If your young dog is experiencing hair loss or thinning, or if his puppy fur doesn't seem to be growing properly, it is natural to be concerned. This problem is actually more common than many people realize, however. In fact, there are a number of potential reasons why your pet's fur may be thinning or not growing as it should. While some of these are serious, others are more common and are perfectly normal. Still, it is best to identify the source of your dog's fur problems so that you can be certain about the quality of his health overall.
Serious Illnesses
There are several diseases that may contribute to fur loss in puppies. As these are the most serious potential causes of this condition, you should prioritize determining if your puppy is suffering from any of these before proceeding to other treatments. Among the most common these diseases is mange. Mange is caused by a parasite called the demodex mite, which may infest your dog at any age. One of the complications of this disease is patchy fur loss and thinning, and it may also inhibit new hair growth.
Another of the most common causes of puppy fur growth problems is a yeast infection. Yeast infections occur frequently in moist areas of your dog's body, including the space behind his ears, under his abdomen and around his genitals. A yeast infection of this type may cause some hair loss and then may prevent the hair from regrowing properly.
Hypothyroidism and Cushing's Disease are diseases with numerous symptoms and that are potentially life-threatening. Both of these conditions require immediate veterinary attention.
Allergies
Pet allergies contribute to a variety of negative reactions in puppies. If your dog is allergic to an ingredient in his food or a particulate in the air around him, he may experience symptoms as wide-ranging as lethargy, lesions and ulcers, weight loss, indigestion and hair loss. Atopic allergies, those involving dust, mites or other particles in the air, are the most frequent contributors to puppy hair loss.
Typical Shedding
As a puppy grows, he eventually sheds his coat completely and grows a fuller, thicker adult coat. This typically occurs sometime in the first few months of his life. Certain breeds, like Pomeranians, experience a much more extreme shedding than others. If you aren't familiar with your pet's shedding patterns, this may catch you off guard. This process is entirely normal and will typically only occur once.
Once a puppy has shed his first coat and begun to develop his adult coat, some shedding is still to be expected. Dogs typically shed their hair about twice per year, although this does vary quite a bit according to the breed of the dog and the climate.
If you have any concerns about your dog's fur growth rate, or if he seems to be losing hair for no apparent reason, take him to a veterinarian for further consultation.