Need help with shampoo for my chuwawa/beagle mix......

[BoomerR]

HI, I'm new and so glad to have found this place! I recently adopted a dog for the pound he is a 26lb. chuwawa/beagle mix (sorry don't know how to spell)

we got him in July of this year and really didn't have a problem with the shedding until now. BIG problem. I was using Magic Coat flea & tick shampoo on him, but stopped cuz i hated the smell and started using my shampoo on him, Tresemme. I know I shouldn't be he smelles so much nicer now. All of a sudden he's shedding like mad! I can just pull his fur out. So do you think it's the shampoo that's the problem and causing the massive shedding? Cuz I know this is the time that they don't shed cuz of the colder weather right?
Is this Magic Coat shampoo good for him or should I get something else. Something that isn't alot of money.
Thanks so much!!!!!!

[RoughCollies]

Go to the pet store and get an oatmeal shampoo. They are excellent for adding moisture to the skin and are good for allergies. It's a good smell. Not to shampooey, not to mediciney. And you can get it for a reasonable price. I wouldn't use people shampoo because they can dry out the skin and cause allergies in some dogs. Plus, the product is not made for dogs, so it might not take certain canine qualities into effect.

[Deb's Tiny Dogs]

I agree oatmeal is good and there are some specialty shampoos made just to reduce shedding (PetSmart or online at DrsFosterandSmith.com or RevivalAnimal.com)

However, if the shedding is really excessive, I'd let the vet take a look to rule out skin conditions or allergies.

[RoughCollies]

Yes, I agree. Although, some shedding is normal right now. He might be blowing his summer coat and getting his winter coat. If you think it's really that bad, then call your vet and rule allergies out. If he is fine there, then try a linatone supplement or something similar for dry skin and coat. That might help. If he is blowing coat, then that's normal and happens usually twice a year.

[Luvmyjob]

How many baths and how much time between when you used the flea shampoo? You may have over used the product or it plain didn't agree with his coat. Also the switch to people shampoo could have triggered this reaction. Dogs coats are not tolerable to human shampoo. It drys out the natural oils in their coat. You definately need to get a dog shampoo...preferably oatmeal based with tea tree oils/meleluca. Maybe an oatmeal conditioner also. Check out the pet store , they are usually reasonable in price. Don't overbath, brushing out a few times a week for the breed of your dog and just wiping down with a wet cloth will get his coat back into shape if there isn't an underlying health issue causing the profuse shedding.

[Deb's Tiny Dogs]

You might also try the Kong grooming tool called Zoom Groom. People swear by it for short-haired dogs!

[RoughCollies]

good idea. Also, when bathing, you can use it to scrub the shampoo into the coat. It helps get the shampoo all the way to the skin and massages at the same time. I have used it for bathing smooth collies and loved it.

[barnjess]

What do you feed your dog? The coat can shed more when there is a lack of oils which makes the skin dry and itchy

[GermanShepherds]

Originally Posted by barnjess

What do you feed your dog? The coat can shed more when there is a lack of oils which makes the skin dry and itchy

What coud she feed to make the dogs oils come out?

[barnjess]

well it really depends on where she is, there is a product here called mault formula, its great you feed it daily and it really slows down the shedding, i was amaised at how well it worked for Barney. Also flax and cod liver oil is good. Also in winter the skin drys out because of the heating, this is what makes barney shed