What are the Causes of Poodle Hair Loss? Here is What You Need to Know

The poodle is a dog breed that is easy to identify. One of the physical characteristics that make him easily identifiable is his curly and tightly wound fur. Poodles’ fur has more than one function: it protects him from the cold and gives him a beautiful look!

Besides, their fur collects less dander and this makes them ideal for dog owners who are allergic. But as beautiful as their fur might be, poodle hair loss is a common problem. And some conditions are the main cause of this problem.

What Conditions Cause Poodle Hair Loss?    

You might spot hair loss in your poodle if you’re an owner. When you spot poodle hair loss, you should take your dog to a vet for medical care. As we’ve already mentioned, some conditions might cause poodle hair loss, and they include the following:

Atopic Dermatitis    

This is one of the conditions that cause poodle hair loss. Usually, this condition is inherited. If your poodle has the Atopic dermatitis condition, his immune system will overreact to certain environmental allergens such as pollen and grass.

And if he is in an environment with these allergens, he might develop some symptoms: itching, localized redness on the ears and belly, sneezing, and running nose. You will need to take your poodle to a vet.  

The vet will probably make a diagnosis based on the symptoms, but she may perform a skin scraping for confirmation. This condition can cause discomfort and itching, which might make your dog scratch his coat.

Prolonged scratching might cause serious skin infection, which is why you need to see a vet immediately. Notice that this condition is prevalent during the end of summer when the pollen is in plenty. Also, this condition is most common in poodles around the age of 1 to 3 years.  

But every problem has a solution. And this one is no different. Your dog will need to avoid grass and pollen. Also, you should incorporate a cleaning regimen during grooming routine if you want to tackle this cause of poodle hair loss.

Hypothyroidism 

This is yet another condition that can cause poodle hair loss. However, it results from hormonal imbalances, and it is not hereditary like the first one. It can cause other problems besides causing hair loss in your poodle.  

This condition has the potential to cause lethargy and mental dullness, all of which can affect your dog’s behavior. Just like all other health-related problems, this one too has symptoms: weight gain, a brittle coat, dandruff, and greasy skin, just to mention a few. 

Your poodle might also have pimples on his skin. If you notice these symptoms, take your poodle to a vet immediately. Your vet will take his blood and urine samples for a test. And then she will prescribe a lifelong hormone replacement therapy medication if your dog tests positive for this condition.  

This condition might make your poodle have a puffy appearance if untreated. It is, therefore, advisable to take your poodle to a vet as soon as you notice the symptoms we’ve already mentioned in this section.  

Alopecia 

This is a condition that causes fur loss in miniature poodles. You should note that this condition mainly affects male miniature poodles. Usually, this condition is responsive to growth hormones. As a result, it usually affects miniature poodles at the puberty stage. 

One major symptom of this condition is symmetrical hair loss. If you see this symptom, take your miniature poodle to a vet as soon as possible. The vet might prescribe medication based on visual examination, but he may need to perform skin scraping and biopsies for confirmation.  

This is necessary to rule out other conditions related to Alopecia like hypothyroidism. Although this condition will make your miniature poodle lose some fur, it does not affect his health; just his appearance!  

Your vet might choose to not 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, it is recommended that you take your dog to a vet for a professional opinion and medical care. Besides, you might not know the exact cause of the poodle hair loss that your dog is having!  

Sebaceous Adenitis 

This is another hereditary condition that can lead to poodle hair loss. This condition affects the sebaceous glands on your poodle’s skin. Basically, it damages the sebaceous glands, and this will, in turn, cause hair loss. 

If your poodle has this condition, you will notice that its hair lacks the “kinkiness” that poodle hair should have. This is the first symptom of this condition. Layer, your poodle might have localized, patchy Alopecia.  

Once your dog reaches this stage; he will start to lose some fur. And taking him to a vet will be your only option! Of course, your vet might recommend a medicated shampoo to tackle this condition.  

Also, she might recommend hot oil treatments and more omega 3 fatty acids in your dog’s diet. In this case, you will simply need to feed oilier fish to your poodle and this condition will go away. Remember to take your poodle to a vet within a short time after noticing this condition.  

Also, be sure to take him when you see hair loss. The vet will take visual examinations, run some tests, and prescribe the best medication! Don’t leave anything to chance since your dog deserves the best care possible. 

What are the Other Causes of Poodle Hair Loss? 

Some parasites can also cause your poodle to lose some fur. These parasites include mites, fleas, and ticks. That’s not all. Other conditions include pressure sores and self-mutilation that result from anxiety.   

However, these causes are not exclusive to poodles only. Other dog breeds can also suffer from hair loss due to the conditions mentioned in this section. Nevertheless, you will need to take your poodle to a vet if you notice he is losing some of his furs.  

Your vet will take a closer look at your poodle and make prescriptions. Also, she might recommend a few preventive actions. For example, if environmental allergens cause your poodle to lose some of his furs, the vet will recommend that your dog should avoid places with the allergens. 

And if parasitic infections and flea bites are the main causes, the vet will recommend medicated shampoo for baths. The solution to the hair loss problem might be different if other factors such as pressure soreness are the cause. In this case, your vet will recommend that you change your poodle’s lifestyle and mobility routine. 

However, a vet might not offer the best solution to poodle hair loss due to self-mutilation. In this case, you want to seek the help of a professional canine behaviorist. Food allergies can cause poodle hair loss. Also, they can cause skin loss.  

Poodle hair loss that results from food allergies might have some accompanying problems such as digestive problems. So, if your poodle has hair loss problems and digestive issues, there is a good chance that he is allergic to some food. As always, you will take him to a vet for a professional opinion and medical help. Again, don’t leave anything to chance.  

Conclusion

Poodle hair loss is a common problem. But like most problems, if not all, this one too has a solution. However, you will need to take your poodle to a professional vet who will diagnose the cause of the hair loss before recommending medication.

If you were wondering what causes hair loss in poodles, you have your answer now. Information is power, and you can use it to take the appropriate action. Taking your dog to a vet as soon as you notice any symptom will save your poodle’s health. You should, therefore, act fast before the situation worsens. 

Your poodle’s hair is important for keeping him warm and giving him his exquisite and elegant look! Take good care of it even if it means seeing a vet. Your poodle is your best friend and he deserves the best care.