Click to Skip Ahead Possible Reasons Tips to Control Hair Loss All dog owners expect some shedding‚ but it can be challenging to tell when your shaggy Golden Retriever is going through a rough shedding season or when it’s alopecia‚ which is the medical term for excessive hair loss. Depending on its cause‚ hair loss in dogs can present with all sorts of alarming signs. Sometimes‚ it’s nothing to be worried about‚ but other times‚ it can signify a serious health problem. If your pet is suffering from hair loss we recommend a consultation with your veterinarian. Let’s briefly break down some of the more common causes just below‚ and tips on controlling hair loss further down. The 7 Possible Reasons Your Dog Is Losing Hair 1. Allergies Just like some people‚ some dogs have allergies meaning their immune system reacts to allergens such as pollen‚ dust mites‚ some foods etc. Dogs with allergies can develop itching and very angry red rashes‚ which can trigger frantic scratching and fur pulling.  Allergies typically develop in young adult dogs although they can be seen at any age. Your dog may be allergic to seasonal pollens‚ plants‚ flea saliva‚ beef or chicken amongst other possibilities. Visit with your veterinarian for advice and treatment options. 2. Hormonal Disease Hormonal conditions like Cushing’s disease and hypothyroidism can cause balding‚ especially in older dogs‚ and are usually accompanied by fatigue‚ panting‚ drinking more than usual and weight gain. Your dog’s vet will be able to diagnose these conditions by doing blood work‚ and they’ll be able to advise you on the next steps. Image Credit: Alyaalya‚ Shutterstock 3. Parasites Mites and fleas can infest your dog and cause skin-level signs like fur loss‚ skin rashes‚ and other dermal abnormalities. Your dog may have scratched the site raw‚ too‚ if they’re a prolific lick-and-scratcher‚ which can further inflame the affected area. Hair loss in these cases is typically temporary‚ and it will likely grow back over time‚ once the parasites have been effectively treated. 4. Infection Bacteria that get into cuts or scrapes on your dog’s skin can fester into gnarly skin infections‚ producing flaking‚ crusty‚ scabs‚ redness‚ and hair loss. Ringworm is a fungal infection that also causes hair loss and irritation‚ typically in circular patches. Your veterinarian will prescribe oral or topical medication to combat infections. 5. More Serious Skin Conditions Autoimmune and cancerous conditions of the skin are thankfully less common than other causes of hair loss. They are normally diagnosed through a biopsy. Your veterinarian will advise if they think a skin biopsy is necessary for your pet. Image Credit: SKT Studio‚ Shutterstock 6. Genetics Genetic or breed-related hair loss occurs in some breeds such as the Greyhound and Pomeranians. Color dilution alopecia occurs in “blue” coloured individuals in many breeds. This type of hair loss is not harmful to your dog but needs a vet to rule out other problems. 7. Calluses Calluses are thickened areas of skin which develop when a heavier‚ older‚ and/or bonier dog regularly puts a lot of their body weight on a certain body area‚ normally on the elbows. For instance‚ lying on a hard tile floor for prolonged periods every day can contribute to developing calluses. To remedy this‚ we recommend investing in a nice comfy dog bed for your dog to sleep in instead of on hard surfaces although they may prefer not to use it. Calluses are nothing to worry about unless they progress into open wounds which generally only happens in sick‚ old or poorly-mobile animals Image Credit: Kristesoro‚ Shutterstock How to Control Hair Loss in Your Dog When you’re at your wit’s end on how to deal with hair loss‚ it can be very stressful. Hair loss is usually a medical problem and without veterinary guidance it is unlikely to resolve on its own. Your vet will treat the underlying cause of hair loss whether it is hormonal‚ allergies‚ parasites or infections. If your dog has severe skin allergies visit with your veterinarian to discuss possible allergens and treatments. Allergies can never be cured but they can be managed. It is not always possible to avoid the allergen completely but many medical options exist for treating affected dogs. Routinely keep your dog’s fur bathed and groomed‚ and check for any abnormal hair loss or skin rashes at each bath time and visit with your veterinarian if they occur. Ensure your dog is getting a balanced diet. Ask your veterinarian about skin supplements which can help in some cases of hair loss. Ask your veterinarian about which topical treatments such as shampoo‚ conditioner and ointments that may help your pet. Conclusion When your dog is losing hair‚ it is always worth a visit to the veterinarian to get to the bottom of it. You will have peace of mind once your pet has been looked at and treated by a professional. Hair loss is a common sign but it can be caused by a multitude of problems. Hence needing a visit‚ or several to the vet. Sources VCA Hospitals Pubmed NCBI NLM NIH VCA Hospitals Vet Cornell VCA Hospitals Featured Image Credit: sonsart‚ Shutterstock The post Why Is My Dog Losing Hair? 7 Vet-Approved Possible Reasons &; Care Tips appeared first on Pet Keen.