Reducing Shedding With Your Dog

I have a dog that sheds like dandelions gone to seed. He has been staying with a cousin since we moved since weren't allowed to have him. I have got to find a good product to control his shedding, or he'll wind up in the pound. Budget is a very big factor, so I'm tempted to go low and try the brewers yeast, but would love some input from others who have dealt with this. Are the more expensive "shed stopper" supplements worth the extra cost? Can the brewers yeast compare?

Cyd from Rochester, NY

Answers:

Reducing Shedding With Your Dog

Go to Pet-Co and get a bag of Natures Blend for dogs. This is a dry dog food. They also have it for cats. This will really cut down on the shedding of either animal. Goodluck! (12/29/2005)

By Carol

Reducing Shedding With Your Dog

I use fish oil capsules in my dogs food and believe me with six dogs I have lots of hair floating around. But, since using the fish oil it has been cut way down. I give my Pomeranian 1 cap. My big guys and gals I give up to 4 depending on size. If they start having loose bm's I cut back on the capsules and go from there. But, this has helped me a lot. (12/29/2005)

By Joyce

Reducing Shedding With Your Dog

I own a Collie and a Golden Retriever mix and I have worked as a dog groomer so if there's one thing I know about it's dog hair! The most important thing you can do is to make sure your dog is eating good food. Grocery store dog food is really not the best for your dog. You can discuss with your vet what he or she thinks would be best for your dog. Next, invest in a good slicker brush and a good comb. USE THEM EVERY DAY! There is a product that you can get from many vets called "Lo-Shed" but it's my own personal opinion that it doesn't work any better than doing the above two things I mentioned.

Good food and brushing are the best! Let's face it; most dogs and cats shed! One other important thing to remember is to make sure your dog is well brushed before you bathe him/her because if there are mats in the fur before the bath, wetting them down will only make them tighter and harder to get out! If worst comes to worst, you might consider shaving the dog down. We had a Lhasa Apso that we kept shaved in a cute cut all the time. (12/29/2005)

By Robin

Reducing Shedding With Your Dog

You don't mention if the dog has always shed so much but please remember that most animals will shed significantly more when they are under stress, such as the move & relocation to the cousins' home. Maybe it will lessen as the dog acclimates to the new environment to a more normal amount of shedding. If this is not the case, try the readers' tips. Good Luck! (12/30/2005)

By kidsNclutter

Reducing Shedding With Your Dog

I agree with everyone else. I want to add that if the person who has the dog doesn't care enough to keep him you should find a home where he will be properly cared for & loved. Or find a rescue group who will take him. If he is taken to a "pound" he will be killed after a few days at most. None of this is his fault & he shouldn't pay for it. (12/30/2005)

By Vic

Reducing Shedding With Your Dog

During warm weather you can have the dog clipped short and that should control the shedding. If its a small indoor dog you could have it clipped short and then put on a sweater until you can find the cause and a good solution. I regularly have my dogs clipped during warm months (which in Calif is most of the year).

Note however, that I do not recommend leaving the sweater on 24/7 - I take my dogs sweaters off at least 12 hrs a day - so this doesn't work for outside dogs in cold weather. Good luck - its hard having someone else caring for the dog. (01/02/2006)

By Karen Howell

Reducing Shedding With Your Dog

Brewers Yeast isn't going to reduce shedding. There really isn't anything out there that will help. Dogs shed. You can try and go to www.shedender.com it is a comb you buy to brush the dog with. It gets to the under coat. You would have to brush a dog everyday. I have an Akita and she sheds a lot. I brush her a lot as well to reduce the shedding.
(01/08/2006)

By Rebecca

Reducing Shedding With Your Dog

Ground flax seed works very well! Also, clipping a dog that isn't meant to be clipped is a bad idea. It ruins them. They are never able to stand there hair growth again. You will need to always keep it clipped! (01/25/2006)

By Billie

Reducing Shedding With Your Dog

Make sure the dog is getting a premium dog food. Also, my dog was shedding excessively and it turned out that she has a thyroid condition that is easily controlled by medication. (09/29/2006)

By Laurie