Can Anxiety Cause Skin Problems and Fur Loss in Dogs?

Anxiety can definitely contribute to a dog's skin problems and fur loss, but it is worth knowing that anxiety is not directly responsible. Instead, anxiety can worsen itching and scratching in dogs that already have skin disease. The only exception is full stress-induced hair loss, but this is far less common. 

Anxiety and stress can play a role in skin disorders. One study found dogs with extreme non-social fear and separation anxiety had an increased frequency of skin problems. But this doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do to help. 

In this article, we will be covering whether anxiety can really cause fur loss and skin problems, how to spot if hair loss is anxiety-related, and how to support your dog.

Can Anxiety Really Cause Skin Problems in Dogs?

Seeing your dog scratching, licking, or chewing their skin when they are anxious is common, and linking that to hair loss is a natural observation, but the two are not necessarily connected in a straightforward way. 

Anxiety alone does not create an allergy or skin disease on its own, but it can exacerbate an underlying condition. When a dog becomes more anxious, the underlying problem may be intensified, leading to more scratching and chewing. 

In some circumstances, stress can lead to compulsive licking or chewing of specific patches, causing the fur there to fall out. This is called psychogenic or stress-related alopecia. A dog could have either or both patterns of fur loss, which is why it is especially important to pay attention to where and how the scratching is happening, not just that it is taking place.

Research has shown that chronic itching and emotional state can influence one another. 

How Stress Shows Up on Your Dog's Skin and Coat

Much like a human, when a dog feels stress, their body releases stress hormones. This release can affect skin health, weaken the skin's barrier, leaving it drier and more reactive, and even affect immune balance. This can make the skin itchier than usual, which leads to more irritation, more scratching, and the cycle continues. 

You might see this behaviour appear regularly, and it is important to keep track of the stimuli that are causing the behaviour. For example, you may see scratching or biting during the fireworks on Bonfire Night or if there are changes to the home. There is no set symptom list; this is why it is so important to be vigilant. 

Every dog's triggers look a little different, but if loud noises or overstimulating environments seem to set your dog off, it's worth having a calming tool on hand. Our Hush Muff is designed to reduce noise exposure and help your dog feel more settled in stressful moments.

Signs that Hair Loss Might Be Anxiety-Related

Here are some of the behaviours and symptoms to look for in your dog to begin understanding a pattern: 

• Repeated licking or chewing in one spot - general scratching happens all over the body, but often anxious scratching will be focused in one place. 
• Bald patches with little or no redness - signs of irritated skin, like dryness or redness, would point to infection or irritation, but the absence of this may point towards an anxious behaviour.
• Onset after a stressful event - this could be changes to the home, a new pet, boarding, or a bereavement. 
• Triggered by recurring events - this could be something like fireworks, thunderstorms, or a stranger in the home, among other things.    
• No parasites or fleas - this is something that needs to be ruled out before you can be sure the fur loss is due to anxiety. 
  
  

Supporting Your Anxious Dog

You can’t always avoid the sources of stress that can trigger anxiety in your dog, but there are things you can do to help support them. 

Wheat bags are a great option to help with relaxation. They can be heated or cooled, depending on the situation. The idea behind it is that the heat and physical touch in a bed or safe space mimics the feeling of having another comforting presence. 

For one-off events like fireworks, it can be helpful to give them somewhere quiet to retreat to during the noise. You can read about how to create one in our blog on creating a safe space for your dog. 

At Soothe and Settle, we offer products designed to help calm an anxious dog. For loud environments and overstimulated dogs, we created the Hush Muff, an option worth considering alongside routine and a safe space. Combined with a routine and a safe space, it can make a big difference to an anxious dog. 

Small Changes for a Happier Pup

Seeing your dog lose fur due to excessive licking and scratching is distressing, especially when you know they are not feeling at ease. Identifying the link between their mood and their behaviour is the first step in helping. 

A calmer dog is a comfortable dog, inside and out. Creating a consistent routine and a feeling of safety can help your dog in the long term to deal with recurring stressful events. 

Small changes can make a big difference. Discover how the Hush Muff can help your dog, or shop our range of products for anxious and reactive dogs.