Just like humans, your furry friend could also be a victim of hair loss! Find out the causes and apply these dog hair loss home remedies before it is too late!
Hair loss in your dog can be a sign of an underlying condition. In this article, we’ll list dog hair loss home remedies and the causes of hair fall. Let’s get started with a list of things that might be causing the hair shedding:
1. Parasites
An infestation by parasites like mange, mites, fleas, ticks, or ringworm might lead to hair fall. Carefully check your dog’s fur in a good light to see if there is a prevailing infection. If you notice any flea, you can use the DIY method to get rid of the pests or buy some product from a dog store.
2. Allergies
If your dog is allergic to dust, mold, or pollen, the source of the hair fall might be their environment or the allergen might be present in the dog’s food or food bowl. Some dogs are known to be prone to allergies like Golden Retrievers and Bulldogs. Keep a close check on your dog and if you see any signs of allergies, perform a DIY treatment or see your veteran.
3. Hormonal Abnormalities
Cushing disease and hyperthyroidism are the conditions of hormonal imbalance and abnormalities that might be the reason your dog is losing fur. If you suspect hair loss in your dog and see no other reason for it, hormones are to blame then. If this is the case, dog hair loss home remedies might not be very helpful for you. We recommend visiting your veteran soon before your dog becomes bald throughout.
4. Genetics
Certain breeds are genetically more susceptible to hair fall and this is a natural thing for them. Nothing to worry about it, although the cleaning can be a pain. Dachshund, Saint Bernard, Husky, Golden Retriever, Borzoi, and many more long-haired dogs are inclined to lose more hair than other breeds.
5. Habits
As the dog age and due to prolonged contact with hard surfaces can lead some parts to crack and bleed, that can lead to bald patches due to friction and pressure. Inspect your dog and the sitting and sleeping habits to find out the cause of it. There could be a problem with the bed or maybe he likes to sleep on the floor. Once you find out the reason, work on it to resolve it.
6. Stress
If your canine friend suffers from stress, much like humans, it too will experience hair loss. Check signs of stress in your dog by observing the dog’s behavior, if the eyes have redness, if he’s eating properly, or anything that is changed recently.
7. Organ Failure
Organ failure leads to the body overcompensating in areas where it needs nutrition and repair, often taking the energy from vestigial ornaments like fur. Here’s more on it.
8. Poor Nutrition
Poor nutrition might be the reason that your dog’s fur coat isn’t optimal and up to par. Dogs that aren’t fed well will inevitably suffer from hair breakage and hair fall. Feed your dog with foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids like fish. You can also use store-bought nutrition products to fulfill the dog’s needs.
Check for These Symptoms
- Itching
- Bad smelling skin – Might be a yeast infection
- Constant licking and biting body – They do this to ease their discomfort
- Dry skin – Check for bald patches and dandruff
- General shredding – This could affect all across your dog’s body
- Thickened or crusty skin – The skin could get inflamed around the affected area
- Pustules or Lesions in the affected area
- Wounds or open sores – this can result from too much scratching
Dog Hair Loss Home Remedies
Here are some tried and tested dog hair loss home remedies:
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
If your dog suffers from an infection or allergy, apple cider vinegar might be your best bet! There are two ways you can use apple cider vinegar to cure your dog’s hair loss.
Method 1
- Pour 1 part apple cider vinegar (unfiltered) with 1 part water into a bowl
- Mix well
- Pour mix into a spray bottle
- Shake the bottle
- Spray the solution all over your dog’s body
- Allow the solution to dry on its own
- Repeat daily
Method 2
Add 5 ml of apple cider vinegar to your dog’s food once per day for small dogs. For medium-sized dogs, use 10 ml of apple cider vinegar and for large dog breeds, mix in 15 ml apple cider vinegar to your dog’s food.
2. Olive Oil
If your dog suffers from mites or mange, an olive oil coating on your dog’s skin both moisturizes the dried areas and smothers any pests that might be affecting your dog’s fur coat. You could also add olive oil to the dog’s food for added measure. Repeat the olive oil rub 2-3 times a day for maximum benefit.
3. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice, with its antibacterial properties, is beneficial to dogs suffering from mange or mites. The acidic nature of lemon juice deals with the parasites effectively and efficiently. Just take one lemon cut up into pieces and boil the pieces in water. Allow the solution to steep overnight and apply the mixture on your dog’s coat using a sponge. Doing this once a day alleviates the underlying problem.
4. Coconut Oil
A natural moisturizer, coconut oil helps in the growth and stimulation of new skin and hair. Apply extra-virgin coconut oil with two drops of oregano oil to your dog’s coat, especially around the areas where there is excessive hair loss.
To give an oral alternative, add 5-15ml of coconut oil to your dog’s food once a day. Repeat this daily till hair fall is no longer an issue.
5. Aloe Vera
The underlying issue this solution helps in is excessive itching. Irritating patches of skin might lead your dog to scrape off the hair on it, and some aloe vera gel applied on the ailing areas could soothe the skin enough to prevent your dog from scratching it. Do this once daily so that your dog never has reason to scratch in the irritated area.
6. Oatmeal
If your dog itches all over, it would be wise to consider giving it an oatmeal bath. To give your furry friend an oatmeal bath, do as follows:
- Add 150 gms ground oatmeal to a warm water tub.
- Add in a few drops of essential oil (we suggest lavender).
- Scrub your dog in the oatmeal water for 5-10 minutes.
- Rinse the oats away with warm water.
- Repeat daily until itchiness persists.
7. Regular Baths
This one is a no brainer as summer conditions can irritate and dry off your dog’s skin. Regular bathing would also ensure that skin allergens are dislodged and washed off from your dog’s hair follicles. You might also opt for dog shampoo, but take care to use a gentler one because a dog’s skin is particularly sensitive. Along with regular baths, you might also want to brush your dog regularly with a bristle boar brush to take out all the dirt and grime from their fur coat.
8. Diet
Ensure that your dog gets fed with the properly balanced diet that it needs. Thankfully, there are tons of readily available dog foods that are both delicious for your dog and contain all the nutrients it needs. Do a handful of research before picking on any food, take help from here.
Tese dog hair loss home remedies are a substitute for using harsh chemicals on your dog’s fur that can possibly worsen other conditions. Since these remedies are all-natural, chances of side effects are less!