There are times when a dog seems too intent on licking a spot on his body. With too much licking, it’s even possible the spot will become bald! And the dog may still keep licking!
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Has your dog licked a bald spot? Are you worried this could make your dog sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be concerning when your dog does something like this.
In this article, we’ll take a look at how bald spots form and what you can do to help your dog. Let’s get started!
How Do Bald Spots Form on Dogs?
Some dogs will lick excessively at a particular spot. This could be a spot on their leg, on their back, near the tail, or just about anywhere the dog can reach! Sometimes the licking becomes compulsive; however, there’s usually a reason that causes the dog to lick that particular spot all the time.
Dogs may compulsively lick a certain spot for these reasons:
Allergies: can cause skin irritation and itching, which causes a dog to lick the spot. The dog is trying to relieve the itching and irritation by licking it over and over.
Boredom/anxiety: dogs who suffer from boredom or anxiety may lick a spot over and over. This is something like obsessive-compulsive disorder in humans.
Dry skin: think of how dry skin can be itchy and irritated, and you’ll understand why your dog is constantly licking a certain spot. Dry skin can be caused by winter weather, fatty acid deficiencies, and more.
Hormonal imbalances: can develop if the dog’s body isn’t making enough thyroid or if his body is making too much cortisol. This can cause skin infections, which the dog licks.
Pain: a dog may lick a certain area that’s painful.
Parasites: such as fleas, mites, and ticks can cause a dog to become itchy. He may lick a certain spot where these bugs are hiding.
Each of these conditions could lead your dog to compulsively lick a specific spot. This can lead to hair loss and baldness in that area.
How to Help Your Dog
If your dog is licking one spot over and over, then it’s best to get an appointment with the vet. The vet will be able to examine your dog and run tests to see what’s causing the problem.
The good news is that once the underlying problem is treated, your dog should stop licking that bald spot. The hair may or may not come back; it just depends on the diagnosis. However, treatment will help your dog feel better and stop licking himself!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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