What Are the Causes of Hair Loss in a Papillon?

Papillons are the butterflies of the dog world. Their long, soft coats are a thing of beauty. It can be extremely distressing to see your friend losing his lovely coat. Here are a few common causes of hair loss and ways that you can help prevent them.

  1. Health

    • Health conditions such as thyroid issues, allergies, dermatitis, dry skin, or improper nutrition could lead to hair loss. See your veterinarian to rule out any of these issues.

    Brushing

    • Over-brushing or roughly grooming the fur can cause undue hair loss in Papillons. Careful, gentle grooming, particularly around the fragile fur of the ears, will help avoid this.

    Bathing

    • Over-bathing your pet can cause the hair to dry out and crack off. It can also cause itchy, dry skin. Try to bathe your pet about once a month, and use a high quality shampoo as well as a lanolin-free conditioner. Be sure to rinse the shampoo completely off your dog's skin.

    Environment

    • If you keep your pet in a very warm environment and/or he spends a lot of time outdoors, this may lead to hair loss or a shorter, less dense coat of fur.

    Ear Fringe

    • Growing ear fringes is more difficult in red-and-white Papillons than it is in the tan and dark-colored varieties, and once the fringe breaks, it may never grow back. If your dog has the proper genetics to grow ear fringes, keep him well combed and avoid too much activity or play time with other dogs to maximize the length of this fur.