I chose California Natural because it is “pure and simple.” I loved the simplicity of it and thought Rolph would do well on it.

I started with Herring and Sweet Potato and he did great! Coat was great, skin was great, eyes were great, stools were good. However, he didn’t seem to like it and took a lot of motivation to get him to eat it.

So I changed to Lamb and Rice, which he loves and gobbles up, but since I made the switch shedding has increased, his coat seems thinner, especially on his chest and stomach there are a couple of thin patches here and there. It just seems he is shedding more than what is normal. I pet him and get a pile of hair.

Not sure if it could be the food and not sure if I want to switch again already.

I like the simple blend, but need something that is good for his coat, skin, and good on anal glands (are there particular foods good for anal gland health?)

Has anyone else has issues liek this?

And what is somethign else I could look in to trying?

My Ava is shedding like crazy right now - just blowing her coat. It probably wont' be long and Molly will be blowing her coat as well.

Point is, it may not be the dog food - your Rolph may be blowing his coat since the days are getting longer. In addition, both my neighbor and I noticed that when we switched our dogs to a better food, they all began to shed like crazy.

If there are no stool issues or other health issues, I'd be reluctant to change. We've had great luck with California Natural health wise for my girls (glands, ears, coat, etc., all great.)

I also agree that it could just be the natural shedding that comes about 2 times a year for our Labbies.

I also think it may be the time of year for shedding. My guys all eat Calif. Lamb and Rice with no problems but my male lab is shedding really bad now. I just brush him everyday and vacuum more.

Give the food more time before changing again. I can make a whole other dog from the shedding I get from my guy when they blow coats.

I'll agree with the "that time of year" for shedding. I just finished vacuuming. Charlie is shedding like crazy. We have been on California Natural Lamb and Rice for about a week, but the coat blowing started before that while on Kirkland. He did this once before so I don't think it's the food.

Nancy

When I first switched my two the CN Lamb and Rice, they both shedded. I was really worried about their coats, but honestly, after a few months, Duncan ended up with his best coat ever. It took about 3 months though. I, too, was worried about it.

Also, mine start to blow coat in March, so that could be it, too. Give it some time.

Thanks. Like I said I really like California Natural.

I think I am just a worry wort. Just with everything right now. Previous food issues, he is having CCL surgery in 10 days, trying to clear up an anal gland infection (that I think has been going on for a while). :confused:

So long as I am not the only one able to make a 2nd dog out of the said fur. :D

Just the fact that there are a couple of much thinner patches than the rest of the coat got me thinking.

Mokhas coat, itching ,vomiting, diarrhea anal gland problems(needed emptying every couple of weeks for a while) all settled beautifully on Cal Nat. On the two occasions I tried to feed a different mixed protein source food the problems came back and fast. I would stay with the food your on and wait to see if Rolph is just blowing his coat. Mokha always reacted very quickly with his food allergies but you had to give his body time to recover from the upset and wait for things to settle down.

Hudson is shedding now, too. Just petting him sends little wisps of hair all over the place, which is unusual for him.

The best remedy for anal gland issues is a food that produces a firm stool, so if you're set that way now, I wouldn't mess with it.

I remember when we were doing the food hunt, a number of people had recommended fish-based foods because the Omega 3s/6s help with coat and eyes. I don't think CN Lamb & Rice (which we also feed right now) has much of that to speak of---so it may also just be that on the herring diet he was getting more of those nutrients. You can also feed those as supplements if you want to stick with the food (drugstore people variety is fine, according to our vet). We haven't tried this so I don't know what the results are like, though.

No one here is shedding yet.... my LH Dachshunds tend to blow coat once yearly in Aug.

Luna and Macy are my first labs and so far no shedding for them... I'm sure it will come soon enough though!