Causes of Hair Loss (Alopecia) in Dogs

Drs. Foster & Smith Educational Staff

There are many diseases and conditions which can cause a dog to lose hair. Some of these may be considered normal, others can
indicate a serious disease is present. Most of the conditions which result in hair loss are included in the table below, though some
of them may be rare. This extensive list helps you understand why a quick diagnosis may be difficult to make, and various
diagnostic tests may need to be performed. The most common conditions causing hair loss are color-coded gray in the table (some
may be more common in certain geographical areas).

Condition Description Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment

Acanthosis nigricans Inherited form Darkening of the History, Primary: no
seen in skin; in secondary physical exam; treatment;
Dachshunds; form see scratching in secondary secondary: treat
secondary form and hair loss form, testing to underlying
caused by determine disease; in some
friction, underlying cases, steroids
hormonal cause and Vitamin E
abnormalities, or supplementation
hypersensitivities
Acral lick dermatitis Self-licking in Red, hairless, Exclude other Relieve
(neurodermatitis) dogs results in well-circumscribed, causes; history underlying cause
self-trauma; sometimes raised important e.g., anxiety;
possible causes lesion usually on restrict licking,
include anxiety, the leg; if chronic, e.g., elizabethan
boredom, stress will drain collar; behavior
(e.g., new modifying
member in medication may
household); be necessary
licking can
develop into an
obsessive
behavior
Adrenal sex hormone More common Hair loss starts on Biopsy; Mitotane is
responsive dermatosis in Pomeranians, neck, tail, back of eliminate other optional
Chows, thighs, and causes
Keeshonden, progresses to trunk;
and Samoyeds dog appears to have
a 'puppy coat'; skin
darkens
Allergic and irritant contact An allergic Red skin and small Patch test, Restrict
dermatitis reaction bumps or blisters exclusion trials exposure to the
following on the areas of skin allergen or
exposure to that are sparsely contact irritant in
antibiotics haired and directly the dog's
applied to the exposed to the environment;
skin; metals offending steroids,
such as nickel; substance, itching; antihistamines
materials such hair loss in chronic
as rubber, wool, conditions
and plastic; and
chemicals such
as dyes and
carpet
deodorizers; or
inflammation

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 inflammation
caused by
irritating
substances such
as poison ivy.
Generally
requires
multiple
exposures.
Alopecia areata Thought to be an Patches of hair loss Microscopic Usually recover
autoimmune especially on head, examination of spontaneously
disorder neck, and body; no hairs; biopsy
itching
Atopy (allergic inhalant Allergic reaction Licking of feet, Intradermal or Reduce exposure
dermatitis) to something the inflamed ears, serologic to allergen (what
dog inhales such itching, redness, (blood) testing the dog is
as pollen, house and hair loss; for allergies allergic to);
dust mites, and sometimes steroids, fatty
mold development of acid
infection or hot supplements,
spots biotin,
antihistamines,
shampoos,
immunotherapy
Bacterial infection Often occurs as
(pyoderma) a result of
another
See Folliculitis condition such
as a parasitic,
allergic, or
hormonal
condition
Black hair follicular Rare hereditary Loss of dark or Clinical signs, Shampoos for
dysplasia/alopecia/dystrophy disease in dogs black hair only; biopsy scaling if
with hair of symptoms appear necessary
multiple colors; between 3 and 6
more common in weeks of age;
Bearded Collies, sometimes scaling
Basset Hounds,
Salukis,
Beagles,
Dachshunds,
and Pointers
Callus Results from Thickened, hairless History, Provide softer
chronic pressure, raised areas over clinical signs bedding and
especially in bony pressure padding around
large breed dogs points such as affected area
elbows; may
become
secondarily infected

