Why is your dog losing hair?

Shedding gets rid of excess hair and dander, keeping your dog cooler in hotter months, and improving coat breathability. But there’s a difference between regular shedding and alopecia, a condition that causes hair loss in dogs (and humans and cats, for that matter). Alopecia manifests in bald spots, patches, or thinning hair across the body. For canines, benign factors like allergies or more serious complications like cancer can trigger it.

As mentioned, shedding is healthy and natural in our best friends. While double-coated breeds like Siberian Huskies, Labradors, and Bernese Mountain Dogs are the biggest shedders, all dogs do it to some extent (including hypoallergenic breeds, contrary to popular belief). It helps regulate their body temperature and makes room for new fur growth.

Owners can help their pups shed naturally with routine brushing regardless of their coat type. This prevents matting and helps identify fleas or sores that may be hidden by excess fur.

Signs of natural shedding

• Seasonal. Dogs build a thicker undercoat every fall to protect themselves from the incoming cold weather. Come spring, they’ll need to ditch this excess fur to avoid overheating as temperatures rise again. That said, some breeds, like Akitas and German Shepherds, are known to shed year-round.
• Whole body. A healthy shedding dog should lose fur steadily all over their body instead of sparse patches or baldness. If your dog is shedding excessively or in one spot more than others, then they may have an underlying condition.
• Shiny coat. A dog’s coat should be shiny and smooth, Trusted Source This is an approved Trusted Source for betterpet. Learn more about Trusted Sources and their skin should be clear rather than dry and flaky.

Both food and environmental allergens can cause our canine companions to lose hair. Anytime your pup comes into contact with something they’re sensitive to, like grass, dust, or even other pets, they can have an allergic reaction. It is essentially the immune system overreacting to a trigger. Dogs most prone to allergies include American Pit Bull Terriers, Dalmatians, French Bulldogs, Scottish Terriers, and Shih Ttzus.

Owners can help alleviate canine allergies by limiting their furry friend’s exposure to irritants and keeping their home environment clean. Dogs who are sensitive to outdoor allergens may benefit from avoiding early morning or late afternoon walks when pollen levels are at their highest. In some cases, your veterinarian may recommend antihistamines.

Signs of allergies

• Itchiness. Dogs with allergies may bite or lick itchy skin, especially near their elbows, thighs, paws, and rear ends, which can lead to hair loss.
• Red or watery eyes. If your dog has swollen eyes or ocular discharge, in addition to hair loss, they may be experiencing allergies.
• Coughing or sneezing. In addition to coughing and sneezing, dogs may have difficulty breathing when having an allergic reaction.
• Vomiting. If severe symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea also occur, visit your vet or seek emergency veterinary care.

Dogs naturally have certain bacteria and fungi on their skin. But if they’re sick or having an allergic reaction, these microorganisms can be overproduced and lead to an infection. From there, the microorganisms can break through the diseased skin and spread inside the body. Such is the case for yeast infections, a skin disease commonly found in breeds with skin folds like Basset Hounds and Cocker Spaniels, but all dogs are susceptible.

Dogs can also develop skin infections from contact with infected creatures or objects. Ringworm, for example, is a highly contagious fungus that can spread between animals and even humans.

Treating canine skin infections depends on the specific type of infection, but it is typically straightforward. Your vet will likely suggest an antifungal medicine, antibiotic, topical ointment, or shampoo.

Signs of skin infections

• Inflammation. Patches of red, irritated skin will likely appear when a dog has a skin infection.
• Excessive scratching. Unsurprisingly, your dog may feel itchy and uncomfortable if they have a skin infection, leading to non-stop scratching.
• Paw-biting. Your dog’s paws can become infected on the pads or between their toes. Look for redness or lesions if they’re constantly chewing on their paws.

At just one-eighth of an inch, fleas can jump as high as two feet and lay 600 eggs per month. While they prefer to target dogs and cats, they also bite humans.

Flea preventatives are an important step in protecting your dog and your home from infestation. If you suspect your pooch has fleas, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian so they can prescribe medication to treat the itch and kill the fleas quickly. At-home remedies include coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, and a flea comb with soap and water.

