Dog Hair Loss: Vet's Guide to Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Our dog’s coat can tell us a lot about what is going on inside their body. A lovely, healthy coat is rare on a dog that is otherwise unwell. It is often a first signal that something is awry. Hair loss can be caused by all sorts of problems, from nutritional deficits to parasites to more serious internal diseases and hormonal imbalances. Let me take you through some of the facts and explain when hair loss isn’t normal, what it could be indicating and what you can do at home to help. None of these remedies replace a veterinary visit and examination and the earlier you get your dog examined, the more that we can usually do, regardless of the cause.

Key Takeaways:

• Hair loss is not the same as normal shedding.
• Most cases of hair loss have an underlying medical cause.
• Home remedies like coconut oil, apple cider vinegar and baking soda are not proven treatments.
• Early veterinary treatment gives the best chance of recovery.
• Itchy and non-itchy hair loss usually have different causes.
• A balanced diet and year-round parasite prevention help maintain healthy skin and coat.
• Treat the cause—not just the hair loss.
• Most dogs regrow their coat once the underlying problem is treated

Natural Shedding vs Hair Loss

Not all hair loss is a cause for concern. Most dogs naturally shed hair as part of the normal hair growth cycle, with some breeds moulting seasonally and others shedding steadily throughout the year. This is completely normal and simply reflects the continuous renewal of healthy hair follicles.

Hair loss, also known as alopecia, is different. It occurs when the normal hair growth cycle is disrupted, causing patches of thinning or missing hair that aren't replaced as they should be. Alopecia isn't a disease in itself, but a sign that something has affected the skin or hair follicles. The underlying cause can be as simple as parasites or allergies, or it may indicate a more significant health problem that requires veterinary investigation and medication.

Causes of hair loss in dogs

Ignoring natural moulting that is predictable and normal for most breeds, abnormal hair loss can occur for a wide range of reasons.

Allergies

This is a big one and something I see multiple times a day, every day, in practice. Environmental allergies are more prevalent in certain breeds, particularly Golden and Labrador retrievers, West Highland White Terriers and bull breeds, although the location of studies may have skewed this. Food allergies are not nearly as common as environmental allergies but do still occur. In almost all cases, the allergy is to the protein in the diet i.e the chicken or the beef rather than anything else. Main signs of allergies include excessive licking, chewing and scratching, saliva staining, fur loss, red, darkened or thickened skin, recurrent ear or anal gland infections and reddened eyes.

Parasites

Most commonly fleas, but we also see cases of mites, lice and ticks causing alopecia. Ticks tend to cause a small area of hair loss around the bite whereas mites, fleas and lice often cause very generalised hair loss. Depending on the parasite, you may see a different pattern of alopecia, depending on where the parasites are located. For example, in a flea infestation, you’ll likely see hair loss and itching around the neck, the base of the tail and the tummy.

Bacterial skin infections

These rarely occur on their own. Instead, they usually develop when an underlying problem, such as allergies or skin folds, damages the skin barrier. Typical signs include circular crusts, flaky skin and hair loss. Some dogs also develop redness and hair loss around the eyes, nose, lips or genitalia, where the skin is particularly prone to infection.

Fungal skin infections

Ringworm is a primary fungal infection that typically causes circular patches of hair loss and is contagious to people as well as other animals. Malassezia is different—it is a yeast that normally lives on healthy skin but can overgrow when the skin barrier is damaged by allergies, moisture or inflammation, leading to itchy, painful skin and hair loss.

Hormonal problems

These are a complex set of diseases, ranging from hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s disease) to hypothyroidism and many more. The two mentioned here are particular culprits for coat changes. Both, importantly, will cause alopecia without itchiness, which differentiates them from most of the other causes. In hormonally derived alopecia, we will often see hair loss over the tail and along the flanks and this is usually symmetrical alopecia i.e. it’s the same on both sides.

