Mary Allen
Your dog is not only visually different from other dogs because of its appearance. A very special distinguishing feature is its fur. It can be short, long, silky, rough, or even curly. For you as a dog owner, the fur is a very good indicator of the health of your pet.
If your dog is healthy, it will have a beautiful, shiny coat. Depending on the texture of the fur, more or less care is required here. It is completely normal for your four-legged friend to lose hair.
However, you should observe any unusual coat changes. It can indicate a health problem in your dog. This also applies to hair loss in your four-legged friend. But when exactly do you talk about hair loss in dogs?
Shedding: Why is my dog losing clumps of fur?
Dogs regularly lose different amounts of hair depending on their fur texture and breed. He also loses significantly more hair than usual twice a year during his change of coat. Dogs change their coat in spring and autumn. This change of coat lasts between six and eight weeks. It can vary greatly over time.
The change of fur in spring is much more demanding. Because your dog loses its warm winter coat. In doing so, he sheds a warm and very dense undercoat. It gives way to his significantly airier summer coat.
Your dog can lose its fur in clumps at times. The top coat also falls out and changes. Regular brushing helps your four-legged friend during the change of coat. In this way, the annoying hair is quickly removed.
Which Dogs Lose the Most Hair?
How much hair your dog loses depends on the breed. And his coat texture. But age and hormones also play a major role.
Your neutered dog loses more hair than its unneutered counterparts. Old dogs shed more than young ones. Some animals react to stress with increased hair loss. And bitches can shed more hair before they come into heat.
Heavy-haired dog breeds are:
- Newfoundland
- Saint Bernard
- Bernese Mountain Dogs
- Retriever
- German shepherds
If your dog has a longer top coat and undercoat, it sheds more. On the other hand, dogs with short hair and no undercoat shed hardly any hair. These include the Poodle and the Maltese.
How much hair loss in dogs is normal?
It’s hard to say how much fur your dog is allowed to shed at a time. That depends on many factors. As a dog owner, you must have a good sense of how much hair loss is normal for your dog.
If your fur nose suddenly loses significantly more hair, this may be due to a disease. You should then watch your animal closely. Find out the causes of hair loss. And if necessary, consult your veterinarian.
Eczema and itchy skin associated with hair loss
Hair loss in dogs is not only shown by increased shedding of the hair. It can also cause severe itching. The skin is usually also affected.
It turns red, and flakes and eczema can even form. In extreme cases, your dog will lose clumps of fur. And there are bald spots.
Does your fur nose have increased hair loss? Then he often licks those parts of the skin where the fur is thinning. Sometimes he starts nibbling or biting there. You can observe these behaviors, especially in the case of disease-related hair loss.
Why does my dog get bald spots?
One of the most common causes of hair loss in dogs is an infestation of parasites. Fleas, lice, and mites are ectoparasites. You feel very comfortable on your dog’s skin and coat.
Parasites cause severe itching. Dogs will scratch and then bite each other to feed. As a result, he loses more and more hair.
Parasitic infestation by fleas, mites, lice, and ticks
If dogs lose more hair on their necks and tails, this is very likely a sign of a flea infestation. Fleas are not just annoying parasites that immediately cause itching. They can also trigger allergies.
Mites like to lodge in your dog’s ears. They love it warm and humid. Lice and ticks are also responsible for hair loss in dogs.
Circular hair loss due to fungal infection?
Another unpleasant cause of bald patches in your pet’s fur is a fungal infestation. Fungal diseases are zoonoses. This can become a health problem for you as a dog owner. Because your dog can also transmit the fungus to you.
Skin fungi in dogs are called dermatophytes. They are characterized by circular reddening of the skin. If hair loss is involved, this is also circular. The first spots are mostly in the head area of your four-legged friend. And on his forelimbs.
Dogs are more susceptible to fungal infection when their immune systems are weakened. Diseases that weaken your pet can therefore also lead to fungal diseases. An infestation with ectoparasites, for example, can result in skin fungi.
