It's Dog or Nothing

All Things Great Pyrenees

Archives for April 2016

Zilch, Zero, None: A Mat-Free Pyrenees

10 Comments

When it comes to giant breed health and nutrition, there's a lot that goes into raising a happy, healthy dog. We're going from A to Z talking about giant breed specific needs! Today, it's all about keeping your Great Pyrenees (or other giant breed dog) mat-free!

Zilch, Zero, None: A Mat-Free Pyrenees

Today is the last day of the A to Z Challenge. Can you believe it? I’m sure you all are sick of hearing from me 6 days a week. I’d certainly be sick of me 😉

We have one last super quick post to wrap up the challenge. Mostly, we wanted to offer a giveaway for another favorite grooming product: The Stuff.

Dogs with long coats, especially long double coats, are highly susceptible to mats. Regardless of how much brushing you do, they’re bound to happen. Mauja and Atka tend to get them behind their ears every now and then. Cutting out a mat isn’t recommended – I’ve seen far too many injuries from people trying to remove mats. Thankfully, there’s a better way.

The Stuff

Yes, this stuff is really called “The Stuff”. The Stuff is a leave-in conditioner and detangler to remove and prevent tangles. Not only does it condition the coat, but it is also formulated with silicone to repel dirt and dust. The Stuff is a non-toxic, hypoallergenic formula to prevent any possible reactions.

I absolutely love The Stuff.

I use it on wet and dry fur to keep their coats soft and shiny. If they do develop a mat, I simply spray it with The Stuff and then use the Safari De-Matting Comb to finish the job.

Easy peasy!

Okay, I’m not going to ramble on about this product and how much we love it. It’s the end of a long, taxing challenge so I’m just going to jump straight to the good stuff – the giveaway!

Would you like to try The Stuff on your dog? Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win!

Pin It!

When it comes to giant breed health and nutrition, there's a lot that goes into raising a happy, healthy dog. We're going from A to Z talking about giant breed specific needs! Today, it's all about keeping your Great Pyrenees (or other giant breed dog) mat-free!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Yeast Infections in Dogs [GIVEAWAY!]

11 Comments

When it comes to giant breed health and nutrition, there's a lot that goes into raising a happy, healthy dog. We're going from A to Z talking about giant breed specific needs! Today, it's all about yeast infections in dogs, specifically their ears.

Yeast Infections in Dogs

Yeast infections are caused by Candida, a sugar-digesting yeast that forms naturally in your dog’s mouth, nose, ears, gastrointestinal, and genital tracts. When there is an overgrowth of Candida in the dog’s body, Candidiasis, or a yeast infection, occurs. While yeast infections can affect any dog, Candida is opportunistic and will often impact immuno-suppressed animals.

Yeast infections can affect a single part of the body or multiple parts at once. Either way, your dog will be uncomfortable and you should seek treatment.

Causes

There are several possible risk factors for dogs who suffer from yeast infections. Any dog with traumatized, dying, or inflamed skin has a higher likelihood of being affected. Dogs with diabetes, urinary retention, or indwelling catheters are also at a higher risk. Sometimes, an underlying condition such as allergies, bacterial infection, ruptured ear drum, or trapped object will cause a yeast infection in the ear.

Symptoms

Symptoms will vary based on the location of the infection. The most common location for yeast infections in dogs is in the ear canal, which is what I want to focus on in this post.

Symptoms will include:

  • Shaking, rubbing, or scratching their head
  • Visible waxy residue
  • Scabbing or redness along the outside of ear
  • Smelly ears
  • Loss of hair around the ear
  • Loss of balance
  • Loss of hearing

Treatment

First, your vet will look into your dog’s infected ear to determine if the eardrum is intact or if a foreign object is causing the infection. Outer ear canal infections will most likely be treated with a topical antifungal cream. Middle ear infections require treatment through tablets or injections. If a foreign object is suspected, surgery may be needed. Your vet will also recommend a full cleaning of the dog’s ear canal on a regular basis.

