How Fast Does Dog Hair Grow Back?

Dogs lose hair for different reasons. Some of these reasons include health challenges and seasonal loss of hair. However, the good news is that the lost hair grows back, but how fast or how slow the dog hair grows back depends on a lot of factors.

Factors that determine how fast dog hair grows back include:

  • The age of the dog
  • The breed of the dog
  • The health of the dog
  • The climate
  • The quality of dog food
  • And other factors

On average, it is said that dog hair grows back at the rate of about one-half inch per month. But this can differ from one dog to another.

Generally, younger dogs tend to have faster-growing hair, while older dogs’ hair growth slows down. Dogs that live in warmer climates may also have faster-growing hair than those in colder climates.

Some dog breeds have a reputation for having faster-growing hair than others. Breeds that are known to have fast-growing hair include:

  • Poodles
  • Shetland Sheepdogs
  • Border Collies
  • Old English Sheepdogs
  • Bichons Frises
  • Doodles
  • Labradoodles
  • Goldendoodles

Healthy dogs typically have faster-growing hair than those with health problems. Dogs that are well-nourished and get plenty of exercise also tend to have faster-growing hair.

If you understand the process of hair growth of your dog, this will help to erase any doubt concerning whether or not the dog hair will grow back.

Causes Of Hair Loss In Dogs

There are various reasons why dogs lose hair. Some of these reasons include hormonal imbalances, skin irritations, deficiency of vitamins, and parasites. 

  • Some internal factors such as stress and weakened thyroid function can also cause hair loss.
  • Some dogs are also allergic to grass and fleas or food preservatives, this may cause the dog to lose hair.

The main way to perfectly diagnose the cause of hair loss is by taking the dog to a veterinary doctor.

How Fast Does Dog Hair Grow Back?

Keeping your dog healthy internally can help to fasten the process of hair growth externally.

The dog can be fed food rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc. The dog can be fed with supplements approved by the vet doctor if it is lacking in the necessary vitamins.

Caring for Your Dog’s Hair

Keeping your dog happy is an important aspect of being a dog owner and one way of keeping your dog happy is through proper care of the dog’s hair.

Caring for your dog’s hair does not only make the dog look good but also keeps the dog healthy and free from skin diseases.

The following are some tips on how to take care of your dog’s hair:

1. Regular grooming of the dog: This doesn’t mean you should bathe your dog every day as too much bathing of the dog can spoil the dog’s hair and it would remove natural oil from the skin. This involves brushing the dog’s hair regularly using a soft-bristled brush.

2. Ensuring your dog feeds well: The dog should be fed with very nourishing food regularly. Adequate feeding of the dog ensures the dog’s skin and hair glow well.

3. Bathing the dog when necessary: When you bathe your dog, use a mild shampoo that won’t spoil the natural oil of the skin. After bathing, ensure you properly dry the dog’s hair to avoid fungal infections.

4. Brushing the hair of the dog: Irrespective of the dog’s fur, the dog’s hair must be brushed every few days, so it is important to find an appropriate brush for your dog’s hair.

4. Use of coconut oil: Coconut oil can be applied to the hair of your dog as this will help to make the fur shiny and also help in moisturization of the dog’s skin. Also, a teaspoon of coconut oil can be added to the diet of the dog once in a day.

5. Protection of the dog from parasites: Some parasites like tick and fleas cause irritation on the skin of the dog causing itching, thereby making the dog constantly scratch the body. This can destroy the fur of the dog and cause health issues in the dog.

6. Consultation with the vet doctor: If you notice signs of itching in your dog, it is best to consult with your veterinary doctor on the right treatment method. 

If the above measures are taken, there’ll be zero to little worries about your dog’s health, and the hair of the dog is bound to shine always.

How To Make Your Dog’s Hair Grow Back Faster

The following tips may help to make your dog’s hair grow back faster:

  1. Keep your dog well-groomed: This will help to remove any dead hair and stimulate new growth.
  2. Avoid over-bathing: Too much bathing can strip the natural oils from your dog’s skin, which can lead to dryness and hair loss.
  3. Feed a healthy diet: A nutritious diet will help to keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy.
  4. Give supplements: Supplements that contain omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals can help to promote healthy skin and coat.
  5. Avoid stress: Stress can cause hair loss in dogs. Try to keep your dog’s environment calm and free from stressors.
  6. Talk to your veterinarian: If you are concerned about your dog’s hair loss, make an appointment with your veterinarian. They can help to diagnose the cause and recommend treatment options.

How Fast Does Dog Hair Grow Back?

How quick or how slow a dog’s hair grows back will be dependent on the nature of your dog. From being a puppy to an adult dog, the hairs of a dog grow to a length which is genetically determined.

For a lot of breeds, it stays at that length, while some other breeds of dog continue hair growth and thus need constant shaving.

For puppies, they undergo a lot of developmental change and this includes shedding of the puppy fur. A coat of fur accompanies puppies from birth and the coat is slowly replaced by adult hair. This starts when the puppy is about 3 to 6 months old and can continue for a whole year. The fur of puppies is shed more quickly than how the adult fur grows. During this phase, the puppy’s fur may appear patchy.

However, some breeds of dogs don’t shed their puppy fur but will continue to grow adult hair. These breeds need regular grooming and sometimes, shaving to prevent the coat from getting too long.

The growth rate of a dog’s hair is about 5 inches per year. But this may differ according to the breed of dog. Some dogs may have a growth rate of up to 8 inches per year.

Growth Stages Of Dog Hair

There are four stages of hair growth in dogs and they are described as the anagen, catagen, telogen, and exogen phases.

1. Anagen: The anagen phase is the growth phase where cells in the hair bulb divide rapidly to form the new hair. This stage can last for 2 to 5 years. During this stage, the hair is joined to the dermal papilla which is the growth source. There are different time ranges in this stage depending on the type of dog breed.

2. Catagen: The catagen phase is the transitional phase where the hair follicle shrinks and the hair growth slows down. This stage lasts for about 10 days. This stage is characterized by the removal of the hair from the matrix. There’s a closing of the inner sheath around the base of the hair shaft creating a club hair.

3. Telogen: This is a resting phase in which there is no growth or apoptosis. It happens after the period of growth and it lasts till the hair falls off.

4. Exogen: This is the final stage or the shedding stage. In this phase, the hair leaves the follicle and there’s preparation for new growth. The duration of this stage is dependent on the length of the coat.

The hair growth cycle is different for each dog breed and can be affected by various factors such as age, health, season, and diet.

Does dog hair grow back after shaving?

If you shave your dog, the hair will grow back, but it may not be as thick, Healthy coat depends on a good diet and regular grooming. A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals can help to promote healthy skin and coat.

The older a dog gets, the less likely it is for its undercoat and guard hairs to grow back normally.

A good way to help make your dog’s hair grow back is to give it a healthy diet. You should also avoid shaving your dog too close to the skin. This can cause damage to the hair follicles and make it harder for the hair to grow back. If you do shave your dog, make sure to use a sharp knife or clipper and avoid shaving too close to the skin.