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Puppy losing hair in patches. What's causing it and is it serious?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Pinscher | Male | unneutered | 3 months and 19 days old

My puppy is developing is developing small bald patches around his body. They aren’t open and he is eating fine, his weight is fine and ears and eyes normal. Will it just grow back or is it something more sinister?

5 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Marlow Ball, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on October 29th, 2017

Puppies are at risk for mites like demodex, ring worm, bacterial infections. I would recommend an exam with your vet and a skin scrape to look for mites. Some mites are contagious to people like sarcoptic mange. Some mites are not.
Hope that helps

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Maria DVM
Veterinarian
I recommend taking Cosmo to a veterinarian. The looks of the bald spots can be something called demodex. This is a normal mite that lives in the hair follicles of dogs. When a dog's body is stressed, even if it is just from growing, demodex can over grow and cause bald spots. They are usually not itchy unless the areas become infected. Treatment is recommended before the lesions spread.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and I hope Cosmo is feeling better soon!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Amy S. Eutsey, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on October 29th, 2017
It would be very unusual for a puppy this young to have bald patches from a dietary issue. Patches of hair loss in young puppies can indicate a type of mange caused by a skin mite called Demodex or a fungal infection known as ringworm. The third possibility is a bacterial infection. We may be able to help you more with a photo, but I would suggest that Cosmo go to a veterinarian for an exam.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on June 15th, 2019
With healthy shedding there is no bald spots. So to me, this looks like either mange or a flea allergy. I know you said he isn’t scratching but some of the areas do look red (could just be photo quality). With the flea allergy they’re actually allergic to the saliva of the flea so it only takes one to bite them for a reaction to happen; but usually they are scratching. I suggest you get him to your vet for an exam so they can give you a diagnosis and he can get the proper treatment.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Rebecca, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on June 7th, 2017
Hi. Hairless areas on a puppy found be from scratching (fleas or allergies) mange mites, ringworm or infection. If not red or itchy you can monitor but if he continues losing hair or you find more spots I recommend a vet check to find out what is causing this.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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My 3-week-old puppy has blotchy hair loss. What's causing it?

I would have this checked by a vet. It sounds very much like ringworm. Although the name suggests otherwise, ringworm is not caused by a worm at all-but a fungus. This highly contagious infection can lead to patchy areas of hair loss on a pet, and can spread to other animals-and to humans, too. Classic symptoms of ringworm include lesions that typically appear on a pet’s head, ears, paws and forelimbs. These lesions can cause patchy, crusted circular “bald spots” that sometimes look red in the center. In mild cases of ringworm, there may be just a few broken hairs, while bad cases of ringworm can spread over most of a pet’s body. It’s also possible for a pet to carry the fungus and not show any symptoms whatsoever. Treatment of ringworm depends on the severity of the infection. A veterinarian may prescribe a medicated shampoo or ointment that contains miconazole or a dip such as lime sulfur to kill the fungus. In some cases, oral medications are necessary to cure ringworm. In severe cases, it may be necessary to use a topical and oral treatment, in addition to clipping away the fur. Once treatment begins, lesions should begin to heal in about one to three weeks. Please note, it is important to treat your pet for as long as recommended by your veterinarian. Even though the skin lesions may have cleared up, this doesn’t mean your pet is cured or can’t infect another animal or person. Certain diagnostic tests may need to be repeated in order to ensure cure. And unfortunately, there is no guarantee that reinfection won’t occur!

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Why is my dog losing fur in patches? Is it contagious to other pets?

There is no way to tell what the problem is just by looking at some photos. The list for reasons for hair loss in dogs (alopecia) is a mile long. Some common possibilities: * alopecia X * hormones * pemphigus * autoimmune * ringworm * mange mites * bacterial or fungal disease * many, many, more You will need to take her to a vet for an exam and some testing to figure this out. Some of these conditions are contagious and some are not. I cannot tell you without knowing her diagnosis.

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