Dog losing hair in clumps: Why is my dog losing hair—ROYAL CANIN ®

Why is my dog losing hair—ROYAL CANIN ®

9/20/2018

If you’ve noticed your dog shedding or losing hair, in clumps or generally over their body, it’s important you understand what the common causes might be before consulting a veterinarian.

A glossy, thick coat is a good indicator that your dog is getting everything they need from their diet, environment and lifestyle—so it can be distressing to see your dog shedding or losing hair, and sometimes difficult to know exactly why it’s happening. 

Hair loss signs in your dog 

The signs of hair loss can include your dog’s hair feeling brittle or dry, shedding more hair than normal and the appearance of bald patches, which can be circular or irregularly shaped. Hair loss might also be focused on a specific region or generalized across your dog’s whole body. 

Common causes of hair loss in dogs 

A very common cause of hair loss in dogs is an infestation by parasites such as mites, lice or fleas. In particular, if your dog is losing hair around its neck and tail, there’s a high chance it’s due to fleas. These tiny parasites can rapidly infest your dog and irritate their skin; this leads to intense scratching, which in turn can cause hair loss. 

Any skin condition your dog has, including eczema or dandruff, can eventually lead to hair loss. If your dog is uncomfortable or their skin is causing them distress, they’ll try to alleviate this by scratching or licking themselves. Over time, this can lead to hair loss as specific areas of skin are weakened and their coat pulled out. 

Hair loss in dogs can also occur due to nutritional deficiencies, the presence of which would otherwise support the development of healthy skin and hair. Keratin, the core component of hair, needs sulfur amino acids to be synthesized properly; without these, your dog might have slow hair growth, their hair may feel brittle and eventually they’ll suffer from hair loss. Similarly, biotin is a key nutrient in supporting healthy skin and hair and protecting against complaints, such as hair loss.  

If your dog is experiencing hair loss, it may also be one sign of a more complex problem. Ovarian or testicular tumors, particularly in older dogs, can cause localized hair loss—the tumor secretes hormones that disturb the natural sexual cycle and growth of healthy hair.  Canine Cushing’s disease, where a developing tumor leads to the overproduction of cortisol in your dog’s adrenal gland, can also cause hair loss. Other Canine Cushing’s disease symptoms could include obesity, dark patches and several behavioral symptoms. Another condition, hypothyroidism—when your dog’s hormone production is underactive—can have hair loss as one of its signs.

Protecting against hair loss 

Some of the more complex causes of hair loss, such as Cushing’s disease, must be treated by a veterinarian and closely monitored. However, you can also help protect your pet against hair loss at home:

Learning how to identify fleas on your pet may help bring attention to what is going on with your dog’s hair.

Make sure that you follow the recommended guidelines for regular, effective treatment against fleas and their eggs 

Use a dermatologically approved, specialist shampoo for your dog to alleviate any itching and therefore discourage scratching. 

Give your dog food that is enriched with nutrients to support their skin and hair development, including biotin and high-quality, highly digestible proteins 

It’s important to take your dog to your veterinarian once you’ve noticed any hair loss so they can have a thorough check-up and be given the right treatment. You can also ask your veterinarian for advice about caring for your dog’s skin and coat at any time. 

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6 Reasons Your Dog Could Be Losing Hair

HEALTH & CARE

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Understanding hair loss in dogs.

Hair loss in dogs can be caused by several factors, from allergic reactions to specific skin conditions to underlying health concerns. Because each cause can have the same symptoms as others, it’s best to consult a vet to get an accurate diagnosis and recommended course of treatment. Learn more about the causes of hair loss in dogs.

Why Is My Dog Losing Hair?

Here are six reasons your dog may be losing hair.

1. Hair Loss from Allergies

Itchy skin and hair loss are two of the biggest indicators that your dog has an allergy. They could be allergic to certain ingredients in their food or environmental factors like pollen or dust mites. Your vet can conduct tests to determine whether your dog has food or environmental allergies.

2. Hair Loss from Parasites

Flea allergy dermatitis, also known as flea bite hypersensitivity, is the most common skin disease in dogs. Signs of flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) include:

• Patches of missing fur
• Red, inflamed skin
• Hot spots or infected sores
• Flea droppings (black specks) or fleas on your dog, especially near the legs, hindquarters and tail

Even if your dog is not allergic to fleas, these parasites can still irritate their skin, resulting in hair loss from repeated scratching, rubbing or biting.

Mites and lice can also cause hair loss in dogs. The type of lice found on dogs is not the same species found on humans, and they are spread from infected dogs, overcrowded housing, infected grooming tools and poor sanitation. Signs of lice on dogs beyond hair loss include itchiness, redness and flaky skin and coat.

3. Hair Loss from Skin Conditions or Infections

Just like humans, dogs can get dry, cracked skin or skin infections. These conditions can cause your dog’s skin to be extremely itchy. Dogs will often lick, scratch or itch themselves to relieve the discomfort, and over time this can lead to hair loss.

Dogs with bacterial or fungal skin infections usually have an underlying allergy component as well. Bites from other animals as well as cuts and abrasions can also lead to skin infections.

4. Hair Loss from Post-grooming Alopecia

If your dog has a particularly dense coat, clipping or shaving their hair can cause it to grow back in patches — a condition called post-grooming alopecia. This can also occur if part of your dog’s coat is shaved for a surgical procedure. It may take some time, but eventually the hair will grow back in its normal length and consistency.