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Castration responsive More common Symmetrical hair Physical exam Castration
dermatosis in young loss in genital area and history;
unneutered and neck; hair loss eliminate other
dogs, and in may progress onto causes; blood
Chows, trunk; skin may tests for
Samoyeds, appear darker; hormone levels
Keeshonden, severe scaling; hair
Alaskan color may fade;
Malamutes, coat is similar to a
Miniature 'puppy coat'
Poodles, and
Pomeranians
Chemotherapy Loss of hair due Dogs with History None, hair will
to chemotherapy continuously regrow after
is a concern for growing hair, e.g., chemotherapy
dog owners Poodles and discontinued;
Maltese, often lose may regrow in a
some hair; dogs different color or
may lose whiskers texture
Cheyletiella (rabbit fur mite) Infection with Itching, scaliness; Skin scraping Pyrethrin,
mange the Cheyletiella some hair loss, if and Permethrin (Do
mite severe microscopic NOT use
examination - permethrin on
the mite is cats.)
often very
difficult to find
Color dilution/mutant Hereditary Hair in the blue- Breed; history; None; avoid
alopecia condition and fawn-colored and coat color excessive
affecting dogs areas starts to thin grooming or
with blue at around 6 months harsh shampoos;
(diluted black) of age; secondary protect skin to
or fawn coat folliculitis often prevent
colors; more develops secondary
common in bacterial
Dobermans, infections
Dachshunds,
Great Danes,
Yorkshire
Terriers,
Whippets, and
Greyhounds
Congenital hypotrichosis Congenital lack Puppies born with Physical exam; None
of hair little or no hair; biopsy
any hair they are
born with is lost by
4 months of age

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Cushing's disease Caused by an Hair loss, thinning Adrenal gland If due to
(hyperadrenocorticism) increase in of skin, hyperpigmentation
function tests, glandular
corticosteroids hyperpigmentation, urinalysis, tumors,
in the body - easy bruising, chemistry selegiline,
either due to seborrhea, panel, CBC o,p-DDD
increased comedones (black (Mitotane), or
production by heads), may see surgical removal
the body or as a calcinosis cutis; of tumor; if due
side effect of lethargy, increased to high steroid
high doses or thirst and urination, doses, withdraw
prolonged potbellied use of steroids
therapy with corticosteroids
appearance slowly
corticosteroids
Cyclic (cicatrical) alopecia; Growth cycle of Symmetrical hair History, None
seasonal flank alopecia hair stops at loss with definite clinical signs,
certain times of borders; usually on biopsy
the year back and flanks;
skin may become
darker
Demodectic mange Infection with Hair loss, scaliness, Skin scraping NO Steroids!
(red mange, puppy mange) the Demodex redness, pustules, and
Amitraz
mite - occurs ulcers, sometimes microscopic
(Mitaban) dips
when the itching, darkening examination
immune system of the skin
is deficient
Dermatomyositis Some breeds Redness, scaling, Skin biopsy Minimize trauma
predisposed; crusting, hair loss, and exposure to
cause unknown; and scarring on UV light;
aggravated by face, ears, and tail; Vitamin E, fatty
trauma and UV atrophy of muscles acids, short term
light involved in chewing use of
prednisone,
oxpentoxifylline;
some severe
cases do not
respond to
treatment, and
euthanasia may
be considered
Diabetes mellitus Abnormal Thin skin; some Blood testing Dietary changes;
immunity makes hair loss; insulin
diabetic dogs seborrhea;
susceptible to recurrent bacterial
infection and infections;
other skin unregulated dogs
conditions also have many
other signs of
disease; may
develop epidermal
metabolic necrosis
or xanthoma

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Drug or injection reaction Rare skin Can vary widely History of Discontinue
reaction to a and may include being treated offending drug;
drug which is itching, hair loss, with a drug, treat
inhaled, given redness, swelling, papules
symptoms, symptomatically
orally, or papules, crusts, biopsy
applied ulcers, and draining
topically; more wounds
common with
penicillins,
sulfonamides,
and
cephalosporins;
usually occurs
within 2 weeks
of giving the
drug
Epidermal metabolic Uncommon skin Reddened, often Biopsy; look Treat underlying
necrosis (necrolytic disease in older ulcerated areas with for underlying disease;
migratory erythema, dogs; skin hair loss and crusts; disease supportive
hepatocutaneous disease) lesions develop foot pads may be therapy; poor
in dogs with thickened prognosis
certain diseases
including liver
disease, diabetes
mellitus, and
some pancreatic
tumors
Erythema multiforme Hypersensitivity Hair loss, History, Treat or remove
reaction to 'bull's-eye' lesions, clinical signs, underlying cause
infections or and vesicles often rule out other
drugs; may also around mouth, ears, diseases
be caused by cancergroin, and axilla; in causing similar
canceror other some instances, signs; skin
diseases ulcers develop; biopsy
depression, fever
Estrogen responsive More common Hair loss starting at Physical exam Estrogen
dermatosis (ovarian imbalance in young spayed the genital area and and history; replacement
type II) dogs, and in flanks and moving eliminate other therapy; caution
Dachshunds and forward; hair color causes; - can have severe
Boxers may fade; coat is response to side effects
similar to a 'puppy therapy
coat'
Flea allergy dermatitis (flea Severe reaction Intense itching, Presence of Flea control in
bite hypersensitivity) by the animal to redness, hair loss fleas; reaction the environment
the saliva of the papules, crusts, and to intradermal and on the dog;
flea scales; sometimes testing steroids and
development of antihistamines
infection or hot for the itching
spots

