Dogs hair loss in clumps: 6 Reasons Your Dog Could Be Losing Hair

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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Why Is My Dog Losing Hair?

Hair loss in dogs — also known as alopecia — is common and extremely noticeable. Hair loss can appear in a single spot, in patches or all over the body. If you have a dog losing hair at home, you may wonder why and if you need to seek a dog hair loss treatment. There are many things that can cause a dog to lose hair, but it’s likely that your pooch is going bald for one of five common reasons.

1. Seasonal Shedding

Sometimes, seemingly extreme dog hair loss is just normal shedding. Dogs lose fur when the individual hairs become old or damaged, or seasonally when the weather turns warm. Many dogs shed year-round. Some breeds, like huskies and Labradors, grow thick winter undercoats that they shed in the spring. Seasonal shedding is often reduced if you live in a moderate climate. If the shedding is out of control, brushing your dog a couple of times a week can remove and control excess hair.

2. Bacterial and Fungal Infections

Bacteria and yeast are normal inhabitants of canine skin, but sometimes they can grow out of control and create an infection. Bacterial or fungal yeast infections on the skin may cause hair loss, redness, itching and odor. Sometimes, bacterial infections cause pimple-like pustules.

Dogs can also contract ringworm, a fungus that causes hair loss and small areas of infection (no, it’s not actually a worm). Red, itchy or scaly patches are cause for a trip to the veterinarian. Your vet will conduct a full examination, recommend some testing and prescribe antibiotics or antifungals to treat the infection if needed.

3. Mange and Other Parasites

Mange is a catch-all term for itchy skin infections caused by mites. Mites are microscopic creatures that live on the surface of the skin or in hair follicles. They cause hair loss and itching by burrowing or chewing on skin. Some mites, like the scabies mite, are extremely contagious to both humans and other dogs, notes the Merck Veterinary Manual. Other mites, like demodex mites, aren’t contagious but still cause hair loss and may require treatment.

Fleas are a very common reason for a dog losing hair. Fleas can make dogs itchy to the point of scratching their hair off in places. Mites and fleas are extremely contagious, so any parasites you find on your dog may have already spread to your home and other pets. If you find evidence of mites or fleas, your vet can prescribe an antiparasitic medication and offer tips for ridding your house of pests.

4. Allergies

Dogs can develop allergies just like humans, and some of the most common signs are itchy skin and hair loss. The most common allergies in dogs are environmental allergies to irritants like pollen, mold and dust mites, flea allergies and food allergies. If your vet suspects allergies, they may recommend flea control, medication to control the itching, avoiding allergens or a food change to rule out food allergies.

Food allergies can only be diagnosed by running a food trial for a minimum of eight weeks. If your vet puts your dog on a food trial with a limited-ingredient meal plan or therapeutic food , it is critical to make sure your dog does not eat anything else while on the trial. One treat or stolen bite of chicken can confound the results. If the underlying cause is allergies and they are treated properly, your dog’s hair should regrow and the itching should stop.

5. Underlying Medical Conditions

If a dog losing hair is losing it all over his body, then the problem may lie under the hood. The skin is technically the largest organ in the body, and it requires tremendous amounts of nutrients to stay healthy. If your dog has an underlying medical condition, his hair and fur may be affected.

Hormonal conditions — like hypothyroidism, adrenal gland disorders or growth hormone disorders — can all cause a dog to lose hair. If your vet suspects an internal problem as cause for the hair loss, they may recommend laboratory testing and possibly X-rays or ultrasound imaging to determine the cause.

Excessive shedding can be caused by stress, poor nutrition, pregnancy, lactation or another underlying medical condition. If you think your dog is shedding more than normal or if he is developing bald patches, schedule an appointment with your vet. The dog hair loss treatment they prescribe will depend on your pet’s other health needs.

A dog losing hair needs to visit the vet, but his condition is often able to be cleared up with a simple change in food or medication. Keep up with regular grooming and brushing so that you can spot the earliest signs of a problem.

Contributor Bio

Dr. Sarah Wooten

Dr. Sarah Wooten graduated from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. A member of the American Society of Veterinary Journalists, Dr. Wooten divides her professional time between small animal practice in Greeley, Colorado, public speaking on associate issues, leadership, and client communication, and writing. She enjoys camping with her family, skiing, SCUBA, and participating in triathlons.

