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Chewing Off His Fur in Dogs
Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 07/23/2017Updated: 05/20/2021
Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS
What is Chewing Off His Fur?
Occasional chewing on the fur on the lower back or rapidly scratching the back of his ear with his hind paw is normal for your dog. He, just like people, gets itchy from time to time. However, when itch relief or chewing behaviors lead to removing fur, you have cause for concern. There are a few reasons why your dog may be chewing off his fur, including:
- Allergies
- Skin disorders
- Infections
- Insect or parasite bites
- Stress and anxiety
Why Chewing Off His Fur Occurs in Dogs
If your dog’s fur chewing is the result of itchy skin, there are several possible reasons.
Allergies
Allergies in dogs are common and usually manifest within the first six months of age to five years old and can affect any breed or sex of the dog. Atopic dermatitis, which is an allergic reaction affecting the skin is more common in Chinese Shar-Peis, Wirehaired Fox Terriers, Golden Retrievers, Dalmatians, Boxers, Boston Terriers, Labrador Retrievers, Lhasa Apsos, Scottish Terriers, Shih Tzus, and West Highland White Terriers. Atopic dermatitis may lead your dog to chew off his fur to satisfy an itch that won’t go away. Skin may be pink and warm.
Skin Disorders
Seborrheic dermatitis is one possible skin issue. Your dog’s sebaceous glands, which are just below the surface of the skin may overproduce sebum, an oily or waxy substance that is used to waterproof and protect the skin. When this occurs, your dog’s skin will flake off in scales or possibly look red and inflamed. Seborrheic dermatitis will also cause your dog’s skin to become itchy, and he will scratch and chew at his fur to relieve himself. Usually, a foul odor is also associated with this type of skin disorder.
Infections
An open wound or scratch, if left untreated, can quickly develop into an infection. Additionally, untreated allergies or skin disorders can cause your dog to scratch and chew his fur off, which may then lead to a secondary infection. Yeast or bacteria can cause secondary infections. Malassezia overgrowth is a common yeast infection that affects dogs that chronically chew at their fur. Your dog’s mouth and the environment may also trigger a bacterial infection, especially if your dog has self-mutilated his skin through chewing off his fur.
Insect and Parasite Bites
Insect bites from fleas, ticks, flies, or mosquitos can cause your dog to chew at his fur at the site of the bite leading to an inflamed area known as a “hot spot.” Hot spots are acute moist dermatitis and can become large red lesions very quickly. Hot spots develop by disturbing the natural bacteria on your dog’s skin and causing it to overgrow through scratching or chewing on the skin at the site of the insect bite. Bacterial overgrowth will further exacerbate the area, and your dog will chew harder trying to satisfy his itch.
Stress and Anxiety
Stress from change or separation anxiety can adversely affect your dog and he may self-mutilate by chewing his fur off. Dogs require companionship and stimulation. If your dog is starting to chew on his fur and no underlying medical condition is apparent, he may be lonely or bored. Other destructive behaviors may accompany separation anxiety or stress, such as incessant barking, destroying furniture, or scratching at doors and walls.
What to do if your Dog is Chewing Off His Fur
You should take your dog to the veterinarian if you believe your dog’s fur chewing is medically related. To give your dog immediate relief, you should clip the hair in the area where your dog is chewing and clean the area with a non-irritating shampoo. Gently pat dry the area and make sure you dog does not lick or chew the area. A buster collar may be needed. When you bring your dog to the veterinarian, your vet will perform a full physical examination. Your veterinarian will ask you for your dog’s medical history including possible allergen exposures.
If your vet suspects your dog is suffering from acute moist dermatitis, your dog will be prescribed an oral antibiotic to treat the bacterial overgrowth. You veterinarian may also prescribe an anti-inflammatory / anti-itch medicine such as a corticosteroid. It is critical to use only the prescribed dosages of all medications, especially anti-inflammatory drugs as overdose can lead to other medical conditions.
If your dog is suffering from seborrheic dermatitis, your veterinarian will help you develop a plan to manage sebum production. Many times, managing sebum production involves administering Omega-3 fatty acids, using anti-seborrheic shampoos, or possibly administering retinoids, which are a class of chemicals that regulate epithelial cell growth.
Prevention of Chewing Off His Fur
You can take preventative measures, such as flea control and proper bathing and grooming to prevent many skin afflictions that may cause you dog to chew off his fur. Unfortunately, you cannot always prevent your dog from bites from other insects. Consider bringing them inside and using e.g. fly strips.
By being aware of your dog’s comfort levels and catching an itch before he can chew it raw may prevent his from developing lesions or loss of hair.
Elizabethan collars can also be used to prevent your dog from further irritating his skin once a bite or condition is discovered and treatment plans are underway. If your dog’s fur chewing is related to an environmental or food allergy, you can prevent reactions by avoiding the allergen. This is not always easily done, especially with omnipresent allergens, such as grass, dustmites or pollen. However, bathing your dog with hypo-allergenic shampoos can significantly reduce the discomfort he feels from coming into contact with daily allergens.
Dogs are pack animals and require stimulation and companionship. Routine walks, exercise, and socialization will help keep your dog stimulated. Additionally, your dog should always have access to fresh water and regular opportunities to eliminate waste. Meeting these basic needs and giving your dog your love and compassion will help keep him from developing separation anxiety and other psychological issues that may lead to chewing his fur off.
Cost of Chewing Off His Fur
The cost of treating your dog for chewing off his fur will depend on the underlying causes of his condition. For example, it can cost around $300 to treat hot spots if your dog is suffering from acute moist dermatitis. Treating atopic dermatitis and allergy related conditions can cost around $1,200.
