Dog Losing Hair & Developing Bald Spot on Top of Snout – Top 3 Reasons Why

Here are a few common reasons that may explain why a dog would suddenly lose hair and develop a bald spot on top of his snout.

1. Dog rubbing his nose too excessively

Some dogs may lose hair on top of their snout because they are rubbing their nose too much (to the point it becomes raw). For example, it can happen when a dog frequently rubs his nose against the crate, floor, or objects like the food and water bowl. The hair just above the snout should grow back if you can train your dog to stop rubbing his nose. If the food bowl is made out of plastic, it may also help if you switch it to a stainless steel bowl.

2. Skin disease like mange

Your dog could be suffering from a skin disease. Demodectic mange, for example, is a mite infestation that can start from the skin on top of the dog’s snout. In addition to the loss of hair, you may notice other concerning symptoms like scaling skin and excessive scratching. The vet will need to scrape a sample of the dog’s skin to diagnose the dog’s condition.

3. Autoimmune diseases

It’s not just skin disease that may cause dogs to lose hair on top of their snouts. It could also be due to other health disorders like autoimmune disease. Hypothyroidism, for example, may lead to hair loss or thinning of the dog’s fur. A trip to the vet is strongly recommended if the loss of hair above the dog’s snout is accompanied by other concerning symptoms like lethargy and changes in the dog’s skin pigmentation.