My poodle's hair is falling out! Causes and solutions
A poodle's coat needs a lot of care and even with the most dedicated care, problems can occur ... sometimes seemingly out of nowhere. Here we tell you why a poodle sheds hair and possible solutions. Hair loss in female poodles and how to care for puppy hair.
Do poodles moult?
Poodles do not shed their hair.
So if your poodle's hair is falling out, it is a serious matter to find out the cause and find a solution.
2 Characteristics of the poodle's coat that keep it from shedding:
- A poodle does not have a double coat of fur. so characteristic of many other dog breeds. Poodles have a unique, dense coat of curly hair. Like human hair, it grows and some hairs fall out. When hairs fall out of a Poodle's coat, they often grow back into the coat. Therefore, a Poodle does not shed in the traditional sense of canine shedding. And for this reason they are considered ✅ Hypoallergenicand ideal for people suffering from allergies to dog hair.
- Son hypoallergenicAs they do not lose hair during moulting (which they do not have), they are more accepted and tolerated by people with allergies, especially those allergic to hair; although it should be noted that some people may be allergic to this breed. Why? Because hair can contain different amounts of dander and some people may be allergic to it. Also, all dogs have allergens, these are microscopic elements of dander. Many dog breeds shed this dander every 3-4 days, which causes allergy symptoms in those who are sensitive to this (about 10% of people).
IMPORTANT: The Poodle and other breeds of dogs like the Schnauzers are shed from the skin approximately every 21 days, which greatly reduces the amount of allergens that could trigger an allergic reaction.
Coat of puppy vs. coat of adult poodle
Poodles are born with their coat as a puppy. Often, this coat will look and feel very different from an adult poodle's future coat.
Many poodle puppies have a very soft, wavy coat compared to the coarse, curly coat of adults.
For miniature and toy poodles, the coat will constantly change until they have their adult coat.
This process usually takes about 9 months.
When a poodle is approximately 18 months old, it will have its full adult coat.
In some cases, it will take 24 months to obtain the final adult coat.
Once this change is complete, the coat will be easier to maintain.
But, during this time of growth, the coat can become very matted.
Large mats (tangles) can ruin a coat and often need to be cut if they cannot be worked by hand.
For this reason, it is important to brush the coat with a suitable brush. We recommend you to read: How to care for a poodle's coat to know how to brush it and which products to use.
This is also true for the standard or giant poodlesHowever, this stage does not last that long.
The giant poodle will undergo a coat change between 9 and 16 months of age. The change will last approximately 3 months.
The poodle's hair
The coat is one of the most important elements for which the Poodle breed is known ... its most outstanding feature!
For this reason, anyone who owns a poodle should be aware of all the hair problems that can affect this breed of dog.
If a poodle's hair is thinning, you should look for the cause to find a solution, as it is not normal.
To learn more we recommend you read these informative articles we have prepared especially to help you learn more about the poodle's coat and its care:
How long does it take for a poodle's hair to grow?
How can you cut your poodle's hair at home?
The 7 best shampoos for poodle dogs
How to care for a poodle's coat (NEW - super cool!💥)
Knots in a poodle's coat? 10 tips & free PDF (NEW - super cool!💥)
Hair loss in female poodles
If your poodle has hair loss and it is a female, pay attention to these details...
A female poodle requires attention and extra care of her coat, as it can thin and shed when she is in heat, and also when she is pregnant or nursing a litter of puppies.
For many female poodles, the coat can be affected by hormonal changes, in particular, by an increase in estrogen, which occurs when she is in a heat cycle and also after giving birth and nursing her litter.
The female's coat may fall out, sometimes so severely that the skin is exposed in many areas.
This can happen in random areas of the body.
If this happens, it may take up to 4 months for the poodle's hair to grow back and look normal.
Unfortunately, at that point the dog will be almost ready to enter another heat cycle.
Therefore, if you do not plan to breed your puppy, it is best to spay her so that she does not suffer from hormonal hair loss.
My poodle's hair is falling out!!! Possible cause
There are several health problems that can affect a poodle's coat, and cause your poodle to shed, these are some of the most common:
Allergies
Poodles are quite prone to food allergies and also to cosmetic and sanitary products.
Watch this special feature to learn more: Pipettes in poodle dogs, allergies!
Commercial dog food additives, dog shampoo and other products can cause intense itching that can cause a dog to scratch so severely that hair loss and scabbing occurs.
Therefore, you should always consult your veterinarian if you have any doubt and if you see any unfavorable reaction in your poodle when applying a new product, giving a snack or changing food.
Alopecia
If you have a male miniature cancihe and his hair is falling out, he may be suffering from alopecia.
This is a condition that causes hair loss in miniature poodles. You should note that this condition mainly affects male miniature poodles. Generally, this condition responds to growth hormones. As a result, it usually affects miniature poodles at the puberty stage.
Your veterinarian may choose not to treat the condition until your dog's puberty stage is over. This is when your dog's hormonal balance will allow for excellent treatment.
Still, we recommend that you take your dog to the veterinarian for a professional opinion and medical attention. Also, you may not know the exact cause of the hair loss and poodles can lose hair from so many causes, that it is always best to check with a professional.
Red scabies
When a poodle has an allergic reaction to the microscopic mites that live on all dogs, it causes patches of hair loss.
They are quite common in poodles, especially white poodles, which are more prone and their pink fur is quite delicate.
Sebaceous adenitis
This is an inherited medical problem, which causes the coat to be affected or to fall out completely.
This condition affects the sebaceous glands in your poodle's skin. Basically, it damages the sebaceous glands and this, in turn, will cause hair loss in poodles.
It is a condition that can be stopped if all breeders perform DNA testing when breeding dogs.
If your poodle has this condition, and loses hair, you will notice that his coat lacks its characteristic curl.
This is the first symptom of this condition and your poodle may have localized or patchy alopecia.
Taking him to the vet will be your only option. Of course, your veterinarian may recommend a medicated shampoo to combat this condition.
In addition, I might recommend hot oil treatments and more omega-3 fatty acids in your poodle's diet.
Castration-sensitive dermatosis
It is a hair loss in young male poodles that begins in the groin area and may spread throughout the body. It requires consultation with a veterinarian for treatment.
Hypothyroidism
This thyroid gland health problem in a poodle can affect its coat and cause the coat to become excessively thick and have an abnormal texture.
This condition has the potential to cause lethargy and mental dullness, all of which can affect your dog's behavior. Like all other health-related problems, it also presents other symptoms: weight gain, brittle coat, dandruff and oily skin, just to name a few.
If you notice these symptoms, it will be necessary to carry out the appropriate treatment with the veterinarian.
Hair loss in poodles: when hair does not grow back
When a poodle has health problems that cause the hair to fall out or be affected, there is always the possibility that the coat will not grow back as expected. This is called post loss alopecia.
Studies are currently underway to better understand this.
It is thought that there are certain changes that occur in the dog's skin due to temperature changes that occur when the coat has fallen out or become very thin.
When this happens, it can take up to 24 months for the poodle's coat to grow back.
There have been some promising results in the use of melatonin to help stimulate hair follicles. You can consult your veterinarian for this medication if your poodle is shedding hair.
Poodle toy loose hair
Remember to follow our advice and take your toy poodle to the vet as soon as possible if it sheds hair. Remember that a poodle does not shed its coat, so it is not normal for it to shed hair.
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Super interesting article!!!
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