Prevention

Keeping the ear canal clean and dry is most important for preventing yeast infections in the ears. Regular cleanings will also allow you to check for discharge, odor, and swelling that may be missed, especially in floppy eared dogs. After swimming or baths, gently dry the ears to prevent infection.

Bayer ExpertCare

A few months ago, we were able to try the ear cleansing rinse from Bayer ExpertCare. It quickly became our new favorite and we use it on a regular basis to keep Mauja and Atka’s ears clean and infection free.

If your dog is not used to regular ear cleanings, it’s important to take it slow as to not damage the ear drum. In this post, we talk about the steps to successful ear cleanings with the Bayer ExpertCare Ear Cleansing Rinse.

We love the rinse so much that we wanted to offer a giveaway for you! Enter using the widget below for a chance to win the Bayer ExpertCare Ear Cleansing Rinse.

Pin It!

When it comes to giant breed health and nutrition, there's a lot that goes into raising a happy, healthy dog. We're going from A to Z talking about giant breed specific needs! Today, it's all about yeast infections in dogs, specifically their ears.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Xtra Mud Not Necessary [GIVEAWAY!]

10 Comments

When it comes to giant breed health and nutrition, there's a lot that goes into raising a happy, healthy dog. We're going from A to Z talking about giant breed specific needs! Today, it's all about trying to keep the white fur, white!

Xtra Mud Not Necessary

Okay, so I know I cheated a bit in the title there. The letter ‘x’ is a difficult one! Especially since I already knew what I wanted to talk about today.

Mauja and Atka (well, mostly Atka) love mud, sand, dirt, and anything messy. It’s been raining for three days straight here and my beautiful white dogs are now a lovely shade of brown. As soon as their fur dries and the dirt flakes off, they go back outside and start the process all over again.

I’m not really sure how I’m going to handle our upcoming move to the Seattle area. I’m always thankful for their self-cleaning coats, but I think Mauja and Atka need rain gear – STAT! They’re going to hate me, but I have to try and keep things somewhat clean 😉

However, I do have one tool that helps keep the mud to a minimum – PL360 Grooming Wipes.

I keep these wipes everywhere. They’re in my car, my husband’s car, and like three places around our house so they’re always easily accessible. While these aren’t going to clean up a fluffy that decided a mud puddle looked like a great place to play, they’re great for touch-ups as needed – like when Atka rubs his face into the grass.

We’ve tried a lot of grooming wipes over the years and these are definitely my favorite so far. They do a great job cleaning up the pups, but they also only contain natural ingredients. As someone who tries to limit the amount of chemicals in the home, these are perfect for us.

I wrote a lengthy post on the benefits of using plant-based ingredients and why PL360 is my brand of choice for these products, particularly the grooming wipes, here.

PL360 Grooming Wipes are made without:

  • Parabens
  • Sulfates
  • Phthalates
  • Toxins
  • Lanolin
  • Soap
  • Alcohol

The wipes also have a lovely mandarin scent to them to refresh any mud/grass smell the fluffies have going on. I love the scent, but Mauja disagrees. She promptly rubs her head into the ground after I use the wipes on her.

What a diva 😉

Do you have a dog who likes to get dirty and want to try PL360’s Grooming Wipes yourself? Enter the giveaway using the widget below!

Pin It!

When it comes to giant breed health and nutrition, there's a lot that goes into raising a happy, healthy dog. We're going from A to Z talking about giant breed specific needs! Today, it's all about trying to keep the white fur, white!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wobbler Syndrome in Dogs

2 Comments

When it comes to giant breed health and nutrition, there's a lot that goes into raising a happy, healthy dog. We're going from A to Z talking about giant breed specific needs! Today, it's all about Wobbler Syndrome in dogs.

Wobbler Syndrome in Dogs

In continuation with our A to Z Challenge theme of giant breed health issues and needs, we’re talking about Wobbler Syndrome. This is an issue I see far too frequently in giant breeds, specifically Great Danes.

More formally known as cervical spondylomyelopathy (CSM), Wobbler Syndrome is a disease of the cervical spine that is commonly seen in large and giant breed dogs. Taking place at the neck, the disease is characterized by the compression of the spinal cord and/or nerve roots. This compression leads to poor neurological signs and neck pain.

