Bunny...matcom...any other pug owners...dog owners period...HELP

[dolo amber]

Do your dogs shed enough in a day to make like an entire tribe of pugs? It doesn't seem to matter if I brush Gomez every 13 seconds...he reminds me of the witch on the Bugs Bunny cartoons who every time she took off on her broomstick there was a cloud of bobbypins left behind...

Is there a shampoo? A special diet? Shellac? Ffs, I would like to live in a house that doesn't look as tho Chewbacca and all his friends just had a wild orgy on my sofa. x(

[Kali]

1. time to reupholster

to match the hair - carpet too? My only thought, other than obsessive cleaning and I don't like to go there!:scared:

Seriously is the coat in otherwise healthy condition? Rule out real medical issues before accepting silly advice.

[dolo amber]

16. His coat's in great shape

If it wasn't, at the rate he sheds he'd be bald in about 3 days. :D

I'm liking the reupholstering idea, though... :think: :D

[Left Is Write]

2. I wish I knew the answer to this question.

Frankie should be bald by now, if the hair droppings were anything to go by. I can't even sweep them up - they stick to the vinyl flooring. I'm going through 3-4-5 Swiffer pads a day, plus using the DustBuster at least ten times a day, vacuuming the stairway every day, and washing the sheets almost every day.

Too damn much hair everywhere!

[dolo amber]

17. You do all that?

:o

Jesus, you *are* the space-aged housewife. :D

[Left Is Write]

21. LOL! Every day.

I love the dog, but I can't stand the hair everywhere. :)

[sleepyhead]

3. Get a Furminator

And use it daily. It's a kind of grooming tool that takes off all kinds of dead hair, and after a week or so you should notice a great decrease in the amount of flying fur. Also, get a fatty acid supplement (preferably from your vet, but there are some OTC that are pretty good e.g. Derm-Caps). Allerpet or Lo-Shed shampoos/conditioners work well too, but must be used consistently. If your dog is over 2 years old, consider getting his thyroid checked - hyperthyroidism can cause excessive shedding.

[dolo amber]

6. The thyroid thing is kinda interesting

I know pugs tend to go to fat pretty easily. He's always been a moose (WAY longer and somewhat taller than most pugs) but he eats in the same dish he had as a puppy...about 3/4c food/day...and he's still a chunky monkey. He's not really at all interested in exercise but I still think he's heavier than he should be. I should look into that. :hi:

[sleepyhead]

40. Oops - I meant HyPOthyroidism

That's what I get for trying to post and talk on the phone at the same time! Anyway, 3/4 cup of food doesn't sound like much, so if all else fails, get a thyroid test done. You're right, though - pugs do tend to be couch potatoes and really start to get pudgy faster than other breeds. Try replacing 1/3 of his ration with low-sodium canned green beans (as long as it doesn't make him gassy - nothing worse than a farting pug!).

[AllegroRondo]

44. seconded! LOVE the Furminator

we have a husky/lab who is a hair machine, the Furminator is the only thing thats really worked. For the first 2 weeks, we would brush him daily and get enough hair to stuff a pillow.

[China_cat]

47. Hypo, not hyper

Sorry, didn't see your correction until I hit post.

Gassy dog? A little cottage cheese, active culture yogurt or buttermilk 3 times a week does a marvelous job even on those who can peel paint at 30 yards.

[greatauntoftriplets]

4. Not a pug....

But Doogie -- my sister's Brittany spaniel -- was shedding like hell yesterday. I was petting him and pulling fur off into the grass like crazy. And this is a fairly long-haired dog. He continued to do it when we were inside the house. Doogie sticks to a particular chair and never gets on the dark couch.

I have no idea what to do about it.

[janx]

9. Different dogs have different times and kinds of shedding.

Daisy the shelter dog is in prime time now. Someone around here referred to "dog hair tumbleweeds" once, and I certainly know about those. I attacked them with a dust mop today, but only in certain parts of the house. I'll do the rest tomorrow.

This dog is furry!

