What causes dogs to lose their hair?
If you've discovered that your dog is experiencing hair loss, many factors may be to blame. While your pooch may shed regularly during seasonal changes, mange, fleas, or other types of mites, and hormonal changes are also potential culprits of missing fur. Every dog owner should also understand the condition called alopecia.
Allergies
Like people, dogs can suffer from allergies, with itchy skin and hair loss presenting as the most common signs. Fleas, dust mites, mold, pollen, other environmental irritants, and food allergies are common causes of allergies in dogs. However, dog owners should remember that it can take at least eight weeks of food trials to diagnose dietary allergies.
Bacterial & Fungal Infections
In another similarity to humans, dogs can also develop bacterial or fungal diseases on their skin. Pyoderma is a term used to describe a bacterial skin infection, especially when the skin is red and filled with pus. Yeast infections, also called candida infections, occur when the yeast that's constantly present on a dog's skin grows out of control. Ringworm, or tinea, is a fungal infection that causes dry skin and damaged hairs in round spots.
Mange
Mange is characterized by itchy skin ailments caused by mites (tiny organisms that reside on the skin and in hair follicles). Some mites, including the scabies mite, can easily spread to people other dogs. If you notice that your dog has fleas or mites, it's best to ask your veterinarian about anti-parasitic treatment.
Seasonal Shedding
You can help get rid of excessive, unwanted hair on your dog's fur by brushing your pup twice a week. As their hair becomes old or damaged, or when the temperature reaches warmer levels, dogs shed their fur. For example, Labradors and huskies have thick winter undercoats that they shed every spring. If you live in a temperate area, may notice a significant decrease in seasonal shedding.
Other Medical Conditions
Pregnancy, nursing, stress, or diet, and many underlying medical conditions can all contribute to excessive shedding. If your dog is losing hair, he should see a veterinarian. Underlying illnesses may be easily treated with medicine or a simple change in diet. The treatment your vet recommends for your dog's hair loss will be based on your pooch's other health requirements.
Alopecia
This fairly common condition can cause patchy hair loss in dogs, along with thinning hair. Alopecia should not be confused with shedding, which is a natural stage of a dog's hair growth cycle and may vary depending on the breed.
Symptoms & Causes of Alopecia
Depending on the cause of alopecia, symptoms can include:
- Mild to severe scratching
- Skin that is red, inflamed, thickened, oozing, bleeding, malodorous, or pigmented
- Skin with papules
Likewise, there are numerous causes of alopecia, which include:
- Ectoparasites and bug bites
- Skin infections and allergies
- Genetic predispositions
- Autoimmune disorders Endocrine diseases
- Environmental causes
- Nutritional causes
Breeds Susceptible to Alopecia
Dog breeds predisposed to alopecia include the Mexican hairless, Chinese crested, bulldogs, Dobermans, Yorkshire terrier, dachshund, greyhound, Siberian husky, Pomeranian, golden and Labrador retrievers, and the West Highland white terrier.
Further, any breed with poor husbandry, especially puppies, is at risk for mange.
How to Stop Dog Hair Loss
You can take several steps to prevent hair loss in your dog and keep their skin and coat healthy. First, contact your vet to book an appointment for a wellness exam. During this checkup, your vet will check your pooch for parasites or symptoms of underlying health conditions that can cause hair loss. Our vets are experienced in diagnosing and treating a variety of skin conditions in cats and dogs.
Depending on the cause of your pet's condition, we may recommend treatment options such as prescription medication, shampoo or conditioner, an ear flush, allergy vaccines, or simple changes to your pet's environment. A calm living environment can prevent stress, which is a common cause of hair loss in dogs.
Third, if you do notice symptoms of hair loss, including patches of missing fur on your dog's body, examine the type of food your dog is consuming. If the symptoms are minimal, consider hypoallergenic dog food options (your vet may be able to recommend types of hypoallergenic food best suited to your dog).
However, if you don't see any improvement, it's best to consult your veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis and to rule out other conditions like mange.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.