Ask Our Vet – Hair Loss in Dogs and Cats

Do animal coats have a seasonal shedding cycle? When is the normal shedding period?

The hair follicle cycle has three development phases: anagen or growth phase, catagen or maturation phase, and telogen or shedding phase. The shedding period depends on each specific breed, although there are always two general shedding seasons: spring and autumn.

Do short-haired and long-haired animals shed differently?

Yes, they shed differently because each has a cycle and a way of shedding hair. For example, Labradors and Goldens shed continuously throughout the year.

What can be done if a dog or cat is losing more hair than usual?

Obviously, take your pet to the vet/dermatologist who can differentiate whether the alopecia is inflammatory or non-inflammatory and, from there, develop different differential diagnoses.

If a dog or cat loses hair abnormally, what could be the reason?

If it is accompanied by itching, it may be due to non-inflammatory alopecia, whether parasitic, infectious, or a consequence of CAD.

If this alopecia is non-inflammatory, endocrine, genetic (genodermatosis), or neoplastic diagnostic protocols will need to be developed to reach a definitive diagnosis.

How to prevent it?

Maintaining proper skin hygiene and hydration is essential for the good performance of the skin barrier and thus avoiding alterations in its microbiome and microbiota.

What products can we use for this and how do they help?

We should use both a shampoo and a conditioner that provides optimal functioning of the skin barrier, giving it a good structure and conformation, with a frequency of use depending on the evolution of the lesions and their complexity.

In this regard, PSH's Skin Sensitive and Ozone ranges are capable of restoring and maintaining the skin barrier.