Why is my dog’s fur turning black?
Hyperpigmentation can be normal as a dog ages. Mild darkening of the skin from exposure to the sun and elements can occur, particularly in dogs with light or white coats. Any changes in hair cycle arrest, particularly in plush-coated breeds, can cause hyperpigmentation.
Symptoms of Black Skin Disease in Dogs
Black skin disease is a condition that typically progresses slowly. If you notice a thinning of your dog’s hair or obvious hair loss, you will need to contact your veterinarian for an assessment. Signs of black skin disease include:
Twice a year, dogs will blow out their coats. All dogs shed, regardless of their coat length, and will lose their soft undercoat. Medium- and long-coated dogs’ undercoats are usually lighter in color and can appear red-tinged during dog shedding season. As soon as you start brushing your dog daily, your dog’s dark coat will usually darken up nicely because all of the red-colored undercoat will have been removed.
Sometimes, a dog’s diet can play a part in turning his black coat red. All dogs should eat a high quality diet, but certain diets don’t work for all dogs. If your dog is not shedding, is not ill or has limited sun exposure, then consider changing your dog’s diet to cooked or raw food. Also, try different high quality kibble to find what works best for your dog.
By far, sun exposure is the most common reason why a black coat turns red. Sun exposure bleaches hair, including human hair. As a licensed cosmetologist, I’m very familiar with hair color. When dark-colored hair is exposed to sun (or chemical bleach), it turns red before turning yellow. Dark hair is packed with pigment, so it takes a long time for dark hair to turn yellow (unless lots of chemical bleach is used :)).
When older dogs develop a red-tinged coat, it’s time for a thorough veterinary visit. Senior dogs should have blood work and a physical exam completed every six months to catch potential issues before they become a major issue. Ask your veterinarian about adding fish or hemp oil to your dog’s diet to help his coat if no health issues are identified. It’s possible your dog may be in need of additional supplements to boost his immune system. I recommend Standard Process, as it offers the best nutritional supplements out there.
There’s nothing more beautiful than a healthy dog’s deep black coat—it glows from within. Depending on a dog’s breed, a black coat should have a blue-black hue when viewed in bright light. Of course, soft undercoat is usually a bit lighter than a dog’s regular coat, but overall a black coat should be glossy with minimal odor. Sometimes, a dog’s black coat (and dark gray coats too) can develop a red tinge over time, which can happen for numerous reasons.
Black Skin Disease | Pomeranian Problems
Have you noticed that when your dog continually licks their paws, rusty brown patches appear on their fur? Or maybe your beautiful white Maltese develops difficult-to-remove stains around their eyes.
Your dog’s fur turning pink or brown isn’t always a concern. Sometimes, though, the color change can be a symptom of an underlying health problem. Understanding the possible reasons for this discoloration can save unnecessary stress.