Is It Normal For My German Shepherd To Shed A Lot
There might be times when your German Shepherd can experience excessive shedding and this might be because of an underlying health reason such as stress, allergies, pain, hormonal changes, or fleas, parasites, or ticks. If your dogs excessive shedding is caused by one of these reasons, you should consult your vet for a proper consultation and medication.
Hertzko Double Sided Dog De
- The Hertzko Double Sided Pet Dematting Comb is the ideal German Shepherd dematting tool to relieve the discomfort of tangles and mats. This dog dematting tool is double-sided and effectively removes knots, dirt and dander from the knotted areas of your dog’s fur.
- Because this dog grooming comb is well suited for all dogs we recommend it as the best dematting comb for dogs of all sizes. The teeth are are no-scratch and gently massage your dog’s skin while still penetrating down to the undercoat.
- If you are looking for the best dog comb for a multi-pet home then the anti-slip comfort grip will make grooming sessions a breeze. It’s durable design also makes it the best dematting tool for long haired dogs.
German Shepherd Ear Care And Dental Care
GSDs have tall, alert ears that stand up by the time they reach about four months of age. These ears are a signature feature of the breed and can be prone to infections if you dont keep a watchful eye on their care. Walsh uses hypoallergenic baby wipes to clean her dogs ears, noting that the wipes are easy and gentle to use.
Wilson also recommends cleaning your dogs ears and checking regularly for ear infections. Go to the vet if you notice one, she says, as such infections can be serious and require the care of a veterinary professional.
For dental care, a wide variety of oral care products are available now for dogs. Dental care you can do at home includes the use of disposable dental wipes or dog-friendly flavored toothpaste . The best course of action, though, is to consult with your veterinarian about which dental hygiene routine will be best for your dog.
Yasmine S. Ali, MD, is a cardiologist and writer based in Tennessee, where she lives with three Canine Good Citizens, including an AKC-registered German Shepherd Dog.
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Supplements For Dog Coat Growth
Many dogs can suffer from skin or coat issues at some point in their lifetime. But, certain breeds seem to be more prone to them.
German Shepherds, for example, are predisposed to food and environmental allergies, while Golden Retrievers are known to suffer from canine atopic dermatitis caused by allergies to food and environmental irritants as well as fleas.
For dogs, skin health manifests in the coat, which could shed, present hotspots , or become dull. If your dog is suffering from skin and coat issues, or simply has lackluster hair, talk to your veterinarian about adding supplements to their diet.
Skin and coat supplements provide vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that support skin health and encourage healthy coat growth in all dogs.
*This article may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of the links I get a small commission at no additional cost to you :).
Side Effects Of Coconut Oil
Your GSD may experience some side effects from coconut oil, but normally this happens if you give too much coconut oil too quickly.
I recommend that you start slowly.
See how your dog reacts and then gradually increase the dosage if needed. Check with your vet to be sure that coconut oil is the right choice.
The most common side effects include diarrhea or greasy stools. If your dog has pancreatitis, metabolizes fat inefficiently, or is on a low-fat diet, then consider using coconut oil topically in tiny doses and check with your vet .
Giving coconut oil to your dog isnt a guaranteed magic fix. But if you want a natural treatment for dry skin, its worth it to try unless your vet has warned otherwise.
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How Often Should You Brush Your German Shepherd
The only way to reduce the amount of shedding is to brush your dog regularly. Every German Shepherd shed at different rates and in varying amounts as well. You need to figure out what brushing schedule works best for your dog.
Start by brushing your dog once a week and determine how much they shed after that. If you think there is too much fur everywhere, try brushing them twice a week. Keep doing this until you find out how often your German Shepherd needs to be brushed to keep things under control.
To maximize brushing efficiency, use the undercoat rake at least once a week. Be thorough about it and get rid of any loose fur that may have accumulated under the top layer.
Check Your German Shepherds Coat Frequently For Mites
Having German shepherds means dealing with mites, which is a real pain. A wider surface area means more room for mites to spread and damage. That means you should always be on the lookout for any signs of dog mites and take action to eliminate them if necessary.
Having fleas or mites can cause your dog to itch or rub at some areas of his body more than others. Your German shepherds coat may show signs of wear and tear if they are already infested. Regularly check through your dogs coat every two weeks to see if parasites can prevent mite occurrence.
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Invest In A Good Dog Brush
Creating a regular grooming routine is essential for German Shepherd owners.
You cant assume their fur and/or coat will continue to age gracefully. This doesnt happen and it is going to spiral out of control quickly without human intervention.
So, what do you end up doing as a dog owner?
