Reviewed By Joana Garrido DVM
The occurrence of dog hair loss is a red flag that warns pawparents that their pets need medical attention. It is commonly a clinical sign of an underlying illness.
We will walk you through the potential causes of dog hair loss as well as the breeds prone to developing this skin problem. You will also learn how to manage and prevent dog hair loss using natural home remedies.
What Is Dog Hair Loss?
Dog hair loss is called alopecia in medical terms. It denotes the abnormal partial or complete loss of hair in canines.
Pawrents should keep in mind that shedding is different from dog hair loss. The former is a naturally occurring process in your furry pal’s hair growth cycle. On the other hand, the latter refers to excessive hair loss due to an underlying illness.
What Are the Causes of Dog Hair Loss?
Developing certain medical issues leads to hair loss in dogs. Some of the most common are:
Ectoparasite Infestation
- Mange mites
- Dust mites
- Fleas
- Ticks
Allergic Reactions
- Food allergies
- Flea allergies
- Environmental allergies
Endocrine Diseases
- Cushing’s disease
- Addison’s disease
- Hypothyroidism
- Diabetes
Skin Infections
- Fungal or bacterial infections
Nutritional problems are also another factor that can encourage the manifestation of dog hair loss. It may be brought on by nutrient deficiencies, incomplete or unbalanced diets, or food deprivation.
What Breeds Are Prone to Dog Hair Loss?
Many types of breeds are predisposed to certain forms of dog hair loss, such as:
1. Pinnal Alopecia
It is a symmetrical noninflammatory alopecia. Loss of dog hair commonly takes place on the ear flaps.
Affected Dog Breeds:
Boston Terrier, Chihuahua, Dachshund, Italian Greyhound, Whippet and Miniature Poodles.
2. Pattern Baldness
This dog hair loss is often observed on the ears, legs, Ventral neck and thorax. It is a more common skin condition in females than males.
Affected canines start to suffer from hair loss around 6 months. By 12 months, sites with pattern baldness almost have complete hair loss.
Affected Dog Breeds:
Boxer, Boston Terrier, Chihuahua, Dachshund, Greyhound, Italian Greyhound, Manchester Terrier, and Whippet
3. Post-Clipping Alopecia
It is a kind of dog hair loss that occurs when a canine’s fur does not regrow after getting clipped for surgery or grooming.
It can take up to 2 years for pooches with post-clipping loss of dog hair to grow back their fur. However, most dogs reach total hair regrowth within a year.
Affected Dog Breeds:
Alaskan Malamute, Chow Chow, German Shepherd, Keeshond, Labrador Retriever, Samoyed, and Siberian Husky
4. Post-Injection Alopecia
This type of dog hair loss happens after certain medication or injections like corticosteroids or pregestational compounds.
Loss of dog hair in these cases is localized, meaning it is confined to one area, specifically where the injection was administered.
Affected Dog Breeds:
Bichon Frise, Poodle, Shih Tzu, Silky Terrier, and Yorkshire Terrier
5. Color Dilution Alopecia
It is a rare genetic loss of dog hair commonly seen in dogs with diluted coat colors such as blue and fawn. Those with this condition have poor coat quality and skin dryness caused by secondary infections of the hair follicles.
Affected Dog Breeds:
Chihuahua, Chow Chow, Dachshund, Great Dane, Irish Setter, Italian Greyhound, Miniature Pinscher, Newfoundland, Poodle, Saluki, Schipperkes Whippet, Shetland Sheepdog, Yorkshire Terrier, and mixed-breed dogs
What Are the Common Symptoms of Dog Hair Loss
The clinical signs of dog hair loss will depend on its root cause. However, some of the prevalent symptoms include:
- Bald spots
- Inflamed and irritated skin
- Hair thinning
- Bad odor
- Skin infection or pyoderma
- Dry skin
Identifying the underlying cause of dog hair loss is the first step to preventing this skin condition from progressing. Thus, get your dog diagnosed by the veterinarian right away if he shows symptoms of hair loss.
2 Natural Remedies to Reverse Dog Hair Loss
Loss of dog hair can be minimized with the help of natural home treatments that improve coat health, support hair regrowth, and promote strong hair less prone to breakage.
