Coat, shedding & heat
Shiba Inu blowing coat: what to expect
Twice a year, a Shiba sheds its entire undercoat in a couple of dramatic weeks. Here is why it happens, what to expect, and how to manage the fur storm without reaching for the clippers.
Nelson and Kim, Curious Tails · AVS licence AS24J00046
What does it mean when a Shiba Inu blows its coat?
"Blowing coat" is when a Shiba sheds its dense undercoat all at once, in large clumps, over a couple of weeks. It happens about twice a year, typically as the seasons turn, and it is far heavier than the moderate everyday shedding. You manage it with daily brushing and deshedding tools, never by shaving. Expect an impressive amount of fur while it lasts.
Twice a year · brush, don’t shave
Why it happens and what to expect
A Shiba's double coat has a soft, dense undercoat under the harsher outer coat, and roughly twice a year the dog releases that undercoat in a concentrated shed known as "blowing coat". In temperate climates it tracks the change of seasons; in Singapore's steady warmth it can be less predictable but still happens. For a week or two you will find undercoat coming out in tufts and clumps, and fur absolutely everywhere.
It looks alarming the first time, especially the amount, but it is completely normal and healthy. It is the flip side of the low everyday shedding covered on our shedding and grooming page.
Managing a coat blow
The goal is to get the loose undercoat out faster and off your furniture. Brush daily during a blow with an undercoat rake and a slicker, working in sections down to the skin. A bath followed by a thorough dry, ideally with airflow to push the loose coat out, speeds things along dramatically. Regular brushing between blows keeps everyday shedding down and makes the next blow more manageable.
The one thing you never do, however tempting in the heat, is shave the coat to "solve" the shedding, because that damages the coat's function and regrowth. The reasons are on why you never shave a Shiba.
Coat-blow kit
- Undercoat rake + slicker brush
- Daily brushing, in sections, down to the skin
- Bath then a thorough dry with airflow
- Regular between-blow brushing to reduce the next one
- Never shave to manage shedding
Keep reading
Frequently asked questions
How often do Shiba Inus blow their coat?
About twice a year, typically as the seasons change. Each blow lasts roughly one to two weeks and produces far more shedding than the moderate everyday amount.
How do you manage a Shiba blowing its coat?
Brush daily with an undercoat rake and slicker, and bathe then dry the coat thoroughly with airflow to release the loose undercoat faster. Regular brushing between blows keeps it manageable.
Is blowing coat normal for a Shiba Inu?
Completely. It is the healthy, twice-a-year release of the undercoat that all double-coated breeds go through. The volume can be startling but it is not a problem.
Should I shave my Shiba to stop the shedding?
No. Shaving damages the double coat’s ability to regulate temperature and can change how it regrows. Manage a coat blow with brushing and deshedding, never clippers.
Meet your Shiba Inu
Come say hello at Balestier
2 Balestier Road #01-701, Singapore 320002 · Weekdays 12pm–6pm · Weekends 10am–6pm. Or message us first: tell us about your home and whether you have researched the scream, the prey drive and the shedding, and we will tell you honestly if a Shiba fits.
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