Nutritional deficiencies

Dogs that are not fed a balanced, complete diet that is appropriate to their age and breed can experience coat and skin problems. Certain essential fatty acids, particularly omega 3 and 6, are necessary for a healthy skin barrier and a shiny, healthy coat. Deficiencies in certain vitamins, such as biotin can lead to hair loss and a dull coat, amongst other things.

Stress and underlying pain

Dogs that are stressed or in pain. may over-groom, causing hair removal in specific, easily reachable places.

Rare auto-immune diseases

such as Lupus erythematosus and pemphigus affect the skin, usually presenting with scales, crusts and pustules on the skin. These are serious medical conditions that require complex medical care.

Symptoms of hair loss in dogs

Abnormal hair loss can show up as anything from small patches of baldness to thinning of hair over certain areas, to a dog that is nearly bald all over.

When should I worry about hair loss in my dog?

As vets, we’d like to see you if you’ve noticed a change in your dog’s coat that you can’t attribute to any obvious changes. For example, if you’ve applied a spot-on flea treatment and your dog has lost their hair in that immediate area, we don’t need to worry. However, if you are noticing your dog’s hair is falling out, even over small areas, it is a good indicator that you need to get them a vet appointment. Even if it’s just a case of an insect bite, it is best to sort it sooner rather than later.

Hair loss supplements for dogs

Dogs that are fed a high quality, balanced and appropriate dog food are unlikely to be deficient in any essential nutrients. However, many dogs will benefit from supplements to help them maintain a healthy skin barrier. There is growing evidence that the gut microbiome influences skin health through the gut–skin axis, although research in dogs is still developing. Some prebiotic and probioticsupplements may be beneficial, particularly in dogs with allergic skin disease. Look for foods and supplements containing EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids, as well as prebiotic ingredients like chicory root (a natural source of inulin), flaxseed and beet pulp to help support a healthy gut microbiome and skin barrier.

Dog Hair Loss Treatment with Home Remedies

• Ensure your dog is on a good quality, balanced, complete diet that is recognised by AAFCO in America or FEDIAF in Europe.
• If your dog is overdue for their external parasite treatment, make sure you have treated them, the house and all in contact animals with an effective and appropriate product.
• Wipe your dog with a damp cloth when they come in from a walk. This can help to remove irritants such as pollen or grass from their coat which can help with allergic disease.

Home Remedies that I would NOT recommend:

Coconut oil

There are no robust, high-quality clinical trials showing that coconut oil improves alopecia in dogs. However, it’s usually not a harmful thing to do and may have some soothing, moistening and mildly anti-microbial properties. Coconut oil isn’t going to reverse the cause of hair loss, but it may help with dry or flaky skin. Only use a small amount and ensure your dog doesn’t lick too much of it because it could lead to a flare up of pancreatitis. You should never apply coconut oil to the ears as it will cause more inflammation.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Often promoted online but not something I would recommend as it has no good scientific evidence. Vinegar will sting irritated skin, leading to more licking, scratching and skin barrier damage. Once diluted down, it doesn’t have the anti-microbial effects that it does neat, and neat vinegar should not be applied to skin.

Baking soda

There is no evidence that this works so it is not something I’d recommend.

Best dog foods for hair loss

A good quality, balanced and nutritionally complete diet is the best food for skin and hair health in dogs.

Ingredients to look for in your dog's food include those that support a healthy gut microbiome, which in turn helps maintain a healthy skin barrier. These include omega-3 fatty acids, prebiotic ingredients such as chicory root (a natural source of inulin), and fermentable fibre sources including flaxseed, beet pulp and psyllium husk. Together, these ingredients help nourish beneficial gut bacteria and support healthy skin and a shiny coat.

Veterinary Treatments for Hair Loss

As vets we have a number of treatments we can use to help with hair loss in dogs, but this depends entirely on the cause of the hair loss. Therefore it is vital that you reach out to your vet and get your dog examined so that the proper treatment can be sought.

