Why Do Dogs Pull Their Hair Out? Simple Reasons and What to Do!

You know, I have a dog, and lately I’ve been noticing something really weird. He’s been pulling out his own hair! I was like, “What the heck is going on?”

First, I watched him for a few days. I noticed he was doing it more when he seemed itchy or uncomfortable. He would bite and gnaw at his fur, especially around his paws and tail. Sometimes, he was just bored, lying there, pulling out hair like it was a fun activity.

• I started by ruling out the obvious. Fleas? Nope, we’re good on that front. I give him regular flea treatments, and I checked him thoroughly – no little buggers jumping around.
• Then I thought, maybe it’s his food? I did some reading, and some folks online said allergies can cause this kind of thing. I don’t think he’s allergic to his food but maybe something new i added to it.
• So, I switched his food to something hypoallergenic, just in case. It’s been a couple of weeks, and I think it’s helping a little, but he’s still doing it.
• Next, I considered that he might be stressed. We did just move to a new house, and he’s always been a bit anxious. So I made sure he has a cozy little corner with his favorite blanket and toys. I also started taking him on longer walks and playing more fetch to tire him out.
• Then a friend told me about this stuff called “chew guard.” Apparently, it tastes awful to dogs, and you can spray it on their fur to stop them from chewing. I haven’t tried it yet, but it’s on my list.
• I also grabbed one of those cone collars, you know, the “cone of shame”? He hates it, but it does stop him from reaching most of the spots he’s been chewing. He gives me the saddest puppy-dog eyes when he’s wearing it, though.

Finally, I took him to the vet. She checked him over, and she thinks it’s a combination of things – maybe some mild allergies, some anxiety, and a bit of boredom. She gave me some tips on managing his anxiety and recommended a special shampoo to soothe his skin.

The Result

Honestly, it’s still a work in progress. He’s not pulling out his hair as much as before, but he’s still doing it sometimes. I’m just trying to be patient and keep trying different things until we find what works best for him. It’s a real head-scratcher, but I’m determined to figure it out!

I keep talking to him, even though he doesn’t understand every word. I tell him he’s a good boy and that we’ll get through this. Sometimes, I think he understands more than we give him credit for.

It’s tough seeing him uncomfortable, but I’m not giving up. We’ll get to the bottom of this hair-pulling mystery one way or another! My dog, he means the world to me. I just want him to be happy and healthy, fur and all!