Are Shiba Inus Hypoallergenic? – AZ Animals

Unfortunately for allergy sufferers, the adorable dog breed known as Shibu Inus are not hypoallergenic. Pet dander creeps into carpets, furniture, and the air when they shed their fur. Your immune system may be stimulated by pet dander, leading to allergic reactions.   

Should you avoid this dog breed if you have allergies? Let’s take a look at what you should know before bringing home one of these precious pups! 

Shibu Inu Fur 

The Shiba Inu is a unique type of dog that has two coats. The fur on the outer layer is rigid and straight. A thick, silky undercoat makes up the inner coat. They are shielded from the elements and other items by their outer covering. 

The Shiba Inu’s inner coat is made of a thick fluff that keeps it warm. Shiba Inus must be warm because they were developed to be used for hunting in the mountains. You may have heard that certain dogs have fur while others have hair. 

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In general, dogs with hair are preferable for allergy sufferers. Dogs with fur, however, will produce additional pet dander. It might be more beneficial to get a dog with hair as opposed to fur if you suffer from severe allergies. 

The average length of each shedding produced by a Shiba Inu is one month. You must constantly brush your Shiba Inu if it is going through one of the shedding stages if you want to get rid of all the additional fur. If you’re someone that’s allergic, it’s best to have someone else tackle the grooming duties. 

Signs You Have Pet Allergies

The most common symptoms of pet allergies are sneezing, watering eyes, runny nose, and a sore throat. Anaphylactic shocks and swelling of the lips and eyes are more severe symptoms. 

You should carefully evaluate whether you want a Shiba Inu or any dog if you experience any of these severe signs.  

It’s crucial to determine precisely what you are allergic to. Dander, saliva, or urine are all possible culprits. It makes no difference whether the dog is hypoallergenic if you have a saliva or urine allergy.

Additional exposure does not make allergies better; on the contrary, it makes them worse. Therefore, it’s crucial to think about whether you’re willing to take the risk of owning a dog with so much fur.

The symptoms of allergies vary from one person to another. It is best to look for any of these signs, if not all of them, while you are thinking of getting a Shiba Inu.

Grooming a Shibu Inu

Shiba Inus shed extensively twice a year, usually in the springtime and autumn. Your Shiba will completely “blow” off all of its undercoat over the course of a few weeks throughout this period.  But fear not, shedding may be easily controlled with the correct techniques and supplies.

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Additional cleaning and brushing will be required when your Shiba Inu begins to blow their undercoat. The undercoat is quite light and tends to fly around. It can be found in your food, clothes, and all over your furniture. 

Shiba Inus should typically be brushed no less than twice a month when they are not shedding. Grooming should be done once a week or twice a week throughout the “blowing” seasons.

If used properly, coat raking brushes can be effective on double-coated dogs like Shiba Inus. The majority of Shiba Inus do not appreciate even the slightest amount of pain, such as the unintentional tugging of hair that wasn’t supposed to be pulled, thus use caution while using such kinds of grooming products on this breed. 

If you reside in a warmer environment, we strongly suggest that you regularly brush your Shiba Inu throughout the shedding process to prevent overheating or itchiness from the additional fur.

At A to Z Animals, we would advise beginning with a brush with slicker bristles if you have a Shiba Inu with a longer coat because this kind of brush is softer and less abrasive to longer-haired dogs.

Final Thoughts

Shiba Inus are adorable animals with a cute, sassy appearance thanks to their fluffy fur. However, it can also make some people’s allergies worse. A pet dander allergy test is a must if you suspect you may be allergic to Shiba Inus. Additionally, make an effort to spend a day or two with this breed to ensure you don’t experience any kind of allergic reaction.  

It would be unfortunate if you adopted a Shiba Inu and then had to send it back due to allergies. We hope this guide helps you in your search for a hypoallergenic canine! 

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