Shedding might be one of the most confusing facts of being a pet owner. First, we have to realize and accept that shedding is a normal process of regeneration and replacement of our dog’s fur. Just like any other living creature, the dog’s cells – the hair cells, need to be replenished to keep the dog healthy. Without a healthy coat, dogs are prone to skin infection, wounds and trauma. The coat also adds protection against harsh weather conditions and keep the body temperature steady. So when do we know when we must be concerned of our dog’s shedding?
Shedding of hair or fur is normal for as long it is even and you won’t any area on the body is not covered with hair. Skin problems, such as mange and fungal infection cause thinning of the coat in specific areas of the body only. If you find any wound or any break in the skin, then again, this is way beyond shedding. Furthermore, if shedding is accompanied by frequent scratching and pain when the skin is touched, then you are surely dealing with more than a normal regeneration phenomenon. Normal shedding keeps the coat shiny, moisturized, evenly grown – there should be no brittleness, dryness, bald patches and hair clumps. The skin color should be the same throughout the body. Should you see redness, flaking and dermatitis, consult a veterinarian immediately. You can also check if there is a sudden change in your pooch’s diet, hygiene, medication and environment that commonly lead to skin allergies and increased shedding. Also, your vet may require hormone testing if none of the usual causes of shedding is diagnosed. Hypothyroidism and Cushing’s Disease (adrenal hormone problem) might count into the possible diagnoses of physiologically related hairloss. Flea, tick and mite bites can also lead to thinning of the hair due to increased scratching known as flea allergy dermatitis. Your vet is the best person to help you in finding out the culprit with your dog’s shedding problems.
