What Does It Mean When a Dog’s Fur Stands Up?
When a dog’s fur stands up in patches or along their spine, this is called piloerection or raised hackles. It is an involuntary reflex caused by contraction of small muscles at the base of each hair follicle, resulting in the hairs standing erect. Piloerection serves an important communicative function for dogs and can signify a range of emotional states, health issues, or environmental stimuli.
The most common reasons for piloerection in dogs are anxiety, excitement, arousal, fear, aggression, stress or illness. Raised hackles occur when a dog is experiencing heightened emotion or sensory overload, as an instinctive reaction to possible threats or confrontation. However, skin problems, infections, pain, and neurological issues can also make a dog’s fur stand on end. Additionally, some breeds have naturally raised fur as part of their coat characteristics.
Overall, piloerection indicates a physiological or emotional response in a dog. Observing what precedes an episode of raised hackles can help identify the specific trigger. While it’s normal for a dog’s fur to stand up periodically, frequent or unexplained piloerection may warrant a veterinary exam to diagnose any underlying medical causes.
Possible Causes of Raised Fur Patches
There are several potential underlying causes for patches of fur standing up on a dog. Some of the most common include illness, injury, or skin conditions.
Skin infections, allergies, or parasites like mange mites can cause inflammation and irritation that makes the fur stand on end. According to JustAnswer, mites that live in the hair follicles but don’t cause itching can also lead to hair loss and raised fur. Treatment usually involves medications to resolve the skin problem.
Pain or discomfort from an injury or internal issue like arthritis can also lead to odd fur patterns. According to PawSafe, hair will stand up around areas that are painful or irritated. Once the underlying injury or illness is treated, the fur should lie flat again.
In some cases, hair loss and skin lesions may indicate more serious conditions like autoimmune disorders or cancer. So it’s important to have any ongoing skin or fur changes checked by a vet.
Signs of Anxiety or Stress
When a dog’s fur stands up in patches, it can be a sign of anxiety or stress. Dogs may show stiff body language and raise the fur along their spine, neck, tail or other areas when they feel threatened or are experiencing fear or anxiety. This is caused by the dog’s ‘fight or flight’ response being activated, which releases adrenaline and causes the dog’s fur to stand on end.
Other signs that may accompany fur standing up due to stress include:
- Growling or baring teeth
- Avoiding eye contact, hiding, or backing away from the perceived threat
- Whining or barking
- Freezing in place
- Pacing or panting
According to the AKC, raised hackles due to stress are often seen when dogs are reacting to loud noises, unfamiliar objects or animals, or perceived threats. If the fur stands up suddenly when the dog was previously relaxed, it likely indicates an anxious reaction to something in the environment 1.
While raised fur can signal fear, it can also occur with excitement or arousal. Therefore, it’s important to look at the full context of the dog’s body language to determine if the raised fur patches stem from stress and anxiety.
Signs of Skin Problems
One of the most common reasons for a dog’s fur to stand up in patches is skin problems. Skin conditions like allergies, infections, parasites, endocrine disorders, or autoimmune diseases can cause inflammation, irritation, and discomfort. This leads dogs to excessively lick, bite, chew, or scratch at their skin, which disturbs the fur.
According to WebMD, some signs of skin problems include:
- Fur loss, thinning fur, or bald patches where fur used to be. This is often caused by overgrooming due to itchiness.
- Red, inflamed skin. Redness indicates irritation and inflammation.
- Increased scratching, licking, chewing, or biting at their skin, fur, paws, ears, tail, or other areas.
- Scabs, sores, or lesions from excessive scratching or infections.
Skin issues are one of the most common reasons pet parents take their dog to the vet. If your dog is excessively bothering their skin and their fur is standing up in patches because of scratching or overgrooming, it’s important to get them checked out. Skin problems can cause discomfort, worsen over time, and secondary infections may develop.
Signs of Pain or Injury
A dog experiencing pain or injury may exhibit some notable physical and behavioral signs. Some of the most common signs of pain due to injury include:
Limping – Dogs that are limping or holding up a leg are likely experiencing pain in that limb or joint area. The limp may be subtle or very pronounced. Limping indicates pain and difficulty bearing weight on the affected leg.GoodRX
Sensitivity – Dogs in pain often react when the sore area is touched or handled. They may yelp, growl, or snap when the site is manipulated. Even a gentle touch near the injury can provoke a pained response.Vet Specialists
Sudden yelping – Unexplained and sudden yelping or crying out can signify pain, especially if it occurs when the dog moves in a certain way or is touched. Persistent whimpering or yelping indicates the dog is hurting.PetMD
Other signs like reluctance to move, lethargy, restlessness, and changes in behavior may also accompany an injury causing pain. Identifying the source will help determine treatment options.