Wobbler Syndrome can affect dogs in several different ways and some breeds are more disposed to a certain cause. Doberman Pinschers are more likely to suffer from slipping intervertebral disks while giant breeds under three years of age are likely to experience vertebral malformation. This malformation can compress the spinal cord from the top and bottom, top and sides, or simply from the sides. Regardless of the type of compression, dynamic spinal cord compression (compression changes with different cervical spine positions) is always present.

Symptoms

  • Wobbly gait (hence the name “Wobbler Syndrome”)
  • Neck pain and/or stiffness
  • Overall weakness, specifically in the front limbs
  • Partial or complete paralysis
  • Muscle loss
  • Worn toenails from uneven walking
  • Difficulty in standing

Causes

Particularly in giant breeds, fast-growth is a suspected cause of Wobbler Syndrome. This can occur due to excess calories and an inadequate calcium to phosphorus ratio in their food as they grow. Giant breed puppies should always be on a calorie-controlled diet with appropriate vitamins and minerals to foster slow, steady growth.

Diagnosis

A blood chemical profile, complete blood count, urinalysis, and electrolyte panel will be conducted to rule our any other diseases and a thorough medical history will be conducted by your veterinarian.

In order to diagnose Wobble Syndrome, visualization, X-rays, myelographs, CT scans, and MRIs will allow your vet to get a good view of the spine and vertebrae. These tests will help to rule out any other diagnoses such as neoplasia and inflammatory spinal cord diseases.

Treatment

Treatment will depend on the severity and location of the spinal compression. Severe cases will be treated with surgery which will require at least two to three months of restricted activity to allow the bone to heal. Post-operative dogs will require physical therapy to avoid muscle loss and bone fusion and to encourage a speedy recovery. While surgery has an 80% chance of improvement, there is a small risk of significant complications which are associated with any cervical surgical procedure.

For dogs that do not go through surgery, soft bedding is essential to keep them comfortable and help prevent bed sores. Some will require bladder catheterization so the dog does not have to rise to do his business outside. It will be important to keep your dog as comfortable as possible.

To prevent further injury, dogs wearing neck collars should be switched to body harnesses. Neck collars have the potential to harm the already compromised spinal structure. Your vet may also recommend a diet change to cut down on excess protein, calcium, and calories.

Have you ever had a dog with Wobbler Syndrome? How was the treatment process for your dog?

Pin It!

When it comes to giant breed health and nutrition, there's a lot that goes into raising a happy, healthy dog. We're going from A to Z talking about giant breed specific needs! Today, it's all about Wobbler Syndrome in dogs.

Voice Your [Dog’s] Style With #PrideBites

4 Comments

Have you tried the personalized pet products from #PrideBites? Not much better than a custom frisbee with a handsome Great Pyrenees on it! Check out why we love PrideBites and their appearance on ABC's Shark Tank!

Voice Your [Dog’s] Style With #PrideBites

My husband and I are like most 20-somethings and enjoy the activities that other 20-somethings enjoy. For example, Friday nights are for going out with friends to the best bar or club and dancing the night away.

*snort* Yeah, I definitely couldn’t say that with a straight face.

Friday nights are for wine and one of our favorite TV shows, Shark Tank. I would be lying if I said we had never canceled or turned down plans because we were too excited for the latest episode of Shark Tank. #noshame

Photo Credit: Shark Tank

At the beginning of this month, we were more excited than usual to tune into Shark Tank because one of our favorite companies would be making an appearance. That company was… PrideBites™!

This post is sponsored by PrideBites™ and the BlogPaws® Pet Influencer
Network™. I am being compensated for helping cover PrideBites being on ABC’s
Shark Tank, but It’s Dog or Nothing only shares information we feel is relevant
to our readers. PrideBites™ is not responsible for the content of this article.

PrideBites

PrideBites began with a toy made of proprietary foam that went on to become Pet Business Magazine’s Pet Toy of the Year in 2012. The toys are awesome – they squeak, float, and can withstand 55 pounds of pull pressure. They’re even machine washable! (If you have a dog who loves to take all her toys outside *ahem, Mauja…*, you know just how important this is!)

