---
title: "Cushing's Disease in Dogs: Signs, Coat Changes & Vet Advice"
description: "A York groomer on Cushing's disease in dogs: pot belly, excess thirst, thinning coat and hair loss, the signs a groomer may spot, and when to see your vet."
---
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Dog Health
# Cushing's Disease in Dogs: The Signs a Groomer Often Spots First
A York groomer on Cushing's disease in dogs: pot belly, excess thirst, thinning coat and hair loss, the signs a groomer may spot, and when to see your vet.
[Lucy](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-tips-and-tricks/author/lucy)
Oct 30, 2026
---
Cushing's disease is a condition I mention here partly because of where I sit: hands-on with dogs' coats and skin every week. Some of its signs, a thinning coat, hair loss, changes in skin, are exactly the sort of thing a groomer notices before an owner does. It's a hormonal condition, most common in older dogs, and while it develops slowly, spotting the pattern early gets your dog the right help sooner.
I want to be clear from the start: no groomer can diagnose Cushing's, and neither should any owner. What we can do is recognise the cluster of signs and know that it's a "please mention this to your vet" situation. Here's what that cluster looks like.
## What Cushing's disease is
Cushing's disease, or [hyperadrenocorticism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cushing%27s_disease), is caused by the body producing too much cortisol, a natural stress hormone. In small amounts cortisol is essential, but too much of it over time affects all sorts of things, from thirst and appetite to skin, coat and muscle.
It's usually driven by a small tumour on the pituitary or adrenal gland, and in some cases by long-term steroid medication. It's most often seen in middle-aged and older dogs. The condition comes on gradually, which is why the signs are so easy to put down to "just getting older".
## The signs to look out for
Cushing's tends to show up as a collection of signs rather than one obvious symptom. Common ones include:
- **Increased thirst and weeing.** Drinking noticeably more and needing out more often is one of the earliest clues.
- **A bigger appetite.** Often hungrier than usual, sometimes scavenging.
- **A pot-bellied, sagging tummy.** A rounded, swollen-looking belly is a classic sign.
- **Thinning coat and hair loss.** Often symmetrical, over the body and flanks, sometimes leaving the head and legs.
- **Thin, fragile or darkened skin**, slower to heal, and sometimes recurring skin infections.
- **Panting more, tiredness and muscle weakness**, or a generally "older" look.
The [PDSA](https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/pet-health-hub) and Blue Cross describe this same picture. It's the combination of thirst, appetite, a pot belly and coat or skin changes that should prompt a vet visit.
> **Groomer's tip:** Coat and skin changes are often the sign I spot first. If your dog's coat has thinned noticeably, they're losing hair symmetrically over the body, or their skin has become thin, fragile or slow to heal, don't just assume it's age or the weather. Mention it to your vet, because it can be part of a bigger picture.
## Why coat changes matter here
This is where a groomer's eye genuinely helps. Because we handle the whole coat regularly and see the skin underneath, we're well placed to notice:
- Coat that's become sparse, dull or slow to grow back after clipping
- Symmetrical hair loss over the trunk and flanks
- Skin that bruises or tears easily, or feels thinner than it used to
- Recurring or stubborn skin issues
None of these on their own mean Cushing's, and there are plenty of simpler reasons for coat changes. But if they turn up alongside increased thirst, a bigger appetite and a pot belly, they're worth flagging. A recent, unexplained change in the coat is always worth a conversation with your vet.
> **Vet note:** Cushing's can only be diagnosed by a vet, and it takes specific blood tests to confirm, as several conditions share these signs. The upside is that it's manageable, usually with medication and monitoring, so an early diagnosis really does help your dog.
## Living with a Cushing's diagnosis
If your vet diagnoses Cushing's, it's usually managed rather than cured, often with lifelong medication and regular check-ups to keep cortisol at the right level. Many dogs respond well and enjoy a good quality of life. As they settle, thirst, appetite and coat often improve too.
From a grooming point of view, dogs with delicate, fragile skin need extra gentleness, so it's always worth telling your groomer about any diagnosis so we can adapt how we handle and finish the coat.
## When to see your vet
Book a vet visit if you notice increased thirst and weeing, a bigger appetite, a pot-bellied appearance, or thinning coat, hair loss or fragile skin, especially in an older dog and especially if several appear together. There's no rush-to-A&E urgency with Cushing's itself, but the sooner it's investigated, the sooner your dog gets the right support.
## Frequently asked questions
**What are the signs of Cushing's disease in dogs?** Common signs are increased thirst and weeing, a bigger appetite, a pot-bellied tummy, and thinning coat, hair loss or fragile skin, often in older dogs. It's the combination that matters, so mention it to your vet.
**Can a groomer spot Cushing's disease?** A groomer can't diagnose it, but coat and skin changes are often noticed first during grooming: thinning coat, symmetrical hair loss or fragile skin. Those observations are worth passing on to your vet, who can investigate properly.
**Is Cushing's disease in dogs treatable?** Yes. It's usually managed rather than cured, most often with lifelong medication and regular monitoring. Many dogs respond well and enjoy a good quality of life once they're settled on treatment.
**What causes Cushing's disease in dogs?** It's caused by too much cortisol, usually from a small tumour on the pituitary or adrenal gland, and sometimes from long-term steroid medication. It's most common in middle-aged and older dogs.
## This isn't veterinary advice
We're professional dog groomers, not vets, so please treat this as friendly general guidance. If you're worried about your dog, or before acting on anything here, speak to your local vet. In an emergency, contact your vet or nearest out-of-hours clinic.
---
*Fluffs is a professional dog grooming salon in Wigginton, York, offering one-to-one grooming for dogs of every breed and coat type across Haxby, Strensall, Huntington, New Earswick and the surrounding villages. Regular grooming gives your dog's coat and skin a careful check every few weeks, so changes get noticed sooner. [Book your dog's next groom.](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/contact-fluffs)*
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