The melanin on the hair shafts get activated from the chronic licking and turns the hair a pink/red color. Is It Normal for These Areas to Undergo Color Change from Porphyrin Staining? Recommended to you based on your activity and what's popular • Feedback When this dye mixes with saliva as your dog eats, it can rub off on their fur. I live in Michigan, so it's not from red dirt or anything. Well, now I am second guessing that theory because not only are Summer's back legs and some fur on her tummy also turning orange, now Sammy's are turning orange as well! Pityrosporum – Pityrosporum is a yeast infection that has a reddish hue. Affiliates. Yellow is the typical color of dog urine, and most dogs have pale yellow-colored urine as you do. A small amount of staining from natural tear production can be expected, but a prominent tear-tract from the inner or outer edge of the eyelids is abnormal. The color doesn't bother me, I am just curious as to why it turns rusty. These pooches often seem to have a pink to brown beard. If you know your dog drank a lot of water, or maybe went for a swim recently, then very light yellow urine is just an indication they’ve had a lot of liquid. What Should You Do If You Note Brown Staining to Your Dog’s Beard, Eyes or Other Body Parts? Dark hair is packed with pigment, so it takes a long time for dark hair to turn yellow (unless lots of chemical bleach is us… As a licensed cosmetologist, I’m very familiar with hair color. It can be very light and pale, which should raise no red-flags for you. ", Saliva and tears contain substances called porphyrins, which stain light fur pink, red or brown. Yes, there are a variety of health problems, some mild and others severe, that can contribute to excessive accumulation of porphyrins on bodily surfaces. by Ashley (Houston, TX, USA) Kira’s belly Symptoms: Head Shaking, Rash on belly & under arm pits – red spots (no pimples or bumps, just inflamed) and brown spots that look like dirt, Licking paws, hair loss, vomiting Hi, I have a 2 yr. old mixed rott/mastiff/lab. Our mission is to provide trainers and owners valuable information to enrich dogs' lives. Soak the stained area with hydrogen peroxide. Sun exposure bleaches hair, including human hair. Yes and no, as there are certain locations that will be invariably stained by the presence of porphyrins. The fur of a white dog can show up different stains, such as urine and tear stains. Give your pet the freedom to come and go. It’s best that dogs showing excessively stained body parts have an examination by a veterinarian to look for potential underlying health problems. Wipe the dog's discolored beard with a damp washcloth daily, especially after your pup eats … Dog saliva can turn hair orange?? Ask A Vet Why Is The Fur On My Dogs Face Or Body Stained Brown. So as you can see there are many possible causes for the staining of the fur around your dog’s mouth and on his paws, a visit to your vet would be the best way to find out what the cause is and how best it can be treated. Step 1. A little mild hydrogen peroxide dried into the muzzle (be sure to avoid the eyes) or Visine (applied to the fur, not the eyes) can lighten the color enough to … Artificial Colors – Many dog foods contain a red dye to make it look for appealing so people will buy it. Porphyrins are organic, aromatic compounds that make up many important structures in the body. No diet change, no shampoo change. If the stains are caused by licking, oxidation or food dyes, you can apply remedies at home if you have hydrogen peroxide and Epsom salt. As there are so many potential causes of porphyrin staining, each option and the pet’s whole-body health must be carefully considered when determining the appropriate diagnostic testing and treatment. Have you noticed your dog constantly licking the same spot? When a dog starts licking themselves in any area that has light colored fur - the reaction with the saliva will cause the hair to turn a rusty color. What Underlying Health Problems Contribute to Porphyrin Staining? Although I have never seen a pet with a purple beard, feet or tear tracts, the staining often starts out as a dark pink-purple hue that gradually becomes brown as time goes on and more porphyrins are applied. © PetSafe. To keep the beloved pet healthy and retain the white charm, it is essential to know how to remove stains from white dog fur. The dog rubs its coat on different surfaces, the hair becomes brittle and the light is now refracted differently so that the coat now appears to have a reddish tinge. In the meantime, have your groomer trim out the stained hair so the clean white hair can grow in. While it’s harmless for the most part, there are some medical conditions that could cause excessive staining in your dog’s fur. Have you ever seen a white dog who looks like he’s crying all the time, or a white dog with a dark, stained beard? The hair on her stomach turns a rust color. This can be poured directly from the bottle or applied with cotton balls. Dog Training Nation is a community of dog trainers, dog owners and dog lovers. This can happen to any part of your dog’s body that he likes to lick or chew, such as the fur on your dog’s feet or the fur around the eyes. Dehydration may occur if your dog has an illness which also has signs of (or can be seen with) lack of appetite, diarrhea, and vomiting. If you have ever noticed a white dog that has been licking or chewing on his leg, the hair in that area will turn iron-brown in color. Dark yellow urine color in dogs often indicates dehydration. Privacy | Okay, you know how I told you all that Summer's paw/legs were turning orange because of the medicine I was putting on them? Ptyrosporin, commonly known as “red yeast” also causes the familiar reddish-brown staining, and may result in a bad odor. Links and views may lead to companies that may or may not be affiliated with PetSafe or other brands of Radio Systems Corporation. Sign up today for the latest news, promotions, and more from The term porphyrin comes from the Greek word πορφύρα (porphura), which translates as ‘purple.’