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Follicular May be Hair loss, Clinical signs, In congenital
dystrophy/alopecia/dysplasia congenital sometimes only breed, skin disease,
(abnormal development or (certain breeds hair of a certain biopsy treatment of
growth of hair) are at increased color; sometimes secondary
risk) or acquired scaling problems such
See Congenital hypotrichosis, later in life from as infections or
Color dilution/mutant infections, scaling; in
alopecia, Black hair folliclular hormonal acquired disease
dystrophy/alopecia, Follicular abnormalities, treat underlying
dysplasia (non-color linked) cancer drugs, cause
and some other
diseases
Follicular Patchy hair loss In Huskies, hair Breed, biopsy None
dystrophy/dysplasia of unknown loss on the body,
(non-color linked) cause seen in the reddish tinge to
Siberian Husky, hair; in Dobermans,
Doberman hair loss over
Pinscher, lumbar area; in
Airedale, Boxer, Boxers and
Staffordshire Terriers, hair loss
Bull Terrier, over lumbar area,
Curly Coated skin may be
Retriever, Irish hyperpigmented; in
Water Spaniel, the Retrievers and
and Portuguese Spaniels, loss of
Water Dog guard hairs on back
and trunk and
secondary hairs are
dull and lighter in
color
Folliculitis Infection of the Pustules form in Skin scraping; Antibiotics for at
hair follicles, follicles and break culture; biopsy least 4 weeks -
often with staph open to form continue
bacteria; 'bull's-eye,' antibiotics 10
symptoms 'annular,' and days beyond the
usually appear 'target lesions,' apparent cure; if
on skin with less which have crusty recurs, look for
hair, such as the centers and red or underlying
abdomen darkening on the problem such as
periphery, and allergy or
'epidermal hormonal
collarettes,' which imbalance
appear as rings of scaly
scaly skin; may
itch; short-coated
breeds may
develop small tufts
of hair, which are
lost; breeds with
long coats may
have seborrhea

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Food allergies Allergic reaction Licking of feet, Food Change in diet
to something in inflamed ears, elimination
the diet itching, redness, trials
and hair loss;
sometimes
development of
infection or hot
spots
Granulomas May be due to Solid firm nodules History, Surgical removal
infections; the of varying sizes; clinical signs, of the foreign
body's reaction those due to foreign biopsy, body (in the
to foreign bodies often have surgical case of plant
material such as draining tracts; exploratory material, tracts
plant material may develop hair may be
(e.g., foxtail) loss, ulcers, and extensive and
and suture secondary infections require major
material; other surgery);
constant antibiotics if
irritation; or infected; treat
unknown causes any other
underlying cause
Growth hormone responsive Not well Hair loss on neck, Hormonal Neuter animal;
alopecia understood; tail, and the back of blood testing growth
thought to be the thighs; skin hormone;
caused by an darkens; usually hormonal
enzyme starts when dog is supplementation
deficiency or less than two years
decrease of old
adrenal hormones
hormones, which
allows certain
other hormones
to accumulate in
the body: more
common in
Pomeranians,
Chow Chows,
Keeshonden,
Samoyeds, and
Poodles
Hair loss during pregnancy Excess shedding Sudden and History, Treat any
and nursing ('blowing her that can also widespread hair loss clinical signs underlying
coat,' telogen effluvium) occur in other condition; hair
stressful will grow back
circumstances
such as illness
or surgery

