Do you love to hear that your French bulldog’s coat looks healthy, smooth, and shiny? Well, we are sure that every dog owner feels proud to hear that his dog looks healthy and nurtured. Unfortunately, sometimes we can encounter certain problems and one of them is French bulldog hair loss. French bulldog hair loss can be a desperate moment both for the owner and his pet. That’s why it’s important to discover the trigger and help your pet on time.
What are the common causes of French bulldog hair loss?
A French bulldog hair loss issue can be caused by many factors. During the shedding season, your dog will lose more hair than usual. However, if the hair loss becomes excessive, and your Frenchie develops hairless spots on his body, it’s a clear sign that you need to react quickly.
One of the first things every owner should know to recognize is the pet’s strange behavior. Does your dog excessively scratch his skin to blood? Does he seem nervous and incapable to settle down? Besides these two symptoms, your Frenchie’s hair loss can be followed by numerous other symptoms as well.
The main reasons for this unpleasant condition could be allergies, poor nutrition, mange, dermatitis, parasite Alopecia, genetics, and hormonal imbalance.
Allergies in French bulldogs are often caused by different environmental allergens such as seasonal pollen, different house cleaning products, laundry detergent, and dust. Your Frenchie can also be allergic to ingredients in his diet such as corn, soy, by-products, and artificial colors and flavors. That’s why every dog owner should carefully choose a diet for his Frenchie and read the labels on dry kibble or canned dog food.
Dermatitis in French bulldogs is closely connected to allergic reactions caused by environmental elements. Your pet’s skin can become itchy, red, and develop watery blisters that can easily become infected if not treated on time. We don’t recommend your home treatment because this condition can be an introduction to severe issues and permanent hair loss is one of them.
- Poor nutrition
One of the reasons for a French bulldog hair loss issue can be poor nutrition. During the adolescence period, your Frenchie requires to eat healthy meat proteins that will help him to build muscle mass. So, in case you’re not sure what food brand to choose for your French bulldog, we suggest you choose the one that contains a recommended balance of proteins, carbohydrates, and omega oils for your dog’s age.
- Mange
One of the first signs that will show you if your French bulldog’s skin became affected with mange is a skin covered with sores or thickened and dark patches. It is a disease caused by mites that burrow deep into the coat and cause severe pains and itchiness. If you leave it untreated, your Frenchie can even develop wounds and infections that will be difficult to heal.
There are two major types of mites that affect dogs:
- Sarcoptic mange
- Demodectic mange
Both scabies and Demodex require topical treatments that will control the mites and heal the skin. Bathing with medicated shampoos is important, as well as using topical applications that will help you kill the mites. In some cases, Frenchies may also need oral therapy as well.
- Genetics
We all know that Frenchies belong to the group of the most expensive dog breeds. They are difficult to breed not only because they are incapable to mate traditionally, but also because the breeder should select quality bloodline dogs for breeding. Buying Frenchie puppies for a small amount of money is not advisable because it’s often a sign that you’re buying a pet with a tendency to suffer from different health issues.
- Acral lick dermatitis
Acral lick dermatitis is triggered by a psychical disorder. Since French bulldogs are on a higher tendency to suffer from anxiety and separation anxiety, you should carefully monitor your dog’s behavior in certain situations. Does the condition get worse every time your dog spends time alone? If the answer is yes, then you can be quite sure that the excessive licking is caused by a mental factor.
- Hormonal imbalance
Improper work of sebaceous glands can cause different skin issues such as seborrhea and dandruff. Since these conditions can be very itchy, a dog can develop cuts that can quickly become infected.
How to prevent French bulldog hair loss?
- Include supplements
To maintain a healthy and shiny coat in your Frenchie, you can include different supplements into your dog’s diet. Besides, feeding your pet with food rich in antioxidants such as blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, can make your Frenchie’s skin elastic, hydrated, and smooth.
Feeding your dog with fish will also do a lot for his skin and coat. Fish represent the best source of Omega oils that are known as one of the best ingredients for maintaining a healthy coat.
- Choose the appropriate French bulldog shampoo
Choosing the right shampoo for a French bulldog plays an important role in preventing different skin issues too. Our advice is to choose a dog shampoo free of parabens that contains natural ingredients such as Aloe Vera and Olive oil. Both Aloe Vera and Olive oil regenerate the skin and make it look fresh and healthy.
- Regularly brush your dog’s coat
The dog’s skin produces oils that serve to keep its skin moisturized and protected. However, brushing is required to spread the oils through the dog’s coat. If you’re not sure what type of grooming brush to use for your Frenchie, we recommend you buy the following Grooming glove. It is practical to use, and the silicone pins are soft, so they won’t hurt the dog’s skin. Besides, the glove will help you reach all hidden places on your dog’s body.