Identify and Treat Dog Hair Loss

Identify and Treat Dog Hair Loss

Identify and Treat Dog Hair Loss : Multi-thousand tips to make your life easier.

Most dogs lose some hair regularly; this is nothing to be concerned about. If you own a dog, you may be familiar with finding tufts of hair on the carpet or couch. This is especially true of double-coated breeds. A double coat means your dog has a softer, thicker inner coat that helps protect him from extremes in temperature. It insulates him in winter from extreme cold. The fur also helps keep extremely warm air from reaching the skin in summer. Double-coated dogs usually have a coarse outer coat over the inner layer, which helps protect the inner coat and provides an additional layer against cold and heat. Some examples of breeds with a double coat include German Shepherd, Collie, Husky, and Welsh Corgi.

Seasonal hair loss is often called shedding or blowing coat. This type of hair loss is normal for most breeds. Some breeds also have excessive hair loss when they lose their puppy hair and grow their adult fur. You cannot completely eliminate your pet's hair loss, but there are ways to minimize the amount of hair you find on the carpet or clothing.

1. Brush your dog daily. Depending on the thickness of hair, you can use a soft-bristled brush, or for thicker-coated breeds, a lightweight or medium-weight wire brush may be more effective. Good dog grooming makes a difference.
2. Always brush your dog in the direction the hair is going. This removes dead, loose hair and dander while feeling pleasant to your pet. If you brush against the hair, you will still remove loose hair, but your pet will not enjoy the experience.
3. Feed your dog a good dog food. Consult your veterinarian to make sure your pet receives all the nutrients he needs in a well-balanced diet. Consider adding vitamins to your dog's diet.
4. Do not feed your dog from the table. Human food is not nutritionally balanced for your pet and will not give your pet the vitamins and minerals necessary to grow a healthy coat.

A dog's fur or coat is a reflection of his general health. If your dog is healthy, the better solution could be to find a good vacuum cleaner. However, if your dog's hair loss becomes excessive or your pet is scratching patches out of his coat, it could be a sign of a more serious underlying problem. Consult your veterinarian about any abnormal dog hair loss. Here are some possible causes of canine hair loss and their symptoms:

1. Your dog may have seasonal allergies or be allergic to his food or household chemicals. See the article How To Determine if Your Dog has Food Allergies for more information on this subject. If your dog is having an allergic reaction, his skin may become irritated and itchy, causing excessive hair loss all over the body or in patches. Consult your veterinarian if you suspect your dog's hair loss is due to allergies.
2. Your pet may be hypersensitive to flea or mosquito bites. Some dogs are extremely sensitive to fleas or mosquitoes. When they are bitten, these dogs will itch and scratch themselves until patches of hair fall off. Check your dog's stomach and the base of his tail for signs of fleas, and consult your veterinarian for a good method of flea control. If your pet is outside in the evenings, use an insect repellent on his fur to minimize mosquito bites.
3. Hormonal diseases such as hypothyroidism or Cushing's disease can also cause your dog to lose hair in clumps. Hair loss is only one sign or symptom of these serious diseases. Your veterinarian is your best source of information for treating your pet if you suspect he may have other serious health issues in addition to excessive hair loss.
4. Sarcoptic mange or ringworm may also cause canine hair loss. Your dog's hair may fall out in patches, and the skin underneath may look red and irritated. Mange is hard to detect, and you should not self-diagnose without speaking with your vet. Ringworm is highly contagious and should be treated immediately.
5. Surgery or anesthesia can cause a sudden loss of hair in your pet. The hair loss should subside after a week or two. If it does not go away, or is accompanied by other symptoms, check with your veterinarian to make sure your pet's recovery is progressing normally.

Canine hair loss is a normal part of owning a dog. Shedding in spring and fall may be frustrating for you as the pet owner, but it is a normal part of a dog's life. Losing excessive amounts of hair, bald patches, or biting and chewing his fur is not normal. If your pet is losing an extreme amount of hair or his fur is dull and brittle, it could be a sign of a more serious underlying problem. Work closely with your veterinarian to diagnose and treat the issue.