What should I do if my dog has a bald spot?

As dog owners, we should always keep the bald area clean and monitor if it is infected. If it is developing more and more bald spots in different areas for your dog, then you should bring them to a veterinarian as they have better knowledge on how to treat your dog with the issue.

5 Reasons why dogs have bald spots

Parasite infestations

Are your dogs losing hair?

Are they getting some bald spots?

If yes, then maybe it's because of alopecia. One reason they're having alopecia is due to parasitic infestations.

Parasites are classified as

• Fleas.
• Ticks.
• Mites.
• Lice.

If your dog is infested with any of them, they can cause intense itching and scratching, which can result in hair loss in the long run.

Skin conditions in dogs, such as flea allergy dermatitis, can occur when dogs develop an allergic reaction to flea saliva.

It can cause severe itching, leading to hair loss, mostly on the dog's tail base, hindquarters, and back.

Allergic reactions

Like humans, dogs can also get an allergic reaction to different environmental allergens, such as:

• Pollen.
• Mold.
• Dust mites.
• Certain foods.

Some of the signs that your dog is having an allergic reaction are:

• Itching.
• Scratching.
• Inflammation of the skin.

All of these signs can be a huge problem in the long run, as dogs will start to lose their hair when left unaddressed.

Allergic skin conditions like atopic dermatitis cause dogs to lose the hair on their bodies, particularly in their face, paws, and bellies.

Skin infections

Whether it is a fungal, bacterial, or yeast infection, any of them can cause bald spots on your dogs. 

However, they can only happen secondary to the underlying condition that your dogs are experiencing.

It may be because of allergies, hormonal imbalances, or even injuries, which are all can compromise your dog's skin health.

When left untreated, skin infections can turn into inflammation, redness in the area, crusting, and ultimately, hair loss in the affected parts. 

Hormonal imbalances

Hormonal imbalances can also be a factor in why your dog is losing hair and having some bald spots.

When your dog's thyroid hormones or sex hormones are imbalanced, it can be the main reason why they have some bald spots on their bodies.

Another condition called hypothyroidism is also one more known cause for dogs having bald spots.

The condition is characterized as insufficiency in thyroid hormone production for dogs, which can result in them having thinner hair and a dull and brittle coat.

Another hormonal imbalance condition that causes your dogs to lose their hair and develop bald spots is Cushing's disease. 

Trauma and injury

Sadly, trauma and injury can also cause bald spots in your dogs.

Whether it is:

• Burns.
• Wounds.
• Abrasions.
• Surgical incisions.
• Repetitive friction from harnesses or collars.

All of these can contribute to your dog losing some hair and developing bald spots.

On the other hand, hair loss can also be a reaction as your dog is healing from their injury or wounds.

Do bald spots on dogs grow back?

When properly treated, there is a very high chance that your dog's hair will grow back, and all of the bald spots will be covered again with hair. However, the timeline can vary on how bad the problem is, the dog's health, and how effective the treatment is.