Why Is Your American Bully Shedding So Much? 8 Reasons (& Solutions)
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One thing to keep in mind while selecting whether or not to buy an American Bully is how much they shed and whether they’re hypoallergenic.
Some American Bullies might shed more than average, and it’s important to understand why your dog is shedding so much, especially if you have allergies.
So, why is your American Bully shedding So Much? Your American Bully might be shedding so much because of the type of coat it has and its natural shedding cycle. Other reasons Bullies shed include dehydration, hormonal changes, poor diet, allergies, stress, skin problems, and parasites.
Keep on reading to find out more about how much American Bullies shed, what causes them to shed so much, and how to reduce their shedding.
How Much Do American Bullies Shed?

American Bullies, overall, shed relatively little. If combed weekly, only a few stray hairs will be removed. Many dogs shed seasonally, so you may notice slightly more fur in the summer months.
American Bullies are not really the type of dogs that will leave dog hair all over your clothes and furniture. If you maintain a regular grooming routine for your dog, the shedding will be barely noticeable.
Because every dog is different, determining the “amount” of shedding isn’t a good approach to tell whether your American Bully is shedding excessively.
If you notice a lot of hair around the house or even bald areas forming on the dog’s coat, then there might be an underlying problem with your dog’s coat that’s causing it to shed so much. In such cases, there are usually other signs and symptoms that a larger underlying problem exists, and you should be able to notice them quite easily.
If you are concerned that your dog is shedding excessively, you need to determine the reason behind it and take action to fix the problem.
Why Is Your American Bully Shedding So Much?

As mentioned before, there’s usually an underlying problem that’s causing your American Bully to shed so much. If you want to reduce your dog’s shedding, you first need to be aware of all the reasons why they shed.
So, let’s take a close look at the 10 common reasons why American Bullies shed so much:
Type of Coat
Everyone is aware of the single-layer coat of the American Bully and how it differs from other types of coats.
They renew the hairs on their smooth, shining coats on a regular basis to keep that smooth, glossy surface. The hairs do not usually get tangled up in their coats but instead, fall out to the floor.
All dogs regularly shed as part of a cycle to get rid of any hair that is unhealthy or old.
Throughout the majority of the year, Bullies will shed at a regular rate, but the amount they shed is at its highest in the spring and fall. These peaks allow the dog to build thicker winter coats (which is quite important as bullies don’t handle cold weather very well) and lighter summer coats that allow them to be more comfortable in warm weather.
Allergies
American Bullies are susceptible to Atopy, which is an immune system disease that increases their risk of developing skin allergies.
Allergies often lead to hair loss or excess shedding. This might be one of the very first signs you observe. Other symptoms of allergies include:
- Itchiness and dryness in the skin
- Red, swollen, or irritated areas
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Runny nose, sneezing, or coughing
- Eyes that are red, swollen, or watery
You can learn about more causes of Pitbull and bullies’ dry skin (and other skin issues) here.
Dehydration
A lack of regular water might lead your American Bully to lose an abnormal amount of hair. It could also lead to dryness in the skin, overheating, and other health problems.
Hormonal changes
Dogs might experience variations in their skin’s oil production due to hormonal changes, which causes the shedding frequency to increase.
It’s possible that your American Bully is shedding more than normal because of the hormonal changes brought on by having just given birth or being pregnant.
Similarly, if your Bully has lately been spayed or neutered, their body will be adapting to the hormonal changes that might result in an increase in the quantity they are shedding.
To know when is this the cause, you should know when it is normal and when it is not. You can do so by reading my guide on dogs’ heat cycle here to know what to expect and when.
Poor Diet
What your American Bully consumes is what they need to grow and restore their bodies and coats, so it’s critical that they maintain a balanced and regular diet.
The dog’s system might also be stressed due to sudden dietary changes.
If you just changed your dog’s diet or introduced a new treat, consider changing them back to their old diet or eliminating the treat if they are unexpectedly losing hair.
Some diets may sound like a great idea but are actually quite terrible for your dog. I discuss this further in my post on why a vegetarian diet is a bad idea for bullies, and it’s a great example of what NOT to do with your dog (ie, putting them on the same diet as you and forgetting that they are different creatures with different biologies and dietary needs).
Stress
You might be shocked to learn that stress is frequently to blame for a Bully’s heavy shedding.
One of the main causes of stress in dogs is separation anxiety, so make sure you spend enough time with your Bully and never leave it alone for too long to avoid excessive shedding.
Despite their tough exterior and rugged looks, Bullies are susceptible to separation anxiety, which is one of the main reasons Bullies should not live outside or even be left alone for too long, and their excessive shedding will only be the first of the problems caused by anxieties.
Skin Problems
American Bullies have highly sensitive skin that’s prone to developing various problems.
A dog with very dry skin may become itchy, and the accompanying scratching may result in excessive shedding and the formation of bald patches on the dog’s skin.
Dry skin can be a result of over-bathing or using bad-quality grooming products that are incompatible with the dog’s coat and skin type.
Various other problems could irritate the dog’s skin and cause it to shed more such as sunburns, infections, rashes, seasonal alopecia, and black hair follicular dysplasia.
If you notice any symptoms in your dog, make sure to take it to the vet immediately to determine the problem and get the necessary treatment.
Parasites
Not all itchy red patches on your American Bully are the result of an allergic reaction. A variety of factors might cause your dog to get itchy and, as a result, shed more.
Bullies are preyed upon by parasites such as fleas, ticks, mosquitos, and other irritating insects, as the dog’s short coat provides little protection against them.
It’s likely that your dog has just been bitten by something, and it has to run its course/
How to Reduce Your American Bully’s Shedding?

