Dog collar hair loss is almost always caused by friction, and friction almost always comes down to fit, moisture or the collar never coming off. Find which of those it is, fix it, and the fur usually grows back on its own.
A bald patch under the collar doesn't appear overnight. It starts as a flattened ring, then a thin line, then a patch you can see through. The sooner you catch it, the easier it is to put right. If the skin is red, broken, scabbed or weepy, stop reading and call your vet first. This guide is about the rubbing, not the treatment.
Why does my dog's collar rub a bald patch?
Fur wears away where something moves against it over and over. A collar is a strap sitting in the same place all day, so any movement at all gets repeated thousands of times.
The usual culprits:
- Too loose. The collar slides back and forth with every step and every head turn. This is the most common cause, and the one people least expect.
- Too tight. The strap presses into the coat constantly and the hair at that line breaks off.
- Worn wet. A collar that stays damp after a swim, a bath or a rainy walk softens the skin and holds grit against it.
- Worn dirty. Mud, sweat and shed fur work into the strap and turn it into a bit of sandpaper.
- Heavy tags. A bunch of tags pulls the collar down and swings the D-ring against the throat.
- On all the time. A collar that's never off means the same patch of skin never gets a break.
Often it's two of these at once. A slightly loose collar with three tags on it will rub far more than either would alone.
How do you spot collar rubbing early?
Look under the collar once a week. Take it off, part the fur and run your fingers around the whole line of the neck.
What you're looking for, from harmless to "act now":
- A flattened ring of fur. Normal on most dogs. It fluffs back up within an hour.
- A thin or broken line in the coat. The first warning. Check the fit today.
- A visible patch of skin, pink but not broken. The cause needs fixing now.
- Redness, heat, scabs, a smell or damp skin. Collar off and a trip to the vet.
Pay most attention to the spots that press hardest: under the buckle, under the D-ring and on the underside of the throat. Fluffy dogs hide early rubbing well, so work your fingers right down to the skin.
How do you fix the fit so it stops rubbing?
Start with the two-finger check. Slide two fingers flat under the strap at the side of the neck, with your dog standing.
- Two fingers, with a little resistance: the fit is right. Look at the other causes below.
- Three fingers slide in easily: it's too loose. Tighten the slider until two fingers fit snugly.
- Can't get two fingers in: it's too tight. Let it out a notch.
If the slider is at the very end of its travel in either direction, the collar is the wrong size for your dog now. Measure the neck again and check it against our size guide. Our sizes run Small (8 to 11 inches), Medium (11 to 14), Large (14 to 18), XL (18 to 22) and XXL (22 to 28), and a collar that sits in the middle of its range has room to adjust both ways.
Width plays a part too. A strap that's too narrow for a big, strong dog concentrates the pressure on a thin line. One that's too wide for a small dog can dig in under the jaw when they look down. If you think width is the issue, ask us before you order.
What else stops a collar rubbing?
Once the fit is right, the rest is habit.
- Let it dry. After a swim, a bath or a wet walk, take the collar off and let it dry fully before it goes back on.
- Keep it clean. Hand wash in cool water and let it air dry flat. A collar that's been through a muddy month is rougher on the coat than a clean one.
- Lighten the load. Take off tags you don't need. Having your dog's name and your phone number embroidered on the strap means nothing hangs off the D-ring at all.
- Give the neck a break. If your dog is safe at home and in a crate or a secure room, taking the collar off for a few hours lets the skin breathe.
- Consider a harness for walks. If the patch sits where the leash pulls, clipping the leash to a harness takes that load off the neck while the coat grows back. Our collars offer a harness as a Style option, sized by chest.
Ready to replace a collar that's past its best? Browse our handmade collars, made from heavy-duty strapping with solid cast metal hardware, in sizes Small to XXL.
FAQ
Will my dog's fur grow back after collar rubbing?
In most cases, yes, once the rubbing stops. How long it takes depends on your dog's coat and how deep the rubbing went. If the patch isn't filling in after a few weeks, or the skin looks sore, ask your vet.
Should my dog wear a collar while a bald patch heals?
If the skin isn't broken, you can usually keep a correctly fitted, clean, dry collar on and move the leash to a harness for walks. If the skin is broken or sore, follow your vet's advice.
Can a new collar cause hair loss?
It can if the fit is off. Check under a new collar daily for the first week. A flattened coat is fine; a thin line or a pink patch means the fit needs adjusting.
Want a collar sized to your dog from day one? Start with our matching collar and leash sets.