Excessive Shedding Solutions?

[Mchickingbottom]

Hey guys,

I am the proud owner of Shakespeare, a 1.5 year old, 180 lb. English Mastiff. He has the best personality, and is very well trained. The single problem that I keep having the the sheer amount of shedding that is going on. It is driving my wife batty! Just a few questions from those who have experienced the same problem that I have.
1. How often should I bathe him?
2. What type of shampoo works best on the shedding situation?
3. Are there any tools in particular that work best for de-shedding? (specialty brushes, etc.)
4. Any diet that works better for regulating shedding?
5. Any tips in general to reduce shedding....

Please help me in this matter, preferable without condescension (a.k.a. self righteous pet owners).

Thanks

 

[Penelope's Mom]

I know chicken and grains often cause EMs problems that can lead to heavy shedding. Is your boy itchy? I love my Furminator. It worked well for Franklin and I still use it on Penelope with good results.

 

[DennasMom]

Denna (also EM, now 2.5 years old) didn't shed at all her first two years. We've seen a little more this year, but the 12lb cat still sheds waaaay more in one day then Denna has in her entire lifetime.

I'd take a look at your food - we feed raw, which isn't for everyone, but even when Denna was still eating kibble, she didn't shed (she did itch a little, though). She ate Solid Gold Wolf Pup from 2-6 months of age.

Are there any other symptoms of skin/hair issues?
If not, you could try just adding a little olive oil, coconut oil or salmon oil to his meals and see if that helps.
Or maybe a probiotic/enzyme supplement? (we use Nupro Silver, and like it)

I know there are "shed-stop" shampoos out there, but I don't have any experience with any of them. Maybe someone else here does.
Denna only gets a bath "as needed".... which is probably 6 times a year? She's not normally stinky, and we have fake turf in our yard, not grass, so she doesn't get very dirty rolling around outside, either.

If there are other symptoms, you might need to get chicken, chicken by-products and/or chicken fat out of his diet (that's a common allergy for mastiffs).

Any chance you'd share some pictures of your big guy?? If you hadn't noticed, we love pictures around here!!

 

[QY10]

Ooooh, we have a Shakespeare and a Hamlet on this forum now! Cute!