There are a few methods you could implement in order to reduce your American Bully’s shedding, such as:
- Daily brushing is the most significant approach to deal with their shedding, as it helps remove extra hair before it falls to the floor. Aside from combing the excess fur, this is an excellent method to check for any fleas or ticks on your dog.
- Purchase high-quality dog food that will supply your American Bully with the nourishment he or she needs to build strong, resistant hair follicles.
- Make sure you’re using high-quality grooming products for your dogs, such as dog-friendly shampoos and brushes.
- Avoid bathing the dog too frequently as this could hinder the natural oil production that keeps its coat smooth and cause its skin to become dry.
- Ensure that your American Bully drinks lots of water during the day and that the water is clean and fresh.
- Consult your veterinarian as soon as possible to determine the source of an allergy. It might be as easy as avoiding specific animal foods or a hereditary issue.
Some dog owners think that the best solution to the shedding problem is to simply give their dog a haircut. On the surface, it sounds like a good idea; less hair must mean less shedding, right?
Unfortunately, as with literally everything in life, it’s a bit more complicated than that, and giving your dog a haircut can sometimes make things worse even. You can learn when American bullies need haircuts here.
How Often to Groom Your American Bully?
Grooming American Bullies involves brushing, bathing, and trimming. All three of these steps need to be done on a regular basis, so let’s take a quick look at how often you need to groom your dog.
- Brushing – It’s recommended to brush your dog daily or at least twice a week.
- Bathing – It’s recommended to bathe your dog once a month or once every 6 months, depending on how dirty it is.
- Trimming – It’s recommended to trim your dog’s hair once every six months since American Bullies have short coats that don’t grow too fast.
Related Questions
Do American Bullies Have a Shedding Season?
American Bullies do not really have a shedding season because they have a single-layered coat. Shedding seasons are known as seasonal blowouts, and they are more common in dogs with double-layered coats. However, Bullies might shed more during spring and fall because of the temperature.
When Does an American Bully’s Hair Grow Back?
An American Bully’s hair might grow back within 6 to 12 weeks after it’s trimmed or lost through shedding. Keep in mind that the speed at which a dog’s hair will grow varies depending on factors like the dog’s genetics, general health, and the cause of hair loss.
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