Why is my Rottweiler shedding so much

Rottweiler shedding

Do Rottweilers shed a lot

Rottweilers are a short to medium length double coated dog. This means they have a guard coat and soft undercoat that keeps them warm. When the weather is warmer they shed the undercoat as it is not needed for warmth. As the temperatures become cooler they will produce more undercoat.

Rottweilers will shed a little most of the year, but extra shedding needs to happen before the summer and winter seasons to help prep them for the change in weather. This heavy shedding period typically lasts around three weeks.

Although Rottweilers are considered a moderate shedder, some can shed a lot more than others. During Spring and Fall, you will need to brush your Rottweiler more to remove the dead unneeded undercoat. This will help in reducing the amount of fur left around the house on the furniture and your clothes.

Abnormal shedding in Rottweilers

If you notice your Rottweiler is shedding excessively or more than normal, it may indicate and underlying issue. Especially if the heavy shed is not the usual time of year.

Possible causes of excessive shedding may include pregnancy or lactation, parasites such as flea or mites, allergies, or a hormonal imbalance.. If your Rottweilers coat is looking patchy or they are scratching a lot, consult your vet.

How to reduce Rottweiler shedding

You will never be able to completely stop a Rottweiler or any double-coated dog shedding. However, the amount of coat that they leave around the home or on your clothes can be reduced. These are some tips to help reduce the amount of coat your Rottweiler dog sheds.

Regularly brush your Rottweiler

The main thing you can do to reduce shedding is regularly brushing your dog. Brushing helps to remove excess and loose fur. It also redistributes your dog’s skin oil into the fur helping it to stay in place.

Ideally, you should brush your Rottweiler daily during times they are doing a heavy moult (Spring and Fall). For other times, twice a week will suffice.

Best shedding brush for a Rottweiler

There is quite a range of different deshedding brushes available. This can be confusing. These are our recommendations for the best deshedding brush for a Rottweiler.

Shedding Blade

The shedding blade is my personal favorite for doing a quick regular de-shedding of a Rottweiler. It can be held in one-handed or the handle splits in two so you can use two-handed. Also great for dragging excess water off your dog after the bath.

It is best not to overdo it. Six to eight strokes in one area are sufficient. Overuse in the same area can irritate your dog’s skin and even cause brush burn. By using a tool like this a few times a week for five or ten minutes will go a long way to reducing how much fur your Rottweiler drops around the home.

View Shedding Blades here on Amazon

The Zoom Groom

The Zoom Groom removes loose hair like a magnet, and it stimulates capillaries and natural oil production for healthy skin and a healthy coat. It is like giving your dog a massage at the same time.

Can be also used in the bath on a wet coat. There are imitations of The Zoom Groom available but I have found that they don’t work as well as the Zoom Groom is made of a special type of rubber that attracts the loose fur well.

View the Zoom Groom on Amazon


Mars Coat King

The Mars Coat King is my number one pick for removing undercoat and dead coat from your Rottweiler. Works really well even on very thick and bulky areas. It leaves a nice shine and finish on the coat as well.

View Mars Coat King undercoat Rake on Amazon

Regular bathing of your Rottweiler

Regularly bathing will also help to loosen dead undercoat. Refer to How to bathe a dog for more information on how to bath. I recommend using a soap-free shampoo as you don’t want to dry out your dog’s skin and strip out the natural oils in your dog’s coat.

A lot of the fur will come out in the bath instead of on your furniture. Towel dry your dog with firm but gentle rubbing which will also help remove dead fur. Finally, blow-dry your dog using a low heat setting.

You can give your dog a good brush once dry and you will find it is easier to brush a clean coat than a dirty one. If you don’t have the time, energy or facilities to bathe and brush your dog regularly use a grooming service.

Also, keep up to date with flea treatment for your dog as constant scratching will also make coat come out.

Best shedding reduction shampoo

FURminator deShedding Ultra Premium Dog Shampoo 

It contains Omega 3 and six fatty acids, papaya Leafs, and calendula extracts work to reduce shedding of your dog’s fur and maintain the health of its skin. The shampoo is also compatible with the FURminator conditioner to achieve the best results.

How often should you bathe a Rottweiler

How often your Rottweiler should need bathing will depend on how dirty and smelly they get. Ideally you should not bathe your Rottweiler more than once every six to eight weeks.

Over bathing will actually dry out their skin and reduce their coat health. This will actually cause your Rottweiler to shed more.

Provide your Rottweiler a high-quality diet

The third thing you can do is to ensure your dog’s coat remains healthy and they shed less is through a high-quality diet. These may cost a little more in the short-term but will improve your dog’s overall health and save on vet bills in the long-term.

Deficiencies in essential fatty acids are thought to cause excessive shedding. Protein deficiency makes dogs shed more than normal. this is rare as most dog foods contain sufficient protein levels. The exceptions are pregnant or lactating dogs whose protein needs are high. Puppies also require a high protein diet because they are growing fast.

Dogs with food allergies or sensitivities are particularly prone to diet-related shedding. You may need to experiment with a few different foods before you find one that’s right for your dog.

In addition, you can add Salmon oil, olive oil or flaxseed oil to your dog’s food. One teaspoon (5 mL) per 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of body weight is a good place to start. These oils contain omega-3 fatty acids that help calm inflamed skin, decrease dandruff, and improve overall coat texture.

You can also increase your dog’s omega-3 fatty acid intake by feeding it salmon, tuna, or other fish rich in these fatty acids. Finally, remember to ensure your dog has access to fresh water at all times.

Dehydration can lead to dry skin, which can cause excessive shedding and even illness. Make sure your dog always has access to as much clean, fresh water as it wants.

Rottweiler

Can you shave a Rottweiler to reduce shedding

Absolutely, under no circumstances shave or clip your Rottweilers coat. Some owners of double coated dogs think this will reduce shedding. This may result in increased shedding as the coat often grows back thicker producing more undercoat. 

Some people also think this will help keep their dog cooler in hot weather. This also is not true. It will in fact interfere with the natural cooling function of the double coat.

To learn more about not shaving a double coated dog see here.

Summary – How to reduce Rottweiler shedding

Rottweilers are a double coated dog and considered a moderate shedder. They will shed some all year round with heavier shedding twice a year. This will be in the Spring and the Fall and last for around three weeks.

The most effective way to reduce Rottweiler shedding is to brush your dog regularly. A quality diet will also aid in keeping their coat healthy resulting in less shedding.

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