With their sensitivity to cold and delicate skin, you have every reason to be concerned about your Chihuahua’s hair loss. There are several reasons that your precious pooch could be losing hair, not all of them cause for alarm. With a little extra TLC, and possibly a prescription from your vet, your Chihuahua will be sporting a full coat before you know it.
Determining what the underlying cause to your Chihuahua’s hair loss is will help you get the proper treatment for your little friend.
This type of Chihuahua hair loss is a natural response to the weather. Almost all dogs lose some of their hair at several different times throughout the year due to changes in the seasons.
Just like humans, Chihuahuas can develop allergies to many different things.
- Contact Dermatitis – With such delicate skin, it is not uncommon for Chihuahua hair loss to be caused by allergies. Irritated skin may cause your pup to scratch constantly which will make his hair fall out in particular areas. This type of hair loss may be treated with allergy medicine or, in extreme cases, steroids prescribed by your veterinarian.
- Allergic Reaction – Some Chihuahuas will lose their hair as a result of a negative reaction to medications or vaccinations. This type of Chihuahua hair loss usually works itself out naturally.
- Flea Allergy – Many Chihuahuas have an allergy to fleas. Even a single bite can cause them to become very itchy and they can eventually lose hair due to extensive scratching. Having your Chihuahua on a good flea control program is essential for dogs that have flea allergies.
- Food Allergies – A lot of Chihuahua hair loss can be traced to a food sensitivity or allergy. If your Chihuahua is allergic to something she is eating, she may develop red, irritated skin and hair loss due to excessive itching. A high quality, grain-free food can help minimize this type of hair loss.
There are several illnesses that can cause Chihuahua hair loss. These will need to be diagnosed and treated by your veterinarian. Two of the most common are:
- Cushing’s Disease – This condition is caused by too much cortisol in your Chihuahua’s blood. One of the symptoms of Cushing’s is hair loss but it can be treated with medication. Your vet will have to run some tests to determine if this is the reason for your Chihuahua’s hair loss.
- Diabetes – Diabetic dogs can have unhealthy immune systems that make them more susceptible to infection, skin problems, and hair loss. Your vet can help treat this cause of Chihuahua hair loss and make your baby more comfortable.
Mange is one of the worse causes of hair loss in dogs and there are three different types of mange that dogs can get. Cheyletiella mange is the least severe and the easiest to treat. This type of mange causes dandruff and itchy skin that may lead to mild hair loss. Demodectic mange will cause your dog’s skin to be painful, crusty, and oozing because the hair follicles are clogged with mites. If left untreated, a dog with this type of mange will have major hair loss. This type of mange is very contagious to other dogs and the treatment for is extensive. The third type of mange is called Sarcoptic mange and is also known as scabies. Sarcoptic mange is contagious to other dogs and humans as well. All three types of mange are caused by mites and must be treated by a veterinarian.
These are some of the most common reasons behind Chihuahua hair loss. Once you understand why your little friend is losing her hair, you will be able to get her the treatment she needs and help her grow a healthy coat.