Top Causes & Solutions for Dog Hair Loss

Section 1: Dog Hair Loss Symptoms and Causes

1. Normal Hair Loss Situations

(1) Seasonal shedding. During this time, it's best to regularly groom your dog and ensure they get plenty of sunlight.

Dogs grow a thick undercoat in winter to keep warm. As seasons change, the temperature fluctuations prompt dogs to adjust their coat density, which is why shedding tends to be more pronounced during the transition periods of spring and autumn.

(2) Puppies shed as they grow. Alongside development, they gradually lose their natal fur.

Puppies typically start shedding around 3 to 4 months of age, with the natal fur mostly shedding by 6 to 7 months. Trimming the natal fur can help mitigate shedding, but it's not advisable to shave puppies completely.

As dogs mature, their coats become denser and smoother.

(3) Older dogs. Their coat color and thickness may diminish, accompanied by various senior conditions like fragile bones and tooth loss.

It's important for older dogs to supplement calcium and vitamins.

2. Abnormal Hair Loss

(1) Nutritional deficiencies, poorquality food. This often results in excessive shedding, with clumps of fur falling out easily and accumulating on the floor after a walk.

Longterm consumption of lowquality dog food can lead to chronic diseases that may not be immediately apparent but will manifest over time.

(2) Oversalting. Feeding dogs human leftovers can lead to excessive salt intake, as dogs have different salt requirements than humans, which can cause shedding.

This hidden danger can lead to kidney failure in dogs, so it's crucial to take this seriously.

(3) Skin diseases. Skin diseases in dogs can be difficult to detect, especially those affecting dense fur and deep within the coat.

These conditions often come with skin issues and scratching, leading to hair loss.

(4) Pathological shedding. Some dogs may shed hair outside of seasonal periods or experience excessive shedding without shedding at all.

This may indicate other conditions, such as red spots, blisters, spots, or dandruff on the skin.

(5) Allergies. Skin rashes and red spots can indicate allergies, which may resolve on their own with the removal of allergens.

(6) Vitamin deficiencies. A lack of Vitamin B in dogs can cause hair loss, along with symptoms like weight loss, loss of appetite, weakness, and vision problems.

Vitamin deficiencies often result from an imbalanced diet.

Section 2: Methods to Improve Your Pet's Hair Loss

1. Regular Grooming to Promote Metabolism

Regular grooming helps reduce dead hair from normal metabolism, making the coat stronger and smoother, and also provides comfort to the dog.

2. Increased Activity and Sunlight

Encourage your dog to engage in outdoor activities and sunbathing. Sunlight is beneficial for the health of the dog's coat, and exercise can also help with the natural shedding process.

3. Avoid Frequent Bathing

Some pet owners are overly clean and bathe their dogs too frequently. However, frequent bathing can damage the protective substances on a dog's coat.

It's generally recommended to bathe dogs once a week, and a simple wipe with a damp towel after walks is sufficient.

4. Use DogSpecific Shampoo

Dog skin tends to be neutral, while human shampoos are often alkaline. Using human shampoo can dry out a dog's skin, allowing bacteria and mites to enter, leading to severe hair loss.

5. Regular Deworming and Health Care

Dog fur can be affected by mites, fleas, or even intestinal parasites, all of which can cause severe hair loss.

Regular deworming and health care are essential in a dog's daily care.

6. Choose Suitable Dog Food

As mentioned earlier, both oversalted and lowquality dog food can lead to hair loss.

Provide your dog with the best quality food within your budget, and if hair loss is due to the dog food, consider switching brands.

7. Supplement with Nutritional Supplements

Feeding your dog nutritional supplements, such as cooked egg yolks and carrots for puppies, and supplements like lecithin for adult dogs, can be beneficial for coat health.

However, dogs with weak health should choose supplements based on their specific conditions, and it's advisable to consult a veterinarian.