You have to look at investing in a high-quality and safe dog brush for German Shepherds. This dog brush is going to have to be used regularly to reduce stress on the dog. This is essential when it comes to the dogs long-term health and well-being.
Remember, a good dog brush is going to get rid of most of your problems!
You will start to notice not only a reduction in the fur around the home or on your clothes but also a cleaner-looking German Shepherd coat too. They are going to have a balanced coat because all of the excess waste will be removed using a dog brush.
Why Do German Shepherds Shed
The coats of German Shepherds can vary in length and color. There are German Shepherds with a short coat and an undercoat, medium coat with an undercoat, long coat with an undercoat, and a long coat without an undercoat. This dog breed has two layers of coat: a topcoat or guard coat and an undercoat. Its topcoat is usually thick, straight, flat, and coarse and lies close to the body. It can also be wavy and wiry in texture. On the other hand, the undercoat is soft and thicker than the topcoat.
Just like many other dog breeds, German Shepherds also experience shedding. There are a number of reasons why their hair falls off but the most common reason is to protect them from the changing seasons. Their coat serves as protection from the harsh weather, be it the cold or the heat of the sun. It acts as a regulator for their body temperature.
Another reason for their shedding is their overall health. There might be times when your German Shepherd can experience excessive shedding and this might be because of an underlying health reason such as stress, allergies, pain, hormonal changes, or fleas, parasites, or ticks. If your dogs excessive shedding is caused by one of these reasons, you should already consult your vet for a proper consultation and medication.
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Do Plush Coat German Shepherds Shed
Plush coat German Shepherds shed all year heavily and even more so twice per year in the spring and fall when they change or blow their undercoat in preparation for the new season ahead. However, their fur is replaced almost as soon as it is lost.
Generally, a long coat will shed less than a plush coat dog purely because of coat volume and having an open coat. The short hair German Shepherd has two coats, but because of the shorter guard coat, the overall trapped loose fur is less than with a plush coat.
You should brush them around twice a week and more in the heavy shedding season. You can check out this article for tips on controlling shedding, How To Reduce German Shepherd Shedding.
I know there are many good grooming tools, but I use the FURminator undercoat de-shedding tool from Amazon. Despite trying many other brushes, I have found the FURminator to be the best by far as it safely reaches through the guard coat and removes the soft thick undercoat with ease.
I also love the easy eject button to release the fur from the tool, and the well-designed handle makes it easy to grip and hold.
Give Them Zinc For Healthy Skin
Zinc is a vital mineral for skin and coat health. It helps to improve a dogs coat by increasing their skin resilience and adding to healthy skin.
Dogs suffering from a zinc deficiency may exhibit poor skin and coat conditions.
Symptoms of a lack of proper zinc levels include:
- cracked paw pads
- excessive hair loss
- lesions around the mouth, eyes, and ears
Zinc, besides other important minerals like copper, improves a dogs coat if they are not getting enough of these minerals in their diet.
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Dakpets Furblaster Dog Grooming Glove
- The Dakpets FURblaster Dog Grooming Glove has unique features that makes it the best German Shepherd dog grooming mitt. This comfortable right-handed one-size-fits-all pet deshedding glove has soft rubber tips and works well to reduce shedding by collecting all loose fur quickly and easily.
- It’s the best dog grooming glove for all types of dog coats and can be used on dry coats before baths, as well as wet coats after baths. It’s durable but soft rubber surface collects all loose hairs while you massage your pet for a pleasant experience for both you and your furry friend.
- It is comfortable, well padded and made of durable mesh with a fuzzy strap fastener that is adjustable to fit all hand sizes. And cleaning it is a breeze by effortlessly wiping all the collected loose fur from the rubber surface of the mitt.
Bathing Your German Shepherd With A Coconut Oil Treatment
A coconut oil treatment leaves your dogs skin velvety smooth and helps create a healthier skin protective layer.
These treatments also improve the health of your dogs nails and paw pads.
- Apply coconut oil straight to the skin. Let the oil absorb for about five minutes. Massage the oil into dry areas prone to itching.
- With your double-coated GSD, its difficult to get down into the skin through the thickness of the furinvest in a Zoom Groom tool for better results and ease of use. The Zoom Groom brush is soft and gentle.
- After five minutes of massage and letting the oil sit, apply this moisturizing coconut-based shampoo and work the shampoo in with the Zoom Groom massaging brush. This removes dead hair and loosens dry, flaky skin.
- Finish with a thorough rinse to remove all traces of the shampoo and coconut oil. Any shampoo left on the skin leaves your dogs skin more irritated if not rinsed completely.
