How To Avoid Hair Fall For Dogs

Hair loss in dogs — besides known equally baldness — is common and extremely noticeable. Hair loss tin can appear in a single spot, in patches or all over the torso. If you take a dog losing hair at dwelling, you may wonder why and if you demand to seek a dog hair loss treatment. There are many things that can cause a canis familiaris to lose hair, but it'south likely that your pooch is going bald for one of five mutual reasons.

Person brushing a dog who is shedding in large clumps

1. Seasonal Shedding

Sometimes, seemingly extreme dog hair loss is just normal shedding. Dogs lose fur when the individual hairs get old or damaged, or seasonally when the weather turns warm. Many dogs shed year-round. Some breeds, like huskies and Labradors, grow thick wintertime undercoats that they shed in the jump. 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 calendar week can remove and control excess pilus.

2. Bacterial and Fungal Infections

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

Dogs tin can also contract ringworm, a mucus that causes pilus loss and modest areas of infection (no, it's not really a worm). Red, itchy or scaly patches are crusade for a trip to the veterinarian. Your vet volition comport a full test, recommend some testing and prescribe antibiotics or antifungals to treat the infection if needed.

three. Mange and Other Parasites

Mange is a catch-all term for itchy peel infections caused by mites. Mites are microscopic creatures that alive 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, similar demodex mites, aren't contagious merely still cause hair loss and may crave treatment.

Fleas are a very common reason for a domestic dog losing hair. Fleas can make dogs itchy to the bespeak of scratching their pilus off in places. Mites and fleas are extremely contagious, so whatever parasites you find on your domestic dog may have already spread to your home and other pets. If you detect bear witness of mites or fleas, your vet tin can prescribe an antiparasitic medication and offer tips for ridding your business firm of pests.

Corgi in green sweater scratches ear.

4. Allergies

Dogs can develop allergies just like humans, and some of the most common signs are itchy skin and pilus loss. The virtually 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, fugitive allergens or a food change to rule out nutrient allergies.

Food allergies can but exist diagnosed by running a nutrient trial for a minimum of viii 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 certain your canis familiaris does non eat annihilation 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 canis familiaris's pilus should regrow and the itching should stop.

5. Underlying Medical Conditions

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

Hormonal conditions — like hypothyroidism, adrenal gland disorders or growth hormone disorders — tin 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 tin be caused by stress, poor diet, pregnancy, lactation or another underlying medical condition. If yous think your dog is shedding more than than normal or if he is developing baldheaded patches, schedule an date with your vet. The canis familiaris hair loss treatment they prescribe will depend on your pet'south other wellness 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 and so that you can spot the earliest signs of a problem.

Contributor Bio

Dr. Sarah Wooten

Dr. Sarah Wooten

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