Why is my dog shedding so much?

Hair grows in cycles, and old hair has to fall out for new hair to take its place. The Merck Veterinary Manual's page on hair loss in dogs puts it simply: new hair growth is accompanied by the shedding of old hair, and shedding that comes without bald patches or symmetric hair loss is most likely a stage in that natural replacement. So the first question is not how much hair is on the floor but what the dog looks like. A full coat with no thin spots belongs to a dog that is shedding, not losing hair.

The second question is the skin. VCA's coat-care guidance says the condition of the skin and coat is a good indicator of health, and that a healthy dog does not shed excessively and has a shiny coat free from dandruff or greasiness. Part the coat in a few places. Clean, pale skin under a glossy coat points to an ordinary shed; flakes, grease, redness or a dull, brittle coat point to something worth a conversation with your vet.

Food shows up in the coat. VCA notes that health and nutrition influence the luster and texture of the coat from the inside, and that a dull, dry coat can signal difficulty digesting nutrients. The AKC adds that a complete and balanced diet matters for a healthy coat and that dehydration can cause hair loss. None of that means a supplement will stop a seasonal shed. It means a dog shedding heavily with a poor coat should have its diet reviewed with your vet before you change anything.

The AKC's list of causes behind abnormal hair loss also includes stress, fleas and ticks, mites, fungal or bacterial infections and hormone imbalances, and Merck names hypothyroidism as one hormonal condition that slows hair growth. Merck also says that when a dog is losing hair and scratching the area a lot, the itch should be investigated first, since infections, parasites and allergies commonly cause it. Ticks are active on Cape Ann from April to November, so add a skin and tick check to any shedding worry in those months.

The AKC quotes its chief veterinary officer, Dr. Jerry Klein, advising a full checkup for exceptional hair loss or any of these signs: bare patches of skin, scaly skin, red or inflamed skin, loss of large patches of fur, or excessive scratching. Merck adds that some causes of hair loss lead on to secondary skin disease, such as infection or fluid discharge. A sudden heavy shed outside the usual seasons, or one that arrives with other changes in your dog, is worth mentioning at your next vet visit even without bald spots.

Groomers are often the first to notice. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics counts identifying problems that may require veterinary attention as part of a groomer's work, and a groomer brushing to the skin sees every thin patch. If our groomers spot bald areas, sores or ticks during a bath, they mention it at pick-up. If you do not yet have a vet on Cape Ann, the City of Gloucester publishes a list of local veterinary offices and emergency contacts.