Eventually, PrideBites expanded to include personalized dog toys, beds, blankets, collars, leashes, placemats, coats, toy boxes, and more!

I. Love. Personalized. Products.

When I say personalized, I mean super personalized. Not only can you pick the colors/patterns of the product, but you can have your dog’s name and face added.

Yes, I said face.

When personalizing your product, you have the option of adding your dog’s picture. Simply upload photos of your dog and PrideBites will include a hand-drawn image on the product. Look at how cute Atka is on his custom frisbee!

Have you tried the personalized pet products from #PrideBites? Not much better than a custom frisbee with a handsome Great Pyrenees on it! Check out why we love PrideBites and their appearance on ABC's Shark Tank!

PrideBites on ABC’s Shark Tank

On Friday, April 8th, Nick, Mauja, Atka, and myself settled in to watch PrideBites on Shark Tank. That night, the Sharks included Mark Cuban, Daymond John, Kevin O’Leary (aka Mr. Wonderful), Lori Grenier, and Robert Herjavec. Nick and I bantered back and forth about who PrideBites would nail a deal with.

If you don’t want me to spoil it before you watch the episode (which you can do here), skip to the next section 🙂

Have you tried the personalized pet products from #PrideBites? Not much better than a custom frisbee with a handsome Great Pyrenees on it! Check out why we love PrideBites and their appearance on ABC's Shark Tank!

PrideBites was able to score two, yes TWO, Sharks, which is huge! Lori Greiner and Robert Herjavec offered $200,000 in exchange for 20% equity in the company, and the deal was accepted!

I did a little happy dance, Mauja and Atka barked, and we all cheered for PrideBites. I can’t wait to see how PrideBites grows with the help of two Sharks over the next few years.

PrideBites Custom Frisbee

The customized frisbee is our first experience with a personalized pet product from PrideBites. Since I already knew we loved the toys (the pups got to try the penguin toy a few years ago), I was really interested to see how the customization process went. I worried it would be a time-consuming task with a less than satisfying result.

I was so wrong.

I simply had to upload three pictures to the site. Us crazy dog lovers know that the hardest thing about having to upload three pictures is actually narrowing it down to three pictures out of the thousands we have on our phones 😉 I picked three of my favorites, added Atka’s name, and submitted the information.

Have you tried the personalized pet products from #PrideBites? Not much better than a custom frisbee with a handsome Great Pyrenees on it! Check out why we love PrideBites and their appearance on ABC's Shark Tank!

Definitely one of the easiest personalization processes I’ve gone through! I’ve really been wanting to get Mauja and Atka placemats and after such a great experience, I’m definitely going to be ordering them soon. They have been added to my “to purchase for the pups” list 😉

Here’s What You Should Do Now

  1. Watch PrideBites on Shark Tank on ABC
  2. Visit PrideBites on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest
  3. Check out all the awesome, personalizable products from PrideBites (Did I mention that all It’s Dog or Nothing newsletter subscribers receive an exclusive discount code? Sign up here!)
  4. Make your dog’s day by gifting him with a PrideBites toy or other personalized product!

Which PrideBites product would you like for your dog?

Pin It!

Have you tried the personalized pet products from #PrideBites? Not much better than a custom frisbee with a handsome Great Pyrenees on it! Check out why we love PrideBites and their appearance on ABC's Shark Tank!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Pride Bites. The opinions and text are all mine.

Unique Double Dew Claws

25 Comments

When it comes to giant breed health and nutrition, there's a lot that goes into raising a happy, healthy dog. We're going from A to Z talking about giant breed specific needs! Today, it's all about the unique double dew claws of the Great Pyrenees.

Unique Double Dew Claws

If there’s one thing that can get Great Pyrenees lovers worked up (okay, there’s a lot of things, but just hang in with me), it’s the discussion of removing the double dew claws. Any pyr lover will tell you, never never never remove the double dew claws.

