10 Reasons For Your French Bulldog Hair Loss (+ Solutions)

In this article you will know the answer to the query “10 Reasons For Your French Bulldog Hair Loss (+ Solutions)“.

There is no doubt that your Frenchie puppy is adorable. According to you his perfection is unmatched. 

You notice your Frenchie is itching more than usual one day or his hair is falling out in patches

There will definitely be many questions on your mind.

Whats up with my adorable Frenchies hair loss? Why is she losing her hair? Is there anything I can do for her? 

Then this post is for you. 

Throughout this article we will discuss the causes and the remedies to prevent or decrease hair loss in your French bulldog. 

Why Is My Adorable Frenchie Losing Hair?

The hair on your Frenchie is shiny and short. All these characteristics indicate that they do not shed much. However thats not entirely accurate.

The French Bulldog sheds its hair quite frequently like most other breeds of dogs. In order to rid their coats of old extra and damaged hair your beloved french bulldog sheds hair. 

The Frenchie might be suffering from a skin disorder if they are shedding more than usual.

Hair loss in a French bulldog can be caused by several different factors. The most significant ones are:

• Frenchies suffer from allergies that cause hair loss
• Known as hot spots or moist skin dermatitis  
• Bald patches caused by infections (Ringworm Bacteria)
• Frenchies suffer from acral lick dermatitis which results in hair loss
• This is called Seasonal Flank Baldness or hair shedding
• Result of hormonal problems in Frenchies
• Result in hair loss
• Pressure sores
• Poor nutrition leads to hair loss
• Black Hair Follicle Dysplasia

Allergies causing hair loss in Frenchies

Like humans your French bulldog can develop allergies and some of the most common symptoms include itchy skin and hair loss. In many Frenchies allergies are the primary cause of hair loss.

Parents pass on many allergies to their children genetically. If you are considering purchasing a Frenchie it is a good idea to review its pedigree. 

When you are looking for a Frenchie with sound overall health you should research the health history of its family so you can get an idea of what you can expect. 

No matter what your Frenchie may still have allergies regardless of whether their parents were allergy-free. 

Signs and symptoms of hair loss

You have a greater chance of having an allergy if your Frenchie has red dry and itchy skin. It is possible your adorable Frenchie will scratch or bite his own skin if he reacts to this. Allergic reactions may cause the following symptoms: 

• Itchiness
• Hair loss /Bald patches
• Bodily swelling
• Red eyes or skin
• Breathing problems or wheezing
• Symptoms of diarrhea or vomiting

These are the most common allergies that your Frenchie can suffer from

• Environmental allergies
• Food allergies
• Flea allergies

Environmental allergies for french bulldogs

It is possible that your Frenchie is allergic to environmental factors such as dust mold pollen mold and other airborne allergens which could cause painful lesions and hair loss. 

You should seek veterinary care if your Frenchie continues to suffer from uncontrollable itching skin irritation or hair loss. Getting to the bottom of whats making your Frenchies skin so uncomfortable will require you to consult a vet.

Food allergies in French bulldogs

If your beautiful French bulldog eats a particular food his body will produce an allergic reaction instantly or later on symptoms will appear.

In the event that your veterinarian suspects that your poor Frenchie has a food allergy he or she will perform a thorough physical exam and take a detailed history of your Frenchies eating habits and activities. 

A strict hypoallergenic diet trial for at least eight weeks is likely to be recommended by your veterinarian to see if it increases the symptoms of your Frenchie.

In the event that food allergies are the cause and are properly treated your Frenchies hair will re-grow and the itching will stop.

Flea allergies

Fleas are likely to be responsible for hair loss around your frenchies neck and tail. During an infestation these tiny parasites can quickly irritate your dogs skin resulting in intense itching or scratching which can result in hair loss.

Flea allergies are characterized by itching and redness in addition to hair loss due to licking and biting the irritated areas. 

Frenchies with allergies may be treated with topical or internal medications allergy shots and avoiding the allergen.

Hot spot or acute moist dermatitis  

Hot spots in French Bulldogs (also known as “Acute moist dermatitis” or “Moist eczema”) can be caused by a number of different factors.

Poor Frenchie her skin will be inflamed infected red moist itchy painful and oozy. 

The skin of your Frenchie will show signs suddenly especially in moist areas such as the neck hips under the ear flaps and between the skin folds.

There will be optimal conditions for the proliferation of bacteria when moisture is present on the skin of Frenchie. 

In order to treat hotspots the area must be thoroughly cleaned. If hot spots begin to appear on your dogs skin consult your veterinarian for ointments or other medications you can use.

Are infections causing bald patches?

What are your thoughts? Frenchies usually live with bacteria and yeast on their skin but sometimes they grow out of control and cause infections.

Due to bacterial or fungal yeast infections your Frenchie may develop hair loss itching and redness.

Theres a chance your pet will catch ringworm (its not a worm) a fungus that causes hair loss and round patches of infection. A trip to the veterinarian is necessary if you have read itchy or scaly bald patches on your head or body. 

If necessary your veterinarian will conduct a full examination recommend testing and prescribe antibiotics or antifungals to treat the infection. 

Despite the fact that ringworm lesions may clear up spontaneously they are contagious and should be treated.