Differences in Hair Loss Between Male and Female Dogs

Some hormonal and immune-mediated diseases that cause hair loss are seen more frequently in females, and in environmental allergies, neutered females are more highly represented than both neutered males and intact dogs of both sexes.

Alopecia X, a rare condition seen in Nordic breeds such as Pomeranians and Chow Chows, seems to affect young males more than females.

Hair loss in Senior dogs

The age of a dog does help in providing a clue for the cause of hair loss. Senior dogs are more likely to be suffering from hair loss due to hormonal conditions, pain or other internal disease than a young dog which is more likely to lose hair due to parasites or a born-with condition.

Hair Loss with Itching vs. Hair Loss Without Itching

Whether your dog is or isn’t itching alongside their hair loss, make sure you tell your vet. A non-itchy hair loss takes a very different investigatory pathway than an itchy hair loss.

With dogs that are itchy we are thinking more along the lines of allergies, parasites or infection.

With non-itchy dogs with hair loss, we are more concerned about hormonal problems or other internal diseases.

Prevention of hair loss in dogs

Not every cause of hair loss can be prevented, but there are several things you can do to keep your dog's skin and coat as healthy as possible. Feed a balanced, nutritionally complete diet, consider omega-3 supplementation where appropriate, and maintain year-round parasite control. If your dog is prone to skin disease, your vet may also recommend prebiotic or probiotic supplements to support the skin barrier and gut microbiome. Finally, pay attention to when flare-ups occur, as seasonal patterns can provide valuable clues to the underlying cause.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my dog losing hair in patches and developing scabs?

This could be due to many things but it is likely that your dog is traumatising their skin through scratching. Have your dog checked over by your vet to make sure they are treated appropriately.

Why is my dog losing hair on its tail?

Top causes would be anal gland problems, flea problems or a hormonal issue. Anal glands can become infected or impacted, causing irritation which leads your dog to lick and scoot their back end along the ground. This can cause hair loss. Fleas like to live around your dog’s bottom which can cause intense scratching and hair loss around this area. Hormonal imbalances like Cushing’s disease can cause a symptom called a “rat tail.” Consult your vet for an examination.

How can I help my dog's hair grow back?

Ensuring a balanced diet and skin supplementation can help to keep the skin barrier healthy and therefore allow the hair to grow back. Parasite prevention will reduce self-trauma through scratching.

Which Dog Breeds Are Most Prone to Shedding?

Labrador retrievers, Akitas, German Shepherds and Dalmations are all high-shedding breeds. Longer haired dogs don’t shed more, but their hairs are more noticeable. The same goes for white haired dogs!

Can a Dog Recover from Hair Loss?

Yes, depending on the cause of hair loss, a dog can often recover once cured or undergoing treatment. For example, we can’t cure Cushing’s disease, but we can manage it. Once managed, hair loss will reduce massively.

Hair follicles are remarkably resilient. If the follicle itself hasn't been permanently damaged, the coat will usually regrow once the underlying disease has been treated.

What to do if My Dog is Itching and Losing Hair but has no Fleas?

Itching and losing hair is a sign of fleas, but it is also a sign of a myriad of other issues. Get your vet to check your dog over to help narrow down the cause.

Can dog food allergies cause hair loss?

Yes, allergies are a huge offender in hair loss. They cause a dog to be extremely itchy and scratching will cause hairs to break and come away.

What’s the best shampoo for dog hair loss?

There isn't one "best" shampoo for hair loss. The right shampoo depends on the underlying cause. Medicated shampoos containing chlorhexidine can be very effective for bacterial skin infections, while shampoos containing miconazole or ketoconazole are often used when yeast is involved. Oatmeal shampoos may soothe dry or mildly irritated skin, but no shampoo alone will cure hair loss. Some products can be soothing with mild anti-microbial properties, although they are not going to cure hair loss. You need to know the cause before you can treat it.