Is My Dog Going Bald? Canine Hair Loss Explained

Canine hair loss is common with dogs. Dogs shed throughout the year, but primarily in the spring and fall. This is a normal occurrence and the extra hair can normally be brushed out on a daily basis to help keep it from being spread throughout your house.

Sometimes, dogs will have bald spots. This type of canine hair loss can be a cause for concern and should be checked out by a veterinarian.

The most common cause of canine hair loss is an allergic reaction to something. These allergens can be found in your dog’s food or caused by parasites like fleas.  (For more information on dog allergies, see “Canine Allergies: Is Your Dog Allergic?”) The itchy, inflamed areas caused by the allergens may cause your dog to lick, scratch, or gnaw the areas excessively and make them more inflamed.

The good news is that if an allergen is the cause of the hair loss, the coat should grow back over time once the allergen has been removed.

The second group of canine hair loss causes can be one of the following:

• Thyroid disorder
• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Cushing’s disease
• Tumor
• Steroids

If your dog has been given steroids for another condition, the hair may return after the steroids are taken away.  These symptoms will need to be diagnosed by a veterinarian.

The third most common cause of canine hair loss is infections. These can be from sarcoptic mange or ringworm, and special shampoos are available to help with this condition.

Please take your dog to a veterinarian to get him/ her properly checked out before treatment.