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Histiocytosis There are All cause nodules Biopsy, fine Malignant: none
several kinds of with hair loss; needle effective, may
histiocytosis: malignant and aspirate; need to consider
malignant, systemic also have euthanasia;
which is a ulcers systemic: poor
cancer that response to
affects the skin chemotherapy;
and internal cutaneous:
organs; corticosteroids,
systemic, which relapse is
is a rare disease common,
which affects especially in
skin and internal Shar-Peis
organs; and
cutaneous,
which is a
benign disease
affecting the skin
Hyperestrogenism (ovarian Rare disease in Symmetrical loss History, Spay; look for
imbalance type I) which female of hair; hair pulls physical exam, metastasis to the
animals have out easily; rule out other lungs
excess levels of darkening of the causes of hair
estrogen; can be skin; enlarged loss, measure
caused by nipples and vulva; blood estrogen
cancer of the may rarely see levels
ovaries seborrhea and
itching
Hypothyroidism Decreased Hair loss, dry and Thyroid gland Lifetime thyroid
production of brittle hair, function tests, supplementation
thyroid seborrhea; chemistry
hormone; most secondary bacterial panel, CBC
common and yeast
hormonal infections;
disease affecting lethargy, obesity,
the skin in dogs slow heart rate;
changes in skin
pigmentation may
occur
Injection site alopecia Hair loss at the Hair loss occurs History and None; the
site of an several months physical condition is
injection of a after injection; area examination permanent
medication or may become hyperpigmented
vaccine; skin hyperpigmented
may become
thickened; in
cats, ulcers may
develop

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Interstitial cell tumor Tumor of the If skin changes Biopsy Castration;
testicle; may not occur, see anti-seborrheic
cause any skin seborrhea, loss of shampoos
changes hair on the trunk,
enlargement of the
tail gland and
perianal glands;
may see increased
pigment in the skin
Kerion Complication of Nodule with hair Culture, biopsy Clip area and
ringworm loss and multiple apply topical
infection draining tracts; treatment and
may not see other shampoos; may
signs of ringworm require systemic
treatment with
ketoconazole or
itraconazole
Leishmaniasis Caused by a Hair loss, scaling, Identify the Because it
parasite of blood ulcers on nose and organism in causes severe
cells; can be ears, sometimes nodules
blood or disease in
transmitted to nodules; many biopsy; blood people, and
people who other tests treatment of
develop a very nonskin-related dogs is not
severe disease signs curative,
euthanasia may
be performed
Lice Infection with Variable; itching, Finding lice or Pyrethrin,
several species hair loss, crusts, nits on skin or ivermectin
of lice rough hair coat hair (off-label use*),
Permethrin (Do
NOT use
permethrin on
cats.)
Malassezia Usually follows Itching, redness, Skin Treat underlying
some other hair loss, greasy scraping/smear disease; oral
underlying scales; if chronic, and ketoconazole;
disease develop microscopic miconazole
hyperpigmentation examination, shampoos
culture
Nasal solar dermatitis See solar
dermatitis
See solar dermatitis

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Pattern alopecia (pattern Three types; hair Hair loss in Breed, history, None
baldness) loss may occur described areas biopsy
on the ears of
Dachshunds
(pinnal
alopecia); neck,
thighs, and tail
of American
Water Spaniels
and Portuguese
Water Dogs;
abdomen and
the back of the
thighs of
Dachshunds,
Chihuahuas,
Whippets, and
Greyhounds
Pelodera dermatitis Accidental Affects areas of Skin scraping Remove
infection with skin touching and bedding; mild
larvae from a ground; intense microscopic antibacterial
non-parasitic itching, redness, examination shampoo;
worm that lives hair loss, papules, steroids if
in straw and crusts, and scales necessary to
other organic control itching
material
Pituitary dwarfism Hereditary Young puppies fail Special blood Hormone
condition in to grow; dogs retain testing for the replacement
which the puppy coat and presence of therapy
pituitary gland condition certain
does not progresses to hair hormones
produce the loss over much of
necessary the body; thin skin, scales
hormones scales, and
secondary infections
Post-clipping alopecia Hair may not Continued lack of History None; hair will
grow back growth in hair that eventually
immediately was clipped, e.g., regrow, but may
after it has been for surgery take up to 24
clipped; which months
animals may be
affected can not
be predicted;
more common in
dogs with thick
undercoats e.g.,
Huskies and
Chows