[greatauntoftriplets]

11. So it didn't have anything to do with the fact the dog is 13 years old???

We are at a block party. Doogie saw another dog and sprinted down the street with a gait that made you think that he was years younger, and had not had surgery for a torn ligament a few years ago.

After that show, he was put back into the house, but it was a fine performance.

[janx]

12. How long has the dog been with you?

Is the shedding different from what it used to be?

[greatauntoftriplets]

13. It is my sister's dog...

He has never been with me. I think this is the time of year when he sheds.

But he was shedding lots yesterday and damn frisky for a dog his age. I was impressed by his running.

[janx]

26. Oh, I'm sorry. I got the pug and the spaniel mixed up!

Maybe this is the time of year that some of the longer haired dogs shed heavily. I've had a few of them but never tracked it specifically.

Daisy's shedding is out of control now though! Huge dog hair tumbleweeds graced the dust mop today. ;-)

I don't think age is much of a factor, except that older dogs can sport a coat that's dry. I remember seeing retired sled dogs shedding in clumps in June or July, but that kind of dog is known to shed in clumps anyway. :shrug:

[Connonym]

5. Have I mentioned that there are 5 dogs where I live?

A dyson vac ("the animal" model in particular) is your bestest friend. Even if you don't have carpets it works great on hard floors and NOTHING beats it on removing hair from furniture. I've found that feeding a good quality dog food improves hair luster but I haven't noticed any difference in the shedding.

Also, my most beloved kitty ever was named Gomez. You have excellent taste in pet names.

[dolo amber]

18. If I ever win the lottery, Dyson gets priority over Chanel

Oh shit, who am I kidding... :rofl:

Everyone always comments on the name. It doesn't seem all that odd to me, but people seem to freak over it. :shrug:

To Gomezes!! :toast:

[ruiner4u]

7. learn to accept it...

I have a german shepherd and he sheds like its going out of style.. Ive been there, "OMG what do I do!!!??!!"... In the end, the hair wins....:)

grooming every day or so with a shedding blade helps <at any pet store>, then a doggie brush...

[dolo amber]

19. I have this crazy "super silicone" pet hair brush thing

It's great! I take him outside and brush and brush and brush...and then he comes inside and shakes and there's 14 more pounds of hair in my house. x(

I'd tend to agree that I should just get over it if it didn't permeate every...and I mean *every* crevice of my house. And being. Yes, I've found dog hairs in some *highly* inappropriate places.

[janx]

27. I've always lived with dogs. Do you have dog hair in your ice cubes yet?

If not, the problem is not severe. :rofl: There's nothing like enjoying a tall glass of Celestial Seasonings Cool Brew Raspberry and finding a dog hair protruding from an ice cube at the top of the glass.

[ruiner4u]

28. super silicone?

whats its claim to fame? I dont mean to sound snarky, but theres a lot of dog grooming super scientific stuff out there thats supposed to 'cure' shedding.. Even better if its 19.95! :)

It just wont happen...Most dog breeds have two types of fur. The first is what we see, and under that is a fine wooly undercoat that keeps em warm, cool, dry, etc..

The hair you see all over your house is natures way of keeping them alive.. You arnt going to get rid of it...

A shed blade, very simple, will help alot.. But you will never git rid of the hair.. When you get an animal, you get the hair.

[Bryn]

35. In my case, shed blade works best

I have a service dog that I take everywhere with me (hearing/signal dog). She's of a beauceron breed and was shedding hair pretty badly. I tried various things like Shedender, wonderful brushes, etc. until someone told me to try a shed blade. It worked! At first I did it everyday for about two weeks, then only twice or thrice a week now.

A shed blade is cheaper and works wonderful!

[merh]

8. Pugs shed

that is all there is to say, it's not your pup, it's all pugs.

Get a Roomba! :D http://winniewong.typepad.com/shelby/2004/05/shedding.html

[dolo amber]

20. I am PRO roomba!

:bounce:

...if for no other reason that to watch it totally freak the dogs out! :rofl: :D

[femmocrat]

10. Can a corgi-mom help?

All indoor dogs shed year-round because they don't need a heavy winter coat. I'm surprised that pugs shed that much, though!

