Dog Hair Loss
Like humans, daily dog hair loss can be natural. You are probably used to finding strands or even clumps of dog hair around your home. This type of dog hair loss is nothing to concern yourself with. However, if you notice large amounts of dog hair in your home you should take action. A dog can lose an excessive amount of hair for a variety of reasons, but generally speaking, excessive dog hair loss can be treated.
Dog hair loss can be a sign of poor health. If you notice that your dog is losing an unusually large amount of hair, it should be seen as a red flag because there may be an underlying condition that requires veterinary care. Some dog hair loss is caused by allergies. Your dog could be allergic to the food he is eating or to pollutants in the air. Flea bites are a common cause of hair loss in dogs. It is not the fleas themselves but rather the saliva of the fleas that can cause an allergy and subsequent hair loss. If you discover that your dog has fleas, you should ask your vet to recommend a flea medication. You also should eradicate the fleas living on bedding, in carpeting and in your dog’s yard area.
Genetics can be blamed for some cases of dog hair loss. Greyhounds for instance are prone to hair loss, which typically occurs on their backs and bellies. A condition called Pituitary Dwarfism is another rather common genetic condition that interferes with a dog’s growth and development – leading to some hair loss.
Mange is a leading cause of dog hair loss. Mange is caused by mites and the symptoms of mange are excessive hair loss, itching, redness, scales and pustules on the skin. If you suspect mange, make an appointment with your veterinarian immediately because a skin scraping will have to be done so that the type of mange your dog has can be diagnosed and treated.
Emotional upset and stress can also lead to dog hair loss. If your dog has been the subject of abuse, is afraid of thunderstorms or gets very nervous when he is left alone, you should speak to your vet or a dog training/psychologist. You may be able to help your dog cope better by learning some skills that will help to calm him down.
As you can see, dog hair loss can be caused by a variety of things. In order to prevent your dog from losing an unusual amount of hair you should be sure to inspect your dog’s skin for parasites, flaking and redness. It is also essential that you brush your dog daily if he has a long, thick coat or weekly if your dog has shorter hair. Brushing will stimulate the skin and encourage healthy blood flow to the hair follicles. When bathing your dog, be sure to use a gentle dog shampoo. Do not use shampoo made for humans or harsh hair sprays or deodorizers as these can irritate sensitive skin and cause dog hair loss.