Our Best Dog Hair Loss Home Remedies

Dog hair loss home remedies

Abnormal hair loss (alopecia) can affect any dog, regardless of breed, age, or gender. Treating it involves addressing the underlying cause. If the area of hair loss is inflamed, it’s most likely an allergy reaction and can be treated with coconut oil, castor oil, sunflower oil, shea butter, or beeswax.

On the other hand, if it's not inflamed, the hair loss could be due to hormonal imbalance, poor diet, seasonal shedding, or parasites. Noninflammatory hair loss requires hormonal therapy, a balanced diet, and regular grooming.

In this article, we will look at the natural home remedies you can use to treat your dog’s hair loss. Let’s get started!

How to treat dog hair loss naturally

Improve your dog’s diet and ensure it gets enough high-quality protein, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty Acids, vitamins E, A, and B, and minerals like zinc and copper. In addition, regularly brush your dog’s coat and treat skin infections using an apple cider vinegar and water mixture.

Improve diet

Ensure your dog gets enough high-quality protein from chicken, turkey, or fish sources. Add fish, flaxseed, or salmon as they are rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids (fatty acids boost a healthy coat). Lastly, ensure your dog gets enough vitamins like Vitamin E, A, and B, along with minerals like zinc and copper.

Regular grooming

Regular grooming removes dead hair, stimulates hair follicles, and distributes natural oils. Remember to use a shampoo made specifically for dogs. If you don’t have that available, use diluted baby shampoo or any of these alternatives.

Apple cider vinegar

Due to its acidic nature, apple cider vinegar has antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties that can help with yeast infections, bacterial infections, dry and itchy skin, hot spots, and mild skin irritations.

Mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle. After bathing your dog, spray the mixture on the affected areas, avoiding open wounds or sensitive areas like the eyes. Let it air dry and only rinse off if your dog shows signs of irritation. 

Baking soda

Baking soda is a natural deodorizer with antifungal and antibacterial properties that can help with skin irritations such as itchy skin, insect bites, mild skin infections, and allergic reactions.

Note that baking soda doesn't directly increase hair growth in dogs. However, it can help with the underlying conditions contributing to hair loss.

Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda on the affected skin area and gently rub it in. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes before brushing it out. This can help reduce itching and irritation.

You can also dissolve 1/2 cup of baking soda in a bath of lukewarm water and soak your dog for 10 to 15 minutes. This can soothe the skin and reduce inflammation.

Olive oil/coconut oil

Olive oil is rich in antioxidants and contains vitamin E, which can help repair damaged skin and promote hair growth. Coconut oil has antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties and is an excellent moisturizer that can soothe dry, irritated skin, eczema, dermatitis, minor wounds, and inflammation.

Warm a small amount of olive oil and massage it directly into the affected areas. Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing off with a mild dog shampoo. This helps moisturize the skin and promote healthy hair growth.

If you use coconut oil, massage a small amount into the affected skin areas. Leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse with a mild shampoo. 

You can also leave the oils on and not rinse off if your dog doesn’t mind the greasy texture.

Honey

Raw or Manuka honey has strong antibacterial and antifungal properties that can help prevent and treat infections that cause hair loss. It can reduce inflammation and soothe irritated skin, which may promote hair regrowth.

Clean the affected skin area with warm water and gently pat dry. Apply a thin layer of raw or Manuka honey directly to the affected area. Leave the honey on for 20 to 30 minutes, then gently rinse it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this 2 to 3 times a week until you see improvement.

Mange in dogs: hair loss treatment

Mange is a skin disease caused by mites that affect dogs in three forms: sarcoptic (scabies), demodectic (red mange), and otodectic mange. The symptoms include intense itching, hair loss, skin thickening, scratching around the head and ears, dark discharge, and an unpleasant odor from the ears.

If your dog shows signs of these symptoms, try these home remedies to help.

Aloe vera

Aloe vera is known for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce the discomfort caused by mange. 

Apply pure aloe vera gel directly to the affected areas of your dog's skin. Apply it 1 to 2 times daily to keep your dog comfortable and help with healing.

Oatmeal bath

Oatmeal soothes inflamed skin and provides relief from persistent itching. Grind plain, unflavored oatmeal into a fine powder and mix it into a lukewarm bath. Allow your dog to soak for about 10 to 15 minutes. After the bath, rinse your dog with lukewarm water and gently pat the skin dry.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil has moisturizing, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties that provide immediate relief from itching and help prevent further irritation from scratching. Apply a small amount directly to the itchy areas and gently massage it into the skin.

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) balances the skin's pH and reduces itching. Mix equal parts of ACV and water in a spray bottle and lightly mist the affected areas on your dog’s skin.

Baking soda

Baking soda helps relieve the itching caused by mange. Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with a small amount of water to create a paste. Apply the paste to the itchy areas on your dog's skin and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing off with lukewarm water.

Note: While these home remedies effectively manage the itching and other symptoms of mange, monitor your dog's condition closely. If you notice signs of infection, such as pus, increased redness, or swelling, or if the symptoms fail to improve with these treatments, contact a vet immediately. 

Home remedies to help dog hair loss

Home remedies for hair loss with inflammation focus on controlling the inflammation and addressing infections or allergies. Home remedies for hair loss without inflammation address underlying diet issues or stress factors.

The home remedies we have listed—apple cider vinegar, baking soda, olive oil/coconut oil, oatmeal, aloe vera, and raw or Manuka honey—help with dogs’ hair loss. 

Lastly, if hair loss doesn’t improve with time, consult a veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

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