Hemp Oil For Dogs With Hair loss
You thought you knew everything about caring for dogs until your pet starts developing bald spots or, worse, loses too much hair. This makes you ask – is it common for dogs to experience hair loss? When should you start worrying, and how do you deal with the problem? Do you bring your pet to the vet at once, or are there effective home remedies that you can try?
It is best that you learn more about the matter before you get confronted with it. This way, you won’t panic when your carpet and bedding gather more fur from your pets than usual.
What Is Dog Hair Loss?
Alopecia, commonly called hair loss, happens not only in humans but also in animals, including dogs. The condition affects dogs of any gender, breed, or age. It can be complete or partial, and can have downside effects on your pet’s immune system, lymphatic system, endocrine system, and skin.
You will immediately notice hair loss in your dog. It can be symmetrical, varied, or the baldness may happen in spots. Other cases may be accompanied by redness, inflammation, scaling, or crusting around the spots. The hair loss is classified depending on the gravity of the symptoms:
Hair loss in multiple areas of the dog
The condition usually comes with mild scaling and redness of the skin. It can be caused by the progression of a scar tissue, known as scleroderma, bacterial infection, ringworm or other fungi, or as a side effect of a vaccination.
Generalized or patchy hair loss
When your dogs have this type of hair loss, they may also likely suffer from inflammation and redness of the skin. This is commonly caused by mange or a skin problem in dogs caused by mites. The condition can also be due to ringworm and other bacterial infections.
Symmetrical hair loss
The condition can be due to various causes, which include a sudden drop of testosterone levels, a drop in the female hormone secretion, a sudden boost of estrogen levels, low thyroid levels, and the dog’s adrenal glands’ overproduction of steroids.
Causes of Hair Loss in Dogs
It is crucial to find out what’s causing the condition before you can lay out the best treatment plan for your pet. Here are the most common causes of hair loss in dogs:
Infestation or infection
Dogs that have mites, ticks or fleas usually develop hair loss around the chest, mouth, eyes, and ears, along with inflammation, redness, itching, and thickened and oily skin. You have to talk to your pet’s vet regarding the antibiotics and oral or topical medications you can give to your dog to treat the mites.
A small ringworm lesion is considered contagious. The infection leads to infected crusts, inflammation, and irregular or circular hair loss on the skin and claws. While it may clear up in time, it has to be treated right away using topical antifungal medications, and in severe circumstances, with oral antifungal treatment.
Genetics
There are genetically hairless dogs, such as the Mexican Hairless, American Hairless, and Chinese Crested breeds. There are dog breeds that are prone to hair loss or pattern baldness, such as the Whippet, Italian Greyhound, Dachshund, shih tzu, Chihuahua, and Doberman Pinscher. They typically become prone to bald spots on the lower neck, thighs, belly, chest, and outer ear after turning a year older.
Most owners of these pets have gotten used to the condition. With the limited treatment options available, they seek out home remedies, such as using hemp for dog hair loss and other natural ways of dealing with the problem.
Allergies
Like humans, certain dogs can be prone to developing allergies from different sources. Many of these dog allergies lead to hair loss. The causes of the allergies range from parasites, environmental triggers, and foods. Hair loss is only among the many effects your dog may suffer from due to allergies. Other allergic reactions include biting and licking the affected areas and excessive scratching.
Hair loss caused by allergies can be alleviated through allergy shots, internal or topical medication, avoiding the trigger, or a change in diet. Your dog may also experience rashes from using shampoos, being exposed to certain chemicals, plants, medications, and insect bites. The rashes or hives usually become visible several minutes after the exposure, although some instances may take hours.
In this case, your dog may develop fever, listlessness, vomiting, and lack of appetite. It is best to get the dog treated by a vet before the symptoms get any worse.
Pressure Sores
These sores are localized injuries more common to happen to older dogs of heavy breeds. The condition occurs when the dog’s bony pressure points, such as hocks, elbows, and hips, regularly hit hard surfaces. The pressure leads to cracks and bleeding, callus skin, and hair loss. If you know that your dog is prone to suffering from this condition, it is recommended to give them a cushioned and comfortable bedding.
Cushing’s Disease
Also known as hyperadrenocorticism, Cushing’s disease is a result of the dog’s body tissue to extended exposure to the cortisol hormone. It usually affects middle-aged to older dogs, but it can also happen to pets with prolonged use of corticosteroid drug. It causes the dog to develop a pot-bellied abdomen, darker skin, and hair loss.
Symptoms of Dog Hair Loss
Other than the symptoms shown by dogs, depending on the cause of their hair loss, the condition may also be accompanied by other signs, which include the following:
- Changes in behavior
- Infected or irritated skin
- Bleeding sores
- Bad odor of the wounds
- Itching
- Skin irritation leading to scabs, bumps, and rashes
- Other pets or people in the house begin to develop skin lesions
How to Prevent Dog Hair Loss
You can follow these steps to decrease the risk of your dog from suffering from hair loss:
- Maintain the cleanliness of your dog’s bedding by washing it at least once a week.
- Have your dog dewormed on a regular basis.
- Keep a stress-free, nurturing, and hygienic environment for your dog.
- Have your dog go through a routine checkup with its vet at least once a year.
- Apply flea or tick repellants in areas of your house where they may frequent.
Natural Home Remedies for Dog Hair Loss
Here are some proven home remedies for dog hair loss:
Hemp for dog hair loss
Hemp is the source of CBD oil, considered as the most effective remedy to various skin conditions of your pet, including hair loss.
Olive oil
Olive oil has strong antioxidant properties and has long been used in many hair and skin products. For dog hair loss, it is recommended to massage a good amount of the oil to your dog’s skin twice or thrice a day. The oil promotes hair growth. You can also include the oil to your dog’s diet to achieve the most benefits.
Apple cider vinegar
The vinegar is most effective for hair loss caused by allergy or infection. Put an equal amount of the vinegar and water to a spray bottle. Shake until combined. Spray all over your dog’s skin twice a day, and allow it to dry. Always dilute the vinegar because the undiluted type will cause sting on your dog’s wounds.
CBD Oil for Dog Hair Loss
CBD oil comes from hemp or industrial hemp, which is among the Cannabis sativa plant varieties. CBD oil is not only effective for dog hair loss, but it also works for humans suffering from extreme hair loss. It has both stress-relieving and nourishing properties that speed up the process of hair growth and skin repair.
Read Next: Dog Dandruff: Causes, Symptoms & How to Get Rid of it
References:
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- Hair Loss in Dogs - https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/skin/c_dg_alopecia
- 5 Common Causes of Hair Loss in Dogs - https://www.petmd.com/dog/slideshows/general-health/common-causes-of-hair-loss-in-dogs?view_all=1
- Bald Spots in Dogs - https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/dog-bald-spot#1
- 10 Home Remedies to Help with Hair Loss in Dogs - https://www.top10homeremedies.com/pets/home-remedies-for-hair-loss-in-dogs.html