintain their coats. They also have a lot of estrogens which causes shedding. Hormonal disturbances also occur when Corgis go into heat and will have similar effects.

How To Manage Your Dog’s Shedding

There are a few things you can do to make the shedding process easier for you and your dog. Just remember to never shave your Corgi as a way to stop shedding. This will only backfire and create more problems for both of you.

Brushing

To successfully manage the Corgi shedding season, you need to know how to brush your dog correctly.

You need to make a consistent brushing routine and use appropriate dog brushes to achieve the best effect. Make sure to brush your Corgi at least 3-5 times per week, for 15 minutes a session. You should also do it before you give your Corgi a bath.

You can use a special undercoat rake to brush the undercoat properly. Then switch to a slicker brush for the top coat.

Focus on the heavy shedding spots. These include the back, neck, sides, and back legs.

Bathing

This is another important step in managing shedding and proper Corgi grooming. Corgis don’t need to be bathed too often. It is recommended to give your Corgi a bath once every two months. You can sometimes do it sooner if your pup gets too dirty from playing outside.

Don’t over-bathe the Corgi fur. This will actually lead to increased shedding in the long run. Dogs secrete natural oils that keep their skin and coat healthy. Bathing them often reduces these oils and leads to dry skin and damaged hair. That damaged hair tends to fall off sooner and causes more shedding.

Proper Nutrition

An average adult Corgi will need around one to one and a half cups of dog food every day. This amount can be divided into 2-4 portions every day. If you feed less than this, you risk malnutrition which is a big factor in excessive shedding.

You should feed it quality food from a known company like Pedigree or Purina. Dog food must contain enough fatty acids like Omega-3 fatty acids, Omega-6 fatty acids, and DHA. These fatty acids are important for healthy skin and coat. Also, the diet needs to have more protein and fewer carbs.

Exercise

To obtain normal levels of Pembroke Welsh Corgi shedding, you need to provide your Corgi with enough exercise. This factor is important for the overall health of your pup. If it gets enough exercise it will be healthier and thus have a healthier coat.

Corgies are high-energy dogs and need a lot of exercise throughout the day. It is recommended to exercise a Corgi for at least one hour every day. This can be split into two half-hour sessions every morning and evening.

You can take your dog to the park for a walk, or you can do some running and hiking. After the exercise, let your pup rest. Corgis will sleep on their back after a good exercise.

Supplements

You should use supplements to make sure your Corgi is getting all the essential nutrients it needs. To maintain healthy skin and coat, the best supplement you should give is fish oil. It promotes circulatory functions, lessens shedding, and speeds up the recovery of washed-away coat oils.

Corgis shed very much so you should give fish oil every day. You can check with your vet to see how much of it your Corgi needs. 

Fish oil supplements come in a form of chewables, pills, or oil form. You can put the supplements along with the food so the pup can swallow them easier.

Deshedding Products

There are specific products made and marketed for dogs that shed a lot. The fittingly called de-shedding tools are perfect for brushing your Corgi down to prevent further shedding.

These tools are especially useful during the two times of the year when the shedding gets bigger. You can use this tool to go through your dog’s outer coat and undercoat to remove all dead hair and smooth out all tangles and mats. Of course, you should use the de-shedder along with the brush for maximum effect.

There are also de-shedding dog shampoos that are specifically made for dogs that shed a lot.

What Did You Learn About Corgi Shedding?

Corgis are small fluffy dogs who tend to shed a lot. The reason for this is their double coat which they have to protect them from harsh temperatures.

They will start the shedding process once they reach the age of 6 months. At this point, their puppy coat is swapped with an adult coat. 

Corgis shed constantly throughout the year. But there are two instances when this shedding gets much heavier – fall and spring. Both of these times, the coat changes so it can adapt to the upcoming weather. 

There are instances when your Corgi will start shedding more for other reasons. An improper diet, stress, allergies, parasites, and hormonal disturbances can cause that.

To manage your Corgi’s shedding, you can do a few things. Proper bathing and brushing should always be a priority. Feeding the right food, exercising, and giving supplements are also important.

FAQ

When do Corgis lose their puppy coat?

Corgis lose their puppy coat at the age of 6-10 months. After this, they get their adult coat which will start shedding at a normal pace. During this tradition the coat becomes patchy and clumps of hair come out.

Are there non-shedding Corgis?

No, those don’t exist. Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Cardigan Welsh Corgis have double coats and shed them throughout the year. If you want a dog that doesn’t shed, you can get a Poodle or a Bichon Frise.

Are Corgis high-maintenance?

Even though Corgi shedding is a problem and you need to clean and manage the shedding, they are not high-maintenance dogs. They don’t require too much attention or special treatments to live.

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