Hair loss in dogs: causes and methods of treatment

Shedding or hair loss in a pet brings a lot of grief to the owner. Of course, an apartment in which there is a dog will no longer be sterile, but still I would like there to be less wool on the floor, furniture and clothes. In this article, we will try to figure out whether it is normal for dogs to lose hair and whether it is necessary to go to a dermatologist with this.

Wool may fall out for physiological reasons. Normal is hair loss during seasonal shedding, juvenile shedding, shedding when keeping a dog in a dry or hot climate, hair loss during pregnancy and lactation, as well as stress.

Seasonal molt

Canine family members – wolves, jackals and domestic dogs molt twice a year. In spring, they prepare for the warm season and shed excess hair, and in autumn, on the contrary, they build up a fluffy undercoat to survive winter frosts. For pets in city apartments, seasonal molting can be smoothed out in time, and due to central heating and dry air in winter, dogs begin to lose hair especially actively.

Hair loss in dry and hot microclimates

We are talking about houses and apartments where the air is too dry in winter, and in summer it can be very hot due to the lack of air conditioning. Such microclimatic characteristics affect the condition of the skin of pets, and dry skin contributes to hair loss.

Juvenile shedding

Puppy coat is soft and fluffy, in adolescence or juvenile age (about 6-8 months) begins to change to a coarser adult coat. During this period, molting becomes especially noticeable to the owner. In addition to falling hair, tangles can actively form, especially in long-haired dogs. This age requires careful attention to wool and careful regular combing.

Hair loss during pregnancy and lactation

During pregnancy and raising offspring, special requirements are placed on the dog’s diet. It should have more calories and a special vitamin and mineral composition so that the female not only maintains her vital activity, but also can bear and feed the puppies. If the diet is inadequate and does not cover the needs of the animal, hair loss occurs, the skin becomes dry, and the hairline looks dull and unkempt.

Stress

Uniform hair loss and dandruff may be a response to stress. For example, such a condition can be observed when visiting a veterinary clinic. Such short-term stress, as a rule, does not lead to serious consequences. And, as soon as the dog leaves the doctor, the hair stops shedding, and the pet’s condition comes to balance.

Loss of hair in places of friction with a collar, harness or blanket

Sometimes improperly chosen clothing or ammunition causes permanent skin injury and hair loss. If alopecia occurs in a place where the dog wears a collar or other ammunition, it may be worth taking a closer look at whether there is excessive exposure, friction, or trauma to the skin underneath. Maybe the harness or overalls have become small, and it is worth changing them. When wearing clothes, most often friction and hair loss can occur in the armpit or groin area.

Diseases of dogs accompanied by pathological hair loss

Inflammatory skin diseases: dermatitis, pyoderma

The skin is the largest organ in terms of area, almost the entire surface is covered with hair. Hair may be sparse or almost absent on the groin, belly, and underarms of smooth-coated dogs. Long-haired breeds have sparse hair only on the belly and the inside of the ears.

Sometimes the skin becomes inflamed, the cause of this may be a minor injury, itching, accompanied by scratching. In this case, previously safe bacteria begin to multiply on the surface of the skin, and then in the deeper layers. A significant increase in the number of normal flora and the addition of a secondary infection to it leads to dermatitis, superficial or deep pyoderma. In the area of ​​inflammation, the skin turns red, the hair falls out in limited areas with bald spots, a wet purulent plaque may form on the inflamed skin. Previously, this condition was called weeping eczema. The treatment of such pathologies is carried out by a veterinary dermatologist. Hair loss in case of dermatitis is accompanied by painful sensations and itching.

Non-inflammatory causes of hair loss: infection with external parasites, fungi, skin manifestation of an allergic reaction, endocrine pathologies.

Parasites

• Fleas

The most common cause of abnormal hair loss in dogs is flea infestation. Fleas cause itching, the dog constantly itches, damaging the skin and coat. Various diseases can be transmitted through the saliva of fleas, often pets are allergic to an antigen contained in flea saliva. In this case, itching may increase, and hair falls out on the back and croup. In areas with sparse and fallen hair, looking closer, you can see black dots-grains. If such grains are combed out onto a sheet of white paper and dripped with water, the paper will turn red. This is flea excrement, consisting of the blood they have digested.

Flea treatments should be carried out regularly. Throughout the warm period, and sometimes year-round, you need to use flea tablets, drops or collars according to the instructions in order to prevent infection.

• Subcutaneous mites. Demodecosis

Another cause of hair loss in dogs is microscopic subcutaneous mites. They live in the thickness of the skin and cause local hair loss and itching. The most common types of subcutaneous parasites are demodex and Sarcoptes .

