How Much Does a Dalmatian Shed? Care & Grooming Advice

Many people think that because Dalmatians have short hair, they are light shedders. However, the opposite is true; Dalmatians are heavy shedders. As a joke, many Dalmatian pet parents will tell you that their Dalmatians only shed twice a year, but each shedding season lasts 6 months, which means they shed heavily all year.

If you are considering adopting a Dalmatian, you need to know how much they shed and how you can keep your home neat and clean. We’ll discuss what you can do and more below, so join us.

Are Dalmatians Hypoallergenic?

Even though they have short fur, Dalmatians are not hypoallergenic. In fact, there is no animal that is truly hypoallergenic, though there are some that are pretty close. However, Dalmatians aren’t one of the “hypoallergenic breeds” like the Poodle. They aren’t the best choice for allergy sufferers, so you might want to consider another breed if you have severe allergies. However, if you decide to give one a forever home, we can give you a few tips for keeping your house as fur-free as possible in the section below.

Tips for Keeping Your House Fur-Free with a Dalmatian

You can do a few things to keep your house clean if you have a Dalmatian as a pet, and you can use the same methods if you have another breed.

1. Create a Fur-Free Space

While it may be tempting to let your Dalmatian curl up in the bed with you and watch your favorite shows together, it’s not the best idea if you want a fur-free area, especially if you have dog allergies. It’s best to create a safe space for yourself where your Dalmatian isn’t allowed to be.

Limiting your dog to areas of your home where you don’t sleep is probably best. You can also try keeping your dog off the furniture to minimize the chance of fur getting everywhere with your heavy shedder. Hopefully, these changes will help minimize the amount of fur in your home and combat your allergies at the same time.

2. Vacuum, Sweep, and Mop Often

If you want to remove fur around your home, the vacuum cleaner, broom, and mop will quickly become your best friend. All of the above, plus dusting, will help you keep your home clean and reduce the amount of loose fur.

3. Install HEPA Air Filters

If you need to improve the air quality in your home, investing in a HEPA air filter is ideal. Not only does it clean up the air in your home, but it can reduce the amount of dog dander floating around in your house. Your house will be cleaner, safer, and happier, and you will have to do less cleaning to keep it that way.

4. Provide Extra Grooming

Extra grooming is a sure way to keep the fur and allergens out of your home. Dalmatians don’t have long fur but will benefit from extra grooming. Brushing the dog more often keeps them from depositing as much fur into your home and on your furniture, and helps you if you suffer from allergies. If your allergies are severe, having a family member or professional groom your dog is better.

5. Consider Furniture Slipcovers

If you just don’t have the heart to make your Dalmatian stay off the furniture, you can always give the dog a designated chair to curl up in. In that case, or if you decide to let your Dalmatian on all of the furniture, you could invest in slipcovers.

They come in various colors and should match any type of décor in your home. You can simply pull off the slipcovers and throw them in the washing machine when they’re covered with hair. While the slipcovers are in the washing machine, you should vacuum all of your furniture thoroughly before putting the slipcovers back on, just to be safe.

6. Use a Damp Sponge

A damp sponge is a great way to remove your Dalmatian’s fur from your couches and chairs. You’ll, of course, want to use a clean sponge and throw the sponge away when the cleaning is done. The moisture from the sponge lifts the hair and keeps it in place so you can get rid of it easily. You can even use it on hardwood floors and other solid surfaces to remove hair.

Signs You May be Allergic to Your Dalmatian

There are a few signs that you can look for when trying to figure out if you are allergic to your Dalmatian or the dog you are considering giving a forever home.

• Sneezing
• Wheezing
• Skin rashes
• Itchy eyes
• Nasal congestion
• Headache
• Cough
• Facial pressure
• Facial pain
• Itchy nose
• Roof of the mouth itches
• Blue-colored swollen skin under the eyes

If you see any signs above that you’re allergic to your Dalmatian, contact your doctor for help. There are over-the-counter medications you can take to help with the symptoms.

Reasons You Might Suddenly Be Allergic to Your Pet

While it might be uncommon, there have been pet owners who suddenly became allergic to their canine friends with no warning. Sadly, allergies can develop at any time during your life. There’s no rhyme or reason to them.

While you may be able to figure out what triggered the allergy on your own, it’s best to head to your doctor for an allergy test. It is highly possible that nothing can be done about your dog allergies, and you will have to find another pet that is better suited to your health and lifestyle.

However, the first thing you need to do is determine if it’s your dog you’re allergic to. It could simply be something your dog carries on his fur when he comes in from outdoors. If it’s spring or summer in your area, it could be that your dog is just bringing in pollen on his coat, and you need to ensure you groom him to get rid of it.

Your physician may recommend allergy shots, but they take several months to build up your tolerance to the allergen.

Conclusion

Dalmatians are not hypoallergenic, and although they have short hair, they shed heavily. If you’re considering giving a Dalmatian a forever home, you’ll want to ensure you’re not allergic to your pet first. Your allergies could be related to a substance on your dog’s fur, like pollen or dust. Your doctor can help you come up with a solution to your pet dander problems so that you can keep your pet and stay healthy at the same time. Related Reads:

• How Long Do Pitbulls Live? (Average Lifespan Data & Facts)

• How Much Do Dalmatians Cost? (Price Guide)

Featured Image Credit: SasPartout, Shutterstock