I love to wear black jeans. I also love to spend time with my dog. Lately I’ve found that my love of both has meant that I’m also spending more time with a clothes brush removing dog hair than I’d care to admit. The same is true with the black upholstery in my car – I’d be forever vacuuming the boot after dog walking excursions if it wasn’t for my Travall CargoMat, which really makes keeping the car clean so easy. It got me wondering how much hair loss in dogs is normal and when I should be worried about the shedding. Here’s what I found.
Most dogs shed hair. However, if you start to notice that your dog is shedding more hair than usual, or bald spots start to appear on his body, it’s time for a chat with the vet. Increased hair loss can be caused by a wide variety of issues.
A change of season
Some dogs have increased shedding as the seasons change and the weather gets warmer. So a thick undercoat that was grown to protect your dog in the cold and ice of winter is no longer required for warmer weather conditions and is naturally shed. This is best managed by grooming your dog frequently and brushing him a couple of times a week.
Food allergies causing hair loss in dogs
For some dogs it may be a case of an allergy to something in his food. You may also see increased scratching or skin irritation.
Environmental allergies
Pollen and dust can cause a dog’s skin to become irritated. This in turn may make him scratch more and also shed hair more.
Parasites
If a dog has fleas or other parasites on his fur, there is the potential for increased hair loss in dogs. Keeping up to date with flea and worming treatments prescribed by your vet is a good way to stay on top of dealing with these pests.
Bacteria and fungus
Infections from bacteria and fungal infections can also cause hair loss and require treatment to keep them under control.
Hormone disorders
Disorders with hormones or the adrenal glands can cause hair loss too. Further tests by your vet will determine the cause and the correct course of treatment.
Keeping your dog regularly groomed and brushed will allow you to spot health issues in your dog very early and be able to get prompt treatment.
Information given in this article is not a substitute for advice from a qualified medical professional. Please consult a vet for advice specific to your dog.