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Chewing Off His Fur Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Flat-Coated Retriever
Five Years
20 found this helpful
20 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Scratching, Flaky Skin, Smell
We have been having trouble with our dog nawing of his far and keeps eating at himself in till he starts bleeding, so we got a cone to put on him. We went to church today and by time we had got back he had gotten his cone off some how and nawed all his Furrer off on his tail and his back hind and was bleeding.
Nov. 2, 2020
Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
20 Recommendations
I'm very sorry to hear this, he must be really uncomfortable.
A collar can be useful to protect from self inflicted trauma but it won't cure itching or threat skin disease.
We need to have the dog seen by a vet to get a diagnosis and treat the issue. There are many possibilities including allergies, mange, pyoderma etc.
From your description, I suspect he will also need a course of antibiotics.
Nov. 2, 2020
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Labrador Retriever
Seven Years
22 found this helpful
22 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Chewing Fur Off
My lab has recently started chewing the base of his tail, around his rectum, and the back sides of his body.
How can I determine if its an allergy or something serious vs seperation anxiety? Does the anxiety occur even if you're in the same room and he's not being paid attention to?
Sept. 29, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
22 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. The toing that you are describing and itching does not sound related to anxiety, and it sounds like he is actually. One of the most common reasons for dogs to chew and scratch at the back half of their body is fleas, and it would be best to make sure he is on a good flea control product. If that does not help, and he continues to be itchy, then having him seen by a veterinarian would be a good idea, as they will be able to look at him and see what might be causing it. I hope that all goes well for him.
Oct. 3, 2020
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Collie
about 5 years old
9 found this helpful
9 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Redness
Two of my adopted/rescued Collies have removed tufts of hair from their tail and backside with their teeth apparently to satisfy an itch. This started yesterday
Sept. 28, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
9 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
The most common cause for itching over the tail and hind end is fleas, or flea allergies. Making sure that they are on good quality flea control may help. If they are, and this is still occurring, then having them seen by your veterinarian would be a good idea.
I hope that all goes well!
Oct. 4, 2020
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Hanging tree
Eleven Years
4 found this helpful
4 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Chewing Back
She eating The fur off of her back no fleas
Sept. 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
4 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this platform is not set up for urgent emails.
That problem may be caused by parasites other than fleas, allergies, local reactions, or bacterial or fungal infections. It would be best to have her seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine her and see what might be causing this, and get treatment for her.
Oct. 10, 2020
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Red nose Pittbull
8 months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Biting Hair Off Back
What can I do to soothe his pain? I don’t have the money to take him to the vet right now
Sept. 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
There are many reasons for puppies to be itchy, including fleas, parasites like Demodex, bacterial or fungal diseases. If the problem is not improving, It would be best to have them seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine your pet and see what might be causing this, and let you know what treatment might help.
Oct. 11, 2020
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Doberman Pinscher
Kiera
4 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Licking Butt
Eating Fur
Scratching Until Bleeding
Licking At Butt
My doberman does the same thing every winter, chewing herself (mostly back and butt area) until she bleeds. We have tried fish oils, changing her diet, coconut oils, creams, and we have even went to the vet. They said it was anxiety but I have no idea what to do to help her or make her skin hurt less. It's spreading down her hind legs and up her back and she sometimes scratches a 2 in x 2 in spot on her side. I need remedies to clear this up or help the pain, or advice if your dog has done any of the same things or has anxiety. Thanks!
German Shepherd
Licky
5 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Fleas
My German shepherd has bitten off his fur on his lower back by the hips. I’m sure he got fleas. During the summer our yard gets infested by fleas. We bathed him with flea shampoo and put a flea collar on him. Not sure what else to do. We can not bring him inside. What can I put on his wound to help it heal? I’m worried it will get an infection.
Mutt
Zsa Zsa
3 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Eating Her Skin
My parents are loosing there minds because there dog is literally eating himself so bad to the point of serious bleeding and constantly. There are so many open wounds and its only getting worse. They have tried everything, dermatologist for dogs which prescribed a steroid it helped while she was on it, but they can only prescribe so much at a time, they had tried the bodysuit but she still eats herself and blood just seeps through the suit, bacteria dog body wash they use twice a week, lives in a cone basically but its horrible because I know having the cone on is toucher because she still itches so bad but can't get to the spots that she wants too. It to a point now where my parents are fighting and the poor Zsa Zsa is extremely uncomfortable and thats not a way a happy dog should live. Is there something out there we haven't tried that we can do? Please help!
Chiweenie
Jasmine
7 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Hair Loss
Itching
Sores
Chewing
She has always had dry skin but never until last year or maybe 2 years ago she chewed a bald spot on her back end and she's not had flees since she was 1 or 2 and it wasn't even a lasting thing (took to grandparents they have flees but not since then since we don't go there anymore) besides that she just had dandruff and not much else but she scratches sores on her ears (no ear mites) and has a bald spot and a bad sore from chewing. Sadly where we live is not great at paying but vets are extremely expensive and she doesn't have any recent shots past the pup and a rabies shot once. Other then the price of just a physical they'd want shots and all and it'd be thousands of dollars... I'm hoping like last time she'll stop but I am thinking maybe a cone would help though she's not gonna like it.
Shihpoo
Charlie
2 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Bleeding
Scratching
Chewing
Bitting
My pup bites and chews his fur off from his hind legs so when I pet him his hind legs are scratchy and the rest of his fur is soft. This started a week ago and I’m not sure what to do. A few times he bleed. He had a few fleas before but we quickly repaired it and we aren’t sure what is causing him to do this. He can be a little anxious around other dogs but not at home. When he starts bitting, scratching and chewing we try to stop him but when we leave he continues. We are sure he doesn’t have allergies. We plan to take him to a vet to try to solve this problem.
