Beagles have relatively tight coats and are classified as moderate to heavy shedders. Nutrition, grooming habits, and the environment are some factors that may trigger excessive hair loss. Supplements and regular brushing can exacerbate this issue.
If you are a dog owner who has thought or loudly exclaimed, ‘my beagle sheds like crazy,’ you are far from alone. Many beagle owners, breeders, and enthusiasts have come across the issue of their beloved pets losing much more hair than they expected.
Why is my beagle losing hair? As a responsible owner, you need to know the answer to this question so you can spot abnormalities and potential health issues. What is too much hair? Do beagles shed more hair during certain seasons? Is it possible to mitigate hair loss? Can excess hair loss be related to allergies or other ailments?
We are here to answer all of these questions and more! By the end of the article, we hope to settle your mind when it comes to the amount of hair you see your beagle shedding all over your furniture and floors.
Let’s get to it!
I combed Milo (not pictured) for about 20 minutes. Jeff and Jack were astounded. #beagle #shedding #dogsoftwitter pic.twitter.com/EunpD0IKFW
— David Hemenway (@DavidHemenway1) September 18, 2019
Beagles aren’t an especially hairy or fluffy breed. However, they are double-coated—they have two layers of fur that go through a regular growth and shedding cycle.
A beagle’s undercoat is dense and quite soft, while its outercoat has thick, water-repellent hair that is prone to shedding. These distinct layers help beagles regulate their internal temperatures and handle extreme weather conditions during the summer and winter months.
Beagles are excellent hunting dogs, so this is a natural evolutionary development that brought many advantages to their ancestors.
Beagles shed a moderate to heavy amount of hair, enough to make about six sweaters per year. If this seems like a lot of hair to you, there’s no need to worry. This is the expected amount of shedding throughout a beagle’s hair cycle, and it’s perfectly natural for dogs to lose this much hair and still remain healthy and active.
At what age do beagles start shedding? In general, young beagles begin to shed their puppy coats between four and six months. At this point, their two layers of coats begin to come in, and proper grooming is vital to ensure that their adult hair grows properly.
Beagles lose hair throughout the year, but specific beagle shedding seasons are spring and summer, which is their way to adjust to changing weather conditions.
Expect beagle shedding levels to ramp up in the spring, when your dog’s summer coat makes way for a thicker winter coat. And after the cold winter months, their lightweight double coat will come back in during the spring.
During these months, don’t be alarmed if your beagle sheds much more hair than it normally does. And don’t be surprised if your dog “blows” its coat; almost like the wind can blow off all its hair. This is a natural response to the shift in weather.
These shedding seasons occur even if you don’t live in a temperate area. This is because the beagle’s coat changes are triggered by the shifts in the amount of daylight. So even if you don’t experience winter, expect your beagle to shed a lot more around the solstices each year.
Artificial heating, food, and lifestyle habits can significantly affect hair loss in beagles.
It has been found that beagles that remain in artificially heated environments tend to lose more hair than those in natural conditions. This may be due to their hair growth cycles accommodating the shift in the climate.
Why Is My Beagle Losing Hair? One of the most prominent reasons why dogs can shed excessively is stress. Stress affects animals as it does humans, and beagles are no different. Your pet may feel anxious if your household is going through significant changes or if you are suddenly away from home more often.
Another reason for excessive hair loss is a parasite infestation that may affect your dog’s skin. A beagle’s skin may become a breeding ground for fleas, mites, and other parasites that thrive on coarse fur. Ringworm can also lead to irregular hair loss and infected skin.
Allergies are also common hair loss triggers for beagles—continuous licking and biting an itchy patch of skin almost always leads to beagle bald spots. It can be challenging to track down specific allergens because they can come from anywhere—your dog’s food, the environment, or certain parasites.
If you find that your beagle’s hair is becoming patchy in spots, it’s best to bring it in for a vet checkup. This type of hair loss can be difficult to reverse without medical intervention, and your dog may need specific treatments for allergies, pest infestations, or underlying health conditions.
Beagles are moderate to heavy shedders, so you must be prepared for your dog to shed a lot of hair throughout the year. And when the weather starts to turn, expect even more hair on your upholstery, furniture, and floors.
Fortunately, even heavy shedding can be easy to manage as long as you follow these simple tips:
Regular grooming sessions will help minimize the amount of hair that ends up all over your house. Brushing your dog’s coat for 15 minutes multiple times a week is the most efficient way to manage its shedding. Use a high-quality brush to pick up all the excess hair and spread the natural coat oils throughout the strands.
Beagles need extra care when their fur shifts during winter and spring, so you should up the frequency to once a day. The dawn of shedding season also means using a special de-shedding tool to remove the excess hair and ensure that the new coat grows properly.
Gently rake the tool through the upper coat to reach the hair all the way down to the undercoat. Continue raking all over the body—be as thorough as possible. After de-shedding, you can then use the regular brush to remove all of the remaining hair strands.
Regular grooming is a great way to deal with excess hair, and it’s a fantastic bonding experience for you and your dog, too!
It is important to feed your beagle high-quality food because poor nutrition is directly related to excessive shedding. Do your due diligence on the different types of dog food available, and try to buy brands that use natural ingredients for a healthy coat.
If you are not sure which type of food to buy, consult with a vet or the pet shop owner for expert help. A little bit of investment will help your furry friend remain healthy and maintain its natural hair cycle.
You can choose healthy supplements such as omega 3 fatty acids for the overall skin health of your beagle. These supplements provide a beautiful shine on its coat and, of course, help it remain healthy and active for many years to come. You’ll surely be able to avoid hair loss due to the lack of nutrition!
It is vital to keep your dog’s skin and hair free from parasites to avoid unsightly beagle bald spots. The best way to do so is to give your beagle a bath every two weeks. Use a mild, moisturizing dog shampoo to mitigate dry skin.
Oatmeal baths are also good for beagles—you can buy oatmeal shampoo or just add ground oatmeal to the bathwater. Just spread the oatmeal over the dog’s coat uniformly and then rinse it off with water.
Responsible dog owners must bring their pets to the vet once every six months. This way, you can keep a close eye on your beagle’s overall health. Also, you can discuss to the vet any new behavior or conditions you may notice.
Vet consultations are especially important for beagles experiencing excessive hair loss or other skin issues because they need quick relief from irritating or even painful symptoms.
Part of being a responsible pet owner is providing for its needs and dealing with what it brings to your home. Beagles are fantastic pets because of their friendly dispositions and piercing intelligence, but they can also be heavy shedders, especially during the spring and winter months.
A beagle’s unique double coat can be vulnerable to skin ailments that may lead to excess shedding. If you’re wondering, why is my beagle losing hair? First, check the calendar—it may just be the beginning of shedding season. If it isn’t, try to up your dog’s brushing and washing game because it may just need just a bit more TLC.
If hair loss is paired with itching and inflammation, it may be an allergy or a parasite. It’s time to take your beagle to the vet for a thorough checkup and treatment solutions that will mitigate the symptoms.
A digital marketing expert by profession, Andrews is a gifted writer and animal lover at heart. A self-confessed "pawrent", Andrews is well-versed in all things dogs. He uses his years of experience of raising puppies into show-quality dogs to help guide first-time pet parents. He believes in spreading the joy that comes with being a dog dad and advocates more families to adopt pets.
