You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

Dogs and cats shed their hair during certain stages of hair growth cycle ...but sometimes excessive shedding of hair can be a sign of disease

Hair falls out naturally during certain stages of the hair growth cycle, when the hair has stopped growing. It is usually seasonal, and animals may shed a lot of hair once or twice a year often in the spring. Continuous excessive shedding is not normal, but it can occur if 

• Your pet is kept in an environment that is too warm
• Your pet is dehydrated
• Your pet is on a nutrient deficient ration 
• Your pet has a disease which results in hairloss - called alopecia (follow link)
• Sometimes excessive hairloss is caused by self-trauma if the animal is itchy or in discomfort

If your pet sheds excessively have your veterinarian examine it in case it is a sign of disease.

.Updated October 2013