A Shiba Inu is one of the most adorable canines you will ever meet.
They are medium height, have a fluffy coat, and are known for their calm and affectionate personality.
But are Shiba Inus hypoallergenic?
Sadly, Shiba Inus are not hypoallergenic. They shed heavily and require regular grooming to control pet dander. A Shiba Inu’s fur coat undergoes molting at least twice a year and this shedding can go for a month.
A Shiba Inu is one cute little fellow. He has the face of a puppy and the red coat of a fox.
He is charming, alert, and fearless. But Shiba Inu is a very heavy shedder and may not be ideal for every pet lover.
Is a Shiba Inu coat Hypoallergenic?
Shiba Inus are far from being hypoallergenic.
They are known to be heavy shedders and can cover your seats, carpet, or babe with pet dander in minutes.
This heavy shedding is caused by the type of coat a Shiba Inu has.
A Shiba Inu has a double-layered coat.
The topcoat has straight hair strands and protects the little guy from elements like water and sunlight.
The undercoat is a lot thicker and mainly keeps the Shiba Inu warm.
Also, a Shiba Inu’s coat consists of thick fur. Most dogs have hair on their coat but a Shiba Inu was bred as a mountain dog.
He thrived in hunting out in the mountains and for that reason, he needed a thick fluffy coat for warmth.
But though the Shiba Inu benefits from this fluffy warm coat, it can be detrimental to someone with allergies.
The thick fur coat sheds all year round leaving around tonnes of pet dander.
What’s more, Shiba Inus go through a season of molting twice a year.
When in season, a Shiba Inu will shed heavily for a full month.
This little fellow can cover your entire home in fur if not groomed.
Dander allergy symptoms you should know of
If you are allergic to the Shiba Inu coat, some of the allergies you are likely to suffer include;
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Skin rash and inflammation
- Watery red eyes
❗ Important
Pet dander is a protein that registers as a foreign body in the body. Your immune system will fight the protein and produce flu-like symptoms while at it.
Controlling shedding of the Shiba Inu
Despite the heavy shedding, it is still possible to live a happy life with a Shiba Inu.
Besides frequently grooming your Shiba Inu pup, you will have to make a few adjustments around the home to eliminate pet dander.
✎Note
These tips work best if you are not allergic to pet dander. For someone with severe pet allergies, a Shiba Inu may not be the best dog to adopt.
1. Bathe your Shiba Inu
Bathing a Shiba Inu helps get rid of the excess dander.
But be careful not to wash his coat a lot as it can cause skin dryness.
Dry skin may flake and release more pet dander.
Also, use mild pet-approved soap to wash your Shiba Inu.
Non-pet-approved detergents wash away natural oils on the dog’s skin.
This also results in skin dryness and flakiness.
2. Groom the dog
Besides bathing a Shiba Inu, grooming the little fellow is necessary too.
Brushing the coat once or twice a week gets rid of stray hairs and pet dander.
During the molting season, you have to brush a Shiba Inu’s coat daily to control shedding.
Always brush your Shiba Inu outdoors.
If that is impossible, consider grooming the dog in an empty room with a cloth on the floor to collect the excess hair.
Do not groom your dog on a carpet, couch, or anywhere pet dander may collect.
3. Restrict movement around the house
Keep some areas off-limit.
For instance, do not allow your Shiba Inu to access your bedroom or laundry room.
If the dog has to rest on the couch, consider buying a couch cover to collect excess hair.
4. Install an Air Purifier
A HEPA purifier helps keep the air fresh by eliminating airborne pet dander.
Consider installing purifiers in critical rooms like the living room or entertainment room.
Anywhere your dog has access to will benefit from a purifier.
5. Vacuum your carpet frequently
You will have to vacuum your carpet daily to get rid of pet dander.
Carpets attract a lot of pet dander and can be hard to clean with too much dander on them.
If vacuuming daily is a hustle, consider getting rid of the carpet for good.
Floor tiles and hardwood flooring are great alternatives to tiles.
They keep the floor warm and do not collect pet dander.
6. Practice personal hygiene
Get in the habit of washing your hands after petting or playing with your Shiba Inu.
Wear protective gloves when grooming the dog outside.
A mitten glove can help you kill two birds with one stone.
If you get pet allergies, never touch your face after holding a Shiba Inu.
Wash your hands first and consider changing your garments.
7. Store clean clothes away
Keep clean clothes away from your Shiba Inu.
Besides banning access to laundry rooms, also ensure your dog cannot reach the closets that have clean clothes in them.
8. Pet allergy medication
Antihistamine medication can help control pet allergy symptoms.
If you are allergic to pet dander,
getting immunotherapy shots could be the only way to co-exist with a Shiba Inu.
VIDEO: Line combing a Shedding Shiba Inu
Conclusion
A Shiba Inu is a cute little fellow with a big heart for everyone.
They are great family dogs to own if you are willing to groom them regularly to control pet dander.
Also, consider getting immunotherapy shots to help control allergies to pet dander.
See Also
Frequently Asked Questions
A Shiba Inu is a perfect first-time pet if he is well trained and socialized. But a Shiba Inu is very hyper and ideal for someone with the patience for them and an active lifestyle.
Fortunately, Shiba Inus are low maintenance because they love to groom themselves. But their small tongues cannot get rid of all the fur and dander they produce. You will have to brush their coat once or twice a week and every day during the molting season.
Shiba Inus are loved for their quiet laid back demeanor. But Shiba Inu’s are known for their screams especially when excited. It is easy to mistake the Shiba scream as a cry of agony.
Shiba Inus make good family pets. They are active, affectionate, and very loyal. The only downside of a Shiba Inu is his heavy shedding coat.