Why Is My Dog Shedding Excessively Even in Winter?
When should I be concerned about my dog shedding?
Photo by Owner
How Can I Stop My Dog From Shedding So Much Hair?
"I have a 19-month-old un-neutered male Turkish Kangal/Great Pyrenees named Inoki. I live in Colorado, and it's now December. He's still shedding like crazy. He is an indoor dog, and he's being trained to be my service dog. He eats a good dry dog food with venison and brown rice. He's growing fast. He looks so thin, but he's 105 pounds. I'm 5'4", and Inoki comes to my chest. It's just this crazy shedding—I brush him, vacuum him, and sweep up a small trash can full of hair multiple times daily. Any ideas?"—Lee
There are several reasons dogs shed excessively, even in winter. Consider the following:
- Medical: You did not mention that this was a problem with your Lab and said nothing about scratching, so I doubt this is the issue. If your dog has any patches of hair loss or red and inflamed skin, though, he should be examined by your regular veterinarian.
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Indoor Temperature: Again, you did not mention anything about your Lab losing hair excessively, so the problem might be that the temperature in your house is too high. Many dog breeds are adaptable and do just fine. I live in the tropics and have a Lab, but if I had a GP mix, that dog would have a very difficult time acclimating and would likely be in poor health as a result of the heat.
If you keep your house at 72 degrees, it is not appropriate for that breed of dog. There is certainly no reason for a Kangal/GP mix to have to endure the warmth of the house at night. Those dogs are built to live outside, and even if you only have a shelter to keep him dry if it rains and protect him from the snow drifts, he will be fine.
Many dog breeds deserve to live outside, and making them come inside at night is harder on the dog than just letting him live a natural life.
- Nutrition: I have written an article that details some of the nutritional changes you can make to improve your dog's coat. Dry dog food, no matter how good the company claims it is, will maintain life but not keep a dog in optimal health. The most complete fresh vitamin supplement you can give your dog is raw eggs, but it is also a good idea to supplement with fatty acids like fresh fish oil from salmon, mackerel, or sardines.
Is This Breed Right for You?
You have made an excellent choice for a companion dog, but not if you are going to ask him to live inside all of the time. There are many other breeds suited to an inside/outside lifestyle—and many excellent service and personal protection dogs that will not have issues with the heat.
If your dog is healthy and you have addressed the concerns I mentioned above, then you will simply need to accept the chore of brushing and vacuuming as you have been doing. The only other option is to consider rehoming this particular dog with someone who can offer him a lifestyle that better suits his breed.
This article is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from your veterinarian. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
© 2023 Mark dos Anjos, DVM
