Finding thin patches or bald spots on your dog is unsettling, especially when you're used to a full, healthy coat. The short answer: shedding is normal, but actual hair loss, where the skin shows through in patches, is not, and it usually points to something that needs looking into. Common causes are parasites, allergies, hormonal conditions and stress. A vet check is the sensible next step, because the treatment depends entirely on the cause.
As a groomer I have hands in coats all day, so I've a good feel for the difference between a dog blowing their coat and a dog genuinely losing hair. Let me walk you through it.
Shedding versus hair loss: how to tell
Normal shedding, or moulting, is your dog cycling out old hair. It's even across the body, the skin underneath looks healthy, and it's usually heavier in spring and autumn. Double-coated breeds like Huskies, German Shepherds and Malamutes shed a lot, and that's normal for them.
Hair loss (the proper term is alopecia) looks different:
- Distinct bald patches or thinning where skin shows through
- Skin that's red, flaky, scabby, darkened or smelly
- Hair that comes away in clumps from specific spots
- Often accompanied by scratching, licking or chewing
If you're seeing bare skin rather than just more hair on the sofa, that's the sign to pay attention.
Common causes of bald patches
Hair loss is a symptom, not a diagnosis, so the same bald patch can have very different causes:
- Parasites: fleas are a huge one, flea allergy causes intense itching and hair loss, often around the lower back and tail base. Mites (mange) and lice also cause hair loss. The PDSA's guide to fleas on dogs is a good starting read
- Allergies: food or environmental allergies make dogs itch, and the scratching and licking wears the hair away
- Hormonal conditions: issues like an underactive thyroid or Cushing's disease often cause symmetrical hair loss on both sides of the body, sometimes without much itching
- Stress and habit: anxious dogs sometimes lick or chew one spot repeatedly (a "lick granuloma"), thinning the fur there
- Infections and other skin conditions: bacterial or fungal infections, including ringworm, can leave patchy loss
Because the causes overlap and some need blood tests or skin samples to pin down, this really is one to hand over to your vet. The PDSA Pet Health Hub is a good, vet-written place to read up on skin and coat conditions while you wait for your appointment.
Worth knowing: Symmetrical, even hair loss on both flanks with little itching often points to a hormonal cause, while intense itching and patchy loss more often means parasites or allergies. Either way, your vet needs to examine the skin to be sure, so please don't self-diagnose from a photo online.
When to see the vet
Book a vet appointment if you notice:
- Any bald patch or area of thinning where skin shows through
- Red, sore, scabby, darkened or smelly skin
- Constant scratching, licking or chewing at one area
- Hair loss alongside weight change, drinking more, lethargy or a dull coat (possible hormonal signs)
- Hair loss that's spreading or getting worse
The earlier the cause is found, the sooner your dog gets comfortable again, and some causes, like certain mites and ringworm, are best treated promptly.
How grooming fits in
Grooming won't cure hair loss, but it helps in two ways. First, a regular groom means we often notice thinning, flaky skin or flea dirt before it becomes obvious, and we'll flag it for you to raise with your vet. Second, keeping the coat clean and well brushed supports healthy skin and lets you spot changes early.
If your dog is a heavy shedder rather than losing hair in patches, that's a coat-management job, not a health one, and a proper deshedding treatment lifts out the dead undercoat far more effectively than home brushing alone. What we'd never do is groom over sore or broken skin, if the skin looks unhealthy, that's a vet visit first.
Frequently asked questions
Is my dog shedding or losing hair?
Shedding is even across the coat with healthy skin underneath and tends to be seasonal. Hair loss shows as bald or thinning patches where you can see the skin, often with redness, itching or scabbing. Patches of bare skin mean it's worth a vet check.
What are the most common causes of hair loss in dogs?
Parasites like fleas and mites, food or environmental allergies, hormonal conditions such as thyroid problems or Cushing's disease, and stress-related over-licking. Infections like ringworm can also cause it. Only a vet can confirm which one applies.
Can stress cause a dog to lose hair?
Yes. Anxious dogs sometimes lick or chew the same spot repeatedly, wearing away the fur. If you suspect stress, it's still worth a vet check to rule out pain or a skin problem driving the licking, and to talk about managing the anxiety.
Will my dog's hair grow back?
Often yes, once the underlying cause is treated, but it depends on what's behind it and how long it's been going on. Getting a diagnosis early gives the best chance of a full recovery.
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. During every groom we keep a close eye on your dog's skin and coat and will gently flag anything that looks worth a vet's attention. Book a one-to-one groom or deshed.