A Pomeranians coat of fluffy fur is its crown and glory. It can be shocking and extremely concerning if your Pomeranian starts to lose its fur. What causes hair loss in Pomeranians?
Hair loss in Pomeranians can be caused by genetics, parasites, adrenal hormone imbalance, alopecia, thyroid dysfunction, diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, allergic reactions, seasonal shedding, and the puppy uglies.
In this article, I discuss the reasons why Pomeranians lose fur, when you should be concerned and what you can do about a Pomeranian’s hair loss.
- What Should A Pomeranians Coat Look Like
- Is It Normal For Pomeranians To Lose Hair
- How Often Do Pomeranians Lose Their Hair
- Why Is My Pomeranian Losing Fur
- Why Would A Dog Suddenly Start Losing It’s Hair
- What Is Alopecia In Pomeranians
- What Causes Alopecia In Pomeranians
- Why Do Pomeranians Get Alopecia
- What Are The Signs Of Alopecia
- How To Treat Alopecia In Pomeranians
- Can A Pomeranian Lose Fur And It Not Be Caused By Alopecia
- How Can I Stop My Pomeranian From Losing Hair
- How To Prevent Hair Loss In Pomeranians
- What Deficiency Causes Hair Loss In Dogs
- Is Alopecia Contagious
- Final Thoughts
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What Should A Pomeranians Coat Look Like
Pomeranians have beautiful fluffy coats that make them distinctly unique.
A Pomeranians coat consists of two layers of fur a soft and dense undercoat (ground hair) that keeps them warm and a longer more textured outer coat (guard hair) that protects them from the elements.
A Pomeranian’s coat can vary from time to time but, overall you should expect a Pomeranian to have a full coat with a mane of fur on its chest and a curly fluffy tail curled onto its back.
Does A Short-Haired Pomeranian Exist?
Is It Normal For Pomeranians To Lose Hair
It is normal for Pomeranians to lose their fur. There are three situations when we can expect a Pomeranian to lose fur and we should not be alarmed.
The Puppy Uglies
Pomeranian puppies go through a coat transition within their first year of life that is usually completed by the time they are fifteen months of age.
During this time they lose their puppy fur and grow in their beautiful adult coats.
When Do Pomeranians Get A Full Coat?
Seasonal Shedding
Pomeranians like other double-coated dogs will “blow their coats” seasonally. Seasonal shedding occurs in order for your dog’s coat to transition from the winter and summer seasons.
Seasonal shedding can be expected during the Spring and Fall.
Your Pomeranian may not experience excessive seasonal shedding depending on your climate, lifestyle, and how often you brush your dog.
Hormonal Shedding
Female Pomeranians will experience natural hormonal shedding after they have weaned a litter of puppies.
Her coat will return to normal around six months after giving birth.
How Often Do Pomeranians Lose Their Hair
Most Pomeranians will shed their fur twice a year.
In the fall their summer coats are shed for their thicker winter coats to grow in.
In the Spring the Winter coats are shed for lighter-weight summer coats.
Why Is My Pomeranian Losing Fur
In order to find the reason behind your dog’s hair loss, you need to first evaluate if there are any normal reasons for the hair loss and if your dog has shown any other health or behavioral changes.
There are many reasons your Pomeranian may be losing its fur, I suggest contacting your vet to rule out any possible health conditions.
Do Pomeranians Have Hair Or Fur?
Why Would A Dog Suddenly Start Losing It’s Hair
If your dog suddenly starts to lose its hair and it’s not due to the puppy uglies, seasonal shedding, or a new mom who has weaned her puppies it may be caused by a variety of allergies or health conditions including alopecia.
What Is Alopecia In Pomeranians
Alopecia is mild to a severe canine skin condition that causes hair loss.
Dogs that have alopecia will often lose their fur and their skin can become pigmented with a black pigment.
Alopecia is often referred to as Black Skin Disease (BSD).
What Causes Alopecia In Pomeranians
Alopecia is caused by an adrenal imbalance of hormones (testosterone and estrogen) along with a depleted production of melatonin.
The hormone imbalance affects the growth phases of the hair follicles causing hair loss or the inability to regrow hair.
Low levels of melatonin stimulate pigment cells to cause the skin to turn darker over time.
Why Do Pomeranians Get Alopecia
Pomeranians are predisposed to inherit alopecia.
Some other breeds that are known for having alopecia are Siberian Huskies, Chow Chows, Keeshonds, Minature Poodles, and Samoyeds.
What Are The Signs Of Alopecia
Alopecia can affect dogs at any age.
The most obvious symptom is a dog that is losing fur over time. The fur loss usually occurs over the back and trunk of the body sparing its head and front legs.
You may also notice a darkening of the skin along with hair loss.
