What causes loss of hair in dogs

The fight against dog hair is a common problem for owners who do not appreciate seeing their carpet or sofa covered with the hair that should normally be on the back of their faithful companion.

However, hair loss in dogs, to a certain extent, is quite natural, is not necessarily an indicator of any health problem and can be "controlled" with natural remedies and methods.

Nevertheless, hair loss can also be related to a pathology or to a state of abnormal stress and anxiety. In the latter case, it is necessary to present your pet to a veterinarian who will find a way to treat the source of the problem in order to limit hair loss.

 

Why is my dog shedding?

Normally, dogs shed their hair as each hair follicle goes through a three-stage life cycle. Anagen is the first phase of hair growth, which is followed by catagen, a transition period during which the hair contracts and completes its growth.

This cycle then ends with the telogen phase, which is when the hair follicle cells are destroyed in a normal aging process, before renewing themselves to start a new cycle. In dogs, hair follicles have a life cycle that is regulated by a multitude of factors, the main ones being hormones and outside temperatures.

Thus, hair loss is impacted by seasonal shedding that occurs in the fall and spring to prepare the dog's coat for the climate of each new season. Hormones also play an important role, since they cause hair loss, especially to give rise to a change of coat during the mating season.

Finally, it's worth noting that a dog's coat is made up of two types of hair: the guard hairs, also known as the topcoat, and the undercoat, commonly known as the undercoat. The undercoat has a shorter life span than the guard hair, and is also the main type of hair that is shed during shedding.

So it's only natural that dogs of breeds with a full undercoat shed much more than dogs with a predominantly jarred coat. In fact, if your Husky, Akita Inu, or Labrador covers your clothes with hair every time you cuddle, there's no particular reason to worry.

However, this would be more surprising from a Poodle, Bichon, Schnauzer, or Longhaired Dachshund, breeds that have virtually no undercoat.

 

Abnormal hair loss in dogs

Abnormal hair loss can be diagnosed when a dog has symptoms that complement his or her hair loss or when hair loss occurs in flakes. If your pet's coat is dull, has dandruff or appears dry, while his hair loss is abundant, this may conceal an underlying pathology.

Similarly, a dog that scratches, has irritated skin, sheds in patches or leaves visible bare skin is likely to have a condition that accounts for the excessive shedding. Naturally, the hair follicle cycle of dogs is not synchronized, i.e., each one dies at the end of its cycle, so not all hairs die at the same time.

This results in what is called a mosaic shedding, during which the hair loss is visible on the ground, but not on the animal's back.

 

 

 

Causes of excessive hair loss in dogs

Diet
Your dog's diet has a lot to do with the quality of his coat, the health of his skin and his overall physical and mental condition. Many dogs have food intolerances and develop skin conditions when the proteins in their daily meals are not of sufficient quality or come from too many different sources. Most other dogs that are not specifically intolerant also develop hair disorders (dull, dry coat, dandruff, etc.) when they do not receive a healthy, quality diet.

Stress and agitation
Stress, agitation and exercise can also hasten hair loss by accelerating the aging of hair follicles. In addition, during a period of stress or anxiety, the arrector muscle (or horripilator muscle), which allows the hair to stand up, will simply tend to pull out the animal's coat by contracting. This can lead to impressive situations in case of chronic stress, such as a visit to the veterinarian, where the dog suddenly loses hair in whole patches, a situation that cannot be helped. In the case of a deeper malaise with constant anxiety that manifests itself in symptoms that are almost invisible at first sight, the weight loss is more insidious. The animal will then lose more hair than a healthy dog, because stress leads to contractions of the arrector muscle, compulsive scratching and licking and, quite simply, premature aging of the cells.

Seasonal shedding
Molting is a period of coat renewal that usually occurs in the fall and spring, and allows the dog to naturally shed dead or damaged hair and put on a shiny new coat. Molting is a perfectly normal phenomenon that can be a nuisance to the owner, but it is not harmful to the dog's health.

Systemic or skin diseases
Many diseases can cause hair loss in dogs: this is the case of all those that have alopecia as a symptom. Alopecia is an excessive loss of hair that can be localized on a part of the animal's body or generalized. It is often a symptom of dermatoses, but can also be genetic or occur in the case of diseases caused by parasites, viruses, bacteria or immune disorders.

Internal and external parasites
Parasites are the primary cause of dermatitis, a skin condition that leads to impressive hair loss. To protect your pet from parasites, it is important to keep his deworming and flea control schedule up to date. However, it is important to know that flea bites sometimes occur even in treated animals, although in this case they cannot colonize the animal and will die immediately after the bite. They can, however, be a problem in dogs allergic to flea saliva, who are more likely than their peers to suffer from dermatitis.

 

Natural remedies to limit hair loss in dogs

When hair loss is due to natural causes, it is possible to implement a few simple methods to limit and, above all, control major hair loss. Brushing, quite simply, is a great way to remove dead hair, which prevents the dog from shedding and allows his coat to breathe better.

Bathing your dog about once a month is also a good way to thoroughly clean his skin, remove dead hair and aerate his skin to extend the life cycle of the remaining hair. Beware: this solution is double-edged, however, as too frequent bathing and the use of shampoos that are not specifically adapted to dogs can dry out the coat and cause excessive hair loss.

In the case of particularly stressed or anxious dogs, it is possible to opt for a pheromone diffuser or behavioral therapies to locate the source of the problem and remedy it. Very often, dogs are anxious because of a feeling of loneliness or exacerbated boredom that generates in them an anguish that causes physiological disorders.

By taking this aspect of your pet's daily life into consideration, you may be able to find solutions - with or without the help of a dog trainer - to prevent your pet from suffering from anxiety to the point of losing its hair. A balanced, high-quality diet can also improve the quality of your dog's hair and reduce shedding due to premature aging of the follicles or skin irritations.

Favoring high quality proteins from one or two sources (for example, chicken and rice) is less irritating to the digestive system and prevents the risk of intolerance. A diet rich in omega 3 and minerals also helps keep your pet's coat healthy.

 

 

FAQ

How do I know if my dog's hair loss is normal?
If your pet's coat appears silky, sufficiently moisturized, shiny, and your dog is otherwise happy and healthy, there is a good chance that his hair loss is normal. However, if your pet's hair loss is showing through his skin, if the hair is falling out in patches, if his skin is irritated or if his general condition is altered, you should suspect an underlying disease or disorder.

Why does my dog shed all year round?
Hair loss in dogs occurs naturally throughout the year, even if it is more important during shedding periods. Indeed, each hair has its own life cycle, which is not synchronized with the others. Also, your dog has new dead hairs every day, as well as new ones.

Are there any natural remedies to prevent my dog from shedding?
The best way to naturally help your dog maintain a healthy coat and slow down hair loss is to brush him regularly and feed him the right food.

 

In conclusion

Being overgrown with hair is often the great nemesis of owners who value cleanliness and want to keep their homes spotless.

However, hair loss in dogs is a completely natural phenomenon that cannot be fought. However, a few good practices, such as regular brushing and a healthy diet, can help owners control shedding and maintain a healthy environment.

When hair loss is abnormal, it is necessary to visit a veterinarian who will determine the cause and treat the problem at the source.