- Over washing your German Shepherd can lead to more skin dryness and irritation, so dont bathe them more than once a month.
Maybe you want to use coconut oil, but dont want to provide a full spa experience for your dog. If youd rather avoid bathing your dog, follow the easier recommendations below.
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The Best Food For A German Shepherds Coat
Look for dog foods higher in protein to help them on the path to shiny fur that glows. Then choose the best name brand food for coat health.
Try this high-quality dog food that contains 32% protein and is made for the sensitive skin and stomach of your breed.
The vet-recommended food contains a special blend of ingredients that not only add shine to your German Shepherds coat but also contribute to less itching and scratching.
This formula also contains Omega-3 fatty acids which add to a beautiful, full coat.
Andis Premium Deshedding Pet Tool
- The Andis Premium Deshedding Pet Tool is ideal for German Shepherds that shed a lot and removes 80%-90% of the loose hair from the undercoat without any damage to the topcoat. It’s curved teeth and unique blades are professionally designed to prevent skin irritation and scratching but remove loose hair, dirt and dander with ease.
- Ergonomically designed to protect both you and your pet it has a soft-grip handle with proven anti-slip properties. With a light weight of 0.2lbs it’s been a favorite with salon owners nationwide for many years and is the ideal deshedding brush for short hair dogs as well as dogs with thicker fur.
- The Andis brand of pet grooming tools is a trustworthy family-owned brand that has been operating for more than 90 years and is still going strong.
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What Are Common Health Issues Experienced By German Shepherd Terriers
Some of the issues that may crop up with your German Shepherd Terrier include:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Allergies
- Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
It is important to take your dog to the vet as needed. Always pay close attention to any changes in their appetite, movement, or behavior. Early intervention may improve the outlook of various diseases and boost your dogs quality of life.
How To Look After A Long Haired German Shepherd
The iconic long-haired German Shepherd is loved by dog owners and breeders all over the world thanks to its gorgeous long coat and dashing good looks. Despite popular beliefs, long hair on German Shepherds is not a product of selective breeding and is in fact the result of a genetic fault.
The specific gene is an unpredictable trait and theres no real way of telling whether or not pups will be born with long hair. Even with selective breeding it’s often down to luck because even two parent dogs with short hair could still produce a long-haired German Shepherd if their DNA contains the necessary gene.
Although it’s down to personal preference and not everyone likes fluffy, long-haired dogs, this particular breed has become very popular with dog owners looking for a furry friend to adopt.
If youre lucky enough to have one of these beautiful canines or youre thinking of adopting one, make sure you know a lot about them in advance so youre prepared and equipped to look after them. This guide will provide you with a quick profile of the long-haired German Shepherd and outline some of the common concerns, issues or potential problems youll need to consider.
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Why Is It Important To Groom A Shepherd
Its important to groom any breed of dog or any pet that you have at all. However, its particularly important to take care of your shepherds hair because they have so much of it! If you dont take proper care of it, it can impact their health and can be disastrous for your house. You might need to stock up on vacuum cleaners if you dont want to groom your dog.
To be more specific, German Shepherds are double-coated dogs. A double-coated dog has two layers of fur.
- Their undercoat is the coat closest to their skin. This coat is generally quite dense and is made of fairly short hairs. These are very soft and need to be groomed with a brush.The undercoat is important for the dog because it can help them stay warm in cold temperatures. It can also help them keep their temperature in warmer conditions. This is why German Shepherd dogs are so great at functioning in all sorts of different weather conditions.
- The top coat is known as the guard hairs. These are the longer hairs that most people see when they are playing with their dog. These hairs help to keep dirt and moisture away from the actual skin of the dog.
The double-layer means that youre going to need to put extra effort into taking care of your dog because you need to make sure that you can groom the lower layer as well. Furthermore, double-coated dogs tend to shed quite a bit more than “normal” dogs, so if you dont take ample care of them, you will probably notice in terms of how much fur ends up on your furniture.
German Shepherds Dry Skin And Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has many benefits for a German Shepherd with dry skin.
When coconut oil is applied to your German Shepherds dry skin its amazing qualities include:
- antiviral
- antimicrobial
- antiprotozoal
This means that a German Shepherd with dry skin can use coconut to help with their skin health which means their coats will improve, too.
Its not only a natural oil, but it can reduce yeast and fungus on the skin and its therapeutic for irritated skin, hot spots, abrasions, and cracked paws. Plus, when applied to the skin it improves your German Shepherds coat.
This oil for a German Shepherds coat will infuse them with shine!
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