Hair Loss In Dogs - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost

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Alopecia In DogsWritten By Kevin HughesPublished: 09/30/2015Updated: 03/03/2025Veterinary reviewed by Michele K.Why is my dog suffering from hair loss?If your dog’s hair starts falling out suddenly, it can be an alarming and worrying sight. But, as distressing as it can seem, hair loss in dogs is reasonably common and usually treatable — depending on the underlying cause.Dogs of any age or breed can suffer from hair loss, at any stage of their lifetime. Hair loss in dogs and bald spots in dogs can be caused by a range of factors — from moderate issues to more serious health problems — and in this guide, we’ll look at some of those typical conditions. We’ll also cover likely treatment if your dog is losing hair in patches.It’s important that you don’t mistake a dog’s hair falling out with shedding, which is a natural process and occurs during the year. Shedding is the way that dogs lose old hair to replace with a newer, healthier coat.Youtube Play

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Symptoms of Alopecia In DogsThis may sound like a question with an obvious answer, but the symptoms of hair loss and alopecia in dogs can be wide-ranging – from noticeable bald patches on a dog to a dog’s hair falling out in larger quantities. Some of these symptoms can be quite subtle, so it’s not always clear that your dog could be living with alopecia.Commons symptoms of hair loss and alopecia in dogs can include:

• General thinning of the hair
• Bald spots in dogs
• Bald patches of complete hair loss on dog
• Patterns of hair loss in the same place around the dog’s body
• Itchiness
• Red or inflamed skin around the hair loss area
• Dry and scaly skin around the hair loss area
• Bleeding around the hair loss area
• Oozing or leaking moisture around the hair loss area
• Scratching around the hair loss area
• Red spots, pimples or hives around the area
• Dark skin patches

There are other symptoms of alopecia in dogs, too, that may not seem so physically obvious compared to noticeable skin issues.These can include:

• Weight loss or weight gain
• Lethargy, lack of energy
• Drinking more frequently or excessively
• Loss of or changes in appetite

If you notice any or some of these symptoms, consult your veterinarian. Your dog may be suffering with alopecia — or there could be another underlying health issue. Either way, it’s wise to speak to a professional.Causes of hair loss and alopecia in dogsSo, what’s causing these bald patches on your dog? There are, actually, a large range of causes so it’s not simply a process of understanding immediately why your dog’s hair is falling out. That is for a vet to understand and explain.Possible causes of alopecia in dogs include:

• Pressure sores or friction, caused by a too-tight collar
• Repeated chewing or licking
• Trauma and/or scarring
• Skin infections – bacterial or fungal, such as ringworm
• Post-surgical clipping
• Allergies – including insect
• Mites and lice
• Fleas
• Thyroid disorder
• Cushing’s disease
• Sex hormone imbalance
• Chemotherapy
• Skin cancer
• Genetics (certain breeds can develop hair loss in adulthood on ears, chest, thighs, or in certain pigmented parts of the body)

Unfortunately, some breeds of dog are more prone to experiencing alopecia than others. Hereditary alopecia is thought to particularly affect a number of breeds, including:

• Alaskan Malamutes
• Boston Terriers
• Boxers
• Chihuahuas
• Dachshunds
• Italian Greyhounds
• Poodles
• Siberian Huskies
• Whippets

These breeds of dogs may also have a condition known as Alopecia X.Diagnosing hair loss in dogsWith such a wide range of potential causes for hair loss in dogs, don’t guess at the issue: a visit to the vet is imperative.Your veterinarian will examine your dog to determine the underlying cause and therefore be able to recommend a course of treatment. Diagnosis is based on the onset of signs, pattern of hair loss, the skin’s condition around the area of hair loss, and whether your dog is showing signs of discomfort — either in pain or by itching.The process of diagnosing alopecia in dogs may include the following:Pattern of hair loss in dogsGeneralized hair loss in dogs could be a sign of mange or bacterial infection. Patches of hair loss could indicate conditions like ringworm, bacterial infection, mites, or mange. Hair loss in the rump and tail base area is often due to a flea allergy. Hair loss from the paws and face is sometimes environmental allergies (atopy). Symmetrical hair loss could be a sign of adrenal gland disorder, thyroid disorder, or abnormal sex hormone levels (endocrine disorders).Blood profileBlood testing will help to diagnose certain immune system conditions, hormone abnormalities, thyroid disorders, Cushing’s disease, and Diabetes mellitus.BiopsyIf skin cancer or a tumor is suspected, or in persistent unresponsive skin lesions, the veterinarian may want to send a sample of the affected area to the laboratory to determine diagnosis and treatment.Skin impression smearsPressing a microscopic slide on the affected area and analyzing it can show the presence of bacteria, yeast, or inflammatory cells.Skin scrapingScraping the skin gently with a blade to gather hair follicles onto a slide can help detect the presence of mange mites.LuminescenceSome ringworm species will glow a fluorescent green-yellow under ultraviolet light.Allergen elimination trialsFeeding a hypoallergenic diet, treating fleas, or eliminating the use of certain shampoos or drugs may reveal an allergy to a certain food.  Allergy testingSkin and/or blood tests can narrow down the list of potential environmental allergens.Treating hair loss and alopecia in dogsWhen your vet has successfully diagnosed the cause for your dog losing its hair in patches, treatment can begin. A variety of treatments available – depending on the cause of your dog losing hair.Typical treatment options can include:

