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Have you ever wondered why your Great Pyrenees has odd physical traits or why suddenly something has changed with them?
In this blog post, you’ll discover odd things that happen to Great Pyrenees and why they develop.
From having extra toes to excessive shedding, I’ll cover it all!
Plus, I’ll provide some tips on how to best care for your Great Pyrenees based on their unique needs.
Table of Contents
Why Do Great Pyrenees Have Extra Toes?
Great Pyrenees often have extra toes, and the reason for this is unknown.
It’s thought to be a genetic mutation that happened at some point in their history.
The genetic mutation is called Polydactyly that causes puppies to be born with extra toes.
These extra toes are usually removed when the puppy is spayed or neutered.
Some breeders will also remove the extra toes before the puppy goes to its new home.
While having extra toes doesn’t seem to affect their health, it can make their feet more susceptible to injury.
If you notice your dog is limping or having difficulty walking, take them to the vet to check for any injuries.
Why Do Great Pyrenees Have Red Eyes?
Another physical trait some Great Pyrenees develop is red eyes.
This can be caused by severe or mild allergies, something in their eye, dry eye, conjunctivitis, glaucoma, a bacterial infection, or something else.
If your dog’s eyes are red, it’s important to take them to the vet so they can determine the cause and treat it accordingly.
Dry eye is a common condition in Great Pyrenees and can be caused by genetics, environmental factors, or injuries.
If your dog has dry eyes, their eyes will not produce enough tears to keep them lubricated.
This can cause their eyes to become irritated and inflamed.
Treatment for dry eye usually includes artificial tears, ointments, or special eye drops.
Why Do Great Pyrenees Shed So Much?
Great Pyrenees are known for their thick, double coats that shed heavily. Some Great Pyrenees develop coats that just shed more than others.
The reason they shed so much is because they have two types of hair: guard hairs and undercoats.
The guard hairs are the longer, coarser hairs that make up the outer layer of their coat.
These hairs protect them from the elements and help repel water.
The undercoat is the softer, downy layer of hair that keeps them warm in cold weather.
This layer of fur is what sheds the most during certain times of the year.
To help manage your dog’s shedding, brush them regularly with a deshedding brush or comb.
You can also try giving them a bath with a special shampoo designed to reduce shedding.
Related Reading: 10 Best Dog Brushes for Great Pyrenees | What to Look For
Why Does My Great Pyrenees Smell So Bad?
Great Pyrenees are known for their signature ‘dog smell.’
While this might not be pleasant for humans, it’s perfectly normal for dogs.
The reason they get this smell is because of the glands in their skin that produce oils.
These oils help keep their skin and coat healthy.
The glands are located on their back, near their tail, and on their paws.
When your dog gets excited or nervous, these glands release more oil, which can make them smell stronger.
To help reduce the amount of oil produced by these glands, wipe them down with a damp cloth after they get wet or dirty.
You can also give them a bath with a special shampoo designed to control excess oil production.
Why Is My Great Pyrenees Not Fluffy?
If your Great Pyrenees is not as fluffy as you’d like, there are a few possible reasons.
First, they might be going through a growth spurt.
Puppies and young dogs often lose their baby fur before their adult coat comes in.
This can make them look less fluffy than usual.
Another possibility is that they need to be brushed more frequently.
Great Pyrenees have thick, double coats that can become matted if they’re not brushed regularly.
If you notice your dog’s fur is looking thinner or less dense, make sure to brush them more often.
You can also try using a special conditioner or oil to help improve the health of their coat.
Why Is My Great Pyrenees Losing Hair?
There are a few possible reasons why your Great Pyrenees might develop hair loss.
One possibility is that they’re going through a molting period.
Molting is a normal process dogs go through where they shed their old coat to make way for a new one.
This usually happens once or twice a year, typically in the spring and fall.
If your dog is molting, you’ll likely notice them shedding more than usual.
Another possibility is that they have an underlying health condition, such as allergies, hormonal imbalances, or skin infections.
If your dog is suddenly losing hair, it’s important to take them to the vet so they can determine the cause and provide treatment.
Why Is My Great Pyrenees Losing Weight?