When Mauja was a puppy, we went through the standard vet visits that every puppy goes through. As she got older and we began discussing her spay with the vet, the vet casually said, “And don’t worry, we’ll remove those while she’s under”.

“Those?” I replied.

“The double dew claws on her back legs. We’ll remove them while we’re doing her spay so she doesn’t have to go under twice.”

I was confused. Everything I read about the Great Pyrenees breed stated that the double dew claws should never be removed. The rear dew claws serve a purpose and are attached by a bone, which means removing them is akin to removing a human thumb.

I told the vet that we would not be removing Mauja’s double dew claws, which certainly didn’t make her happy. At every visit until her spay, the vet mentioned removing them. No matter how many times I said no, she wouldn’t leave us alone.

Ultimately, Mauja was spayed at a different vet clinic because I didn’t trust our current vet. I was afraid she would remove Mauja’s dews without my permission.

Recently, I was randomly perusing the internet when I stumbled upon an interesting article about dewclaws. The article stated,

Some breeds, such as Great Pyrenees and several other flock guardian breeds, naturally have one or even two dewclaws on their rear feet as well. They don’t really serve any purpose but are considered part of breed type and are never removed.

My jaw dropped. Articles like this are exactly why vets are pushing new pyrents to remove their dog’s double dew claws. Per the breed standard, Great Pyrenees have two dewclaws on their rear feet. While it is possible to see pyrs with single dews on the rear, it is generally a sign that the dog is a mixed breed.

The double dew claws actually do serve a purpose. Most people who have spent time around pyrs have seen the double dew claws in action. I can see Mauja and Atka’s double dews dig in the ground for stability when they’re chasing each other around the yard or climbing a hill. They are able to gain traction by utilizing their double dew claws.

Please, do not let a vet convince you that the double dew claws on your Great Pyrenees are useless or highly-likely to be torn. I’ve been around a lot of pyrs and can count on one hand the number who have had issues with their dew claws. Most of these dogs actually had deformed dew claws at birth which made them more susceptible to experiencing issues.

If you’d like more information on Great Pyrenees double dew claws, I have a more in-depth post here!

Does your dog have double dew claws? Did anyone try to convince you to remove them?

Pin It!

When it comes to giant breed health and nutrition, there's a lot that goes into raising a happy, healthy dog. We're going from A to Z talking about giant breed specific needs! Today, it's all about the unique double dew claws of the Great Pyrenees.

Tartar-Free Teeth [GIVEAWAY!]

19 Comments

When it comes to giant breed health and nutrition, there's a lot that goes into raising a happy, healthy dog. We're going from A to Z talking about giant breed specific needs! Today, it's all about how to keep those giant teeth tartar-free!

Tartar-Free Teeth

Much like tartar on human teeth, tartar on your dog’s teeth can lead to serious health problems. However, most of us visit the dentist twice per year to keep our teeth in top shape. Our dogs don’t have the same luxury, so it’s up to us to keep their teeth and gums in top shape.

What’s Wrong With Tartar?

When looking at tartar, it’s important to remember that the tartar didn’t magically appear. Within just hours after your dog eats, plaque begins to form on his teeth. As the plaque combines with the salts in your dog’s saliva, it builds up, hardens, and turns to tartar. This tartar can host several kinds of dental problems, including gingivitis, periodontal disease, and lost teeth. Not to mention the bad breath that accompanies a tartar-filled mouth!

The damage caused by tartar goes beyond the teeth. As it builds on the gum line, it slowly pushes the gums away from the teeth, exposing the roots. These roots are not protected by enamel, which leaves them vulnerable to sensitivities and pain.

What are the Signs?

It’s important to frequently check your dog’s teeth for signs of tartar. Some typical signs include:

  • Bad breath
  • Hard, brown substance lining the gums
  • Red, swollen gums
  • Bleeding gums
  • Pain when touching/brushing teeth

What Can I Do About Tartar?

Prevention is the most important key when dealing with tartar, but there are things you can do to minimize/remove existing tartar.

