Alek G.
04/18/2022
If we would ask pet owners what is the first thing they spot on dogs, we’re quite sure they would tell it’s their coat. When a Frenchie has a fragile, dry, and dull-looking coat, it’s a clear sign something is going on in its body. Why is your French bulldog losing hair can become one of your worst nightmares, especially if you can’t determine the cause of the problem.
To help your dog have a smooth and shiny coat again, we decided to help you find out all the potential causes of your French bulldog’s hair loss issue.
The French bulldog’s hair loss cycle can be a bit complicated, but it is usually due to seasonal changes in their body. If the excessive shedding continues year-round though there may be an issue with health or some other factor that affects both your pup’s coat and mood!
During the summer months, it’s normal to see your French bulldog losing hair more than usual. That’s the way how he prepares his coat for colder months and renews hair follicles. In other cases, a dog will lose hair in case of underlying skin conditions, allergies, and other reasons.
Allergies in French bulldogs are very common, so you have to check whether your French bulldog losing hair due to food or environmental allergens. Since sometimes it can be quite difficult to determine the root of the problem, you have to monitor your dog’s behavior as well. For example, does your Frenchie gets itchy when you get back from a walk? Is your Frenchie having diarrhea or some other symptoms that could point to a food allergy? These are only some of the questions to reveal.
Dermatitis occurs not only due to environmental allergens but also by taking certain types of drugs. Another reason for your French bulldog losing hair can be Acral Lick Dermatitis. It’s a condition where a dog excessively licks his paws or some other part of the body which leads to hair loss.
A Frenchie can lick or chew his paws when feeling stressed, anxious, and fearful. Since the dog’s saliva contains the enzyme that can cause localized dermatitis, you have to treat this condition early to stop spreading all over the dog’s body.
Dermatitis usually occurs when the Frenchie’s skin comes in contact with certain chemicals. Even using inappropriate shampoo for a French bulldog can cause this condition. That’s why you have to be very careful when choosing cosmetics for your little gremlin. These dogs have extremely sensitive skin, so they require using hypoallergenic dog shampoos.
House cleaning chemicals, laundry detergent, and floor cleaning agents can also cause dermatitis in your Frenchie. In case your dog spends most of the time on the floor or likes to cool off on tiles in the summer, then try to find ecological floor cleaning agents that won’t cause his skin itchy.
One of the worst nightmares of every dog and its owner is mange. They are caused by mites that bury in the hair follicles of a dog. There are two types of mange (Sarcoptic and Demodectic), and the Sarcoptic type is more severe and contagious to humans. The first symptoms to spot on a Frenchie who got Sarcoptic mange is itchiness between the nose and eyes.
Mange is followed by coat thinning and developing bald patches that appear black or grey. Demodectic mange can be transmitted from bitch to her pups during the first days of life. In dogs with normal immunity, demodectic mites will stay within normal limits. However, if mite population outbreaks, dogs, especially puppies can’t defend themselves properly.
Just like humans, our dogs can also suffer from hormonal imbalance. The thyroid gland is one of the main ones responsible for controlling hormones not only in humans but also in dogs. That can be one of the main reasons why is your French bulldog losing hair.
In case your dog doesn’t show itchy behavior, then you can ask your vet to perform a blood test. Markers for the thyroid gland as well as blood sugar levels will point out whether your dog suffers from diabetes or hormone imbalance.
Bacterial infections can also be one of the reasons why is your French bulldog losing hair. The canine skin is home to a variety of bacteria and yeast, but sometimes these tiny creatures can get out of control. An infection may result in hair loss, redness, and pimples on the French bulldog’s skin. It could also cause itching for several hours each day as well as strong and unpleasant smells that usually occur when there has been bacterial growth. Fungal yeasts don’t produce much evidence other than an odor and itchy behavior. A Frenchie with yeast infection will release a sort of popcorn smell between the toes or some other area on the body.
To make your dog’s coat shiny and smooth, it’s important to feed him the appropriate diet. A well-balanced diet is a key to a dog’s immunity that will reflect through his coat. Besides, maintaining good hygiene is also important. Your furry friends should be regularly groomed and bathed.
Our advice is to comb your Frenchie’s coat twice a week and bathe him every month. Some dogs can bathe once every third month, however, Frenchie’s have folds and they are prone to environmental allergens, so regular bathing is more than essential.
You can also add Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids to your French bulldog’s diet to improve his coat. Olive oil and coconut oil can be taken orally, and you can apply them to the dog’s skin directly at least two hours before bathing.
The solution made of 50% apple cider vinegar and 50% of water can also leave a beneficial effect on your Frenchie’s hair. Besides, it will make it look shiny but it will also protect his skin from different bacteria.
Applying scrambled yolk to the dog’s coat is another tip that will improve the quality of hair. Smear the yolk into the dog’s coat at least 2 hours before bathing and his coat will look smooth and silky.
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