Dog Pulling Out Hair: Why Is My Dog Pulling Out Her Hair and What Can I Do?

Okay, so, picture this: I’m chilling at home, right? Just another ordinary day. And I’ve got this adorable dog, Bella. She’s usually all fluffy and happy, but lately, something’s been off. I started noticing these little bald patches on her fur. At first, I thought, “Maybe it’s just shedding, no biggie.” But then, I caught her in the act – actually pulling out her own hair! Like, what the heck? My poor Bella looked like she was waging a war against her own fur.

Naturally, I panicked a little. I mean, who wouldn’t? So, I did what any responsible dog owner would do – I took her to the vet, I mean like, as soon as possible. The vet took one look at her and started asking all these questions about changes in her environment and any new things happening in our lives. Bella’s a pretty chill dog, but I guess even the smallest things can stress them out. Come to find out, it could be allergies, some skin thing, or even just stress.

The vet said because she can’t tell me what’s wrong, she’s just doing what she can to tell me something’s up. They suggested trying a few things to help her out.

What I did

• Gave her a bath: I used this gentle, oatmeal-based shampoo. I’d heard it’s good for soothing itchy skin. She seemed to like it, or at least she didn’t fight me on it, which is a win.
• Tried some home remedies: I’m not usually one for this stuff, but I figured, why not? I dabbed a little coconut oil on the spots where she’d been pulling her hair. I also tried aloe vera. Seemed to calm the area down a bit.
• Checked her food: I switched up her food to something hypoallergenic, just in case it was something she was eating. It’s only been a little while, so I’m not sure if it’s helping yet, but fingers crossed.
• Kept her from chewing: This was the hard part. I got her one of those cone collars – you know, the “cone of shame”? She hated it, obviously, but it did stop her from getting at her skin.

It’s been a journey, let me tell you. We’re still trying to figure out the exact cause, but at least she’s not pulling her hair out as much anymore. I’m keeping a close eye on her and trying to keep her as stress-free as possible. Lots of cuddles and walks in the park seem to be helping. I guess the lesson here is to pay attention to your furry friends. They can’t exactly tell you when something’s wrong, so you gotta watch for the signs. And, you know, maybe stock up on some of that soothing shampoo – just in case.