Expert: Charlotte B - 7/23/2006

Question
My dog is fed a prescription dog food (very expensive) and I have read that a quality dog food will help to prevent shedding. We have been having extreme heat and suddenly my dog's hair is coming out in handfuls. Could the heat wave be causing my dog to go into a moult? She did not seem to shed a lot in the spring, when I would have expected it.

Answer
Hi Dorothy;
GEESH, where do some people get the advice they give out? LOo
No , the dog food has nothing to do with shedding.
What the better dog food decrease is the amount of poop you have to scoop.
The brands sold in grocery stores have more filers that are just junk to fill up the bag to make you think you are getting more for your money. These fillers only add bulk that has to be expelled, so they poop more.
The heat DOES affect shedding, especially if the dog has been in an airconditioned house, and then spends time outside.
There can also be a sking problem, allergies or something, so it is better to get a Veterinarian's opinion.
They get more hair in the winter, and shed starting in the sring.
If it is just normal shedding, a daily or twice a week ( on shorter haired dogs) bruching will take care of it.
It would be best to take her in for a complete checkup, to make sure there are n skin problems. allergies and mange can be life threatening.
Then follow up with a good brushing with a proper brush for the leagth of her hair.
Keep feeding the better food. It contributes to her good health and ferew illnesses ( and Vet bills), and good health increases her life span.Spayig also increases her life span and inproves her health.
The food may be more expensive, but you feed smaller amounts of the better foods, so portion per portion the cost is sloce to the same.
Charlotte