Don’t take excessive hair loss in pets lightly, it could mean something is very wrong!
Owners of furry owners should be on the lookout for hair loss in pets in their household. However, some owners think that they lose hair due to excess heat in summer. But the thing these owners should remember is that there can be many different reasons for hair loss. Particularly, it can occur due to a health condition. So, it is better to check with a veterinarian to make sure that everything is fine with the health of their four legged family members.
Technical term:
Similar to that of humans, the technical term used to denote hair loss in pets is alopecia. But the same problem remains for pets as well as people, alopecia can happen for many different reasons and nailing down the underlying problem can be difficult. It can range anywhere from a change in diet, stress levels rising due to a change in situation or adding another animal, to types of mange and sensitivity to a multitude of bugs. That’s why it’s really important not to try and diagnose the problem yourself, see a veterinarian to make sure you can get treatment for your pet as soon as possible.
How about shedding?
Shedding is a natural loss of hair in dogs that will end up with the growth of a new coat. The rate at which the shedding will happen will differ from one breed to another. In the case of long-haired pets, the shedding will almost happen on a regular basis. Even short-haired dogs lose hair, but it will not be much noticeable. But if you’re seeing actual bald spots down to the skin or almost to the skin that is red and inflamed, that’s definitely a problem that needs to be addressed immediately.
A special dip:
Sometimes excessive hair loss in pets is caused by none other than fleas, ticks and other assorted critters. Just because your pet isn’t scratching crazily doesn’t mean they aren’t being affected by bugs. Their stress levels go up, which often causes their digestive systems to become irritated and weight loss. It can become a vicious cycle if not tended to quickly.
Diseases:
Some diseases can also lead to hair loss in cats and dogs. For instance, in the case of hormonal diseases, balding might be experienced by pets. It is better to get in touch with a veterinarian immediately before it becomes too late to be treated.