How To Treat Alopecia In Pomeranians
Treatment for alopecia can be tricky at times and usually calls for a trial-and-error approach from your vet.
Alopecia is considered a cosmetic condition and doesn’t affect the quality of life or well-being of a dog.
Your vet may approach the dog’s alopecia in two ways. The first is directed at the follicles themselves while the other focuses on your dog’s hormones.
Your vet may prescribe a variety of medications and treatments for your dog based on your dog’s unique condition.
Can A Pomeranian Lose Fur And It Not Be Caused By Alopecia
There are conditions that can cause your Pomeranian to lose fur that is not connected to alopecia or normal shedding.
The following conditions can cause loss of fur.
- Depression
- Stress
- Dehydration
- Liver Disease
- Kidney Disease
- Parasites
- Hypothyroidism
- Infections
- Cushing’s Disease
- Canine Diabetes
- Hormones
- Folliculitis
- Changes in eating and drinking habits
- Toxic Coat Care Products
How Can A Dogs Emotions Be Linked To Hair Loss
Depression, Stress, and anxiety can all cause a dog to lose its hair.
Just like humans, a dog’s emotions are tightly linked to its overall health.
Your dog’s coat may start to lose its luster and fall out at a faster pace than normal. Your dog may also start excessively licking and creating red sore bald patches.
How Can A Dogs Hormones Cause Hair Loss
I previously mentioned how female Pomeranians will shed after weaning a litter of puppies. There are other times when hormones may be the cause of hair loss (besides alopecia).
Adrenal Hormone Dermatitis can cause a dog to start losing the fur on its tail, the hair loss can then extend down through the dog’s body.
Hormonal Dermitits in males can occur and cause hair loss, usually neutering the dog will clear up this condition.
How Can A Dogs Diet Cause Hair Loss
If a dog is not consuming a healthy diet it may be lacking in some key nutrients that keep them healthy.
The main nutrients that can affect a dog’s coat and skin are Biotin, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Protein, and Iron.
Ensuring that your dog is well-hydrated is also very important to your dog’s overall health and well-being.
How Can Dog Shampoo Cause Hair Loss
Dog shampoos can contain many toxic chemicals that can irritate and damage a dog’s coat and skin.
These chemicals can cause your dog’s fur to have poor hair growth, become frizzy, become dry, fall out, irritate the skin and cause allergies.
Avoid the following in your dog’s shampoo and conditioners Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS), Synthetic Fragrances, Coloring dyes, Parabens, and Phthalates.
The Ph level in a dog shampoo or conditioner can also cause hair loss and damage. Make sure the ph level in your products is not between the range of 4 to 5.5.
How Can I Stop My Pomeranian From Losing Hair
The first place o start when you are concerned that your dog is losing fur is a visit to your vet.
Once your vet has ruled out any serious health conditions you should discuss the following options to improve your dog’s coat.
Supplementing with Omega-3 fatty acids can improve the condition of your dog’s coat and overall health.
Nourishing your dog’s skin with a safe skin treatment, shampoo, and conditioner with restorative ingredients can help when your Pomeranian has been losing fur.
The act of massaging the cream into your dog’s skin can help stimulate growth.
In extremely severe cases only and under your vet’s supervision your vet may prescribe melatonin supplementation.
How To Prevent Hair Loss In Pomeranians
Brushing your dog often can help stimulate the follicles for new hair growth and remove the dead hair to allow airflow to the follicles.
Providing your dog with a healthy diet and exercise.
Routine vet check-ups to maintain and monitor your dog’s health.
How Should I Groom My Pomeranian
Pomeranians should be brushed a couple of times a week with a slicker brush.
Bathe your Pomeranian as needed or every six to eight weeks. It is best to start bathing your dog when it’s a puppy so it will be well-adjusted to the experience.
Make sure to select safe shampoos that are not animal tested or full of toxic ingredients.
It’s not necessary to bring your Pomeranian to the groomer. It’s up to you how often you use a groomer’s services. We’ve only used our groomer for a hair mat we were nervous about trimming ourselves.
What Deficiency Causes Hair Loss In Dogs
If your dog is deficient in melatonin, iron, or Omega- 3 fatty acids your dog may suffer from poor coat and hair loss.
Is Alopecia Contagious
Alopecia itself is not contagious but, if the hair loss is caused by parasites, bacterial infections, or fungal infections those are contagious.
Final Thoughts
A Pomeranian may lose its fur for a completely normal reason like seasonal shedding or due to a skin or health condition.
If you notice any abnormal hair loss in your Pomeranian I suggest bringing your dog to the vet for an evaluation.
Your vet can diagnose your dog’s condition and offer a tailored treatment plan.
Luckily, today there are many options for treating hair loss in dogs.
It can be hard if your fluffy friend is not looking so fluffy.
