Shedding

[Dobi-Wan Kenobi]

Do dogs typically start to shed when it begins to get colder or a season change? i noticed yesterday that when i was brushing roxxie there was quite a bit on the floor and on the brush. i was just wondering if this is usual this time of year, this is my first doggie so im not sure.

[ArticWonder]

Not normally. Dogs shedding can be from food allergies, stress or other health problems. It is just a matter of narrowing it down and finding out which one. I would first try changing dog food - a good brand for healthy coat. If it isn't stress or the food then I would check with your vet. Most vets will recommend food change so if you do that first, you save yourself a trip.

[Dobi-Wan Kenobi]

that is kind of what i figured. i just recently changed her food. When i first got her she was on Iams and so i slowly switched her over to Ultra Balance (which is suppose to be a great food). Do you think this could be it? Just this past week is when i stopped mixing the 2 and feeding her only the Ultra Balance. When she was on Iams her coat was really shiny and she didnt shed but what would be considered normal. Her coat still looks great just shedding now. Any thoughts?

[lassie]

hI most bitches shed their coat about 4 mths after they have had a season.

[Dobi-Wan Kenobi]

she is fixed, so i dont think that would apply. So dogs dont normally shed there coat? male a female alike

[lassie]

well my fixed female has started to shed her coat exactly 12 mths after being spayed.

[Dobi-Wan Kenobi]

hmmm. she was spayed in january of this year at the humane society before her first owners got her, maybe that could be it. Do you know if this typically happens with females?

[lassie]

Probably . spayed bitches don't seem to drop their coats as often as unspayed ones.And not so much shedding either.

[Doberman's]

My Dobes seem to shed more this time of year. It is mostly they are loosing their summer coats in favour their winter, not that they have much of a winter coat. LOL!

[Sabledog]

my dogs shed year round, but it gets much worse in the fall and spring, they all have very thick under coats, and it gets big tufts of hair i have to brush and pull out even though they are all short hair dogs. i brush them once a week to pull out any dead or loose hair. i have found brewers yeast really helps keep the shedding down too, and if you get it with garlic in it, it can help with fleas.

[lassie]

its always cold here in the winter and mine all seem to drop their coats then.

[Doberman's]

Mine shed all year round as well but seem to notice it more in the fall/winter too. :) Not sure why other then the change in season.

[KCat]

indoor dogs pretty much shed year round though of course there's a "too much" shedding. For both of the dogs I've had in my adult years I have found providing Omega fatty acids helps tremendously with both shedding and general skin health. I use Linatone but there are several products out there and some dogs are picky about the taste. Bay didn't like the taste of Linatone. Ming would finish off the entire bottle if he had his way. Of course, as others have said, verify there isn't some other underlying issue like food problems.

One of the best ways to control dog hair is to groom it. Bayta liked a grooming glove, Ming doesn't like much of any kind of grooming instrument but he'll stand still for a good rub down with a towel which is sufficient for most short-haired dogs. Obviously, you're already doing this - i'm just throwing it in for good measure.

[Cheetah]

It's not abnormal for many breeds of dogs to have seasonal shedding. Both of my dogs shed in the fall right before winter, and in the spring right before summer. So all breeds aren't the same... There's not necessarily anything wrong with a dog that's shedding when it gets cold...

[sheplovr]

Truly there is no set time for a dog to shed. My breeding male, Gino is dropping a few tiny clumps for no good reason. May be the indoors more so and the heat for when nice they play outdoors. I think we trigger a hormone change with so many weather changes this winter, the dogs insides get confused as much as I am with mild, rain, frost and cold, no snow yet, but it is enough to drive one crazy. I feel one can brush and find a pile of hair anytime at least me as I do NOT brush daily to be so truthful as I should.

[Dobi-Wan Kenobi]

ok well thanks for all the input, she has about half a bag of food left so i will finish that and see if the problem persists, her coat still looks really good and shiny, i think her skin may be a little dry though, i can see what look like little white flakes of dry skin maybe (not a alot just a few). maybe i should add some Omega Fatty acids or use some sort of a conditioner or something?

[Jake2006]

Jake sheds when he's under stress! He's been shedding since we moved to Scotland a month ago - although he isn't shedding as much now! Irish Water Spaniels are not supposed to shed! LOL

[Dobi-Wan Kenobi]

ok, so as i was walking roxxie the other day i noticed around her collar she had quite a bit of white flakes on her coat it looked like dandruff. Does anyone know what usually causes this? it is getting pretty cold out is it dry skin? or a food issue?

[Doberman's]

My Dobes get that as well. I give my dogs Flax oil capules they are high in omega 3 and Vit E. Also, I feed them milled flax on the days I do not give them the capsules ( milled flax I have for my horses ).


Fish oil is another good supplement for skin and coat, you can find fish oil capsules at the pet suply stores but I find that they tend to overcharge for dog stuff and you can get the very same thing at a Pharmacy in human grade and for less.

[Dobi-Wan Kenobi]

what mg or whatever do you give for the flax oil and fish oil?

[Doberman's]

I give about a tablespoon of milled flax or the large capsules of it which wrk out to about a half a teaspoon of flax oil. Flax will not hurt your dog so do not worry about giving too much.

Fish oil that I am refering to is called just that " fish oil ". Not cod liver, cod liver is ok to give but you need to be careful because it is high in Vit A which when given too much can cause Vit A toxcity. I give one caspsule every couple of days or twice a week but I like flax and give it just about everyday adn my dogs coats look great.

[lassie]

Mine decided to shed their coats just after ive entered them for a show:D


i give the girls evening primrose capsules.;)

[Doberman's]

Figures they would shed then !

