Dry, dull fur

[Shelley]

Another update, I've been raking him out daily and he's decided that he loves being brushed. His coat is actually pretty thick so I think I'm going to invest in a double rake. I've worked out quite a bit of dead hair from the undercoat. The guard hair still feels rough, but after I get a real good brush in his coat always feels better. He seems to have horrible dandruff as I'm brushing him. Do you think it's from the dead hair I'm working up? I haven't really been seeing much when I'm not brushing, that's why I ask. I am actually seeing some shine back in his coat. From his shoulders forward is shiny and halfway up his rib cage down is shiny. I've worked up a lot of hair over his back, his butt, and his tail, which I'm guessing is because those spots are harder to itch. I'll continue doing this.

I don't bathe the dogs...like ever. Do you think I should when shedding gets really bad? Can you recommend a NON OATMEAL shampoo? Due to Maverick's yeast, an oatmeal shampoo would serve no purpose other than to irritate him and make him itchier.

When you are raking him, you are stimulating his skin,and raising the loose flakes. So if you continue grooming his coat regularly, his skin will get healthier, it will redistributing the oils in his coat, and will eventually diminish the dandruff/flakes. :-)

Warm to hot water rinses will help release the hair follicles and if you use a high velocity dryer, it will come out even faster, or just rake and brush him after. We always say the quicker you get the dead stuff out, the faster the new coat comes in.

[Shelley]

Interestingly enough this showed up on my Facebook memories today, from a year ago today. This is Ally about half way through her shed LOL! We did this everyday for about a week.

[Meeps83]

Wow I'm not getting THAT much out of him! I do find myself brushing him 2-3 times a day cuz I can't do much else right now. Each time I get a nice handful. The last two days I haven't seen much dandruff in him. His hair has seemed to take a different texture. Part of it is still rough, but it feels a lot more oily and thick. All good things.

I physically can't bathe him right now and it's still too early to hook the hose up. I would like to give him another good rinse but that'll have to wait.


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[Shelley]

Ally carries a particularly nice heavy correct waterproof coat, and that undercoat rake is amazing.

I wouldn't worry too much about being able to rinse him, and my guys only get a bath with a hard coat shampoo if they are really nasty, or once or twice a year. I usually just rinse them really well with the hose, so I don't soften their coat and strip the oils too close to a show, then i make sure I bathe at least a few days to a week beforehand. I do like them clean though, thankfully Labrador coats are mostly self-cleaning with regular grooming.

[windycanyon]

Have you checked his thyroid? In this case, I'd do the full panel and send to MSU.

[Sue-Ram]

Don't tell Ram, but we use the same hair care product. We've been using it this winter and it works great for our dry hair and his dry skin.
I buy it from my hairdresser.

: Amazon.com: BioSilk Therapy Leave-In Treatment for Dogs

https://www.amazon.com/BioSilk-Silk-...k+silk+therapy