Signs of fleas

• Scratching. Dogs who are allergic to fleas will scratch and gnaw at their bites, leading to hair loss or hot spots.
• “Flea dirt.” Check around your dog’s neck, ears, and lower back for black specs the size of pepper flakes. These “droppings” left behind by fleas are dried blood that turns red when moistened.
• Movement. When brushing your dog with a flea comb, you may see a flea start to scurry around after the comb brushes up against it.

Dogs can have two different types of skin mites. Demodex, also called demodectic mange, is a mite that usually lives on the skin of healthy dogs.  However, sometimes puppies can have larger numbers of Demodex in their hair follicles, which leads to patchy areas with no hair.

The other type of skin mite that dogs can have is scabies, aka sarcoptic mange. Though rare, these parasites are highly contagious and can spread to people and other pets in the household.

To confirm a mange diagnosis, Trusted Source This is an approved Trusted Source for betterpet. Learn more about Trusted Sources the vet will gently scrape the areas of hair loss with a scalpel blade and use a microscope to determine if skin mites are present. Treatment includes oral medications and benzoyl peroxide shampoos.

Signs of mange mites

• Intense itching. Dogs with scabies will resort to severe scratching, which can cause widespread hair loss.
• Lesions. Crusty scabs and lesions around the ears, elbows, and hocks can indicate mange mites.
• Paw inflammation. Pododermatitis Trusted Source This is an approved Trusted Source for betterpet. Learn more about Trusted Sources  is characterized as a red and scaly infection in your dog’s paws.

Some dogs are predisposed to hair loss because of their genetics. Hereditary conditions like color dilution alopecia (CDA) Trusted Source This is an approved Trusted Source for betterpet. Learn more about Trusted Sources can cause patches of thinning hair and flaky skin. Other genetic disorders include albinism, which occurs when dogs lack the genes needed to produce melanin, and follicular dysplasia, a hair growth abnormality that can affect Gordon Setters and Dachshunds.

Unfortunately, most hereditary alopecia is considered untreatable but can be managed with certain supplements.

Signs of hereditary conditions

• Pattern baldness. Common in short-haired dogs like Boston Terriers, pattern baldness is symmetrical hair loss on the belly, thighs, or ears.
• Coat change. Dogs with genetic hair loss may be born with normal coats that lose hair as they get older.
• Bad odor. One of the harder-to-ignore symptoms of hereditary alopecia is a foul, musty-smelling odor that emanates from a dog’s skin or ears.

Canine hair loss can also be due to Cushing’s disease, a condition brought on by the overproduction of the hormone cortisol. It’s typically caused by a tumor in the dog’s brain or adrenal glands. While the disease typically occurs in middle-aged to senior dogs, it can affect dogs at any lifestage.

Though it isn’t preventable, it can be treated with trilostane, a drug that suppresses cortisol production. In some cases, your dog may need to undergo surgery to remove a tumor.

Signs of Cushing’s disease

• Calcinosis cutis. If your dog is losing hair, watch for lesions and tough skin in the groin or armpits, which can be symptoms of a skin condition called calcinosis cutis Trusted Source This is an approved Trusted Source for betterpet. Learn more about Trusted Sources that’s brought on by Cushing’s.
• Potbelly. Dogs with Cushing’s disease are known to develop an enlarged, sagging belly.
• Panting. Take your dog in to see the vet if their hair loss is paired with excessive panting, restlessness, or increased thirst and urination.

You may want to see if a metabolic disease, like hypothyroidism, Trusted Source This is an approved Trusted Source for betterpet. Learn more about Trusted Sources is causing your dog’s hair loss. This slows down a dog’s metabolism, which can affect every other organ in the body.

While it’s not curable, pet parents can manage hypothyroidism with thyroid replacement hormones throughout the remainder of a dog’s lifetime.

Signs of hypothyroidism

• Weight gain. Because their metabolism has slowed down, dogs with hypothyroidism quickly put on weight.
• Thin coat. Due to excessive shedding, dogs develop a thin, almost bald coat.
• Lethargy. Dogs with hypothyroidism will show little interest in exercise and mostly lounge around.

You read that right. Dogs can get sunburnt just like us. If your pooch is having too much fun in the sun, burns can occur on the bridge of the nose, ear tips, around the lips, and on the abdomen and inner legs where there is less fur. And yes, severe enough sunburn can lead to hair loss.

