Dealing with a Bald Dog

How Your Furbaby Can Become a Bald Dog

Allergies. This is probably one of the most common causes of baldness in dogs. Allergies in dogs can be due to molds, dust, dust mites, pollens, parasite/tick/flea bites, and food. All these allergens can cause symptoms including itching and baldness (which is sometimes a result of excessive biting & scratching over affected areas).

According to Pets WebMD, for an exceptionally allergic dog, it may take as little as one flea bite to begin an allergic reaction that lasts for many days. 

While any dog can develop allergies, some are predisposed than others. Treating and managing your dog's allergies may comprise topical or internal medication, allergy shots, a modification in diet, and staying away from the allergen/s.

Genetics. How your furbaby becomes a bald dog can also be because of genetics. Some dog breeds are more prone to hair loss, shedding and baldness than others. These dog breeds include Dachshund, Whippet, Doberman Pinscher, to name a few. These dog breeds go through pattern or patchy baldness mostly commonly on the chest, back, thighs, and outer ear. 

Infections. Another common cause of dog baldness is an infection. When your dog has either bacterial or fungal infections (like ringworm), it can lead to baldness, inflammation of the skin, and infected crusts on your furbaby. 

Infestation. Also considered to trigger your furbaby to turn into a bald dog is an infestation of parasites like ticks, fleas, mites (mange, scabies), etc. The constant itching from your pup paired with the bites can result in baldness around the eyes, abdomen, chest, and ear areas. It can also cause redness and inflammation of the skin. 

Pressure Sores. Pressure sores, also referred to as bedsores, occur when your furbaby's elbows or other pressure points (like the hocks and the hips) come in contact with hard surfaces regularly. The friction and the pressure created can cause the skin to lose hair, crack, and in rare cases, bleed. These pressure sores are common in dogs who stay and love to lie down on concrete kennels and hard floors. 

Skin conditions. Some skin conditions, like dandruff and eczema, can ultimately lead to baldness. These skin conditions cause itchiness and can leave your dog feeling uncomfortable, causing them to scratch, lick, and bite endlessly on certain areas. 

Excessive Shedding. According to Hill’s Pet, excessive shedding can be because of stress, poor nutrition, post pregnancy results, lactation, or another undiscovered health issue. If you think your dog is shedding more than the normal or if they are developing bald patches, schedule an appointment with your vet.  

Nutritional Deficiencies.A bald dog may have deficiencies in healthy skin and coat promoting nutrients, like keratin (the core component of the hair), sulfur amino acids, and biotin. 

Underlying health conditions. Your furbaby's baldness can also be a symptom of an underlying health condition like the Cushing disease, also known as hyperadrenocorticism. This is a condition where your furbaby's body overproduces the cortisol steroid hormone. Hair loss and baldness is a common symptom of this condition.  

Diagnosing a Bald Dog

A bald dog's baldness pattern can be identified by various factors such as patterns and severity:

• Multiple areas of baldness. This can occur simultaneously in different areas of the body and may be accompanied by redness of the skin, inflammation, and scaling.
• Symmetrical loss of hair. This may be caused by excessive levels of steroids in a dog's body.
• Patchy to generalized hair loss. Mange is an example of this type of baldness. This is caused by infections, ringworm, etc.

Symptoms of baldness in dogs can vary depending on severity. Your furbaby may have brittle, dry hair and might be shedding more than normal.

Protecting Your Furbaby Against Baldness

There are things that you can do to help manage a bald dog.  

Check with your vet. If you feel like your furbaby is losing hair fast or shedding unusually, consult with your vet. Your vet can perform tests and exams, helping to make a proper diagnosis along with a customized treatment plan for your pup.

Keep your dog's environment safe. No matter what the cause of your furbaby's baldness is, it is best that you keep his surroundings clean and free from fleas and their eggs.

Use only mild products. Your furbaby's soap and shampoo should not contain any strong and harmful products that may worsen skin and coat conditions. Try to use products that contain ingredients that may help to alleviate your pup's itching, such as aloe vera. 

Provide a high-quality diet. It is best that you give your dog food that is rich in nutrients such as protein that may help support skin and coat health. 

Supplements. Providing your dog with a supplement that promotes skin and hair development is recommended. Though there are many skin and coat supplements available on the market, only a few are of high quality and from a trusted brand. One of these trusted brands is Pet Parents® Skin and Coat SoftSupps® that may provide your furbaby with healthy nutrients that can help promote an overall healthy skin & coat, such as omega 3 fatty acids for dogs, dog DHA, fish oil for dogs, & salmon oil for dogs.