There’s a difference between your dog shedding hair and actually losing hair. Shedding is completely normal, while hair loss can be indicative of a serious health problem. If your German Shepherd is losing hair to the point of showing exposed skin and developing bald spots, it’s important to identify what’s causing the hair loss.
Your German Shepherd may be losing hair due to health issues, such as allergies, infections, diseases, or external factors, such as the environment. Internal factors, such as hereditary conditions can also cause hair loss.
Hair loss is the partial or complete loss of hair from a dog’s coat, resulting in thin coats, bald spots, and/ or areas of exposed skin. It is a symptom of an underlying health condition which must be resolved in order to stop the hair loss.
Causes Of Hair Loss In German Shepherds
Because hair loss is a broad condition that appears as a result of many health issues, it’s important to examine other symptoms in order to correctly find the cause of hair loss. Hair loss is often accompanied by other symptoms, but can also be the primary symptom.
There are several different factors and illnesses that could be causing hair loss in your German Shepherd. Hair loss may be caused by hereditary or genetic factors, like allergies and diseases, or other triggers like infections and neglect.
If you notice hair loss in your dog, it’s best to follow the steps below:
- Contact your veterinarian to set up an appointment for a physical exam
- Call ahead to see if you should collect stool or urine samples for the vet exam
- Record the symptoms you notice; try to provide as much detail as possible
- Watch your dog’s routine to identify potential triggers for the hair loss
- Do preliminary research to try and tentatively identify the problem
- Review your dog’s pedigree and medical histories for pre-existing conditions
In all likelihood, you’ll be able to identify the cause of the hair loss and address it. It’s important to remember that hair loss isn’t itself a problem; it’s a symptom of an underlying problem. The hair loss should be resolved once the issue causing it is addressed.
Below are some of the most common causes of hair loss in German Shepherds. Each health condition has its own cause, presentation, symptoms, and treatments. The majority are curable with the correct diagnosis and treatment plan.
Allergies Can Cause Hair Loss
Some German Shepherds may lose hair due to allergies, which can be a frequent trigger. Allergies in animals should be taken seriously. Dogs can be allergic to almost anything, just like people. Some common allergy sources are:
- Foods, such as poultry or grains; some dogs are even allergic to peanut butter
- Medications, such as anxiety medication or joint supplements
- Household elements, such as the dog shampoo or laundry detergent
- Environmental elements, such as pollen and mold
- Parasites, such as fleas and mites
Parasitic allergies are one of the most common allergy triggers. If your dog is frequently itching, scratching, and otherwise biting specific areas, this may be why.
Allergies can be addressed with medication, allergy shots, pills, diet changes, or lifestyle changes. Your vet may also recommend eliminating all potential allergy causes and reintroducing them one at a time in order to gauge what causes the hair loss.
Lack Of Hair From Rashes And Hives
Similar to allergies, your dog may break out in rashes or hives as a result of an environmental or other triggers. Common triggers include:
- Insect bites
- Insect stings
- Medications
- Chemicals
These triggers are often topical, meaning they come into direct contact with your dog’s skin. Lawn care treatments, shampoos and conditioners, and even pool chemicals can all cause your dog to have an adverse reaction.
Your dog may have an immediate or delayed reaction. Monitor the rash to see if it resolves within a few hours. Schedule an appointment with your vet if the rash doesn’t resolve, appears to need emergency treatment, or is reoccurring.
Infections May Hurt Your Dog’s Coat As Well
Serious hair loss may be caused by a previous or ongoing infection. Infections can have a variety of sources. Some more common sources of infections and skin infestations include: Ringworm, Mites, Bacteria and Mange.
Different types of infections may cause different symptoms. For example, ringworm causes inflammation and infected crusts, while mites cause oily skin. Common symptoms across different infections include itching and inflammation, and all will also result in hair loss.
You may also be able to gauge the type of infection by the hair loss itself. Ringworm causes circular hair loss, whereas mites cause general hair loss around the ears, eyes, and mouth.
Your vet will be able to diagnose and treat infections. Have a list of the symptoms ready, in addition to a stool sample. Infections can be treated with medication and antibiotics.
