my dog sheds to much I brush and brush and fur after fur keeps coming out? is there any vitamins or minerals I can give her to reduced her sheding?

I had a Australian Shepherd and she shed year round. She did grow a thick undercoat during the winter that she would shed (twice as bad) in the Spring. But as for over all shedding, it was a constant. Like Laura said, there were tumbleweeds of fur in the house on a non-stop basis. I seriously don't think there is anything on the market that will keep your pet from shedding, it is just a natural thing that happens. I just think that it all depends on the breed. Do your research when looking for a pup, it will be noted is they shed a lot or not at all. It should always, always be considered before choosing the breed you want, on how much upkeep a dogs coat will require! It is a huge part of owning a Dog (or Cat), keeping their coat well maintained.

My border collie mix is the same way. She has a long-ish coat and a thick undercoat, and even in the middle of winter she sheds enough that I'm constantly vacuuming up dog tumbleweeds and worrying that eventually some of the larger ones will become sentient. She never seems to run out of hair, though. There are supplements that will help keep her coat healthy, but it won't necessarily reduce shedding if she's just a hairy dog in a climate that doesn't require that much hair. Vitamin E and oils with omega 3 and 6 promote skin and coat health.

Some more info may be helpful:

1. What breed? What age? Recent unusual stressors your dog has been exposed to?
2. Is this seasonal?
3. Is this unusual compared to normal?
4. Recent changes in food or medication?

The answer could be everything from this is completely normal (invest in a "Furminator" style brush) to you should be very concerned and need a visit to the vet.

Best wishes, Mark

Use fish oil. Also, try using food that is specifically designed for skin and coat. Hopefully that will help! It also depends on what time of year this is happening, or if its year round. Some dogs shed year round, while others only shed when the seasons change. Some breeds shed more than others. Try giving an oatmeal or medicated bath, with a conditioner. That could possibly help too! Good luck and let me know if you need anymore help! Im a vet tech and would be glad to help as much as I can :)

I used to have a german shepherd mix that shed constantly also! He usually had 2 BIG sheddings a year! It would take me a week of a daily (really long) brushing to get rid of all the hair in the early spring and fall. I think its just the natural way the upper and under coats grow in and out that causes the shedding. Like Laura said, all you can really do is keep the skin and coat healthy....and keep on brushing!

You can add coconut oil to her food. Start with a teaspoon for about a week, then slowly increase to one teaspoon per 10 pounds of dog. It won't completely stop the shedding, but it will help. You will also see her coat get softer and shinier in a couple of weeks. You will still have to brush her, but you will find the brushing will be less often.
One important tip: use only cold pressed, unrefined, organic coconut oil. It comes in a solid or pasty form (kind of looks like lard in a jar). Just heat it in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds and it will become liquid and make it easier to mix with her food.

I had the same problem with my Chihuahua mix. My veterinarian told me that I can give her a bath every day if I want or as often as I can and that should help. I thought it wasn't good to give dogs baths too often, but she assured me that it would be fine and quite healthy for her and would definitely help with her shedding. So I tried it and it really helped! Now not only has her shedding improved, but she always looks so pretty!!

Our hound is a constant shedder as well. We use a combination of the furminator (anti-shed brush) and a weekly bath and those have both cut down on the shedding.

Try coconut oil or a uncooked egg in food. But you may have to try other brushs so you can get to the under coat. Try a rake or sheader comb looks like a oil filter wrench. For short hair try a rubber nubbed product.