  • Brush your dog’s teeth daily. If you’re not currently brushing your dog’s teeth, there’s no better time to start than now! Be prepared to take it slow with your dog. If he’s new to teeth brushing, there’s a good chance he won’t like it or his gums might bleed. Keep brushing sessions short and slowly build from there.
  • Give your dog hard chews. Chewing on dental treats or toys can help to scrape any existing plaque deposits of your dog’s teeth. Other popular options for removing plaque and tartar are raw bones and our personal favorite, bully sticks.
  • Try a professional cleaning. If home treatments aren’t working for your dog, he might require a visit to the vet for a professional cleaning. Ask your vet to check your dog’s teeth at each annual check-up so make sure you are on track!

Best Bully Sticks

My favorite chew to give Mauja and Atka is bully sticks. This hard chew scrapes their teeth clean and is 100% digestible. Once you get over the grossness of what a bully stick actually is, you’ll realize they’re really a great chew 😉

Along with frequent brushing (although I’ll admit we need to improve upon that), Mauja and Atka get a bully stick each evening. Occasionally, we’ll run out of bully sticks and I will forget for a month or two to replenish our stock. I definitely notice a difference in their teeth when they don’t get their evening bully sticks.

Currently, we do most of our bully stick/chew purchasing through Best Bully Sticks. So far, I have not found a company with a better price for the quality offered. The bully sticks are always dense so they last longer than ones you find at your local pet store. I also put them in the freezer to make them last just a bit longer.

Best Bully Sticks was awesome enough to offer a bully stick giveaway! Enter using the widget below to win a pack of 5 12″ standard, odor-free bully sticks.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pin It!
When it comes to giant breed health and nutrition, there's a lot that goes into raising a happy, healthy dog. We're going from A to Z talking about giant breed specific needs! Today, it's all about how to keep those giant teeth tartar-free!

Shedding – 8 Ways to Manage the Madness [GIVEAWAY!]

20 Comments

When it comes to giant breed health and nutrition, there's a lot that goes into raising a happy, healthy dog. We're going from A to Z talking about giant breed specific needs! Today, it's all about how to manage the mass amount of fur!

Shedding – 8 Ways to Manage the Madness

Fur, fur, everywhere. If you have a dog, shedding is a given. If you have a long-haired, double-coated dog, shedding is a part of life. It’s on your clothes, in your food, and you even find it in your office. If you don’t find a way to handle it and laugh about it, you’ll quickly go mad. Here are our top 8 tips for not drowning in a sea of fluff.

Brush Your Dog

This one is a given, but don’t underestimate the power of brushing! I can definitely notice when I go too long between brushing sessions for Mauja and Atka. Not only does their fur feel clumpy, but the corners of my rooms collect fur bunnies much more quickly. If your dog has fur like a Great Pyrenees, I recommend brushing at least 2-3 times per week.

Feed a High-Quality Food

A healthy coat is less likely to shed all over the place. Make sure your dog’s diet consists of high-quality protein and is free from corn, wheat, soy, by-products, and anything artificial.

Essential Fatty Acids

Most high-quality foods have essential fatty acids included in the formula, but we always supplement with extra. In my opinion, the amount added to the food isn’t enough to control the dry skin issues we have and to help nourish a healthy coat. One of our favorites is the Salmon Oil from Only Natural Pet.

Control Itching

Have you ever watched your dog scratching away while the cloud of fur surrounds his body? Definitely reminiscent of Pig-Pen! Once you determine the cause of the itching, you’ll be able to devise a solution to minimize or eliminate it.

Become Best Friends With Your Vacuum

Mauja and Atka spend a lot of time in the living room so I vacuum that every single day. Our carpet is beige so the fur blends in a bit, but after a day or two, you can definitely notice fur clumps forming. Also, you might as well invest in a quality vacuum. I resisted it for a long time (who wants to spend that much on a vacuum?), but after killing three in less than a year, we finally took the plunge. I wish we would have done it sooner!