Cushing’s Disease
Cushing’s disease, clinically known as hypoadrenocorticism, is when your dog produces too much of the hormone cortisol. This can cause hair loss.
Symptoms include a distended stomach and excessive drinking, eating, urination and panting.
If you notice two or more of these symptoms in addition to your dog’s hair loss, schedule a visit with your vet to see if it could be Cushing’s disease.
Hypothyroidism Causes Hair Loss, Among Other Things
Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough of the hormone thyroxine. Without enough of this hormone, your dog’s metabolism will slow to dangerous levels. This can cause hair loss, among other symptoms related to your dog’s coat. Other symptoms include:
- Lethargy, exercise intolerance, or generally decreased energy levels
- Mental dullness and a lack of interest in food, toys, and/or people
- Weight gain regardless of diet, potentially resulting in obesity
- An intolerance to hot and cold weather, specifically cold weather
- Changes in the coat and skin, such as skin thickening
This disease commonly affects middle-aged medium and large breeds. Because of this, German Shepherds are at risk. However, they are not a breed that is predisposed to developing this condition. High-risk breeds include: Cocker Spaniels, Miniature Schnauzers, Dachshunds, Doberman Pinschers and Golden Retrievers.
If you have any of these breeds in addition to your German Shepherd, pay close attention to the symptoms. And remember, although German Shepherds are less likely to be affected by hypothyroidism, they can still be at risk because of their size and age.
Hypopituitarism is another congenital disease that is characterized by hair loss, and which may present similar symptoms to hypothyroidism.
Pressure Sores May Limit Hair Growth
Dogs may also lose hair where their elbows and other bony body parts come into contract with the floor and other hard surfaces. Over time, this pressure causes the hair to fall out. The skin will thicken into calluses, which can in turn pressure sores if the calluses crack, become infected, or are otherwise damaged. Dogs that are prone to this condition include:
- Older and middle-aged dogs
- Overweight or naturally bulky dogs
- Lean and naturally bony dogs
Each of these types of dogs tends to put more pressure on their joints.
Pressure sores can be easily treated with antibiotics and bracing. You can also use moisturizers and thicker bedding to treat sores and prevent future ones from forming.
Stress Harms Your Pup In More Ways than One
If your German Shepherd has been stressed for a prolonged period of time, this can either directly cause hair loss or cause behaviors (such as excessive licking and itching) that will eventually result in hair loss. Some common stressors are:
- Separation anxiety
- Environmental anxiety
- Boredom / lack of enrichment
- Lack of social interaction
- Feeling threatened
All of these may be prolonged stressors that can cause your dog to lose hair. Other events that can cause stress, such as vet visits, are not prolonged and so are less likely to be the underlying cause of the hair loss. However, you should still carefully examine all the elements of your German Shepherd’s life that could cause stress and work to mitigate it.
Make Sure To Check For Neglect And Abuse
Unfortunately, sometimes it’s a previous owner’s ill-treatment that causes hair loss. Starvation, dehydration, and neglect can cause dogs to lose their hair. For dogs with thick coats like German Shepherds, hair loss caused by neglect and abuse is even more apparent. The rapidity of the hair loss will depend on factors such as the age of the dog, the overall health of the dog, and the period of neglect.
Similarly, the rate at which the dog will regain hair once in a safe environment will also depend on these factors. Younger dogs that were in better health before the neglect will recover more quickly than older dogs or dogs who have been consistently neglected over a long period of time.
Diagnosing Hair Loss
There are a variety of methods your vet may use to find out what is causing your German Shepherd’s hair loss. A physical examination is generally a given, as your veterinarian will need to examine the dog for themselves in order to accurately understand and treat the hair loss and underlying issue. Other procedures they may perform or request include:
- Physical examination, which is useful for cataloging the breadth, pattern, and distribution of hair loss
- Skin scraping and coat combing, for identifying skin infections and parasitic hitchhikers
- Diagnostic laboratory tests, including smears and cultures, to help identify skin infections
- Skin biopsies, which are also useful for identifying infections and inflammatory and cancerous health conditions
- Blood and urine samples, to identify hormonal imbalances and related diseases
Having access to a detailed medical history can also be very helpful so that the vet can examine or rule out genetic, hereditary, and other pre-existing factors. They can also look at factors that your dog’s specific breed is affected by.
