I feed my 6mth GSD Innova Large puppy food which he absolutely loves. I have noticed that in the past 2/3 weeks, his coat is no where near as glass like "shiny" as it was a month ago(before I changed over to Innova). He is also shedding like crazy, something that wasn't a problem 2/3 weeks ago either. I live in Texas and the weather is 80 one day 32 the next....is this stupid weqther the reason OR has anyone had this problem with Innova puppy food?
Thanks for the help as always...

You can run into this problem anytime you change dog foods. It's not uncommon for dog's to completely blow coat when doing a diet change.

It's also possible that your dog is blowing coat because it's getting lighter outside, his hormones have changed due to maturing but personally I wouldn't be alarmed unless you start seeing bald spots or he starts chewing. Just make sure you're adding omega 3s to his diet along with a little vitamin e. Give it some time, there is certainly worse kibbles out there than innova.

Kathryn,

Not sure if it helps but my gsd jake seems to be blowing his coat as well. I think it's probably the weather/time of year... (I'm down towards San Antonio). It's been a pretty mild winter for us.

Do you add anything to the food?

Out of curiousity, what were you feeding before Innova?

John, No I don't....Innova seems to have evrything in it or so I read on the back and in research....please correct me and tell me what to add? Tazer is 6 months and about 60 pounds. Back in the day we never added anything and so I am eager to learn in this area...

Wellness Alyssa....I got Innova recommendation from Leerburg so I was suprised to read your "there are worse kibbles" note. Have you had a bad experiance with Innova? Out of the Leerburg list it is the only one I can get here (almost locally) without going on line. I will probably be in a position to feed raw later this year but for now its kibble...

Maybe just a weather/adolescent thing and a coincidence, that's why I asked here. I haven't had this before with any other GSD I have had.This only started a few weeks ago as I said it also coincided with me leaving him for 10 days to go out of town. He isn't sctratching and there are no bald spots..

All comments gratefully received....

Ps: Before anyone comments that he s overweight, he is a big boy from W.German lines . He stands almost 27inches from floor to shoulder, his waist is clearly visible and ribs are easily felt....There is a ton of skin/fur that he needs to grow into, maybe he is a small horse from W.german lines, we'll see, time will tell

Me personally, I add salmon oil and vita E, plain yogurt and a raw egg. I feed orijen and I usually mix a little wet food in for variety. Connie would be able to help you with amounts per size of your dog.

Innova is a good food, you could also try EVO if its available to you which is made by the same company but is grain free.

Edited by John Malufka (01/16/2009 11:33 AM)
Edit reason: add on

I'm having a similar problem Kathryn. Loki started shedding a few days ago, and I haven't changed his diet. He hasn't shed this much since I got him in November. The weather here is driving me crazy! Hot then cold then really hot then reaalllyy cold :P I'm hoping his shedding is because of that. He's not scratching and no bald spots.

Thorunn as we are neigbors....I would guess our stupid weather is the cause...

I have done what John recommended though and bought Salmon oil and Vit E...Tazer and I could both use a dose of both...I will also add an egg and some yogurt to his meals a couple of times a week...maybe you could try it for Loki?

 Quote: kathryn grigel

Wellness Alyssa....I got Innova recommendation from Leerburg so I was suprised to read your "there are worse kibbles" note. Have you had a bad experiance with Innova? Out of the Leerburg list it is the only one I can get here (almost locally) without going on line. I will probably be in a position to feed raw later this year but for now its kibble...

I was curious about what you were feeding before, just to see if there were any new ingredients that the dog might not be tolerating. It looks like both the old and new foods contain rice, so any concerns about rice intolerance are alleviated.

Generally, food is the least common allergy.
If the dog's skin doesn't seem affected, I'd more likely lean towards seasonal coat changes, and perhaps add Salmon Oil and Vit E.

It was actually Melissa that mentioned that there were worse kibbles than Innova. Hopefully she'll forgive me for interpreting her words, but I think she meant that Innova is better than MANY of the foods out there. It was meant in support of Innova.

I personally have no experience with Innova, but the ingredients look good, and if I were to recommend kibble, Innova would be one of them.