Poor diet can exacerbate shedding
Dear Dr. Fox: I have written to you before about renal support for my dog, who was suffering from kidney failure.
Thank you for your advice, which was very helpful. He was much happier and, I think, healthier with a good diet instead of his old prescription dog food. Sadly, he died recently — not from everything he was being treated for, but from a likely brain tumor.
A couple of months ago, he’d started having seizures, and within just a few days, it was obvious this was not a temporary condition.
We had to put him down. I was able to hold him and comfort him during the procedure, and although he was pretty much out of it by that time, I think he knew he was in his favorite place: daddy’s lap.
One of our sons passed away from a heart attack at the same time we had to put Skeeter down, so it was doubly hard. I’m actually writing to you today about his dog: He and his fiancee had/have a rescue mix, about 35 pounds. His fur is not really short like a shepherd’s, and not long like a retriever’s, but in between, and he sheds something awful.
His fiancee has lint removers all over the house to remove dog hair from clothes, furniture, just about everything.
He’s very active and friendly, so anyone who interacts with him ends up with hair on their clothes. She brushes and vacuums him regularly, but he still sheds a lot.
I don’t see any skin conditions or fleas; he doesn’t scratch a lot, and his fur is clean and soft.
I know short-haired dogs stay clean by shedding, but I checked online for information about excessive shedding and found a lot of products, both oral and topical, that purport to control this problem.
Do you have any advice about controlling shedding? J.S., Palm Beach Gardens,
Florida Dear J.S.: I am so sorry to hear about the double loss of loved ones in your family. But I am glad that my help regarding nutrition for your kidney-compromised dog proved beneficial and improved your dog’s quality of life.
Shedding’s causes can be hormonal, environmental, genetic and nutritional. Stress, such as separation anxiety, can increase shedding. But most often, it is because of poor-quality dog food.
It is amazing that so many dogs survive on a diet of dry kibble, which too many veterinarians sell in their clinics, only to turn around and treat dogs and cats for various health problems caused by such a diet!
Anyone in doubt of this fact can check the book that I co-authored with two other veterinarians, “Not Fit for a Dog: The Truth About Manufactured Cat and Dog Foods.”
Regrettably, many new veterinary graduates know better, but are still obliged to sell such biologically inappropriate and harmful pet foods in order to generate income for their pet practices and pay off exorbitant student loans.
At least some more progressive practices are now supporting local community members starting up their own pet food initiatives, and linking with veterinary-directed special diet recipes at secure.balan ceit.com.
For the dog in question, I would recommend my home-prepared diet (on my website: drfoxonehealth. com) as at least half his daily meals.
And be sure to give a few drops of fish oil and a halfteaspoon of brewer’s yeast in his food daily.