Content
- Dog fur falling out a lot during fur changes
- Dog fur falling without itching: hormonal problems
- Dog falling fur and scratching itself a lot: external parasites
- Dog falling fur and with wounds: causes and solutions
- Falling dog hair: other common causes
dog fur falling it can have several meanings, some of them are completely natural, such as the times of hair changes, but others are reasons of concern for guardians, such as canine dermatitis, external parasites and hormonal problems.
To know how to differentiate these situations and provide the necessary care to your best friend, it is essential to know the main causes of canine alopecia and the most frequent symptoms. In this new article by PeritoAnimal, we will explain what are the conditions and risk factors that can cause excessive hair loss in dogs. Keep reading!
Dog fur falling out a lot during fur changes
Hair change is a natural process that puppies experience at least once a year (usually twice) and it allows adapt the coat to different weather conditions of your environment. In this context, dog fur falling out is a normal result of the different growth cycles that dog fur has, interspersing faster and slower growth phases with rest periods. Perhaps, you also notice flaws in the dog's fur, which is normal in dogs that have a coat formed by two coats of fur (one inside and one outside).
The amount of hair a dog sheds during molting can vary according to several biological, genetic and environmental factors. Dogs that lose little hair usually have a very light fall. A balanced diet and a good exercise routine are also key factors in preventing excessive falling. In addition, climate and environmental conditions influence hair change. Generally, breeds native to tropical or temperate countries tend to experience much less intense hair changes than Nordic breeds, for example.
To prevent dog hair from falling out in excess and spreading around the house during moulting, we recommend brush the coat daily during this period. Check out this PeritoAnimal article with some tips to properly brush your dog's coat!
Dog fur falling without itching: hormonal problems
O dog fur falling symmetrically, usually with a bilateral pattern, and without itching is usually a symptom of hormonal problems, such as canine hypothyroidism and Cushing's syndrome in dogs. If you notice that your dog is losing excessive hair but not scratching, don't hesitate to quickly take him to the veterinarian for the necessary tests to see if the alopecia is caused by hormonal imbalances.
If this diagnosis is confirmed, treatment will fundamentally depend on the type of problem and its specific causes. Hormonal disorders usually require a chronic pharmacological treatment, that is, the puppy must take certain medication(s) for life to prevent symptoms from developing and negatively impacting health.
As we've already mentioned, dog hair falling off without itching can also be associated with a genetic tendency to alopecia. Breeds that lose a lot of hair, such as the Labrador, the German Shepherd, the pug and the Chihuahua, can lose their hair asymptomatically throughout the year.
Dog falling fur and scratching itself a lot: external parasites
Dog falling fur and scratching a lot? Another cause is tick and/or flea bites, which is one of the most common skin problems in dogs, which can cause anything from mild inflammation to severe allergies. In addition, mites can cause different types of mange in dogs, which can cause excessive shedding, intense burning and itching, rashes and scabs on the skin, and weight loss. If your dog has these symptoms, you will need to check him carefully for any external parasites or signs of stinging.
If you find traces of ticks, fleas or mites, you will need to resort to a pet Shop to purchase a suitable product to eliminate these parasites. But if you are not used to applying this type of product or if your dog's situation is serious, it is best to communicate with your trusted veterinarian and request an appointment, warning that your dog has an infestation of external parasites. The professional will schedule a special time to prevent your furry from coming into contact with other patients and can infect them with fleas and ticks.
Once the treatment is finished, it will be essential to maintain a deworming plan to prevent these problems from recurring in the future. For this, you can combine the antiparasitic products available on the market, such as pipettes, shampoos, soaps or antiparasitic collars, with some natural remedies to keep your best friend free from fleas and ticks, such as vinegar baths and application of homemade frontline.
Dog falling fur and with wounds: causes and solutions
dog falling fur and with wounds? The pet may be suffering from an allergy or allergic dermatitis, which usually also causes dryness and the sudden appearance of reddish or pink spots on the skin. In these cases, the sores are often a consequence of the intense itching that makes the dog itchy constantly.
Allergic processes are caused by an exaggerated immune response that can be 'triggered' by contact with different elements, stimuli, products or substances. Like us, dogs can be allergic to pollen, to some foods (such as egg, chicken, soy, wheat), to mold, to some plants, to dust, etc. Fortunately, there are already allergy tests for dogs that allow the identification of allergens and facilitate the prevention and treatment of this type of exaggerated response.
In most cases, puppies suffer from food allergies that are associated with some ingredient in their feed. Therefore, the first solution proposed by veterinarians is usually a controlled change in the dog's diet, generally opting for a hypoallergenic food.
However, there are other types of canine dermatitis that can also cause hair loss, blemishes or sores on the skin, but are not related to an allergic process. In fact, atopic dermatitis is usually the most commonly diagnosed in dogs and has a genetic basis, affecting mainly young individuals. Therefore, when you observe these symptoms in your furry, take it quickly to the vet to confirm the cause of the dog's fur falling out and establish the most appropriate treatment to restore your best friend's well-being.
Falling dog hair: other common causes
In addition to the reasons already mentioned, there are other risk factors and common causes that can provoke or intensify the dog fur falling in excess. See some of them:
- Stress: Alopecia is one of the symptoms associated with stress in dogs, especially in chronic cases. In addition, a stressed dog will need to find a way to release the accumulated tension and alleviate the discomfort he feels. Often, it will do so through constant repetition of certain behaviors (stereotypies), such as intense licking or scratching. This ends up further increasing the shedding of hair already caused by stress.
- Fungi: can cause many infections and skin problems such as ringworm, causing alopecia, redness, sores and crusts on the skin of dogs, which usually have a rounded shape and are distributed topically. The proliferation of fungi is usually associated with moisture buildup in some areas of the dog's body, as well as hygiene problems in its environment. Here at PeritoAnimal, we teach you how to prepare home remedies to prevent and alleviate ringworm in dogs.
- nutritional deficits: the dog's fur falling off can also be a sign of malnutrition. As with all organs and tissues in a dog's body, hair needs some essential nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals and fatty acids, to grow properly, strengthen and maintain a healthy glow and appearance. A malnourished dog or dog with an unbalanced diet will likely not be able to properly form hair fiber and will have a weaker immune system. As a result, you will be more vulnerable to skin problems and various common ailments in puppies. To help you provide your best friend with the best nutrition, we tell you all about the different types of dog food and its benefits.
Considering the wide variety of causes and risk factors associated with dog hair falling out a lot, we recommend that you always take your best friend to the vet before applying any treatment or home remedy. O professional will help you recognize the cause specific alopecia, will administer the most appropriate treatment and will give you various advice to prevent these symptoms from recurring and harming the well-being of your furry.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.