I have to try that as well ( evening primrose ) what other benefits does it have on top of the Omega's in it ?

[lassie]

Properties
Evening Primrose is edible and medicinal and has a long history of use as an alternative medicine . The leaves are cooked and eaten as greens and the roots are said to be sweet succulent and delicious when boiled like potatoes. Flowers are a sweet addition to salads or as a garnish and young seedpods are Steamed. This plant was a staple food for many Native American tribes. Formerly cultivated for its nutritious edible roots, it is being increasingly cultivated for the oil contained in its seeds which contains certain the essential gamma-linoleinc acid (GLA), a very valuable fatty acid that is not found in many plants and has numerous vital functions in the body. GLA is an essential fatty acid that the body does not manufacture. This fatty acid is known to help prevent hardening of the arteries, heart disease, eczema, cirrhosis, rheumatoid arthritis, menopause, PMS, multiple sclerosis, and high blood pressure. It has a positive effect on sex hormone response including the hormones estrogen and testosterone, aids in lowering cholesterol levels, and is important in treating cirrhosis of the liver. Research also demonstrates that primrose oil helps relieve pain and inflammation. The oil also has a positive effect on the uterine muscles, nervous system and metabolism. The bark and the leaves are astringent and sedative. They have proved of use in the treatment of gastro-intestinal disorders, whooping cough and asthma. A tea made from the roots is used in the treatment of obesity. A finely ground powder made from the flowering stems is used cosmetically in face-masks to counteract reddened skins.


I was told by my homepathic friend to give it to my bitch after she was spayed last year. it calms their hormones down, suppose abit like us as they are good for menopausal symptoms. I give it to the other bitch for coat.

[lassie]

each primrose capsule that i use contains. ep oil 1300mg

of which contains Cis-Linolenic 949 mg
gamma-linolenic acid 117mg (9% GLA)

[Dobi-Wan Kenobi]

ok good, i had gotten some fish oil at the store yesterday the 1200mg capsules (they were buy 1 get 1!!!). I am going to go back and get some flax today, i think they were buy 1 get 1 too.

[Doberman's]

:D Thanks for the info Lassie :)

Excellent Dobi ! Let us know how you make on with it. :D

[Jake2006]

GLA (evening primrose) is available for humans on prescription for eczema and fibrocystic breast disease. I took it for years and it certainly helped - and my hair shone like a beacon LOL

One thing... the equipment used for blood tests (veterinary) was showing liver damage when canines were administered EPO. However - it was just a gliche with the machines. I would imagine its been sorted out now, but wouldn't hold my breath!

Carole

[lassie]

i give mine 1 1000mg a day carole.;)

[Jake2006]

No wonder they win the shows and have lovely coats - you sure look after your doggies.

When I come back - if I come back as a canine - I hope I have an owner like you - lol.

[lassie]

Lol well dont expect a long walk in this weather its freezing down here.

[Jake2006]

In Bonnie Scotland its a bit dull right now but we were on Cullen Beach last night at 5pm eating fish & chips, looking at the moon's reflection on the sea and gazing up at the night sky - no light pollution. You could see the milky way so clearly you could just reach up and touch it ...
Jakey was exploring in the rocks - life for him doesn't get much better LOL

[City girl]

Kip sheds like mad, he's a male lab and i constantly have to vacuumm my carpet. I have a bagless and I pick up more than a hand full each time.

[sheplovr]

Personally I have German Shedders, ha ha. Not really as I have them on Fresh Factors for less shedding, healthy shiny coat and pliable healthy skin no scratching. www.springtimeinc.com (http://www.springtimeinc.com) for the products I use also Joint Health to one year and Bug Off for fleas n ticks, never in my life have I seen a tick will end of July be 69 so that is saying quit a mouthfull only at the vets have I seen them on dogs or pups shipped in from other states to Pa. from????
You can offer your pet a tbsp of Apple Cider Vinegar daily as a super tonic, less shedding, healthy coat, etc. I spray mine with half bottle of vinegar and water and they shine like they are going to a show, but they also love it and lick it off mostly. Warning::;;
Also, u can give two sardines packed in oil twice a week helps alot of dogs, not all depends on what they eat for shedding happens when a bitch is going into a heat cycle, etc. There is NO set time for dogs shedding despite what people try to tell you it is spring they are going to BLOW their coats, I have seen that in July on dogs, so be prepared with a ten minuted daily brushing against the growth, then lay it down with a softer brush. This lifts the dander and dead undercoat with a dematter type of comb or slicker or shedder blade. Just go against the growth to lift dead hair and dander, then brush with the growth and u will see alot less care of the coat if done daily on any breed.:D

[Chuy's dad]

I love my non-shedding Wheaten Terrier :)

[Dobi-Wan Kenobi]

just an update, i have been giving roxxie 1 1000mg capsule of Flax everyday and 1 1000mg of fish oil 2 times a week. her coat looks really good, nice and shiny. she still gets some dry skin flakes but its not near as bad as before though.

[Doberman's]

just an update, i have been giving roxxie 1 1000mg capsule of Flax everyday and 1 1000mg of fish oil 2 times a week. her coat looks really good, nice and shiny. she still gets some dry skin flakes but its not near as bad as before though.

Awesome !!! :D

My two only get flaky skin now when they go to the Vet's when they are stressed.

[alibob238]

Sparky went through a phase of mad shedding about a month back. It would have been roughly 4 months after she went into season. I thought she was shedding her winter coat maybe, it was pretty mild all through, until.........just after she shed it. Now it's freezing........bless her