5. Hair Loss from Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism occurs when your dog’s thyroid gland is inflamed or shrinks. As a result, the thyroid doesn’t function as it should.

The major signs of hypothyroidism include:

• Loss or thinning of fur
• Dull coat
• Excessive shedding
• Symmetrical bald spots on each side of body
• Weight gain
• Lower tolerance to cold temperatures
• Thickening of the skin in areas like the axilla (similar to the armpit in humans)

Hair loss due to hypothyroidism can occur anywhere on the body and doesn’t usually cause itching or redness of the skin. This occurs most often in middle-aged medium to large breeds and can be determined via a vet-administered blood test.

6. Hair Loss from Pressure Sores

Older or less mobile dogs are more prone to pressure sores, caused by the pressure of lying in one spot for an extended period of time. These sores usually show up on a dog’s hip, elbows or sides and can become a chronic condition, much like bedsores in humans.

Signs of pressure sores include:

• Hair loss
• Ulcers
• Thickened, irritated skin
• Open wounds

Pressure sores can be difficult to treat, so prevention is key. Try to keep your dog mobile, consider getting them a wheelchair if necessary, and make sure they have clean, soft, comfortable bedding at all times. Take your dog to the veterinarian immediately if you notice pressure sores anywhere on their body.

How to Help Keep Your Dog’s Skin and Coat Healthy

You can take several steps to help keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy:

• Use a moisturizing shampoo when you need to bathe them, and avoid bathing them too often to reduce the chance of irritation and dryness.
• Give your dog a high-quality omega-3 fatty acid supplement to support their skin and immune system.
• Brush your dog regularly and check them for parasites after going hiking, to the dog park or after grooming.
• Keep your dog and other pets on an effective flea preventive year-round to reduce the chance of a flea infestation.

Don’t ignore hair loss in dogs, as it’s often an indicator of infection, parasites or another health issue. If your dog is shedding more hair than normal, or if the hair loss is accompanied by other symptoms, consult your vet to get a full picture of your dog’s health.

Conditions and DiseasesFleasSkin and Coat

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Dog shedding: what to do – why dogs shed

12/30/2020

If you notice that your dog is shedding or shedding hair in some areas or all over the body, it is important to understand what are the most common causes before contacting a veterinarian such a phenomenon.

A shiny, thick coat indicates that your dog is properly fed, kept in comfortable conditions and leads a healthy lifestyle. That is why hair loss can become an unpleasant and at first glance inexplicable surprise.
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Symptoms of hair loss in dogs

Symptoms of hair loss in a dog can include brittle or dry hair, shedding more hair than usual during shedding, and round or irregularly shaped bald patches. Hair may be shed locally, in a specific area, or all over the dog’s body.

Common Causes of Hair Loss in Dogs

A very common cause of hair loss in dogs is parasite infestation such as mites, lice or fleas. In particular, if a dog is losing hair on its neck and tail, there is a good chance that fleas are the cause. A dog can become infected very quickly with these tiny parasites that cause skin irritation. This causes severe itching or scratching, which in turn can lead to hair loss.
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Any skin condition in a dog, including eczema or dandruff, can eventually lead to hair loss. If the dog is uncomfortable or the condition of his skin is causing him concern, he will comb and lick the irritated area. Over time, this can lead to hair loss, as certain areas of the skin are weakened and the hair is torn out.

Hair loss in dogs can occur for a number of reasons, including deficiencies in certain nutrients important for skin and coat health. For the effective synthesis of keratin, the main component of wool cells, sulfoamino acids are needed. With their deficiency, the dog may experience slow growth and brittle hair, eventually leading to hair loss. Biotin is another substance very important for maintaining healthy skin and coat, as well as for preventing hair loss. nine0003

If your dog is losing his hair, it may also be one of the symptoms of a more serious condition. Tumors of the ovaries or testicles, especially in older dogs, can cause hair loss in certain areas of the body, as the tumor releases hormones that interfere with the natural sexual cycle and healthy coat growth.

Cushing’s syndrome, a common problem in dogs, can also lead to hair loss. The syndrome develops when a tumor is present that “causes” the dog’s adrenal glands to produce too much cortisol, leading to obesity, hair loss, dark spots on the skin, and a range of behavioral symptoms. Another condition that has hair loss as a symptom is hypothyroidism, in which certain hormones are underproduced. nine0003

Prevention of hair loss

If hair loss is part of a complex problem, such as Cushing’s syndrome, a veterinarian should treat and control the pathology. However, there are many things you can do yourself to protect your pet from hair loss:

• Treat your pet regularly with an effective flea and egg treatment.
• Use a dermatologist-approved dog shampoo to reduce itching and therefore reduce the chance of skin scratching. nine0030
• Choose a dog food enriched with biotin, containing high-quality, easily digestible proteins and other substances that support healthy skin and coat.

It is important to take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as you notice hair loss. The doctor will carefully examine your pet and prescribe the right treatment. In addition, you can always contact your veterinarian for advice on caring for your dog’s skin and coat.

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If you have any concerns about your dog’s health, please consult your veterinarian.

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Hair loss in dogs: main causes

Dogs normally shed a little throughout the year and shed heavily twice a year: in spring and autumn. However, if the dog’s hair does not climb evenly over the entire surface of the body, but only in certain areas, then most likely it is alopecia. There can be many reasons for this disease, but we will consider the main ones in this article. nine0072

genetic abnormalities