What is Dog Hair Loss & Cat Hair Loss?
Dog Hair Loss & Cat Hair Loss is the abnormal thinning or complete loss of hair, and the medical word for it is alopecia. Hair loss is so common that it is one of the main reasons pets visit their veterinarians. Hair loss always indicates a medical problem, and fortunately the most common cause is an allergic reaction to fleas. Hair loss caused by fleas is easily remedied with topical flea treatments and removal of fleas from the environment. The opposite of hair loss is hair growth or hirsutism, which is also a medical problem. How does hair grow? Hair begins growth within a little pocket called a follicle where it is nourished by proteins and other materials in the blood. Blood also carries hormones, such as epidermal growth factor, that determine the growing, resting, regressing, and shedding phases. Hormones that control hair growth are influenced by sunlight and temperature, so that many pets have major growing and shedding cycles each spring and fall. With more pets kept indoors
