Why Is My Dog Losing Its Hair?

Is your dog losing hair mostly around its neck and tail?

Do the patches of hairless skin show any signs of infections or skin conditions like eczema or dandruff?

Are you feeding your dog with food enriched with nutrients for skin and hair development?

Does your dog shows any symptoms of an illness, like obesity, apathy, etc?

A very common cause of hair loss in dogs is an infestation by parasites such as mites, lice, or fleas. If your dog is losing hair around its neck and tail, there’s a high chance it’s due to fleas. These tiny parasites can rapidly infest your dog and irritate their skin. This leads to intense itching and scratching, which in turn can cause hair loss. Make sure to follow the recommended guidelines for regular, effective treatment against fleas and their eggs.

Any skin condition your dog has, including eczema or dandruff, can eventually lead to hair loss. If your dog is uncomfortable or their skin is causing them distress, they’ll try to alleviate this by scratching, licking, and itching themselves. Over time, this can lead to hair loss as specific areas of skin are weakened and their coat pulled out. Use a dermatologically-approved, specialist shampoo for your dog to alleviate any itching and therefore discourage scratching.

Hair loss in dogs can also occur due to nutritional deficiencies. Keratin, the core component of hair, needs sulfur amino acids to be synthesized properly; without these, your dog might have slow hair growth, their hair may feel brittle, and eventually, they'll suffer from hair loss. Similarly, biotin is a key nutrient in supporting healthy skin and hair and protecting against complaints such as hair loss.

There are several diseases that could cause hair loss in dogs. Ovarian or testicular tumors, particularly in older dogs, can cause localized hair loss. Cushing’s disease causes obesity, hair loss, dark patches, and several other behavioral symptoms. Hair loss is also one of the symptoms of hypothyroidism in dogs. All these problems require the opinion of a veterinarian so be sure to take your dog to the vet as soon as possible.

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.