Shedding or Food problem?

[Izzy's Valkyrie]

So, let me preface this with a confession to not brushing Izzy as often as I probably should... So...


I brushed Izzy and her kennel and my rug today... Guess which one yielded more hair?! Izzy shed her twin today while I was brushing and zoom grooming her. I think the compressed hair would be nearly a pound of just shed fur. By volume, the fur probably took up a fourth or even third of our trash can when not pushed down. I'm wondering if this is more than shedding....

Her coat is shiny and soft and she doesn't itch, rarely ever shows signs of dandruff so I'm confused. I will mention that she has lately lost interest in her particular flavor of Taste of the Wild which is the High Prairie formula with Bison and venison in it. To get her interested in her food lately, we've been adding an egg yolk which has her eating right away. Could her disinterest have something to do with her coat? Am I overreacting to a double coated dog shedding in summer?I just feel like the really horrible shedding has only recently started happening.... like, last two weeks or less.


Any ideas?

[Renee750il]

Sounds like a heavy summer shed to me

If she's been in a stressful situation lately, that will make them shed more heavily as well.

[MicksMom]

Originally Posted by Renee750il

Sounds like a heavy summer shed to me ...

Me, too. Especially since you said you don't brush her as much as you probably should. I remember one time when I hadn't brushed Mick for awhile. I got this brain storm to but him on the grooming table in the drivway, and blow his coat with the shop vac. The hair went down the driveway and along the street. There was so much hair along the curb that it looked like it had snowed. Just keep up the brushing, and you should have it under control (as best you can with a retriever. LOL).

[Izzy's Valkyrie]

I noticed this morning that one spot on her back leg is sort of bald/bare... Did I over brush her?

[Hillside]

What kind of brush do you use?

[Izzy's Valkyrie]

Used a shedding brush first... I think? It's one of those that has the needle like bristles Then when I could still pet her and get hair off in my hand I switched to her Zoom Groom which is http://www.petnutritionproducts.com/...mgroom_dog.jpg

[MicksMom]

Originally Posted by Izzy's Valkyrie

Used a shedding brush first... I think? It's one of those that has the needle like bristles...

Sounds like either a pin brush Little Wonder Pin Brush - Cherrybrook

Or a slicker brush
Enlarge the Image

I haven't brushed a dog bald with either, but, then again, I didn't like the slicker, so only used it a couple of times. Personally, tho, I'd only use either of those where the dog has an undercoat. I finally gave up on everything but the Zoom Groom, a comb and a soft bristles brush for the face, ears and legs.

[Izzy's Valkyrie]

Slicker! I knew the evil brush had a name. Izzy really hates the slicker but the bristle brush we got never touches her shedding issues. She's part Border COllie so I think? she has an undercoat. Lots of feathering on her legs/tail with longer hair down her spine and shorter hair on her sides... I need new pictures!

[dobesgalore]

Try a pin brush instead. Our Australian Shepherd HATES slicker brushes. The pin brush makes his coat look a lot better, then go over a final touch with a bristle brush. Mine is a natural boar bristle and it polishes his coat really well.

[Izzy's Valkyrie]

Thanks for the advice