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Why does my Pitbull have white flaky spots and hair loss on his back?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | American Pit Bull Terrier | Male | unneutered | 6 years and 2 months old | 65 lbs

Collar is a pitbull. He has never been diagnosed with a skin condition but for about a month now he has whit spots on his back. They were flacky like dandruff but now they are white. They have no hair on the patches. He doesnt scratch as much as he use to but we dont know why he has that. He continues to eat the same food and we having noticed we changed anything around him. Should we continue to just shower him with medicated shampoo or is there an over the counter medication we can put on him

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

Published on December 13th, 2017

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I think continuing the use of a medicated shampoo would be good as he likely has secondary infections. I think this could be due to allergies and it would be crucial to identify the allergic component to try to see if he can improve. 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 skin tests.

Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

    Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

    Published on December 31st, 2017

    Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This may be 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 skin tests.

    Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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My 7-month Pitbull has balding, flaky skin, and dandruff. What to do?
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