Dogs can lose their hair for a variety of reasons.  Although many owners automatically suspect mange, relatively few cases of canine balding and patchy hair loss can be attributed to skin mites.  Although mange is more common for some dogs, other causes of balding can be age, ringworm, toxicity, and allergies.  Always consult a veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment for any hair loss in your dog.

Allergic reactions account for the majority of hair loss cases in dogs.  Canines suffering from allergies usually lose the hair on their back right above the tail and rub against anything to itch this area.  Skin then becomes inflamed and sometimes even results in rashes, cuts, and abrasions that can cause secondary skin infections.

A large majority of these cases result from flea allergies.  Dogs that suffer from flea allergies are not allergic to the actual flea, but the flea saliva.  This means that owners of these animals need to keep their canine friends on a flea preventative, like Advantage, that uses paralysis toxins and prevent the flea from ever biting the dog.  Not all flea preventatives are the same and it’s important to compare them prior to purchase.

Beware, over-the-counter flea preventatives sold on the shelves in grocery stores and pet stores usually contain pyrethrins that cause even more severe skin reactions in these sensitive dogs.

Dogs can also suffer from allergies to foods, grass, pollen, and many of the same allergens that affect humans.  Veterinarians can test for most of these specific allergens.  Recommendations for food allergies usually include changes to lamb-based dog foods while the doctor may recommend Benadryl or steroid shots for more severe cases of seasonal and grass allergies.

Pyrethrin-based flea preventative is one of many toxins that can result in hair loss on dogs.  These products have also been linked to neurological damage in dogs and cats.  If you are concerned about your flea product, ask your veterinarian.  If you have used the pyrethrin products on your dog, wash your animal with a mild detergent like Ivory or Dawn and consult your vet.

Contrary to its name, ringworm is not a worm.  Ringworm is a skin fungus that is very contagious to humans and other animals and is mostly found in young, oftentimes feral or abandoned, puppies and kittens.  This fungus usually manifests itself on the ears, toes and feet of animals before showing up anywhere else.  Ringworm usually starts as a small circular bald patch and begins to replicate and grow.  It does itch, but not as much as mange, and usually stays circular and defined.  Consult a veterinarian if you suspect your animal has ringworm, especially if you or anyone else in your home shows symptoms of a rash.  Treatments range, but many veterinarians suggest using anti-fungal cream to kill the ringworm.

Old age can sometimes cause bald areas on dogs, but usually due to sensitivities in the skin or thinning of fur.

Many owners fear mange when they see their dog has lost fur.  There are actually two kinds of mange in dogs:  Demodex and Sarcopties. 

Demodex is a hereditary mange that is not contagious to either humans or other dogs.  This small mite lives under the hair follicles and is present in most dogs.  Demodex flares up in dogs with weakened immune systems and commonly occurs in dogs that have not been spayed or neutered.  Spaying or neutering the pet can help relieve this mange and keep the pet healthy.  Keeping animals on a healthy diet also helps prevent demodex.

This mange usually starts on the feet, face and ears and begins spreading over the entire body.  The dog will itch, oftentimes breaking the skin, and the fur will dull.

Sarcoptic manage is the most feared of all skin problems.  This mange is caused by another type of skin mite that resembles a microscopic tick and lives in the skin of the dog.  This mange is contagious to humans and other animals, resulting in what is commonly called scabies.  Sarcoptic mange spreads over the entire body, usually starting at the head and feet, and can completely rid a dog of hair if left untreated.  Dogs usually have severely inflamed skin at the site of sarcoptic mange and itch themselves raw.  Veterinarians use a variety of treatments for this mange, including oral ivermectin does.

Consult a veterinarian immediately if your dog begins losing hair.  Consult a doctor if you begin showing similar skin symptoms.