Reasons for Excessive Shedding in Dogs

It's normal for dogs to shed, and vacuuming dog hair and picking it out of your soup are daily activities for many dog owners. Some breeds shed more than others because they have a heavy undercoat. However, excessive shedding is not only a nuisance, it can signal some potentially serious health problems, especially if your dog is developing bare spots.

  1. Seasonal Shedding

    • Dogs shed their coats twice a year, and the larger "blow out" is typically in the springtime as the dog sheds its heavy winder undercoat. Seasonal shedding can be excessive, especially in heavy coated breeds such as huskies, malamutes and German shepherds. Combat excessive seasonal shedding by brushing your dog daily.

    Stress

    • Stress can be caused by a lot of factors in a dog's life--not just a stressful environment or event, but from pregnancy and nursing or poor nutrition. Feed your dog a quality diet--adding fish oil for omega-3 fatty acids can help. Brush it regularly and don't overbathe, because excessive bathing will strip oil from a dog's coat and skin. Take your dog to a veterinarian if the shedding is out of control or you start seeing bald spots in your dog's coat. If the vet can't find a medical cause, she may be able to offer suggestions for medication or supplements.

    Endocrine Disorders

    • Hypothyroid, or an underactive thyroid, makes about 65 percent of dogs lose hair and develop a dull coat, according to peteducation.com. Other observable symptoms include weight gain, lethargy and skin discoloration. Hypothyroidism is relatively common in dogs and tests and treatments are fairly easy methods. Other less-common disorders that cause hair loss include Cushing's syndrome, alopecia X and other forms of alopecia. The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine's Dr. Linda A. Frank urges dog owners to take their dogs to the vet if shedding leads to hair loss. The potential problems are more than cosmetic and can lead to serious illness or death if untreated.

    Skin Infections and Mites

    • Bacterial and fungal skin infections or mites can lead to excessive shedding as the underlying skin becomes inflamed and irritated. The dog may shed because of the infection, or may be losing fur by licking or scratching at its itchy skin.