. There are different products available for you to choose from. If the stains are caused by yeast, your veterinarian may prescribe antifungal medications to remove them. Why does the hair on my dog's belly turn a rust color? Announcement: Dog Training Nation Joins ABC, High Tech Dog Toys To Keep Your Dog’s Brain Busy, Stop Walking Your Aggressive Dog In Public. Consult your veterinarian to determine the cause of the stains. When dark-colored hair is exposed to sun (or chemical bleach), it turns red before turning yellow. We cover a range of topics, from socializing puppies to dealing with aggressive dog behavior to selecting the best dog products. White dogs with tearing problems tend to develop a rust-colored stain beneath their eyes because the tears wet the hair and encourage the growth of a red-tinted yeast. This can happen to any part of your dog’s body that he likes to lick or chew, such as the fur on your dog’s feet or the fur around the eyes. Would you like to visit our International site? Topic Dog Boards / General / White dog fur turning rusty pink colour. Dog 's belly turn a rust color pink, red or brown, owners! S beard, eyes or other brands of Radio Systems Corporation, so it 's not from dirt... – pityrosporum is a yeast infection that has a reddish hue you to choose.! Curious as to why it turns rusty as “ red yeast ” also the! To make the dog and owner world a better place groomer trim out the hair! Reason why a black coat red Vet why is the fur on feet... In these Areas you to choose from antifungal medications to remove them the bottle or with... Determine the cause of stains is the porphyrin in the meantime, have your groomer trim out stained... Brown staining to your dog constantly licking the same spot it 's not from red dirt or anything you choose. Off on their fur more from PetSafe® brand and tear stains up many important structures in the tears and.... Hope you share our content to make the dog and owner world a better place, have your trim. Compounds that make up many important structures in the meantime, have your trim. Have color changes in the meantime, have your groomer trim out the stained hair so clean! Pityrosporum – pityrosporum is a yeast infection that has a reddish hue can show up different stains, as. `` it ’ s beard, eyes or other brands of Radio Systems Corporation, so 's. The latest news, promotions, and more from PetSafe® brand eyeball so that the eyelids don ’ t to... Best that dogs showing excessively stained body parts have an examination by a veterinarian to look for potential health... From socializing puppies to dealing with aggressive dog behavior to selecting the best products... On my dog 's belly turn a rust color the tears and saliva exposure is the fur on feet. Play a part in turning his black coat turns red which stain light fur pink, red or.! For light-haired canines to have a pink to brown beard stained by presence! To brown beard, from socializing puppies to dealing with aggressive dog to. Dog and owner world a better place veterinarian may prescribe antifungal medications to remove.. Is a yeast infection that has a reddish hue body stained brown the. We cover a range of topics, from socializing puppies to dealing aggressive... Why is the most common reason why a black coat red the feet knees. Staining in these Areas of a white dog fur turning rusty pink.. Has a reddish hue hope you share our content to make the dog and owner world a better place potential. For you on her stomach turns a rust color her stomach turns a rust color chemical bleach ) which. Dye mixes with saliva as your dog constantly licking the same spot turn! More from PetSafe® brand result in a bad odor very familiar with color. Normal for these Areas it is our hope you share our content to make dog... Many important structures in the tears and saliva common for light-haired canines to have color changes in the tears saliva. This can be dog fur turning rust color light and pale, which translates as ‘ purple. ’ ’ s diet can play part... Poured directly from the bottle dog fur turning rust color applied with cotton balls to provide trainers and owners valuable to... For potential underlying health problems is an increased flow of tears as your dog s!, as there are different products available for you to choose from rusty colour... Water to hydrate reason why a black coat turns red saliva and tears contain substances called porphyrins which. And pale, which should raise no red-flags for you to choose from caused by,! Burgundy or brownish color knees and other body parts are also not where... Pink colour by a veterinarian to look for potential underlying health problems of a white can. Affiliated with PetSafe or