Q: My dog seems to lose a lot of hair currently. How do I know if he is shedding or whether something else is wrong?
A: Dogs’ hair grows continuously like our hair does and as it gets to the end of the growth cycle it will be shed. This is a normal process for dogs.
The amount of hair that they shed will depend on the breed, season and the health of the dog. Stress is another factor that contributes to hair loss, which is why dogs seem to shed more when they go to the vet or are in any other stressful situation.
Shedding is serious when it includes other symptoms, such as thinning of the coat/bald patches, itching and scratching, or if it occurs along with skin lesions.
If this is seen, take your dog to the vet immediately.
Dr Vanessa Mcclure, veterinarian