Demodex is a subcutaneous mite that normally lives on the skin of animals and humans. Under certain conditions, it begins to multiply and cause disease. Demodicosis most often occurs in dogs of a young or very old age, when the immune system is weakened and the saprophyte mite begins to multiply uncontrollably. With demodicosis, hair falls out, as a rule, around the eyes, on the lips and paws. In cases of generalized disease, baldness occurs over the entire surface of the skin. A doctor can detect demodex by taking a deep scraping from the skin and examining it under a microscope. Modern means allow you to quickly cope with demodicosis, but it is also necessary to pay attention to the maintenance and nutrition of the dog – to prevent recurrence of the disease.

Sarcoptic mange is pruritic scabies caused by another subcutaneous mite. Infection occurs through contact with sick dogs. In this disease, typical clinical symptoms are general itching, hair loss between the toes, on the head and muzzle. Sarcoptic mange may be accompanied by lethargy and loss of appetite due to constant itching. Sarcoptes is a microscopic mite that lives under the skin of a dog; microscopy of a deep skin scraping also allows diagnosing the disease.

Allergy

We have already considered flea allergy as the most common cause of baldness. But allergies can also occur to food components and to inhaled allergens. A food allergy is an intolerance to a particular foreign protein that enters the pet’s body with the diet.

According to statistics, the most common allergy in dogs is beef protein. However, it can also be any other vegetable or animal protein found in the animal’s diet. Itching and pathological molting is one of the signs of a food allergy. Wool can fall evenly (abnormal molting) or locally (alopecia). For the treatment of food allergies, a strategy is used using a “new” protein – a product that the dog has not encountered before. Or protein, specially prepared, hydrolyzed. The molecules of such a hydrolyzate are split into short segments that are not recognized by the body as foreign and do not trigger a cascade of allergic reactions. Such an elimination diet is PURINA® PRO PLAN® VETERINARY DIETS HA, a diet with specially shortened protein molecules and selected hypoallergenic sources of carbohydrates.

Endocrine diseases

With some diseases of the thyroid gland and adrenal glands, as well as taking hormonal drugs, the coat becomes sparse, pathological molting intensifies, the skin begins to shine through where thick hair has recently grown. The appearance of the pet changes, the stomach becomes rounded, weight grows, excessive thirst may be noted. In this case, you need to seek the advice of a veterinarian as soon as possible, donate blood and start giving the prescribed drugs. Endocrine diseases with timely diagnosis can be corrected, and the dog can live happily ever after, taking the medication prescribed by the doctor.

Alopecia X

A disease of unknown nature that occurs in Spitz. With this disease, a fluffy dog ​​is rapidly losing hair and going bald. In severe cases, the coat is preserved only on the head and paws. The name of the disease testifies to its incomprehensible nature, the treatment has not yet been developed. Sometimes Spitz grow without medical intervention, sometimes castration helps. In some cases, the disease remains incurable. In alopecia X, the dog does not suffer, itching or pain, the diagnosis is made on the basis of clinical signs and the exclusion of other diseases.

Conclusion

If you notice that there is more dog hair on the floor and furniture than usual, it may be worth contacting a veterinary dermatologist. Baldness in a pet can be associated with various diseases and be accompanied by pain and itching. Proper nutrition and maintenance can also reduce the severity of molting. Complete foods take into account the needs of dogs in vitamins and minerals and help maintain healthy skin and a shiny coat, while veterinary diets can cope with existing pathologies. Diet therapy is prescribed by a doctor and is a complete treatment item for an animal.

Dog hair falls out: causes of baldness and treatment

December 2, 2021

Dog hair falls out: causes of baldness and treatment

Luxurious shiny coat is an indicator of good pet health. But, unfortunately, almost every dog ​​at least once in his life loses the beauty of his fur coat. What to do if the dog’s skin is flaky and hair falls out? How to prevent hair loss in dogs? The causes of alopecia in dogs are different. But in most cases, the owners can cope with them after consulting with a veterinarian.

Common causes of hair loss in dogs

The most common is alopecia areata, when dogs lose hair on certain areas of the body: tail, area around the eyes, paws, sides. The tactics of treatment depends on what provoked alopecia. Itching and hair loss in dogs can be caused by:

• allergies;
• parasitism;
• infectious disease;
• hormonal disease;
• deficiency of vitamins and minerals;
• genetic predisposition;
• frequent stress in a pet.

