Dogs are an excellent addition to any family. They can be the best companions for kids and families. But before you welcome one home, you must be mentally and physically prepared to deal with their shedding.
Jack Russell terriers shed a little throughout the year. But they shed more when the seasons change. All Jack Russell coat types shed, but you can minimise and easily control the amount of shedding by grooming and good nutritional food.
Jack Russell Terriers are known to shed a lot at season changes. However, this does not mean that it is unmanageable during this time. In this post, you will learn the root cause of why they shed and ways to control it.
Why does a Jack Russell shed a lot?
Shedding is vital for the JRTs to keep a coat healthy. Throughout the year, shedding is very minimal. However, a Jack Russell shedding might worsen during seasonal changes, such as autumn and spring, especially if you haven’t kept up with grooming throughout the year.
Does a Jack Russell shed a lot due to a poor diet?
Yes, excessive shedding can occur due to a poor diet. When the immune system is overworked due to the lack of nutrients, excessive shedding will cause. Getting the proper nutrition daily for a Jack Russell is very important. Especially for the immune system to work at its very best, one of the responsibilities of the immune system is the skin and coat.
Nutrition is a critical process in the life of any dog. It ensures that they get everything their body needs to function correctly.
When a dog eats healthy foods, its body absorbs the nutrients and sends them to the places in its body that need them. Cells can’t be healthy or reproduce without all the nutrients.
Which type of coat does a Jack Russell shed a lot?
The smooth-coated Jack Russells shed a little more than dogs with a rough or broken coat. However, grooming is much less work than the other types.
Why does a smooth-coated Jack Russell shed a lot
Dead hair that falls out and gets replaced by new hair quicker in smooth-coated Jack Russells than the broken and rough coat types. The cycle of hair growth in smooth-coated Jack Russells happens faster because they keep less of a length.
Can you shave a Jack Russells Coat?
The coat of a Jack Russell Terrier is there to protect them against the elements and parasites whilst helping to keep their skin healthy. It would be best if you never shaved the coat of a Jack Russell Terrier. The hairs will drop out naturally on their own. You can help this process by brushing the dog’s fur.
However, if a broken-coat or rough-coat dog has trouble seeing, dog owners could trim around the eyes carefully with some scissors.
Tips For Controlling Shedding
You can do some things to help reduce how much your dog sheds. Shedding often increases during seasonal changes, but shedding can also be caused by skin irritation from a poor diet. So if you want to minimise the amount of shedding, try following these tips.
Excessive Bathing
Bath your Jack Russell the right amount so their skin and coat stay healthy. You should only bathe them every 2-3 months. Washing them too often can eliminate their natural oils, leading to skin problems and affecting hair growth and strength. However, like most Jack Russell Terriers, they like to spend most of their time outdoors, digging and playing in the mud. In this case, you could try using wipes instead.
Regular Brushing
It’s essential to brush your Jack Russell’s coat regularly. Regular brushing increases the circulation of skin oil throughout the body, which helps reduce shedding. A rubber brush will help eliminate dead hair or dander within their coat. Use a slicker brush for the rough and broken Jack Russells.
Jack Russells are not hypoallergenic, and daily brushing will help anyone in your household with slight allergies.
Brushes to use: Slicker or a Rubber brush, also known as a curry brush
Recommended Read: Can Jack Russell’s Terriers be black?
Nutrition
Dogs also need a well-balanced diet. Remember that a Jack Russell’s diet would directly impact their hair, skin, and other body functions, just like humans. So it’s essential to ensure that your dog gets a balanced diet.
You may think your dog is getting good nutritious food. However, please check for some of these ingredients on the back of the food packaging.
Nasty Ingredients Found in Low-Quality Dog Foods
Bone Meal: This is bones grounded up of any animal to provide calcium, commonly from a pig, cow, chicken or duck.
Derivatives: Can be any part of any animal, including beak, bones, or feet added. Sometimes it can state the type of animal. However, it will still be any part of that specific animal.
Meal: Bones and other non-meat parts of an animal are grounded into a powder form and added to dog food or treats. The meal is cheap and used as fillers and poor-quality calcium.
Many dog food companies need to improve the front packaging of misleading marketing. Never trust the front! You must always read the back label to understand what is precisely in it.
Good Ingredients Found in High-Quality Dog Foods
Pure Meat: Meat taken from a specific animal. Such as beef, chicken, or duck. The best quality dog foods have pure or fresh meat.
Botanicals, Herbs or Plants: These are added health enhancements for your dog. If this is listed on the label means that it’s more than likely good quality dog food with your dog’s health at the forefront.
Stress and the Immune System
Another issue that will affect your dog’s immune system is stress. Stress now and then is every day for a dog and can be managed with ease by the body. However, constant stressful situations will affect your dog’s immune system. If the immune system isn’t working to its fullest, it can be severe to your dog’s organs and coat health.
Abnormal Shedding
We know that Jack Russells shed throughout the year as expected, but they usually don’t shed too much unless it’s seasonal changes. However, if you notice a lot of shedding, you should go to a vet and nutritionist to figure out what’s happening. They can diagnose your dog’s health problems and prescribe the necessary treatment.
Recommended Read: Learn about the history of a Jack Russell Terrier
How often do you need to groom a Jack Russell?
A Jack Russell Terrier needs little grooming compared to other dog breeds. You should brush a Jack Russell dog a couple of times a week and bathe once every 2 to 3 months.
- With a rough or broken coat, Jack Russell will need more grooming than a smooth-coated type.
- Never over bath a Jack Russell Terrier, which can strip them of their natural skin oils.
To keep a Jack Russell terrier healthy, it is essential to use the right shampoo. Wrong types of products will dry up their skin and increase shedding. Always read the ingredients on the back of the label when choosing a shampoo. Here is a list of nasty ingredients often found in dog shampoos so that you can avoid them.
Can you stop a Jack Russell shedding?
No! You can’t completely stop the shedding of a dog coat. But you can significantly reduce the amount of shedding. Through regular brushing, you can reduce the shedding rate of your Jack Russell.
Related Posts:
Do Siberian Huskies Shed A Lot?
Round-Up
I hope you found all the answers to – Does a Jack Russell Shed a lot? Plus, hopefully, you have picked up some tips along the way.
Do not let the shedding put you off if you consider getting a Jack Russell Terrier. It isn’t that much.
Jack Russell Terriers are a dog breed known for being loving and devoted to their family. While shedding can be a downside, it isn’t as bad as the benefits of having this type of dog in your life. They will always be there for you, no matter how much hair they may shed.
I wrote a piece for new dog owners looking at welcoming a Jack Russell terrier into their family.
I have had and currently have Jack Russells, one of my favourite dog breeds!
