Hair loss in dogs is often caused by several factors, from allergies to specific skin conditions to underlying health concerns. Because each cause can have equivalent symptoms as others, it’s best to consult a vet to urge an accurate diagnosis and recommended course of treatment.

1. Post-grooming Alopecia

If your dog features a particularly dense coat, clipping or shaving their hair can cause it to grow back in patches — a condition called post-grooming alopecia. this will also occur if a part of your dog’s coat is shaved for surgery. it’s going to take a while, but eventually, the hair will grow back in its normal length and consistency.

2. Allergies

Itchy skin and hair loss are two of the most important indicators that your dog has an allergy to. they might be allergic to certain ingredients in their food or environmental factors like pollen or dust mites. Your vet can conduct tests to work out whether your dog has food or environmental allergies.

3. Skin Conditions or Infections

Just like humans, dogs can get dry, cracked skin, or skin infections. These conditions can cause your dog’s skin to be extremely itchy. Dogs will often lick, scratch, or itch themselves to alleviate the discomfort, and over time this will cause hair loss.

Dogs with bacterial or fungal skin infections usually have an underlying allergy component also. Bites from other animals also as cuts and abrasions also can cause skin infections.

4. Hormone Fluctuations

Mama dogs often experience hair loss associated with hormonal changes during pregnancy and nursing. The hair follicles enter a resting phase to order the maximum amount of energy as possible for the puppies. This causes the coat to shed heavily, almost like the seasonal coat blow seen in many double-coated dog breeds.

5. Parasites

Dogs may lose hair as a reaction to an infestation of fleas or skin mites. When fleas bite, their saliva causes an immune reaction within the body. Pups that are allergic to flea saliva develop a full-body reaction with intense itching and inflamed skin. They often suffer from hair loss, sores, and infections as a result of licking, scratching, and chewing at their skin.