my shepard mix (not sure what he's a mix of) is shedding uncontrollably. is there anything i can do? i know the weather is a tiny factor of it, but is there anything i can give him that will help him shed less? or is there anything i can do to help keep my apartment clean (i hate having to vacuum twice a day!!). any kind of food, etc? i have that shedding blade that is helpful but it only does so much. any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks!
2006-09-12 14:50:59 · 8 answers · asked by ajlogan3 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
One breeder I know refers to them as "German Shedders" . That should tell you something.....
I'm afraid there's not much you can do. Healthy diet. Regular grooming. Lots of vacuuming.
2006-09-13 07:27:02 · answer #1 · answered by DaBasset - BYBs kill dogs 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is probably blowing his puppy coat. German Shepherds are double coated dogs which mean they have a lot of fur to shed. It is always a good idea to research the breeds that make up a mix so you can get an idea of what the dog will be like (personality, coat, size. . .) My two boys are shedding now too, but part of it is the time of year. GSDs shed continually, but twice a year they, well, kinda change from summer/winter and winter/summer coats.
I wish you luck. If this is too bad for you now, please keep in mind it will continue to be this way.
A quality food does help the amount they shed, but it does not make a huge difference unless the dog is allergic to something in the food. If the dog has hot spots or bald areas, I would suggest going to a food without any corn it in. Corn is a common allergen for dogs.
Good Luck
2006-09-12 22:00:34 · answer #2 · answered by wotana02 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately shedding is just part of being a dog *s*.. and german sheppards are one of the breeds that sheds lots.. Seasons and diet have a lot to do with shedding.. if you're feeding him a good quality food, excercising him and brushing him every day, then you're doing all the right things and I'm afraid there's not much more you can do except wait for the shedding season to be over, it normally only lasts a few weeks.. fish oil, like in sardines, or cod liver oil capsules, that sort of thing helps keep a coat healthy, that might help... good luck *s*
2006-09-12 21:58:04 · answer #3 · answered by {isis}~ Trevor 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sometimes shedding is a nutritional issue. make sure you are feeding a high quality food such as iams, nutro, solid gold, purina proplan. make sure chicken or meat is the #1 ingredient. make sure corn is NOT one of the first 3 ingredients. i would suggest getting your dog shaved down every month or two. she will still shed but the hair will be a quarter of an inch or so instead or 2 inches or so. we have to do this with our heeler and it cuts down vacuum time ALOT! tell them you want a 7 blade, or for even shorter a 9 or 10 blade. and if you dont like it the hair will always grow back. brushing helps too. depending on her weight the cost of grooming will be $40-60 or so but well worth it! this usually includes the bath, hair cut, toe nail clip, and ear cleaning. your vet can usually suggest good groomers in your area
2006-09-12 22:09:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
sorry to tell U, but GSD's are non-stop shedders. It can be more or less, depending on the season... but it's year-round.
it IS somewhat controllable, but only some:
* avoid lots of artificial light: LIGHT and photoperiod are what trip shedding, not temps that's why dogs shed most in Spring and Fall: the photoperiod changes.
** how old is Ur pup? abt 6 mos, they change coat from puppy fuzz to adult slick.
* feed Ur pup/dog good quality nutritious food; a 40# bag that costs $10 is NOT a bargain! Read the label: the 1st ingredient should be MEAT, not grain and not a byproduct. the more WHOLE the ingredient, the better the quality [any byproducts are cheap, but poor nutrition].
2006-09-12 22:00:53 · answer #5 · answered by leashedforlife 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use an undercoat rake as well as the shedding blade.Get the kind that has 2 different sized teeth.
You'll still need to brush daily but using both will considerably cut down stress on the vaccuum.
2006-09-13 07:32:39 · answer #6 · answered by misbehavin165 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh that poor little darling. You might try buying some bio-tin at the drug store. Follow the directions. Your vet should be notified if the shedding continues. Good luck. :)
2006-09-12 22:01:21 · answer #7 · answered by Catie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most large dogs have that because they grow faster then their body can handle. Have you taken him to the vet to see if he may have hip problems.
2006-09-12 22:13:01 · answer #8 · answered by autumn p 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