Treatment should address not only the cause of baldness, but also its consequences. Often the dog combs the skin to wounds, as a result, abscesses appear on the cover, which require treatment with antiseptic ointments.

What is hormonal hair loss in dogs

Skin problems can hide serious endocrine diseases – hypothyroidism (insufficiency of thyroid hormones), Cushing’s syndrome, excess or lack of estrogen and other pathologies.

In case of hormonal failure, the dog’s hair falls out on the sides, back, tail, in the armpit, under the collar. In this case, there are no traces of scratching, the pet, as a rule, does not experience itching.

Causes of dog hair loss around the eyes

Dog hair loss around the eyes is usually due to allergies. The skin here is delicate and the first to react to the presence of allergens in food or air. Also among the possible causes – demodex mite or lichen fungus. To clarify the diagnosis, the veterinarian will need to take a scraping from the dog’s skin. According to its results, the doctor will select a treatment.

But if your dog is not young, most likely, the baldness you see is age-related lightening of the hair. Dogs, like people, go gray, most often the process begins with the eyebrows, eyelashes and the area around the eyes. Lightened patches of hair can look like patchy baldness in dogs.

Reasons why a dog’s hair falls out in places

Sometimes bald patches appear on the dog’s body in patches. As a rule, they are accompanied by itching, the animal combs these places until they bleed. Treatment should begin with a visit to the veterinarian. Most likely, he will be interested in when and how you treated your pet from parasites, what the dog eats, and whether its cosmetics have changed. The answers to these questions, skin scrapings, and blood tests will help your doctor determine a possible cause.

A dog may go bald due to flea dermatitis. Parasites cause skin irritation, the dog combs the bites, as a result, the hair falls out, wounds appear. With hair loss, a dog may react to an excess of protein in the diet, a lack of zinc, biotin, or other components. A balanced diet will help restore your pet’s beautiful coat.

Causes of hair loss on the tail of a dog

A “rat” tail may indicate hypothyroidism. Another cause of tail baldness in dogs is a malfunction of the sebaceous glands. Too much sebum is secreted, the coat and skin become oily, inflammation may appear.

If the dog licks the anus so intensely that the dog’s hair falls out near the tail, the problem may be an inflammation of the paraanal glands or an infection with helminths. For prevention, it is necessary to regularly give the pet antiparasitic drugs, if necessary, clean the glands, on your own or in a veterinary clinic. Already inflamed glands must be treated, in advanced cases, the help of a surgeon may be needed.

Causes of dog hair loss on paws

Dogs like to lick their paws, but when this action is repeated obsessively, the hair falls out. As a rule, this happens if the paws are unbearably itchy. Also, the dog obsessively licks when he is nervous.

In general, the reasons due to which the hair falls out on the paws of a dog are the same as for other cases of baldness: parasites, stress, allergies, unbalanced nutrition. In winter, alopecia may be a reaction to the reagents that treat roads. With a lack of zinc in a dog, in addition to an allergic reaction, cracks in the paw pads may appear.

What to do and how to treat baldness in dogs

If the shedding is prolonged, the dog’s coat is shedding intensively in summer or winter, bald patches appear on its skin, you will need to consult a veterinarian. The doctor, in addition to examining the pet and collecting an anamnesis, will offer a number of tests. Often the diagnosis requires time and observation of the dog’s condition in dynamics. You may need to take a picture of the area of ​​baldness in the dog, the photo will help determine whether it is increasing over time or not.

Dogs lose their hair for many reasons. Treatment is selected depending on the source of the problem.

Hair loss associated with food allergies will require a change in diet. The MasterZoo store presents hypoallergenic diets from different manufacturers. You will definitely find the perfect option for your pet, but it may take several attempts. With proper nutrition, your dog will delight you with excellent health and a shiny coat.

If the dog’s coat falls out badly as a result of flea dermatitis, then treatment will begin with treatment for parasites, external and internal. It is very important not to miss scheduled treatments, change anti-flea collars in time when using them. It is widely believed that in winter there is no need for drops or other prophylactic against parasites. However, this is not the case – fleas can live in the house, infect a pet through contact with other dogs. In warm winters, ticks remain a threat to dogs.

In case of hormonal baldness, the veterinarian will prescribe hormonal preparations that will ease the course of the disease. Hair problems caused by genetic predisposition cannot be cured. But you can improve the condition of the pet, reduce dry skin, itching and reduce unpleasant symptoms.