You should check with your vet first, of course, but you could try adding a little bit of canola oil to his food (probably less than a teaspoon for a small dog). Our vet told us to use that when one of our dogs had a rash and the medicated shampoo was drying out his fur.

There are also dietary supplements (including one called "Shed Stop") you can get to help cut down on shedding. If you are feeding a good quality dog food, though, he probably doesn't need them. Maybe it is just a characteristic of the breed and a quick daily brushing will help to control it.

[dolo amber]

22. He eats a high quality diet, and other than being a bit overweight

doesn't have the slightest health problem. As I've mentioned, if it were only brushing I think he'd be...REASONABLE at least, ffs.

I've been reading some on the supplements, might give those a try although they seem about as reliable as the ones for humans. ;)

Thanks! :hi:

[janx]

30. What ever you do, please do not give him a fish oil overdose.

The results aren't pleasant.

[fudge stripe cookays]

14. Aw poor maligned Gomie!

Tell ya what.

I'll bring Fargo over, and you can then giggle over your previous "shedding problem." Everything I own is lightly frosted. Reprehensor and I have decided to buy stock in the sticky roller company. We have to buy them by the caseload!

But I do hope he's not having thyroid probs. Sounds like he might need a checkup just to be on the safe side!

[dolo amber]

23. Look, lady

I love you and all, but keep your fur machine outta my pad, mate. I have children, dogs, AND hedges. Why do you hate me? :cry:

:P

I think I'll have his thyroid checked just to be sure...but I think he's just a lazy bastard. :D

[fudge stripe cookays]

25. That's true.

And Fargo's gas could never measure up to Hedges. I got it EASY! :P

[Pithlet]

15. My mom had two pugs, and the shedding was awful.

I don't remember how she handled it, but next time I talk to her I'll ask her. That's got to be maddening.

[dolo amber]

24. Please do...it'd be nice to hear some magical solution

"Just feed them Jell-o...*poof*!! No shedding!!"

:D

[Akoto]

29. My labrador does. I have to sweep every day.

I don't know how she's not naked with all the fur she loses every day! It's bad enough that I keep sheets over her favorite couches (yeah, instead of telling her not to lay on them -- she's the boss).

[janx]

31. I have to do that with my bed!

I have a spent blanket that I have to put on my bed--not only for dog hair protection, but mud, sand, burrs, everything.

[ruiner4u]

32. my personal hair factory...

he only sheds his undercoat twice a year... about three times too much...

[janx]

36. That's a beautiful dog.

But then, most dogs are.

[VLC]

33. I have two words for you:

shop vac

Get one. It is so much better than sweeping and normal vacuum cleaners, you have to do it less. It's the only thing that works in our house.

[dolo amber]

34. I also have 2 kids, so that's not the worst idea AT ALL

:hi:

Welcome to DU. :)

[Richardo]

41. *I* have two words for you:

Miniature schnauzer. :thumbsup:

[Zoigal]

37. Our two hounds

are shedding enough now to stuff a couple pillows a week.
Have seen weavings, etc made of dog hair at dog shows.
No answer to the problem except BRUSH normally
once or twice a day. Swifter gets a heavy workout, too.
And pray that they don't get fleas.

[SoCalDem]

38. Shave it and start over :)?

..

[Magrittes Pipe]

42. This was my suggestion.

:thumbsup:

[Bunny]

39. Pugs are hairy little freaks that shed all the time. It's what they do.

A shed blade does work well, but it won't completely de-hair your little Gomez. :hi:

[alteredstate]

43. My pugs shed like crazy

We just splurged on a Dyson Animal.

[woo me with science]

45. Here you go.

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/519AY21R8PL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg


http://www.amazon.com/Knitting-Dog-Hair-Better-Sweater/dp/0312152906/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-7852317-6046354?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185809120&sr=8-1

[China_cat]

46. Have his thyroid checked.

Biggest cause of excessive shedding and pugs are very susceptible to low levels (even low normal can cause symptoms).

Also, tendency to gain weight on the same or even lesser amount of food, dry brittle coat with dandruff, loss of energy. Several other things.

Test is a bit pricey but meds are cheap.