1. Turmeric and Black Cumin as Natural Remedies for Dog Hair Loss
In a study, 3 dogs with natural hair loss exhibited near-complete hair growth after being given topical treatment of turmeric and black cumin for 8 to 12 days.
Ingredients
- ¼ ground turmeric powder
- ¼ black cumin powder
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil
- ¼ distilled water
Instructions
- In a small bowl, use a spoon to stir and combine all the ingredients until they are well incorporated.
- Place this topical remedy for dog hair loss in a glass container.
- Apply turmeric and black cumin paste to your dog’s skin with bald patches.
- Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes before rinsing off.
- Use this home treatment for dog hair loss at least 2 times a day.
Additional information
- Turmeric has anti-inflammatory compounds that are good for soothing arthritic pains in dogs. It also alleviates itchy and inflamed skin.
- Similar to turmeric, black cumin provides pain relief to dogs with joint pains and promotes healthy skin and coats too.
2. Omega-3 Fatty Acids as a Natural Remedy for Dog Hair Loss
Experts carried out an experiment observing the effects of EPA+DHA omega-3 fats on the poor coat health of dogs.
The results of the experiment indicate that 6 weeks of omega-3 fat supplementation significantly improved the coat and skin quality of participating canines.
Instructions
- Opt for seafood-based omega-3 fatty acid supplements since they directly provide EPA+DHA. In comparison, their plant-based counterparts commonly contain ALA, which still needs to be converted into your dog’s body.
- Choose sustainable omega-3 fatty acid supplements for dog hair loss. To find one, look for certification seals of organizations like the Marine Stewardship Council on the product.
- Check the packaging and make sure that it specifically states the EPA+DHA content of the product.
- Get third-party-tested omega-3 supplements that have a certificate of analysis (COA). It confirms that the product is free from harmful contaminants.
- Administer 20.4 milligrams of EPA+DHA per kg of body weight once a day.
- Use this supplement for dog hair loss for up to 2 months for better results.
Additional information
- Omega-3 fatty acids hinder the development of cognitive dysfunction in dogs, especially elderly ones.
- Omega-3 fats act as an anti-inflammatory and lubricant that supports improved canine joint health.
Note
- Avoid overdosing your furry pal on this supplement for dog hair loss. Excessive intake can lead to an oily coat and flaky skin. Gastric upset is also a common side effect.
Potential side effects of fatty acids overdose:
- Altered platelet function
- Inhibited inflammatory response
- Effects on glycemic control
- Weight gain
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
FAQs About Dog Hair Loss
1. What Vitamin Deficiency Causes Hair Loss in Dogs?
Biotin or vitamin H deficiency can cause dog hair loss. This skin condition can also manifest in dogs with the following nutrient deficiencies:
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
- Copper
- Zinc
You can prevent diet-induced dog hair loss by ensuring your pooch is given a nutritionally complete and balanced diet.
Since this can be a tricky process, especially for dogs that are given homemade diets, do not hesitate to ask for help from a certified veterinarian nutritionist.
2. Can Fleas Cause Hair Loss in Dogs?
Dog hair loss can be caused by fleas and other external parasites like ticks and mites. Ensuring that your furry pal is routinely administered with preventive medications protects him from the health issues these insects bring.
3. Why Is My Dog’s Hair Falling Out?
Your dog’s hair falling out can be brought on by innocuous reasons such as shedding. However, if his hair loss appears to be extremely excessive, this could mean that he is suffering from an underlying health problem.
Since there is a wide range of illnesses that trigger dog hair loss, your best bet on determining the exact cause of this condition is through proper veterinarian diagnosis.
4. How Do I Fix My Dogs Hair Loss?
You can fix dog hair loss using natural home remedies that promote strong hair, improved coat health, and hair regrowth, like turmeric and black cumin as well as EPA+DHA omega-3 supplements.
However, take note that loss of dog hair can become a recurrent problem if its underlying cause is not treated.
Summary
Dog hair loss or alopecia is a symptom of an underlying health problem. Dog owners can reduce abnormal hair fall in their canine companions using natural remedies like omega-3 supplements, turmeric, and black cumin.
However, this skin condition will likely repeat itself if its root cause is not weeded out. So make sure to seek the veterinarian’s help treating the health issue causing dog hair loss.
If you are looking for natural ways to remedy different types of ailments in dogs, our Supplements section has plenty of home treatments in store for you.
