Much like human hair, dog fur isn’t immune to falling out. This can happen naturally or through human intervention, e.g. brushing. It’s not necessarily something to be concerned about, although there are situations when it can signify a problem.
If you notice that your floor is covered in more fur than usual, or that your dog’s coat appears thinner in places, you may want to check your pet over. This may be happening for one of these five reasons; in which case, you’ll want to take action.
Stress
You might think that dogs have it easy. After all, they don’t have to work or worry about bills, instead spending their day walking, playing, eating, and sleeping. However, while that might be the case, that doesn’t mean dogs don’t experience stress just as much as the rest of us.
From changes at home to separation anxiety, there’s a lot that can freak your dog out. This can manifest into a variety of symptoms, including hair loss. The more they worry, the worse their symptoms get, which may explain why their fur might be falling out so much.
If a vet can’t identify any physical issues with your dog, consider if there’s anything in their lives that’s stressing them out right now. If you do find something, think about what you can then do to put your dog’s mind at ease.
Parasites
You probably don’t need telling that fleas are bad for your dog. These parasites can spread disease and cause significant issues for your pet’s health.
There are several signs to look out for if your dog has fleas, one of which being hair loss. Your pet will likely scratch and bite the areas where these parasites linger. Before long, these sections can become red and sore, with the fur falling out due to constant irritation.
Demodex and sarcoptes mites can also be picked up by your dog, with their presence resulting in hair loss, alongside other symptoms.
Poor Nutrition
Just as human hair can fall out without the right diet, so too can dog fur. If you’re finding hair all over your floor, it may have something to do with what you’re feeding your pet.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re a bad owner – not at all. However, it’s important to remember that different breeds have different needs, so your current meal plan may not be best suited to your dog.
If you’re not doing so already, it may be worth putting your pet on a raw diet. Bella & Duke specialise in such food, providing subscription services for dogs both young and old. Their raw feeding guide for puppies boasts about all the nutrients packed in their meals, so it’s worth getting your pet on the natural diet as soon as possible. By doing this, you reduce the risk of your dog being undernourished. Not only will that stop them from losing their fur, but their coat will also likely become a lot glossier too.
Allergies
Allergies can manifest themselves in various ways. In dogs, they can often cause breathing difficulties and skin irritations. The latter is typically more common, with itching and shedding a natural response to an allergy.
If you notice these symptoms, or if your dog seems to develop ear infections and itchy eyes, it will be worthwhile taking them to the vet. A professional should be able to identify if your pet is allergic to something, and if so, what action to take.
As with humans, the list of what your dog might be allergic to is quite long. However, more often than not, the problem is either something they eat, household dust, or the time of year. Some pets struggle with seasonal allergies, so if you find that your dog is more irritable and loses their fur during a specific period each year – usually spring – this may explain why.
Illness
It’s never nice when your dog is ill, especially as they can’t tell you what’s wrong with them. Fortunately, our pets usually do a decent job of communicating that they’re unwell without saying a word.
Usually, this comes in the form of them throwing up, not eating, or sleeping more than normal. Fur loss can also be a symptom for certain illnesses, including hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease. The former is related to reduced productions of hormones in the thyroid gland, while the latter is due to the adrenal glands producing more corticosteroids than necessary.
It’s vital that these illnesses are treated as soon as possible, so if your pet displays the associated symptoms, get them to a vet. The sooner they’re diagnosed, the less your dog has to suffer.
Fur loss is common in dogs, and it’s not always something to worry about. Some breeds naturally shed a lot every year, so that may be why you keep finding fur everywhere. Still, if you’re worried, or if any of these signs stand out to you, it can’t hurt to see a professional. Their help will do your dog some good and, hopefully, put your mind at ease.