Dogs are covered in a huge coat of fur that naturally sheds twice a year, coinciding with seasonal changes such as spring and fall. However, there are many other reasons why a dog’s hair falls out, from allergic reasons to serious illnesses.
We will explain what are the reasons why a dog pulls its hair, sometimes even strands, and how to fix it easily. Knowing the origin of the problem we will be able to put a solution and avoid that it continues losing a lot of hair.
Sometimes it is difficult to know the reason why our hair is losing hair in areas or in very marked places, such as its tail or back. If you are not very clear about the reason, despite the explanations that we are going to give, you should go to a vet.
Index of contents
- 1 Hair loss in dogs due to natural shedding
- 2 My dog loses his hair due to stress or illness
- 3 Hair loss in dogs for allergic reasons
- 4 Bald spots on the dog’s neck, back and / or armpits due to hair loss
- 5 How can I prevent my dog’s hair from falling out?
Hair loss in dogs due to natural shedding
Except for a small group of breeds that by mere genetics do not pull hair, the vast majority of breeds on the planet, including crossbreed dogs, make at least a couple of hair shedding per year.
It is totally normal for a dog to lose its hair in spring and autumn, which is when the weather changes. In the spring, dogs pull thick, woolly fur that protects them in winter from the cold. While in autumn they throw fine and fresh hair that protects them from the heat in summer.
However, dogs that live in houses where heating is used in winter and air conditioning in summer, spend most of the year doing hair shedding. Although it is in spring and autumn when they will be more intense.
My dog loses his hair due to stress or illness
It may seem strange but dogs that suffer from stress also suffer from a very abundant hair loss. Sometimes generalized, although generally it is usually by areas and the falls are in the form of tufts.
Animal abuse, lack of affection or affection, not taking them for a daily walk or exercise, even the simple fact of leaving them alone at home can cause them many nerves and anxiety, which end up becoming stress. A clear example: Separation stress in dogs.
But stress is not the only cause of the dog’s hair loss, there are many diseases capable of misaligning the biological rhythms of the dog causing excessive hair loss and even forming welts on some occasions.
Hypothyroidism, addison syndrome, scabies, ringworm or fungus among many others, are responsible for a dog’s hair falling out of the ears, around the eye, in the area of the back, the tail or in the the chest. Hair loss is not always generalized and can occur only in certain areas, although it is normal for it to expand terrain and end up leaving the dog almost hairless and sometimes with welts.
There are so many possible diseases that cause our dog to have bald spots or to lose a lot of hair, that we have created a complete guide so that you can know what happens to your dog: Guide to skin diseases in dogs.
Hair loss in dogs for allergic reasons
Allergies are also a common reason when it comes to hair loss in dogs, and although the main allergies are food, there are also allergies to external factors such as pollution, pollen or even to certain plants or mites.
When it comes to allergies, other associated symptoms usually appear, such as redness of the paws (pads) and / or the ears of the dog, the appearance of rashes on its body, an itch that causes the dog to be constantly scratching or licking, etc…
Sometimes varying the dog’s diet is enough to notice an improvement in a short time and prevent hair from falling out by areas, although at general levels it is necessary to use corticosteroids prescribed by the veterinaryn depending on the type of allergy and intensity of the same. You can get more detailed information at: Main allergies in dogs.
Fleas and ticks can also cause allergies in our dogs, it is very important to always keep them dewormed with the help of anti-parasite collars and pipettes. In this way we will rule out allergy to parasites.
Bald spots on the dog’s neck, back and / or armpits due to hair loss
Although it may surprise you, in most cases where a dog has bald spots on the neck or part of the armpits, where the paws meet the body, the culprit is the collar or harness. When a collar or harness is not in place or is not suitable for the specific type of dog, they produce constant chafing that ends up resulting in small bald spots.
These bald spots in the dog’s hair will increase and produce redness on its skin. It is not enough to apply a moisturizer or disinfect the area, it will be totally necessary to replace that collar or harness with another that is more comfortable for the dog.
Always try to avoid straps or necklaces as they are the most likely to create this type of problem. As well as harnesses that have straps or leashes that pass through the part of the armpits of the dog.
How can I prevent my dog’s hair from falling out?
Preventing hair loss in a dog is very simple, although you cannot always do it naturally or by following our advice. There will be many occasions when you must go to the vet for tests.
When the hair loss in the dog is for natural reasons like the stationary shed, there is nothing to do. The dog will shed its hair whether we like it or not, so it is best to add Omega fatty oils in its diet and brush it daily. With these two tips, the fall will be less intense and faster.
If a dog loses its hair due to stress or anxiety, here there are no miracles or medicines that are worth it. We must eliminate anxiety and stress in the dog so that it stops pulling hair or forming hives, it is essential.
However, if the reason for the hair loss is due to illness, with the help of the medication provided by the vet we can stop the hair loss and promote new regeneration.
The same happens with allergies, if the origin of the allergy is not discovered, we will not be able to put a solution and prevent the hair from falling out. Luckily, with a simple blood test, our vet can tell us what causes allergy to our dog.
And if hair loss or bald spots are caused by the improper use of a collar or harness, it will be enough to replace it with one more sui
table for our dog. In a short time your bald spots will disappear and your hair will continue to grow normally.