Dogs always shed a small amount of hair and this is no cause for concern. However, if the dog is losing large amounts of fur, the dog owner should find out what is causing the hair loss.

 

Possible reasons for hair loss in dogs

Dermatitis, parasites, skin diseases and some infections can cause the dog to lose an unnatural amount of fur. Most cases of hair loss are caused by dermatitis, which is often triggered by allergies. It can be an allergy to medication, certain foods or fleas.

Worms can cause the dog to lose its coat in clumps. Bark lichen is a parasite that gets under the dog's skin and causes itching and skin irritation. The intense itching causes the dog to scratch and bite itself more often, literally tearing out its fur.

 

It is important to observe whether the hair loss is already spread over the whole body or only in a certain area of the body. Feeding a different brand of dog food can cause hair loss if the dog's body cannot tolerate a certain ingredient. The same applies to new toys, dog shampoo and sleeping blankets. If you are unsure about these items, remove anything suspicious and return them to the dog one by one, observing whether the coat improves or deteriorates.

As coat loss is sometimes caused by flea infestation or ticks, the coat should be carefully examined for parasites. Many dogs react sensitively to flea saliva and experience severe itching.

 

If the loss of fur does not seem to improve in any way or even worsens, a visit to the vet is unavoidable to examine the dog for possible metabolic diseases. The vet will give advice on how to treat the animal and how to prevent fur loss in the future.