I have a boston terrier mix. (with a poodle) and he's been shedding a ton, everywhere I look theres a clump of hair. He's scratching a lot too, could this be fleas?
2007-02-25 04:24:45 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
your answer has helped, I live in Iowa and we have been having alot of weather changes, it was up to 50 this week and we had a snow storn yesterday.
2007-02-25 04:35:03 · update #1
he's been on the same food for I don't know how long, and I haven't been giving him anything new, oh and he likes to roll aroung on his back a lot, I'm guessing its the weather changes, thanks!
2007-02-25 04:41:56 · update #2
I'm not accusing you of being a bad pet parent but one of the symptoms of malnutrition for dogs is hair loss. What kind of food do you feed him? Or perhaps the weather where you are has been warmer than usual? Who know for sure until you take him to the vet.
Good luck! :)
2007-02-25 04:38:15 · answer #1 · answered by Kelly_from_Texas 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My first question is, is he on a new food? The amount of shedding can be a direct result to the quality of food a dog eats. Better food equals less shedding (although all shedding dogs will still shed). Another thing could be a dry skin issue, an allergic reaction to something, or even having to do with excessive stress. Your best bet it to take him to a vet for a checkup. He or she will be able to tell if it is an allergy or a skin issue right off, and they can advise you about a stress issue as well. Some dogs even take medication like Prozac for stress or hyperactivity.
One way to check for fleas is to comb your dogs hair with a very fine toothed comb onto a piece of paper. Typically there will be little dirt particles that come out of the hair on any dog. If you get these wet and they turn red it's because they are particles of dried blood from a flea attack.
Good luck
2007-02-25 12:36:37 · answer #2 · answered by hmx_mail 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is the time of year when dogs and other animals throw their winter coats. The hair that they put on for winter is not needed when the weather starts getting warmer.
This time a years is when sheep and goats are sheared. Part of the coat detaches from the skin and there is room to get the shears under the coat to strip it off.
As a groomer in a rural area I have stripped many dogs for the warm weather. Many just need to be brushed and brushed and brushed on a daily schedule during this time. Or taken to a groomer.
The scratching is because under that heavy coat they build up all kinds of dander, debris and sweat and it itches. Plus as the hair follicles fall out the weight of the loose hair pulls and it hurts.
2007-02-25 12:41:00 · answer #3 · answered by bluebonnetgranny 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Winter can bring all sorts of problems dry skin for humans and pets alike.
Roll him over on his back and check his skin for flea dirt or have your vet do it. Clean belly usually means no fleas.
There are other health problems that could account for hair loss and scratching if you add in being overweight and lethargic you could be looking at thyroid again this is something that a vet would check with a simple blood test.
Try brushing with with a brush for his hair type everyday maybe you just need to re-stimulate his skins natural oils, and add a teaspoon of oil to his food a couple of times a week. If you are bathing him please use a shampoo for sensitive skin and be sure to rinse it all out as shampoo residue can also create itching.
2007-02-25 12:35:11 · answer #4 · answered by Janice C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have been having the same probs with my lab and my Newfy.
The lab is getting what we call cluster sheds...he's dropping chunks of fur...mostly from his hind quarters.
The Newfy just sheds...period...
It related mostly to the weather. The temperature is 10 one day and almost 50 the next.
The poor animals don't know if they should shed their winter coats or keep them. When they do shed...it does itch a bit...that's why they scratch.
Come spring they will just shed it all (what a mess).
But no...there's nothing wrong with your little guy...just funky weather.
2007-02-25 13:10:42 · answer #5 · answered by Nibbles 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is what happens when winter is close to being over, and is completely normal. But you may want to get him checked for fleas, scratching is not common for a shedding dog unless he feels like he has hair that is really bugging him.
I hope this helps!!! =)
2007-02-25 12:33:17 · answer #6 · answered by ..... 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The change in weather mght be an aspect depend ing on where you live
2007-02-25 12:32:05 · answer #7 · answered by Skylight 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your dog is shedding more than usual, that is not bad.
2007-02-25 12:38:38 · answer #8 · answered by Robbie C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well it is normal because of the seson changes.
2007-02-25 12:56:16 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