Diagnosing the Underlying Cause
If your dog’s fur is standing up in patches, the first step will be to take them to the vet for examination. The vet will do a full physical exam, checking for signs of skin irritation, pain, or other health issues. They may also feel along your dog’s spine and limbs to check for tender spots that could indicate injury or pain [1].
Your vet may recommend blood work or other diagnostic tests to look for any underlying illness causing your dog distress. Tests like a skin scraping or skin biopsy can check for parasites, infections, or allergies affecting the skin. X-rays or an MRI may be done to get a closer look at your dog’s bones and joints if injury is suspected [2].
Your vet will also want to know your dog’s full history – when the raised fur started, if there were any changes in environment or diet, medications given, or possible stressful events. Providing details like this can help uncover the root cause.
With a combination of medical tests and a physical exam, your vet should be able to diagnose what is causing your dog’s fur to stand up. Once the underlying condition is identified, the appropriate treatment can begin.
[1] https://www.purina.co.uk/articles/dogs/behaviour/understanding-dogs/dog-hackles
[2] https://pawsafe.com/blogs/shampoos/why-does-dog-hair-stand-up
Treating Anxiety or Stress
There are several effective ways to help a dog manage anxiety or stress. Training is an important part of treatment, according to the AKC. Obedience training can provide mental stimulation while increasing a dog’s confidence. Introducing them to new people, places and experiences slowly and with positive reinforcement helps desensitize dogs to potential triggers (AKC).
Pheromones produced by Adaptil collars, sprays and diffusers can help relieve anxiety by emitting chemicals that mimic those released by a nursing dog. These pheromones signal safety and contentment to the dog’s brain. Using Adaptil products while introducing changes or during stressful events like thunderstorms can help keep dogs calm (PetMD).
Establishing a predictable daily routine with scheduled walks, playtime, training and meals provides stability. Dogs feel more secure when they know what to expect each day. Avoiding lengthy periods of isolation and incorporating enrichment activities like food puzzles also helps manage anxiety (WagWalking).
Treating Skin Conditions
If your dog is experiencing skin issues like irritation, rashes, infections or allergies, there are several treatment options available. Some common treatments prescribed by vets for skin conditions include:
Medicated shampoos – Special shampoos containing ingredients like chlorhexidine, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or ketoconazole can help treat bacterial or fungal infections on your dog’s skin. Using these medicated shampoos as directed by your vet can soothe irritation and redness while fighting infection and inflammation.
Antibiotics – For bacterial skin infections, your vet may prescribe oral or topical antibiotics. Oral antibiotics like cephalexin are used for deeper infections, while topical antibiotics like mupirocin are used for surface-level skin conditions. Antibiotics help clear up infections and allow the skin to heal.
Antihistamines – If your dog has itchy skin due to allergies, your vet may recommend antihistamines like diphenhydramine or hydroxyzine to relieve itching and inflammation. Antihistamines work by blocking histamine production to prevent allergy symptoms.
Other medications like antifungal treatments, medicated wipes, steroid creams, or immunosuppressants may also be prescribed by your vet to treat the underlying cause of your dog’s skin problems. Work closely with your vet to find the right treatment plan for your dog’s skin condition.
Treating Injuries or Pain
If your dog has an injury or is experiencing pain that is causing their fur to stand up, proper treatment is essential for healing. Here are some tips for treating injuries or pain at home:
Rest is critical to allow injuries to heal properly. Restrict your dog’s activity and prevent them from running, jumping, or playing until the wound has fully closed. You may need to confine them to a crate or small room when you are not directly supervising.
Your veterinarian may prescribe medication to help manage your dog’s pain levels. Common options include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like carprofen or meloxicam. Give medication only as directed.
Introduce gentle physical therapy exercises once the initial swelling and inflammation have subsided. Range of motion movements, stretching, and massages can help strengthen muscles and prevent stiffness. Consult your vet for guidance. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/care-of-open-wounds-in-dogs
In some cases, surgical repair may be required for more severe injuries like broken bones or traumatic wounds. Follow all post-op care instructions closely after any procedure.
Patience and following veterinary advice are key – never try to rush the healing process or force your dog to overexert themselves. With proper treatment, most injuries can fully recover over time.
When to See the Vet
If your dog has patches of raised fur that persist for more than a day or two, it’s a good idea to schedule a veterinary appointment. Acute onset of raised fur, especially if accompanied by additional symptoms like itching, redness, or sores, also warrants a vet visit. Prolonged scratching or licking at the affected areas of skin is another sign it’s time to seek professional advice.
According to the VCA Animal Hospitals, you should take your dog to the vet if the raised fur patches:[1]
- Are accompanied by red, inflamed skin
- Contain dandruff, scaling, or crusting
- Result in hair loss or completely bald patches
- Appear suddenly or seem to spread rapidly
- Come with licking, chewing, or scratching at the area
A veterinarian can help diagnose the underlying cause, provide appropriate treatment, and recommend ways to help relieve your dog’s discomfort until the fur returns to normal.