Dogs in kennels or those in animal shelters are at increased risk. Likewise, dogs that take part in exhibitions and competitions.
hair loss from stress
You may have noticed that your dog is suddenly losing more hair. Especially in awkward situations. For many animals, this is the case during a visit to the vet. Your dog is under stress. This affects his fur.
Stress is a non-negligible cause of hair loss in dogs. Certain situations can put him under such stress that he develops health problems.
The tufts of fur loss are one of the consequences. Reasons are a move, a new four-legged friend, or maybe a baby in the family.
Incorrect food is often the cause of hair loss
A classic among the causes of bald spots in dog fur is feeding errors. A nutrient deficiency can cause dogs to have a dull coat and lead to hair loss. Your dog needs balanced, species-appropriate, and high-quality dog food.
Unfortunately, not every ready-made feed from the trade meets these criteria. Inferior food, home-cooked food, the wrong BARF, or even feeding leftovers can result in serious health problems for your dog. One of them is hair loss.
The reason for your dog’s coat problems can also be a food allergy. Dogs are reacting more and more frequently to allergens these days. Cereals containing gluten or types of meat such as chicken or beef are usually to blame.
When does a dog lose hair?
Hair loss often occurs as a result or symptom of other medical conditions:
- hypothyroidism
- Cushing’s Syndrome
- sebadenitis
hypothyroidism
Alopecia is the technical term for hair loss. Alopecia can be a sign of underlying medical conditions in your dog. This includes hypothyroidism.
The lack of thyroid hormones hurts the growth of your loved one’s hair. Other signs of hypofunction are fatigue and weight gain.
Cushing’s Syndrome
Cushing’s syndrome can also be responsible for hair loss. This condition leads to an overproduction of hormones by the adrenal cortex. In most cases, this is caused by tumors in your dog’s pituitary gland or tumors in the adrenal glands.
Other typical symptoms of this disease are excessive drinking by your four-legged friend. And with it increased urination. He also has an increased appetite and thin skin.
Rare diseases
Dogs with black pigmented hair very rarely experience hair loss. In this case, the hair follicles have not fully formed. This can already be observed in the first few months of your furry friend.
Sebadenitis occurs just as rarely. In this disease, inflammation irreversibly destroys the sebaceous glands. The lack of sebum makes the hair dull and breaks off.
What can you do about severe hair loss in dogs?
The reasons for increased hair loss in your dog are very diverse. As a dog owner, you can easily find out some of the causes yourself and eliminate them. On the other hand, other problems can only be identified and treated by your veterinarian.
You can usually eliminate parasite infestation quickly with the appropriate means. However, it is better if you prevent it. You can get appropriate collars for your four-legged friend in stores. You will also find spot-on preparations against parasites here.
Switch to a different dog food
If your dog’s hair loss is due to incorrect feeding, you should urgently change the feeding plan. Get help from a dog nutrition expert or your veterinarian.
And grab species-appropriate, high-quality dog food for your dog. Leftovers must be taboo. If you also give salmon oil or linseed oil, your dog’s coat and skin will recover quickly.
Dog loses fur: act in time
If the reason for the hair loss cannot be identified by you as the owner, you should consult the veterinarian. Only they can diagnose and treat your dog’s underlying diseases.
Describe your dog’s lifestyle and symptoms in detail. The more likely it is to find the cause of his hair loss.
You must always keep a close eye on your fur nose. Regularly care for the coat of your four-legged friend according to its condition. Or take him to the groomer.
This allows you to quickly identify skin and hair problems. And you can start treatment immediately. Your dog will soon have a healthy, thick coat again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is missing in the dog with hair loss?
Hair loss in dogs with parasites.
This not only applies to ectoparasites such as mites or fleas but also intestinal parasites. Because a massive infestation with worms or giardia leads to a nutrient deficiency in affected animals, which can also result in excessive hair loss, among other things.
What can you do to prevent hair loss in dogs?
Use a dermatological shampoo specifically for your pet. Make sure you eat a balanced, nutritious diet and drink enough fluids. Avoid dry heating air. Do not expose your animal to any stressful situations.