To prevent sunburn (and possible skin cancer), find shaded areas on your trip to the beach, park, or campground, and apply a dog-appropriate sunscreen such as Epi-Pet K-9 Care Sunscreen.

Signs of sunburn

• Red skin. Dogs develop red, dry, or cracked skin when sunburned.
• Dehydration. Dogs with too much sun exposure can quickly become dehydrated, putting them at risk of heatstroke.
• Fever. In severe cases, dogs can develop fevers from sunburn. If this happens, bring them to the vet for fluid therapy.

In large breeds and less active dogs, pressure sores are calluses that occur when a dog’s elbows or other bony parts routinely experience trauma or pressure from hard surfaces, like lying on a hardwood floor or porch. This thickens the dog’s skin and causes their hair to shed.

Providing cushioned bedding and encouraging activities like hikes or playtime can help prevent pressure sores in your best friend. Pressure sores are treated with antibiotics and ointments.

Signs of pressure sores

• Skin discoloration. Red or purple skin on the elbows or kneecaps can be signs of pressure sores in dogs.
• Pain. Dogs with pressure sores may whimper in pain or struggle when getting up and moving around.
• Open wounds. Raised skin or lesions around the points of infection may occur.

Owners will also want to be vigilant to make sure that their dog’s hair loss isn’t linked to an autoimmune disease Trusted Source This is an approved Trusted Source for betterpet. Learn more about Trusted Sources such as. This could include lupus or pemphigus, both of which can result in the appearance of hairless patches throughout a dog’s body. Diagnostic testing will need to be performed by a veterinarian, which can include blood tests, skin scrapes, or X-rays.

Long-term therapy will likely be necessary to treat an autoimmune disease, which can include immunosuppressants, antibiotics, and medicated baths.

Signs of autoimmune disease

• Lesions. Cracks in the skin that blister and form lesions or pustules are a telltale sign of an autoimmune disorder, and should be addressed immediately.
• Crust. Scabs around the eyes, ears, snout, and paws are possible, which could result in painful ulcers.
• Joint pain. If your dog is limping or struggling to get up and down, their joints may be inflamed.

No one likes to think of their dog possibly having cancer, but unfortunately, hair loss can be a symptom of it. While the most obvious conclusion would be skin cancer, this isn’t always the case.

Other cancers, like thyroid cancer or cutaneous lymphoma, can also cause hair loss in dogs. As your dog loses hair, watch for other symptoms that may indicate something more serious and consult your vet accordingly.

Cancer treatment for dogs can be similar to human treatment options, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery for tumor removal.

Signs of cancer

• Lumps. The sudden appearance of a bump or lesion on your dog’s skin warrants a vet visit for assessment and diagnosis.
• Loss of appetite. Dogs that suddenly stop eating and subsequently lose weight may be having difficulty swallowing, which can be a sign of cancer.
• Difficulty walking. If your dog is having trouble moving around and seems lethargic, take them to a vet immediately.

Because dogs shed naturally, it can be difficult to gauge whether or not your dog’s hair loss is abnormal. This is why it’s important to keep an eye on other symptoms your dog may be exhibiting in conjunction with the hair loss; additional, worrisome symptoms may be indicative of something more serious.

Here are some factors that merit a trip to the vet:

• Your dog is itching. From allergies to parasites, there are so many variables that can make a dog feel itchy. Your vet needs to determine the cause so they can treat the issue properly.
• You smell a bad odor. A foul smell may indicate an infection or something more extreme like cancer. It’s important to see a vet before it gets worse.
• Your dog’s skin is irritated or infected. Redness, blisters, a rash, or any other changes in your dog’s skin are causes for concern.
• You spot behavior changes in your dog. Be sure to let your vet know of any changes to your dog’s mood, temperament, or body language so they can help you find the cause.
• Your dog has lesions. Even without hair loss, you should take your dog to the vet if you notice any lesions on their skin. The vet can perform a diagnostic test (such as a fungal culture or biopsy) to determine the root cause.

One of the best features of dogs is their soft, pillow-esque fur. So it can be upsetting to owners when their favorite furball is losing more hair than they should. Just chat with your vet about any concerns regarding hair loss, and keep an eye out for new symptoms so things don’t get worse.