Sudden uncontrollable shedding?

DogzRule1996 · Post by **DogzRule1996** » Sat Oct 03, 2009 12:34 pm

Buddy, our golden retriever mix, has had a sudden shed attack. The first two months we've had him he almost literally didn't shed AT ALL. About a few weeks ago, he started like MAD. Is there a cause for all this SUDDEN shedding?

Nettle · Post by **Nettle** » Sat Oct 03, 2009 12:49 pm

Yes - winter.

Most dogs shed twice yearly as the seasons change, with a bit of light but constant shedding throughout the year.

Puppies change from a puppy coat to an adult coat as they mature.

Neutering also causes coat changes as the hormones adjust.

Dogs that have been starved will often shed once they have a better diet.

maximoo · Post by **maximoo** » Sat Oct 03, 2009 1:53 pm

I agree it's probably a combination of summer to winter & pup to adult. I was a little surprised when Max shedded a lot around 8 mths when he only had a very light shedding at 3 mths. All I can say is comb, comb, comb, and vacuum, vacuum, vacuum.

DogzRule1996 · Post by **DogzRule1996** » Sat Oct 03, 2009 7:09 pm

He's about 5-8 months old. My sister's friend (who is a vet in training) says that he is going to shed off all this fur and go into his long coat.

MaiasMom · Post by **MaiasMom** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 2:11 pm

I would not be concerned unless the hair is coming out in clumps and leaving bald spots or he/she is scratching him/her self raw. Hope you have a good vac and a good shedding tool.

DogzRule1996 · Post by **DogzRule1996** » Tue Oct 20, 2009 6:13 pm

We use the Shed Ender, as he is not that big.

MaiasMom · Post by **MaiasMom** » Tue Oct 20, 2009 7:27 pm

My friend uses a shed ender for her golden works well but for Schnauzers and dogs like them you can't beat a Coat King, it's spendy but works so well and does not hurt their skin. I also like to use a brush that has the little round things on the bristles. I can get down to the undercoat and not burn the skin on legs and ears. We use to call the vent brushes.