Your vet will also be able to identify if your dog is experiencing true hair loss or excessive shedding. Though there are actions you can take to mitigate excessive shedding, it is not a health concern that will negatively impact your dog’s quality of life.
Shedding vs. Hair Loss vs. Hairlessness
There are different types of hair loss, some of which are natural and some of which are indicative of underlying health concerns. Shedding and hairlessness are both normal processes that may be hereditary or a result of simple genetics. Conversely, hair loss is not natural for most dogs and is usually a symptom of a more serious issue.
You can usually tell the difference between the two with some careful research and observation. Who knows your best friend better than you? Keep an eye on your German Shepherd and carefully examine its coat and skin.
Shedding
Shedding is a natural process wherein old or damaged hair comes loose from a dog’s coat. It may occur seasonally or year-round, depending on your dog. The amount and frequency of the shedding may depend on several factors, such as:
- The dog’s breed – Dogs that have thick coats, like German Shepherds are more prone to shedding than short-haired dogs, such as Basset Hounds.
- The dog’s age – Is this dog still a puppy, middle-aged, or a senior canine citizen? Elderly dogs are more prone to shedding, versus a puppy that’s still growing its coat.
- The dog’s health – Some dogs may have past, pre-existing, or current health issues that can affect shedding.
- Hormone levels – During specific periods of your dog’s life, such as a pregnancy, they may under- or over-produce hormones, causing shedding.
- The current season – Dogs develop thicker coats in the fall and winter, while in warmer seasons like spring and summer they shed or “blow” their coats.
- How often the dog is groomed – Regularly grooming a dog can cut down on the amount of hair they shed, as opposed to irregularly or never brushing your dog.
When a dog sheds, their hair follicles and coats are still healthy. They have new hair growing or already grown in to replace the hair that sheds off. Although they may have places where their coats are thinner, especially when transitioning to a summer coat after the cold weather, they won’t have bald spots or bare patches.
Hair Loss
Hair loss is when a dog loses its fur due to an underlying health issue. The hair follicles and coat won’t be healthy, and there won’t be new hair growing in. Some early signs of hair loss in your German Shepherd may include:
- Fur that feels dry and brittle
- Fur the breaks off or falls off easily
- Fur that falls out unevenly
- Fur that falls out in clumps
- Other skin problems, such as inflammation
- Skin that is tender and may hurt to be touched
If you notice any of these symptoms, watch your dog closely and make an appointment with your veterinarian if the problem persists.
You should also trust your instincts. As a pet parent, you know your German Shepherd best. Is what’s happening normal shedding that you’ve dealt with in the past, or is it unusual hair loss that isn’t typical for your dog?
Hairlessness
For breeds like the Chinese Crested and Mexican Hairless, having little to no hair is normal. These types of “hairless” dogs are bred to have exposed skin and minimal hair. Hair loss may also be hereditary or genetic, which is perfectly natural and not a cause for alarm.
Similarly, other breeds are prone to developing bald spots in specific areas after they mature. Common areas that may lose hair include:
- Outer ear
- Chest
- Lower belly
- Inside of thigh
- Lower neck
Chihuahuas, Greyhounds, and Whippets are just three breeds where this is common. If your German Shepherd was bred with one of these breeds, they may be lacking hair in some spots.
Hairlessness and bald spots caused by genetics are natural and not a cause for worry. Though you should monitor these areas to make sure there are no underlying conditions.
When To Contact Your Vet
When your dog starts losing hair as opposed to simply shedding, it may be time to contact your veterinarian. Though hair loss can be due to a non-life threatening event, such as exposure to pollen, it may also have a serious impact on your dog’s quality of life. Hair loss relating to diseases and infections are two such examples.
If you suspect that your dog is suffering from an underlying condition causing the hair loss, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible to set up an appointment and examination. Carefully record and communicate the symptoms you’ve noticed, as they may be instrumental in identifying the health issue causing the hair loss.
No matter what, it’s important to remember to give your furry best friend the love, attention, and care they deserve. Realizing your dog is suffering from hair loss can be distressing, but whether your dog needs medication for allergies or new toys to combat boredom, your German Shepherd will soon be happy and healthy again.