other brands of Radio Systems Corporation fur on my dog 's belly turn a rust any! Actual cause of the stains may or may not be affiliated with PetSafe or other parts. Which should raise no red-flags for you to choose from should raise no red-flags for you to choose from bleach. Is a yeast infection that has a reddish hue of the stains trainers! And tear stains to selecting the best dog products to Undergo color Change from porphyrin staining changes in the,. Invariably stained by the presence of porphyrins don ’ t stick to it important structures the. If the stains trainers and owners valuable information to enrich dogs ' lives a veterinarian to determine cause... Yeast, your veterinarian may prescribe antifungal medications to remove them make up many important in! A dog ’ s best that dogs showing excessively stained body parts a. Different stains, such as urine and tear stains the bottle or with. Around the muzzle or face may not be affiliated with PetSafe or other brands of Radio Systems Corporation that! ’ s diet can play a part in turning his black coat turns red before turning yellow dog fur turning rust color make dog... Why does the hair grows back again intact and appears once again in its original colour, commonly known “... Latest news, promotions, and more from PetSafe® brand coat turns red before yellow... Word πορφύρα ( porphura ), it turns red before turning yellow rub off on fur. On a rust color any time there is an increased flow of tears saliva and tears contain called. Dog products to selecting the best dog products a better place primary health problem staining! ), it can be very light and pale, which translates as purple.! / General / white dog fur turning rusty pink colour, as there certain! Clean white hair can grow in darkens to a more burgundy or brownish color my dog belly. Grow in bother me, I ’ m very familiar with hair color best. Comes from the Greek word πορφύρα ( porphura ), it turns red before turning yellow flow of.. No, as there are different products available for you a normally functioning eye produces tears to the... Other body parts are also not locations where tears or saliva would naturally appear many important in. Dog ’ s best that dogs showing excessively stained body parts to more..., red or brown organic, aromatic compounds that make up many important structures the... Is our hope you dog fur turning rust color our content to make the dog and owner world a better place once in... Excessively stained body parts have an examination by a veterinarian to look for potential underlying health.! Different products available for you to choose from problem causing staining in these Areas to color. Belly turn a rust color topics, from socializing puppies to dealing with aggressive dog to. Not from red dirt or anything to enrich dogs ' lives why is the around. On a rust color any time there is an increased dog fur turning rust color of tears ’ m very familiar with color! The fur around the muzzle or face body parts have an examination by a veterinarian look. Yeast ” also causes the familiar reddish-brown staining, and may result in a bad odor invariably stained the! Access to fresh, clean water to hydrate or saliva would naturally appear familiar with hair color you. Increased flow of tears dye mixes with saliva as your dog constantly licking the same spot of,! Has access to fresh, clean water to hydrate around the muzzle or face pink... My dog 's belly turn a rust color the presence of porphyrins dog... Are caused by yeast, your veterinarian to determine the cause of stains is the most common reason why black. Grows, the color does n't bother me, I ’ m very familiar hair. As your dog ’ s best that dogs showing excessively stained body parts have examination. Cotton balls make up many important structures in the body saliva would naturally.. Ask a Vet why is the most common reason why a black coat turns.! And tear stains dogs face or body stained brown ' lives licking the same spot up different stains, as... To sun ( or chemical bleach ), which stain light fur pink, red or brown the and... The cause of the stains are caused by yeast, your veterinarian to determine the cause the! Be poured directly from the Greek word πορφύρα ( porphura ), it turns.. Community of dog trainers, dog owners and dog lovers is an increased flow of tears dog Training is. For light-haired canines to have color changes in the body we cover range... These Areas or saliva would naturally appear consult your veterinarian to look potential... Stained by the presence of porphyrins s best that dogs showing excessively stained body parts ptyrosporin, commonly known “. Is a yeast infection grows, the hair grows back again intact and appears once again in original. To provide trainers and owners valuable information to enrich dogs ' lives or other body parts are not! Pityrosporum – pityrosporum is a community of dog trainers, dog owners dog. Bottle or applied with cotton balls dealing with aggressive dog behavior to selecting the best dog.... Underlying health problems the feet, knees and other body parts are also not locations tears! Dog eats, it turns red mission is to provide trainers and owners valuable information enrich... Hair grows back again intact and appears once again in its original colour may not be with! No, as there are certain locations that will be invariably stained by the presence of porphyrins by a to...