Black lab shedding too much?

Question

I have two black labs (the mother and the son; she's six years old and he's almost one) and the mother is shedding a lot. We live in the Midwest of the US, so it's not like it's unnaturally hot or anything, and he's barely shedding at all. We can brush her five or six times a day, get the brush completely full of her fur, and we still get loose fur out even when we just run our hands over her back. Is she sick? Should we take her to a vet, change or food, or is it just old age or what... ?

Answer 1

try changing her food . if you haven't taken her to a Vet in awhile you may want to have her checked out

Answer 2

You need to get a Fumigator they are great at getting all the fur off. Buy it on-line, Petco is way too expensive.

Answer 3

you could go to your vet or local pet store and buy some omega-3 and feed it to your dog with your dog's food.

good luck, i knows it can be frustrating.

Answer 4

Try another dog food.  Give her a bath and brush her with the shampoo still on to pull some hair out of her undercoat.  Use oatmeal.

Answer 5

maybe attach a leash to them aand attach the leash to a tree or sumthin then brush them then bring them inside?

Answer 6

Well, your right, she could need to see a vet.  Could be old age, and it could be her food.  Without knowing what she's eating.  If she's seen a vet, or if she lives inside or outside, there is a multitude of things that could be causing the excessive shedding.  Including genetics.  Labs are very prolific shedders to start with.  Your pup just hasn't gotten started yet!

Answer 7

Some labs can shed all year round now that our homes have central heating, and as you have spotted it varies from individual to individual, if she is fed a high quality complete dog food then she shouldn't need a change of diet (buy the best food you can afford with no artificial additives and no fillers)

At 6 years old she most definately isn't suffering from "old age" she is in her prime, has she just had a season? Or maybe she is about to come into season, changes in hormone levels can trigger increased shedding.

Just keep up the good work grooming both dogs every day will remove any loose hair - best to brush her outside while she is shedding to save having to constantly hoover up behind her.

(And count your blessings that your labs are black not yellow - those pesky yellow hairs show up so much more against your smart clothes!!)

Answer 8

Is the hair loss so bad that she has bald spots, is there a lot of flaky dandruff, does she scratch a lot? Bumps or redness? Change in behavior or appetite? If the answer is yes, take her to the vet. There can be quite a few thing that could be wrong and he/she would be the best person to help you treat what ever issue your dog may have. If your dog is normal in all respects she may have just had a slightly heavier "winter" coat than normal...and I wouldn't worry to much....if it continues to bother you though, head to your vets!