Alopecia and Hair Loss in Dogs

As well as being a man’s best friend, dogs can also suffer from some of the same health conditions as humans. If you’ve noticed your pooch has thinning fur, is starting to develop bald patches, or has a greasy, lacklustre coat, they could be experiencing hair loss. It can often take some time to determine what is causing canine hair loss, as the problem can be caused by many factors.

When it comes to female hair loss or male baldness in humans, experts can usually identify the cause and offer hair loss treatments. With dogs, it’s not always that simple. Did you know that around 5-10% of dogs will experience Alopecia or hairloss at some point in their lives?

Whilst Alopecia Areata in humans can be caused by stress or because of a genetic predisposition, when it comes to our canine friends there are many other potential causes, so it is important to identify the root of the issue. You’ll need to figure out whether your dog’s fur is falling out of its own accord or whether their skin is irritated, causing scratching and chewing which could lead to hair loss.

Causes of Alopecia in dogs

Alopecia in dogs could be caused by any of the following:

• Stress


• Pregnancy


• Endocrine disorders such as Cushing’s disease or hyperthyroidism


• Hereditary causes


• Allergies


• Parasites such as ticks or fleas


• Diet

Some breeds are more likely to experience hairloss than others for example, Dachsunds are known to experience baldness in old age.

Protecting your dog from hair loss

There are some steps you can take to protect your dog from hair loss or skin conditions. Obviously, ensuring their skin is clean and not too dry is essential, so using a light moisturiser designed for dogs may be a good idea if your pooch has dry skin. Keeping their fur clean and well groomed is also necessary, and you should use a good flea and worming treatment recommended by your vet to keep parasites at bay. If you suspect your dog has ticks or fleas, it’s important to treat the problem as soon as possible to prevent irritation and hair loss occurring.

Bald patches could also be caused by sensitivity to additives or artificial colourings in dog food or other products such as shampoo, so try to eliminate any products which don’t contain natural ingredients, and speak to your vet about feeding your dog a diet specifically designed for dogs with sensitivities or intolerances.

Alopecia and hair loss in dogs may appear alarming at first, but it is generally indicative of an underlying issue, so it’s important to get your pooch checked out by your vet as soon as possible. Canine hair loss can usually be treated fairly simply and easily, ensuring your dog is back to his happy-go-lucky self in no time at all.