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Pressure sores (decubital Lesions occur Start as red, Clinical signs, Keep area clean
ulcers) over bony hairless areas and biopsy and prevent
prominences progress to draining contact with
like elbows; ulcers; may urine;
common in become infected antibiotics;
larger apply donut
recumbent dogs bandages, which
provide padding
around but not
over the ulcer;
surgical
treatment is
sometimes
necessary;
prevent ulcers by
turning the dog
every 2 hours
Pyoderma-superficial
(See Folliculitis)
Ringworm Infection with Hair loss, scaliness, Culture Miconazole,
several types of crusty areas, pustules lime sulfur dips;
fungus pustules, vesicles, oral griseofulvin
some itching; can or itraconazole
develop a draining
nodule called a
'kerion'
Sarcoptic mange Infection with Intense itching and Skin scraping Amitraz
the Sarcoptes self-trauma, hair and (Mitaban) dips
mite loss, papules, microscopic (off-label use*);
crusts, and scales examination - ivermectin
the mite is (off-label use*)
often very
difficult to find
Schnauzer comedo syndrome Uncommon; Comedones (black Clinical signs, Long-term
only seen in heads) on back, breed, skin antiseborrheic
Miniature mild itching; may biopsy shampoos;
Schnauzers see secondary sometimes
infection, thinning antibiotics and
of hair; small crusts retinoids
may develop
Sebaceous adenitis Sebaceous Short-haired Clinical signs, Antiseborrheic
glands are breeds: circular breed, skin shampoos, fatty
destroyed, cause areas of hair loss biopsy acid
unknown; with fine scale; supplements; in
certain breeds long-haired breeds: more severe
more susceptible more widespread cases, steroids,
hair loss and scale, retinoids
hair mats easily;
may see itching in
all breeds

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Seborrhea Can be primary Scales; depending Blood tests, Treat underlying
(inherited) or upon the type, may skin scrapings, cause if present;
secondary have a dry or oily etc., to find antiseborrheic
(resulting from coat; odor; some underlying shampoos; fatty
other disease scratching; may see cause acid supplements
processes such hair loss
as allergies,
hypothyroidism)
Sertoli cell tumor Tumor of the Male dogs take on Physical exam Castration
testicles in female sexual
middle-aged dogs characteristics; hair
loss, increased skin
pigment, reddened
area on prepuce
Solar dermatosis Skin reaction to Redness, hair loss, History, breed, Must avoid
sunlight, and scaling on nose physical exam, further sun
especially and ears, later crusts skin biopsy exposure,
unpigmented crusts and ulcers especially 9 am -
skin; most 3 pm; sunblock;
common on the steroids; tattoo
noses of Collies, nose or apply
Shelties, and black ink
similar breeds
Tail dock neuroma Nerve regrowth Nodule at site of History and Surgical removal
after tail docking, itching symptoms
docking causes with
symptoms self-mutilation, hair
loss, and
hyperpigmentation
Tail gland hyperplasia Dogs have a Oily area, hair loss, Clinical signs; Castration may
sebaceous gland crusts, and look for help; treat
on the top of the hyperpigmentation underlying underlying
tail near its base; on area over gland cause cause; surgical
in this disorder, removal
the gland
enlarges; seen in
unneutered dogs
and secondary to
other diseases
such as
hypothyroidism
Testosterone responsive More common Dull, scaly, dry Physical exam Testosterone
dermatosis (hypoandrogenism) in old neutered coat; seborrhea; and history; replacement
dogs, and in hair loss in genital eliminate other therapy
Afghans and anal areas causes;
progressing onto response to
trunk therapy

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 Vitamin A responsive May not be due Seborrhea; odor; Clinical signs, Lifetime
dermatosis to an actual hair pulls out breed, skin treatment with
deficiency of easily; pads of feet biopsy Vitamin A
Vitamin A, but thickened; thick
does respond to scales on chest and
increased levels abdomen,
of Vitamin A in especially around
the diet; more nipples
common in
Cocker Spaniels
Zinc responsive dermatosis Three types: I in Crusting and History, breed, Correct any
Huskies and scaling, redness, physical exam, dietary
Malamutes; II in hair loss, skin biopsy deficiency,
rapidly growing sometimes oily medicated
puppies of large skin, secondary shampoos, treat
breeds; III in bacterial infections secondary
English Bull common infections
Terriers
* off-label use: medication used to treat a condition for which it was not developed (or licensed). A large number of medications fall under this category.
Research has almost always been performed to determine the effectiveness and safety of the product, but the manufacturer has not undertaken the lengthy process
required for licensure.

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