Why is my dog's hair falling out in one spot and skin flaky?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | 20 lbs
Dog's hair falling out in one spot
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on July 10th, 2020
Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Sammy and for providing a picture, it's very helpful. In the picture, I swear I see some dry, flakey skin. I'm wondering if he has a skin infection causing the hair loss and flakey skin. Without seeing him in person, I can't make a definitive diagnosis. I would have him seen by a vet to have this diagnosed and treated. Give his vet a call to make him an appointment. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on June 12th, 2021
Hi there, Thanks for the picture. It appears the wound itself is superficial, but with all the skin flakes, I worry there could be some type of skin infection involved. If he is itchy and bothered by that area, that raises my suspicion for an infection or other skin problem. I'd have him seen by his regular veterinarian this week for a physical, and they will guide you best on diagnostics or treatments after seeing him. In the meantime, you can clean the area with warm saline or epsom salt water and then let it dry. I wouldn't apply any ointments as sometimes these can trap and worsen an infection if present. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
I just noticed a skin irritation with alot of flaky particles, not really sure if it's skin or not. I tried to get touch it and remove some of it and his hair is coming out in clumps. 5yo blue heeler with no known health problem.
Hi there, Thanks for the picture. It appears the wound itself is superficial, but with all the skin flakes, I worry there could be some type of skin infection involved. If he is itchy and bothered by that area, that raises my suspicion for an infection or other skin problem. I'd have him seen by his regular veterinarian this week for a physical, and they will guide you best on diagnostics or treatments after seeing him. In the meantime, you can clean the area with warm saline or epsom salt water and then let it dry. I wouldn't apply any ointments as sometimes these can trap and worsen an infection if present. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Sammie has had 3 of these type of spots in the past 3 months. She experiences hair loss, and then develops redness with a circle. We’ve taken her to the vet numerous times and they keep thinking it’s an allergy. We did an allergy test and are awaitin
Hello and thank you for reaching out to Boop by Petco. This spot looks like a "hot spot", or moist dermatitis. These occur from a dog licking repeatedly at a particular area, causing hair loss and severe irritation of the skin. This causes trauma to the skin, resulting in superficial bacterial infections that are very itchy and can create a constant cycle of itching and licking. Sammie should wear an Elizabethan collar at all times that she has any of these hot spots to prevent her from licking and causing further trauma. Hot spots occur because of any underlying problem, most often allergies. The top skin allergies in dogs include flea allergies, food allergies, and atopic dermatitis (or environmental allergies). I would ensure that Sammie is on a veterinarian-approved flea and tick preventative consistently. The next most common allergy is a food allergy, and the only way to diagnose this is with a diet trial, or an elimination trial. This requires feeding either a 'novel protein die
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has a spot where he is losing hair and it is getting bigger . Also, his skin is peaking like dry.
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! It is hard to know without being able to examine him. This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. Other possibilities include mange and ringworm and an exam and diagnostics would be needed to know. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allerg
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
my dog suddenly has white raised patches of skin in her ears that I can scratch off with my nail. they remove chunks of her hair when they come off, no bleeding, she's on bravecto
Hi there and thank you for using Boop by Petco to address your concern. Judging by your description, it sounds as though Shiloh may have a skin infection or seborrheic dermatitis possibly. Without pictures and not being able to examine the area myself, it is difficult to say for sure. I would recommend having a veterinarian examine Shiloh so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. Shiloh may need an oral antibiotic and topical therapy for treatment. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Sudden hair loss in less than a month. inside of ears became pinkish/warm with a fishy odor. Thought it was mites so applied drops that had worked wonders before. Odor went away, but inside of ears became dry, flaky skin/dandruff & some itchyness. Wi
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! He is adorable! This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or sk
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dogs skin is flaking and peeling. He doesn't scratch a lot but has huge flakes in his hair. He also has red spots where the flakes come from.
Would it be possible for you to repost your question with pictures of the spots and the dry skin flakes? I would love to be able to help you with the specific problem. I will provide information below on a possible cause from your description in the meantime.
I am so sorry to hear that Boomer is having such a hard time with his skin, it sounds like a case of moist dermatitis or "hot spot". Hot spots can be very difficult to heal, and take a long time. The keys to a successful healing process are;
Treating the underlying cause- for example parasites such as demodex nor fleas
A clipped area around the sore
Cleaning the sore with a vet prescribed antiseptic
Leaving the sore open to dry out (as the moisture promotes bacterial growth)
Antibacterial/ hydrocortisone spray prescribed from the vet for healing
An e-collar to prevent Boomer from scratching or biting at the hot spot and making it worse
Measure the hot spot with a ruler, and compare in a few days time to make sure that it
Updated on September 24th, 2025
New Pet
Hello, its my first time taking care of my puppy so i ask if every puppy have those things i don't know what it is, it's so dry and detaching to he's skin i put oil on it, take a look i attached the phone. Thankyou please respond
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This looks like a focal infection. You can try to use a medicated shampoo containing chlorhexidine twice weekly for 2 weeks. If there is no improvement or in the meantime this appears to be getting worse, have him evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a good night!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has lost almost all of his hair on the bottom half of his body. There's no change in behavior or anything else that is a concern. Do you know what this could be? The hair he still has on top is shedding like crazy.
Hi and thanks for using Boop by Petco! Sorry to hear about Sam. This is a bizarre hair loss pattern for sure. Not sure what is causing this and I would advise that you take Sam in for a vet evaluation. Many different things can cause hair loss including external parasites (fleas, ticks, mites, etc), bacterial skin infection, allergies, endocrine/hormone problems (thyroid, etc), contact irritants, etc. Your vet can evaluate Sam and then advise some diagnostic or treatment plan for Sam. Diagnostics may include some skin tests including a skin scrape, fungal culture, blood work, etc. to try to determine what is going on. Your vet may even advise a referral to a dermatologist in your area if they cannot determine what is going on. Once a diagnosis is made, a treatment plan can be recommended to treat this condition. I will just say that this pattern of hair loss is not typical so I am very interested to know what is going on.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have a picture just wondering what this is on dog skin
Thank you for using Boop by Petco! I can see an area of hair loss, redness, thickening of the kin, and what appears to be a scratch. This can be caused by bacterial or fungal skin infections such as ringworm, skin mites, or autoimmune diseases. I recommend having your dog seen by a vet as ringworm can be transmitted to people. I hope this helps and that all is well!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My 8 month old St Bernard is losing her hair and is almost completely bald in some places. She also has some sores on her skin. What should I do to make her skin better and her coat grow back and be healthy?
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is possibly due to allergies. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. This could potentially be due to mites for example and a physical examination and diagnostics would help to determine this. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environment
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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