Why Is My Dog Losing Hair But Not Itching?

The Short Answer is:

There are many reasons why dogs (and humans) lose their hair, and it is commonly referred to as alopecia. It is possible for dogs to develop alopecia without itching for the following reasons. Among the causes of hair loss are hypothyroidism, hereditary alopecia, pressure sores, skin cancer, and post-clipping alopecia.

In this article you will know the answer to the query “Why Is My Dog Losing Hair But Not Itching?“.

Dogs usually lose hair because they scratch an itch when they lose some hair.

You might wonder what may be causing excessive hair loss without any signs of itching if they keep losing excessive amounts of hair.

Remember shedding is completely normal for dogs before we dive deeper into the subject.

Because of their long or thick hair some dog breeds shed more than others.

Thus we will refer to “hair loss” in this article as excessive hair loss resulting in visible thinning or balding.

Here are some things you will learn from this article:

Why do dogs lose hair without itching or scratching?

There are many reasons that dogs (and humans) lose their hair and it is commonly referred to as alopecia.

It is possible for dogs to develop alopecia without itching for the following reasons:

Hypothyroidism

Inflammation and shrinkage of the thyroid gland are symptoms of hypothyroidism.

There is no itching or inflammation of the skin associated with this disease and it often results in dogs losing their hair.

Hypothyroidism-induced bald spots on dogs are symmetrical on each side a unique characteristic of hair loss in dogs.

You can also check your dog for hypothyroidism by looking for weight gain thickening of the skin under the armpits and a tendency to get cold easily.

Hereditary hair loss

The majority of dog hair loss is accompanied by itching but alopecia without itching is often hereditary. Alopecia color dilution (CDA) is a genetic condition that causes hair thinning and patchy hair loss in dogs.

In most cases hair loss does not itch but secondary skin infections may cause itching. A dull coat graying hair and melanoma are also symptoms of hereditary hair loss.

Pressure sores

Hair loss may occur when your dog keeps pressing or weighing on the same spot.

Pressure sores most commonly occur on a dogs elbows hips or sides when he is old or sick and immobile.

They can be moved so they do not always lean in the same direction.

Hair loss can also be caused by constant pressure from a collar.

If your dogs collar area has thinning hair take it off every so often and do not reattach it.

Skin cancer

In dogs with skin cancer hair is often lost in the area of the tumor lump and this hair loss does not itch. Symptoms such as lumps that might be ulcerated should also be noted.

Post-clipping alopecia

When clipping a dogs hair it may grow back thin and patchy especially if the dog has a dense double coat. It might appear that they have bald patches but their coat should grow back over time. You can request treatments from the vet if it does not.

How are these causes diagnosed?

When you bring your dog to the vet for hair loss the vet will take a few steps to diagnose it.

1. Examine the pattern of hair loss

Veterinary professionals can get a good idea of whats causing the problem by looking at the pattern. The loss of hair in patches is most often caused by ringworm or bacterial infection while the loss of hair in symmetrical patterns may be the result of thyroid or adrenal gland disorder.

2. Blood testing

We will take a blood sample from your dog and test it to determine if they have diabetes thyroid disease or immune system conditions.

3. Biopsy

Cancer and skin tumors can be ruled out with a biopsy.

4. Skin smears and scraping

It will determine whether the skin is infected with bacteria yeast or parasites. It is also possible to test for the presence of ringworm by using a luminescence test.

5. Allergy testing

If your dog has allergies the veterinarian will check them.

Could a vitamin deficiency be the cause?

Diet plays a huge role in everything as you probably already know. Humans and dogs alike will suffer from physical and mental problems as a result of what they eat.

The following vitamins are essential for dog hair health:

• Omega-3 fatty acids. You can use them to moisturize your dogs skin and hair.
• Vitamin E. To prevent dry skin.
• Vitamin A. It supports the growth of hair cells and promotes sebum production.
• Biotin. Fatty acids are also produced for the strengthening of hair.

A lack of these vitamins might contribute to your dogs hair loss. It does not mean you should give your dog three servings of these vitamins at once. Its important to keep in mind that too much of them can also be problematic.