• Antibiotics (oral or topical) will treat bacterial infections.
• Antifungals (oral or topical) can treat yeast and ringworm infections.
• Steroids may be required to treat certain skin conditions.
• Immunosuppressive Drugs or Anti-cytokine Drugs may be needed for environmental allergy (Atopy) control. Often life long treatment is needed.
• Immunotherapy may be needed orally or by injection for allergy desensitization.
• Behavioral medications can treat nervous chewing or licking.
• Medicated shampoos or dips can treat cases of saroptic mange.
• Hypoallergenic diets will often solve hair loss due to food allergies. Allergies to foods take some time to define. The veterinarian will recommend a prescription or over the counter hypoallergenic diet and explain the proper method of transitioning to the new diet.
• Monthly flea preventative can clear up hair loss associated with flea allergies
• Thyroid medication and hormone therapy can reverse hair loss in hormonal and endocrine disorders.
• Vitamin E, Vitamin A and fish oil supplements may be recommended for pets with certain conditions or a predisposition to dry skin or skin infections.
• An Elizabethan collar (e-collar or cone) may be required to prevent your pet from licking at or itching the affected site until healed.
• Surgery may be required to remove sections of skin cancer or tumors. Neutering or spaying your pet may be required for sex-hormone disorders.

If hair loss in dogs is due to chemotherapy treatment, you could expect this to clear when chemotherapy sessions are completed. However, hair loss may be permanent when caused by genetics, scarring, callouses or pressure sores. Most hair loss, when treated properly, will resolve — but recurrent skin conditions may require ongoing treatment.

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How do dogs recover from hair loss and alopecia?Your dog should, all being well, recover from hair loss but depending on the cause and severity may need to be treated more than once. Always administer treatment according to the veterinarian’s instructions. Follow-up appointments may be necessary to ensure the problem is improving and that any infection is clearing up. As a pet parent, you have a job to do: to monitor your pet’s skin and hair regrowth and communicate any changes or concerns to the veterinarian so they can adjust treatment accordingly.Hair loss can be expensive to treat. If you aren’t already covered, you should start searching for pet insurance today, which can help to support the cost of treatment.Compare insurance plans from leading companies like PetPlan and Trupanion and find the perfect plan for your pet in just a few clicks!Curious about which health plan is right for your dog? Read our breakdown of the best pet insurance plans here.Hair Loss Questions and Advice from Veterinary ProfessionalsAspinFour Months

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My pet has the following symptoms:Noisy BreathingWhat kind of medication can I use to my puppy?Sept. 28, 2020Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM27 RecommendationsThank you for your question. Your pups both appear to have a lot of hair loss in that picture, and there are many causes for this to occur. It would be best to have a veterinarian look at the puppies, as they may have parasites or skin infections, or ringworm or fungal disease. A veterinarian will be able to see what is going on when they are able to examine the pups and get the right medications.Oct. 7, 2020Was this question and answer helpful?

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Golden RetrieverTwo Months

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My pet has the following symptoms:Hair Loss Around EyesHair loss around eyesJuly 15, 2020Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM12 RecommendationsThank you for your question. Puppies can be affected by bacterial infections or parasites like Demodex. It would be best to have your puppy seen by a veterinarian, as they can look at the dog's skin, see what might be going on, and get medication so that your puppy is able to get back to normal quickly. I hope that all goes well.July 15, 2020Was this question and answer helpful?

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