Acral lick dermatitis causing hair loss in Frenchie

The hair loss in your Frenchie could be caused by acral lick dermatitis. Psychological factors can cause this type of dermatitis. 

There will be excessive licking from your Frenchies. When they are bored stressed or anxious Frenchies are likely to resort to this.

In the case of Frenchies who engage in this behavior the saliva from their mouths may cause irritation leading to localized dermatitis that may eventually become generalized resulting in hair loss and balding.

Seasonal Flank Baldness or hair shedding in Frenchie

Seasonal flank baldness can also cause beautiful hair loss in Frenchies. The lessening exposure to sunlight causes seasonal alopecia in French bulldogs.

It is possible for your french bulldogs hair to go dormant or slow if it is not receiving its essential Vitamin D. When exposed to sunlight hair follicles are able to receive the vitamins they need to grow properly.

In most cases this happens if you live in an area that gets cold during winter and your French bulldog is kept inside all day or if you do not take your Frenchie outside every day.

Although French Bulldogs are indoor pets they still need to get out and about on a daily basis.

Hormonal problems causing hair loss in Frenchie

there are a number of hormones that affect your Frenchies hair growth such as estrogen melatonin testosterone growth hormone cortisol and thyroxin.

When these hormones reach a certain level either high or low either by overproduction or underproduction it is considered abnormal and in turn can cause hair loss in French Bulldogs.

A common hormonal problem that can cause hair loss in French Bulldogs is Hypothyroidism which is caused by a malfunctioning thyroid gland producing below-average levels of hormones.

Hair loss is caused by this hormonal problem which causes the hair to become brittle and dry without itching.

Mange causing hair loss

YIf your Frenchie is losing hair it may be due to mange which is caused by mites. You will often find it buried in the Frenchies hair follicles.

Different species of mites cause mange in Frenchies including the Demodex species that causes Demodectic mange and the Sarcoptes species that causes Sarcoptic mange.

Unlike the demodectic mange Sarcoptic mange is much more widespread on the body of an infected pulp and also contagious to humans unlike the demodectic mange.

Upon ruling out allergies and bacterial infections of the skin your veterinarian will perform a physical examination of your Frenchie to identify the mites that may have embedded themselves into its skin.

If you are seeking treatment for a mange infection in your Frenchie it depends on whether it is a localized or generalized infection. Your vet will prescribe the appropriate medication for your dog.

Pressure Sores Causing Hair loss

A Frenchie who is heavy or older can be prone to pressure sores on their elbows or other bony parts of their body where they come into regular contact with hard surfaces. 

Over time the skin on your lovely dog will thicken calluses will form and shedding will occur 

When calluses crack bleed or become infected your poor Frenchie will require treatment. You can prevent pressure sores and calluses by providing your Frenchie with cushioned bedding.

Poor nutrition causes hair shedding

Nutritional deficiencies can also result in hair loss in French bulldogs as high levels of these nutrients would otherwise support the growth of healthy skin and hair. 

Keratin which is the base component of hair needs specific proteins to be synthesized properly; without these your Frenchie may have slow hair growth their hair may feel brittle and eventually they will lose their hair. 

Furthermore biotin is an important nutrient for maintaining healthy skin and hair as well as preventing complaints such as hair loss.

Black Hair Follicular Dysplasia

Your french bulldog may be showing signs of balding in the black areas of their hair. Black hair follicular dysplasia is a rare genetic condition that is passed from generation to generation. 

The French bulldog is at high risk for this disorder as are a few other breeds. 

A Frenchies black hair is the only hair that falls off of its body; otherwise it stays. However the changes you see on your lovely Frenchies coat are permanent. At the same time it isnot life-threatening.

French sufferers of black hair follicular dysplasia are treated with fatty acid supplements vitamin A and vitamin E as well as regular cleanings of their affected areas to prevent worse infections. Medicated shampoos can be used to treat symptoms such as dry skin.

How to prevent the hair shedding in your beloved Frenchie?

Preventative measures are better than curative ones. Usually preventing or reducing hair loss is more likely to improve your Frenchies quality of life than finding a cure especially if the cause is an allergy.

Here is what you should do if you want to help your furry friend.

• Make sure they have shiny hair by brushing it regularly
• Check their wrinkles for moisture and yeast infections
• If you want to keep your French Bulldog healthy fit and stimulated take him for a walk at least once a day
• Avoid exposing them to typical foods or environmental irritants wherever possible
• Give your French Bulldog a diet that is free of typical food irritants that cause allergies
• Keeping an eye out for food scraps and other items around the house can prevent your Frenchie from eating something they should not
• The most important thing is to be aware of your Frenchies behavior. If your pet is behaving strangely or scratching its skin constantly check with your veterinarian.
• The best way to determine if a specific treatment is needed is to consult your veterinarian
• Wash your French bulldog twice a week with medicated shampoo. Make sure his coat is thoroughly dried.

Conclusion

Make an appointment with your vet if you think your Frenchie is shedding more than normal or if he has developed bald patches. Depending on your pets other health issues they will prescribe a hair loss treatment.

However he can often clear up his condition by simply changing his diet or taking medication. You can spot the earliest signs of a problem if you keep up with regular grooming and brushing.

Amanda (Author)

With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.

Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)

Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.