Why Your Dog Sheds and Stays Thin
📝 Summary
Shedding with failure to gain weight usually means parasites: flea dirt needs external deworming, eating without gaining suggests internal worms, and scratching, scooting, patchy loss, or worms in stool all signal infestation. Puppies start at 40 days, adults every three months, more often if exposed.
1 Signs to Watch
Black specks. Brushing reveals coat or skin specks that are flea dirt, meaning external deworming is due.
Eating but not gaining. If a dog eats plenty yet stays thin, suspect internal parasites.
Scratching. Paws, teeth, or body-shaking scratching suggests lice, fleas, or mange mites; bathe regularly and deworm externally.
Scooting. Rubbing the rear on the ground may mean inflamed anal glands or tapeworms.
Hair loss. Large patches, especially on ears, elbows, and limbs, may be mange mites, which are contagious to people, so deworm on schedule.
Worms in stool. Daily stool checks reveal parasites; unseen eggs mean regular deworming is still needed.
2 Prevention
Puppies need deworming from 40 days old, generally every three months, adjusted to environment; dogs in grassy areas need monthly external deworming, and raw-meat eaters need monthly internal deworming.
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