I just don't understand it - Zoey's coat *PIC*

[symplistik]

I am having the hardest time trying to figure out what the problem is with Zoey's coat.

Her coat will NOT grow for anything in this world. I have tried absolutely everything. Someone on here mentioned that I should change her diet to a premium food. I switched her to Royal Canin and that didn't help.

Someone else mentioned that I should try a different shampoo. I heard Petsilk was wonderful so I started washing her with that. No results.

I took a picture of her tonight curled up in my nightgown. She's been a busy body today so I guess she tired herself out and decided to lay on me for a nap. I didn't get a picture of her coat but I did get a picture of the fur on the top of her head. You can take your fingers, pull it straight up, and it just stands there! Most Yorkie's fur will fall back down with silkyness.

I did the eye test to see what color her eyes glow and they glow green. I'm not sure if that's a myth or not but from what I know, if the eyes glow green that means they're a silky coat.

I've had this problem since i've had her. Her coat always looks so scraggly. What could the problem be? Any insight would be great. Thanks guys!

[grayxie]

That pic is so awesome! Anyway what is the texture of her hair?

[symplistik]

Originally Posted by grayxie

That pic is so awesome! Anyway what is the texture of her hair?

Haha! I just noticed that it looks like she has a mohawk!

Her hair is really soft. It never gets tangled or anything.

[girdygirl]

My babies hair is the same way. It wont grow and it is thin. She is a year old and still hardly any hair. You can pull the hair up on her back and it will also stay there. Her coat does not get any knots in it though. She has done itched the hair off her back end so she looks like a yorkie from the front and a min pin from the back.( save a lot of money on haircuts, she cuts her own lol) So if you find a solution I would love to know too.

[symplistik]

Originally Posted by girdygirl

My babies hair is the same way. It wont grow and it is thin. She is a year old and still hardly any hair. You can pull the hair up on her back and it will also stay there. Her coat does not get any knots in it though. She has done itched the hair off her back end so she looks like a yorkie from the front and a min pin from the back.( save a lot of money on haircuts, she cuts her own lol) So if you find a solution I would love to know too.

I'll definately let you know! I'm glad to know that i'm not alone dealing with this. I want Zoey to have a really pretty coat. It looks so bad now, i'm afraid i'm going to have to keep her in puppycuts from now on.

[Anna Banana]

Have you tried Missing Link? Also, there's a lot of even better foods out there than Royal Canin, and it really does make a difference in their coat when they're getting top-notch nutrition.

[Yorkiekids]

Oh my. She has a case of bed head. I'm not sure, but a lot of people think that Milk Sheen is really good.

[symplistik]

Annabanana - I have definately tried Missing Link. I actually switched her to that once I switched her food so I could have everything balanced out. That didn't work either.

Yorkiekids - Thanks, i'll try that next! It's pretty frustrating when nothing seems to be working. I'm willing to do as much as I can to make her coat look alot better than it does now.

[crystalsmom]

How old is Zoey??? From the pic, it looks like she sure has alot of hair. Are you trying to get length, such as down to the floor. If you have her on carpet you cannot grow coat since the carpet will split the ends of her coat.
But it isn't that long yet, right???

You have tried alot of things but if she is young maybe you have not stayed with each one long enough. Also genetics may have come into play and you will have a very cute yorkie with a short coat. I have pretty nice hair thin with a natural curl but never could get it to grow with everything I tried. My Mother had gorgeous hair like my daughter and my Dad had very thining hair early in life so alot has alot to do with genetics.

[Vinnie's Mom]

My Vinnie will be a year on Halloween ( I am so excited!!) His eyes glow green but he definitely has a cotton coat. Vinnie's hair also grows like wildfire and mats so bad, especially with the use of his buddy belt.

[KatesTucker]

I have been looking for the same answer. Tucker has scratched all the hair off his back end as well. He looks like a werewolf. I thought he had fleas so I have done the flea baths, bomb the house and everything else I can think of. By the way Frontline plus just did not seem to work this year. I applied like clock work and he still woudn up with fleas. If there is anyone with an answer I would really appreciate it. He was on Royal Canin and then we switched to Eukanuba for Yorkies but I am at a loss. i am ot lookiing for length on him, just a coated rearend.

[Ladylavender]

Some yorkies have a genetic or hormonal problem that keeps their hair from growing. It is brittle (breaks off easily) and thin. So no amount of premium dog food or shampoo is going to fix the problem. You may be able to help it with vitamins (specifically which ones i don't know) or medication. It may be something that you will have to take up with the vet. Also, it may require blood tests in order to determine the exact cause of the heredity problem.

[symplistik]

Originally Posted by crystalsmom

How old is Zoey??? From the pic, it looks like she sure has alot of hair. Are you trying to get length, such as down to the floor. If you have her on carpet you cannot grow coat since the carpet will split the ends of her coat.
But it isn't that long yet, right???

You have tried alot of things but if she is young maybe you have not stayed with each one long enough. Also genetics may have come into play and you will have a very cute yorkie with a short coat. I have pretty nice hair thin with a natural curl but never could get it to grow with everything I tried. My Mother had gorgeous hair like my daughter and my Dad had very thining hair early in life so alot has alot to do with genetics.

Zoey will be 2 years old on November 21st. Well, i'd like for Zoey's coat to a little longer than it is now. It barely even goes past her thigh! Floor length would be a little much for me. Only because it'll probably be alot to comb and brush. It has been the same length since she's gotten rid of her puppy coat.

You may be right. I still use the Petsilk shampoo but I switched her food again. Do you have any reccomendations for good food? I need to get her on something that she likes and something that may help her coat at the same time.

[symplistik]

Originally Posted by Ladylavender

Some yorkies have a genetic or hormonal problem that keeps their hair from growing. It is brittle (breaks off easily) and thin. So no amount of premium dog food or shampoo is going to fix the problem. You may be able to help it with vitamins (specifically which ones i don't know) or medication. It may be something that you will have to take up with the vet. Also, it may require blood tests in order to determine the exact cause of the heredity problem.

I think I should definately go to the vet and see if they can help me out. Previously, her vet recommended Beiwers Yeast because she said her skin was dry. I think i'll put her back on those and see what happens.

I really appreciate the help of everyone!

[crystalsmom]

Originally Posted by symplistik

Zoey will be 2 years old on November 21st. Well, i'd like for Zoey's coat to a little longer than it is now. It barely even goes past her thigh! Floor length would be a little much for me. Only because it'll probably be alot to comb and brush. It has been the same length since she's gotten rid of her puppy coat.

You may be right. I still use the Petsilk shampoo but I switched her food again. Do you have any reccomendations for good food? I need to get her on something that she likes and something that may help her coat at the same time.

A vet visit may be in order. I didn't think she was that old. Is she spayed??
I like 'Solid Gold' but if she hasn't been on the food you are on now for at least 3 or 4 months I would stay with that until you see how that works.
http://www.solidgoldhealth.com/produ...wcat.php?cat=0
they have an 800 # and they might give you an idea of what adult food might work best for her.

Be careful with supplements. If she is on a good quality food she really should not need a supplement until she is a senor dog but that is up to your vet of course.

Let us know if there is improvement.