Use a Forced Air Dryer

If you’ve never tried one, you’re seriously missing out. I always wondered how the groomer was able to get so much dead fluff out, so I finally asked her. The secret was the use of a forced air dryer. While Mauja and Atka only get professionally groomed a few times a year, there is a DIY grooming place less than 10 minutes from us. For $15, we can use all of their equipment, which includes my favorite part, the forced air dryer. Nick’s favorite part is the fact that we don’t have to clean up the mess 😉

Invest in a Quality Brush

Our personal favorite is the Oster Grooming Rake – it does an amazing job of getting out the dead undercoat. The most important thing when looking for a quality brush is to ensure that it gets out the undercoat. So many “undercoat rakes” only brush the surface, so they never get through the outer coat.

Try a Supplement

A few months ago, we were given the opportunity to try Shed No More® from PL360. Shed No More is formulated with vitamins, minerals, and essential oils to support a healthy skin and coat. It comes in flavored, chewable tablets which made it super easy to give to the pups.

The directions state that it takes approximately 4-6 weeks to begin seeing results in your dog. After about 3 weeks, I definitely noticed an extra shine to Mauja and Atka’s coats. While I can’t say definitively that they were shedding less (although I do feel like I was vacuuming less), their coats looked much healthier than they had previously.

Want to try Shed No More for your dog? Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pin It!

When it comes to giant breed health and nutrition, there's a lot that goes into raising a happy, healthy dog. We're going from A to Z talking about giant breed specific needs! Today, it's all about how to manage the mass amount of fur!

Rake the Undercoat [GIVEAWAY!]

22 Comments

When it comes to giant breed health and nutrition, there's a lot that goes into raising a happy, healthy dog. We're going from A to Z talking about giant breed specific needs! Today, it's all about how to rake that pesky undercoat!Rake the Undercoat

Guys, I really don’t know why it’s taken me so long to really mention this here on It’s Dog or Nothing.

I link to this product all the time, yet I’ve never spent much time on it.

Today, we will be talking about my absolute favorite tool for raking the fluffies’ undercoat: the Oster Grooming Rake.

When Mauja started to get her adult coat, I decided to use the Furminator for brushing. I had purchased it for our lab/husky mix and it was absolutely ah-mazing. Unfortunately, I was not so thrilled when I used it on Mauja. The Furminator just ripped and tore her fur giving her the appearance of split ends!

Needless to say, I was not pleased and began the search for a better way to remove the pesky undercoat. After being completely disappointed with a few grooming rakes from our local pet store, I stumbled across a discussion on grooming tools in one of the Great Pyrenees Facebook groups I’m a part of. There were a ton of recommendations, but the one that stood out to me most was the Oster Grooming Rake.

I ordered it that day and have never looked back!

What I Love About the Rake

  • It doesn’t scratch the skin. There was a brush I used to use (not a rake) with metal bristles. Atka absolutely hated when I used that brush. It took me far too long to realize that he didn’t like the metal bristles scraping his skin. Can you blame him?
  • Fur cutting is minimal. My biggest complaint with the Furminator was that it cut their fur and made them look uneven. The Oster grooming rake gets out the dead undercoat with minimal cutting. I definitely notice a difference using this rake!
  • It works. If you have a dog with a long, thick, double-coat, you know how difficult it can be to find appropriate grooming tools. I tried so many rakes that just untangled the outer coat and left the undercoat to mat.

What I Don’t Love About the Rake

While it doesn’t hurt Mauja and Atka, it definitely hurts me. After almost every brushing session, my hand is bright red and I usually end up with a blister or two. When things get really bad, I’ll put on a glove to keep it from destroying my hand!

Hey, Oster – we’d really appreciate it if you added a comfort grip to the handle! 😉

Other than the discomfort when brushing for long periods of time, I don’t have anything negative to say about it. For that reason, I want to offer a giveaway so one of you can try it for yourself!

Enter using the widget below to win an Oster Grooming Rake!

Have you ever tried the Oster Grooming Rake? Do you have another rake that works wonders for the undercoat?

I am not being compensated to talk about Oster and the giveaway is being hosted by us here at It’s Dog or Nothing!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pin It!
When it comes to giant breed health and nutrition, there's a lot that goes into raising a happy, healthy dog. We're going from A to Z talking about giant breed specific needs! Today, it's all about how to rake that pesky undercoat!