Analyze the nutrients in your dogs usual meal to determine what they are lacking. Supplements or foods can be used to replenish the vitamins you are lacking. There are also some vitamins that can be applied topically such as vitamin E.

Why else do dogs lose their hair?

In addition to losing hair when they have an itch dogs often suffer from lice infestations. The following are some of the most common causes of hair loss in dogs.

1. Allergies

In dogs with itching and hair loss allergies are the most common cause. Allergies may be caused by certain foods fleas pollen or simple seasonal changes.

2. Parasites or Infections

Parasites are another common cause of hair loss and itching. When your dog is infested with parasites or pests like ringworms they tend to scratch and chew on its skin. The constant tugging of the skin will ultimately result in hair loss.

3. Cushing’s Disease

Hyperadrenocorticism commonly known as Cushings disease is characterized by excessive cortisol levels. The excessive amount of cortisol in the body can lead to skin changes including hair loss and redness.

What are the most common areas on a dog for hair loss?

• Around the eyes and mouth
• On the head
• neck
• and body.

The ears chest lower neck and belly are the most commonly affected areas if the hair loss is genetic.

Which dog breeds are more prone to hair loss?

Alopecia is more prevalent in the following breeds of dogs:

• Dobermans
• Chihuahuas
• Dachshunds
• Bernese mountain dogs
• Chow Chows
• Great Danes
• Poodles
• Yorkshire terriers

The best treatment for dog hair loss

Since dog hair loss is caused by a variety of things the treatment will also differ depending on whats causing it.

• For dog hair loss induced by bacterial infections

Managing infections is of course the first step when it comes to infections. The infection can be treated with either oral or topical antibiotics.

• For dog hair loss induced by fungal infections

Antifungals can also be purchased orally or topically if the problem is a fungal infection.

• For dog hair loss induced by allergies

Several methods can be used to treat allergy-related hair loss. In order to manage environmental allergies (atopy) immunosuppressive or anticytokine drugs can be used. Desensitization to allergies can also be achieved through immunotherapy. A hypoallergenic diet might be recommended by the veterinarian if the dog has a food allergy.

• For dog hair loss induced by thyroid diseases

Thyroid disease can cause hair loss that requires more complex treatment. In most cases hormone therapy and thyroid medications are used to treat the disease.

• For dog hair loss induced by skin cancer

In addition if your dog is losing hair due to skin cancer or a tumor the tumor must be removed through surgery to stop hair loss.

In the end the cause of hair loss is what you need to treat when dealing with hair loss. There is no medication that can target hair loss itself without treating the cause. In the case of hereditary hair loss there is no treatment available.

Can you use over-the-counter medications to treat dog hair loss?

Dogs can take over-the-counter medications to treat hair loss. Ensure you read the labels carefully and ask your vet to make sure you’re choosing the right medication for your dog.

If allergy-related hair loss is affecting you you can buy antihistamines such as Benadryl or Claritin. Over-the-counter antibiotic ointments like Neosporin or antifungal sprays are available.

Effective home remedies for dog hair loss

1. Use a moisturizing shampoo

Managing your dogs hair loss begins with his most basic hair care: his shampoo. Among the factors that contribute to hair loss in dogs is dry skin and hair. Invest in a dog shampoo that is extra moisturizing-or better yet one that has been specially formulated to prevent hair loss.

2. Brush your dog’s hair

In order to keep it simple your dogs hair should be brushed on a regular basis. Keeping their skin and fur naturally moisturized is made easier by spreading out their natural skin oil.

3. Use diluted apple cider vinegar

There are plenty of health and beauty benefits associated with apple cider vinegar or ACV. Its also very easy to use just dilute organic ACV with water to make a 1:1 blend and spray it on your skin or hair. Your dogs coat should be sprayed with the solution every day. Because ACV is too harsh you should never apply it undiluted to their skin.

Aside from lemon juice olive oil aloe vera and flaxseed oil other home remedies are often used to treat hair loss.

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.