Although pom breeds are known for their fluffy hairs, they’re not heavy shedders. So if you find your dogs experiencing fur loss, it’s best to check if it roots from any health issues. Before panicking over your pet’s condition, make sure to read the list of possible pomeranian hair loss causes curated by our team of experts to help fellow owners.
Common Causes of Hair Loss in Pomeranians
Shedding
Fur shedding usually happens when a pomeranian puppy reaches 5 to 6 months old. This process allows your dog’s hair to take off its puppy coat and be replaced by an adult coat. Puppy uglies phase will continue for at least 2 months or so.
Aside from naturally losing the puppy coat, shedding may appear often during the spring and autumn seasons. You may find this concerning at first, but as long as your dog’s skin isn’t fully showing, it’s a normal occurrence. If you want to lessen the amount of dog hair flying around, we advise you to brush it daily.
Alopecia X
One of the most alarming pomeranian hair loss causes is Alopecia X, commonly known as black skin disease. The cause of this genetic skin condition starts with an irregular immune system often seen in Nordic dog breeds.
The signs of Alopecia disorder include severe hair loss on the pomeranian’s body, which won’t grow back once shed. There’s no permanent treatment yet for dogs with health issues like these, and it may occur anytime within the growth of your pom.
If you suspect Alopecia as the cause of your dog’s fur shedding issues, our team’s advice is to let the vet run tests on the skin and coat of your dog first.
Bacterial Infection
Aside from Alopecia X, the hair growth of a pomeranian breed could sometimes be affected by bacterial infections. Hair follicles located on a pomeranian’s body with minimal fur coats, like the abdomen area, are vulnerable to this infection.
A vet would recommend treatment and medicine for this, but if it recurs often, your pom could have possible underlying health issues.
Reaction to Drug or Medication
Pomeranians could sometimes lose hair through the effects of a drug. These cases generally happen in the first two weeks upon using the medication. Other signs include skin redness and swelling papules. For the hair to grow back, immediately stop drug intake and treat symptoms according to the vet’s instructions.
Food Allergies
Like humans, Pomeranians can have specific food allergies.
Aside from hair loss, dogs with allergic reactions will exhibit symptoms like inflamed ears or severe itchiness. Changing your puppy’s diet could ultimately solve this problem.
Allergic Reaction to Surroundings
It’s not very rare for Pomeranians to suffer from hair loss when exposed to particles like dust, pollen, mites, and molds. If reducing contact with these allergens is impossible, our team highly recommends using high-quality shampoo, conditioner, and other helpful supplements to keep their coat and skin healthy.
Lick Granuloma
Although it’s normal for dogs to occasionally lick their paws, it can quickly become an obsession. The possible causes of Lick Granuloma are stress and anxiety, which makes dogs lose hair. Relieving the root of this disorder can be tricky, and intake of behavior medications may be necessary.
Hormonal Imbalance
Aside from black skin disease, sex hormone disorder is among the most complex causes of fur shedding. This issue emerges when the adrenal gland of a dog decreases in hormone production.
Pomeranians with this affliction tend to show symptoms at two years old and can be easily detected through hormonal blood testing. Once tested, dogs will be recommended to take adrenal hormone supplements or to neuter.
Bad Grooming
Any dog, including Pomeranians, could lose hair through bad grooming. The mismanagement of the coat and skin of a puppy leads to irritation and infection that eventually results in excessive fur shedding. The absence of hair could leave the skin dry, so most vets would prescribe fish oil or any omega-3 supplements [1].
FAQ
How do I get my Pomeranian to stop losing hair?
Your pomeranian will stop losing hair if the root problem is identified properly and professionally. Through tests or skin biopsy, conditions like black skin disease, allergy, hormonal imbalance, and infection can be detected. After that, follow the vet’s advice and treat symptoms to let your buddy regain its beautiful coat.
Why is my Pomeranian shedding so bad?
There are many reasons why your pomeranian is shedding so bad. Upon reaching the 5th month, they’ll naturally shed puppy coatings and acquire new ones. This process will continue for two months or more. It could also be due to the season. However, if you still think it’s not normal, you can always consult a professional.
Conclusion
There are many causes of pomeranian hair loss, and it’s easy to panic and be overwhelmed, especially if you’re a new dog owner. If you happen to find some symptoms similar to those listed in this post, our team’s advice is to call or visit the vet’s clinic for a consultation immediately. While it’s good to be aware, professional help will reduce the risk of wrong health assessments.
