We find it on our carpets, in little fuzz bunnies under the furniture, or covering our clothes—especially when we’re dressed to the nines for an important event. It’s dog hair, and it’s everywhere.
The grim fact is: healthy dogs shed hair. Granted, some shed more than others. Your dog’s shedding cycle may be annoying, but it’s a normal process in dogs.
But sometimes dogs lose too much hair or fail to regrow it, and their coats become patchy or thin. The key is to determine if the hair loss is harmless or a sign of a health problem.
Causes
Healthy dogs will shed handfuls of hair as daylight increases, especially if they spend time outdoors. This is particularly true for such heavy-coated, Arctic breeds as Malamutes, Samoyeds, and Siberian huskies. And unspayed female dogs sometimes blow their coats because of hormonal changes associated with heat cycles. Even dog collars and dog harnesses can cause localized hair loss. And occasionally scar tissue will remain bald as a baby’s behind.
What you can do at home about your shedding dog
Grooming to fight shedding:
Using a dog brush daily during shedding season will minimize the amount of loose hair in the environment, and it may lighten his coat during the dog days of summer. Special anti-shedding tools such as the Furminator are designed to remove hair before it ends up on your clothes, car seats, and furniture.
Routine bathing - every few weeks for most dogs - also will help maintain healthy skin and hair. Some dog shampoos, such as those containing Neem Oil are helpful when a skin irritation is behind your dog’s hair loss.
Use a flea comb regularly to check your dog for fleas, especially near the base of his tail. If you find any pepper-like specks, collect them onto a lightly moistened white paper towel and rub the towel together. A reddish color means you’ve found flea dirt—blood that fleas have ingested and excreted. If it turns tan or gray, your pet probably just needs a bath. Shampoos containing natural anti-flea and anti-itch ingredients should bring relief to your dog.
You may find you need to engage in flea warfare with veterinarian-supplied prescription oral and topical monthly flea treatments to keep the biting insects at bay..
Supplements and shedding:
Dietary supplements like Omega 3-rich salmon oil will help maintain the appearance of your dog’s coat. Other supplements can help you keep your dog healthy, which should keep his coat in good shape.
Housekeeping and shedding:
Sometimes all you can do is accept that most dogs shed and despite your best efforts with the comb, brush, and other tools, some dog hair will land in your house. If your dog is a couch potato, protect your furniture with a dog couch cover. And keep a vacuum and a supply of rolling sticky lint-grabbers on hand to pull random fur off your furniture, clothes, and car interior.
Shedding in dogs with health problems
Hair loss also appears with many dog health conditions, including:
• cancer
• gastrointestinal parasite infection
• flea infestation
• mange (sarcoptic and demodectic)
• nutritional deficiencies
• allergies
• fungal infections
• bacterial infections
• immune system disorders
• stress
Hormonal imbalances also can cause hair loss. Some examples include hypothyroidism, Cushing’s syndrome, and a sex hormone imbalance. Many hormonal imbalances also cause a change in thirst, appetite, and urination, while skin conditions can lead to itching, scratching, and sores. Identifying and reporting these symptoms may help your veterinarian determine the cause of your dog’s hair loss.
When to call the veterinarian
Hair loss isn’t life-threatening, but some underlying conditions can cause more serious complications. Call your veterinarian if your dog’s hair looks patchy or if you notice sores, itchiness, or increased thirst or urination.
What your veterinarian will do
Your veterinarian will ask you about the duration, pattern, and amount of hair loss. After a thorough physical examination, your pet may need blood or fecal tests, skin scrapings, skin cultures, allergy tests, or skin biopsies.
Many conditions can cause hair loss, and the doctor may need time to reach a diagnosis. Some conditions require long-term care, but most dogs recover fully and soon regain their lustrous coats.
