What Causes Thin Hair in Puppies?

After you get a new puppy, it is not unusual for the puppy to go through various stages of hair growth. During each stage, the puppy's hair thins while adult hair grows in. This is a normal process. If the thinning areas appear blotchy and are accompanied by flaky, scaly skin, there are other issues involved that may need medical attention.

  1. Allergies

    • Allergies are common in dogs, including young puppies. There may be environmental allergies such as weeds, pollen and dust. Other possible triggers are shampoo, conditioner, bedding or the detergent used on the bedding. Food allergies are another possibility. A puppy with allergies usually shows signs of hair loss and bald spots, along with skin irritation.

    Shedding

    • A puppy goes through a normal shedding process during growth, although some breeds shed more often than others. Check on the normal history for your dog's breed to know what is normal. Abnormal and excessive shedding and thinning may occur due to extreme stress, as well as illness or other anxiety-inducing circumstances. Hormonal imbalance is another factor that affects shedding and hair growth. Always consult a veterinarian if you observe abnormal patterns.

    Parasites

    • Parasites such as ringworms, fleas, ticks and mange mites cause great discomfort to a puppy. Hair thinning and loss is usually associated with itchiness and scaly crusted areas on the skin. A puppy usually begins the hair loss on the face around the muzzle and the eyes, as well as on the fronts of the legs. Effective treatments exist for all of these parasitic conditions.

    Medical Issues

    • Some conditions that cause hair thinning are congenital. Hair growth is affected by diet and nutrition. Some medical conditions to be aware of are Cushing's disease, hypothyroidism and bacterial or yeast infections. When your puppy is feeling ill on the inside, the result sometimes shows up on the outside in the form of hair loss and thinning.