There are a few possible reasons why your Great Pyrenees might be losing weight.
One possibility is that they have an underlying health condition, such as diabetes, cancer, or gastrointestinal issues.
Another possibility is that they’re not getting enough food.
Great Pyrenees are large dogs with high energy levels, so they need a lot of food to stay healthy.
Make sure you’re feeding them a high-quality diet that meets their nutritional needs.
If you’re unsure how much to feed them, talk to your vet for guidance.
Finally, stress can also cause dogs to lose weight. If your dog seems stressed or anxious, try adding some calming supplements to their diet or using a diffuser with calming essential oils.
Why Is My Great Pyrenees So Skinny?
There are a few possible reasons why your Great Pyrenees might be skinny.
One possibility is that they have an underlying health condition, such as parasites, thyroid problems, or cancer.
Another possibility is that they’re not getting enough food.
Great Pyrenees are large dogs with high energy levels, so they need a lot of food to stay healthy.
Make sure you’re feeding them a high-quality diet that meets their nutritional needs.
If you’re unsure how much to feed them, talk to your vet for guidance.
Finally, stress can also cause dogs to lose weight. If your dog seems stressed or anxious, try adding some calming supplements to their diet or using a diffuser with calming essential oils.
Why Is My Great Pyrenees So Small?
If your Great Pyrenees is smaller than average, there are a few possible explanations.
One possibility is that they’re a mix of Great Pyrenees and another small breed.
Another possibility is that they haven’t reached their full adult size yet.
Great Pyrenees dogs typically don’t reach their full adult size until they’re 18 months to two years old.
Finally, some Great Pyrenees dogs are simply born small and stay small their whole lives.
If you’re concerned about your dog’s size, talk to your vet for guidance.
Why Is My Great Pyrenees So Big?
There are a few possible reasons why your Great Pyrenees might be bigger than average.
One possibility is that they’re a mix of Great Pyrenees and another large breed.
Another possibility is that they’ve reached their full adult size.
Great Pyrenees dogs typically don’t reach their full adult size until they’re 18 months to two years old.
Some Great Pyrenees dogs are simply born big and stay big their whole lives.
If you’re concerned about your dog’s size, talk to your vet for guidance.
Why Does My Great Pyrenees Have Diarrhea?
Why a Great Pyrenees gets diarrhea is dependent on many different things.
The most common reason for a dog to get diarrhea is from food sensitivity or intolerance, and this can be due to many different reasons such as a change in diet, eating something they shouldn’t have, or an infection.
Other causes could be parasites, stress, anxiety, cancer, or other underlying health conditions.
If your dog has diarrhea, it’s important to take them to the vet so they can determine the cause and provide treatment.
This is especially true if they show other symptoms in combination with diarrhea, such as vomiting and lethargy.
Why Is My Great Pyrenees Throwing Up/Vomiting?
There are a few possible reasons why your Great Pyrenees might be vomiting.
One possibility is that they have an underlying health condition, such as gastroenteritis, pancreatitis, or liver disease.
Another possibility is that they ate something they shouldn’t have, such as garbage, plants, or chemicals.
If your dog is vomiting and you can’t determine the cause, it’s important to take them to the vet so they can get treated.
Finally, some dogs vomit simply because they’re nervous or stressed. If this seems to be the case with your dog, try to reduce their stress levels by providing a calm environment and using calming supplements or essential oils.
If your dog is vomiting and displaying other symptoms such as diarrhea and lethargy, it’s likely that there’s a more significant problem on the way.
If this is the case, make an appointment with your veterinarian right away.
Why Is My Great Pyrenees Peeing a Lot?
There are a few possible reasons why your Great Pyrenees might be peeing a lot.
One possibility is that they have an underlying health condition, such as diabetes or a urinary tract infection.
Another possibility is that they’re drinking more water than usual because it’s hot outside or they’re exercising more.
If you notice your dog is urinating more frequently, it’s important to take them to the vet so they can determine the cause and provide treatment.
Finally, some dogs simply pee more when they’re nervous or anxious. If this seems to be the case with your dog, try to reduce their stress levels by providing a calm environment and using calming supplements or essential oils.
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