Introduction
Do you want to know about dog fur turning rust color treatment? Most will agree that being a pet owner requires patience, dedication, and love, and it comes with many unexpected challenges.
One such challenge is your canine friend’s fur turning rusty in color. It can be worrying, especially if you don’t know why it’s happening or how to handle the situation.
Fur turning is a common problem, especially in white dogs, and it is often a result of accumulated dirt and grass stains.
However, if your dog’s fur turns rusty in color, it’s usually something more than just dirt. Some underlying conditions could be causing it.
And that is what this article is all about. We’ll be looking at the causes and how you can treat your dog if its fur is turning rust in color.
Dog Fur Turning Rust Color Treatment & Causes
There are several reasons why a dog’s fur turns rust in color. We’ll look at various causes and how to address each for better understanding.
Cause 1: Allergies
Like us, dogs can develop allergies to substances such as pollen, certain foods, or even certain grooming products. If your dog is allergic to something, it can cause irritation and inflammation to their eyes.
When this happens, more tears are produced and eventually come into contact with the fur. Tears contain Poryphine, which is responsible for staining your dog’s fur.
Additionally, allergies can lead to itchiness and overall discomfort for dogs. When they experience this discomfort, they naturally lick the affected area.
Through licking, saliva is transferred to the fur, and with time, the porphyrin in the saliva accumulates in the fur, resulting in a rusty coloration.
Treatment
Talk to the vet if you suspect your dog is allergic to anything, be it food or its environs. They can help determine with certainty if the allergies are related to their food or something in their environment.
In cases of food allergies, an elimination diet can often be effective in resolving the issue. However, for other allergies, long-term medication or removal of the environmental trigger might be necessary to address the problem.
Cause 2: Dental issues
When a dog is injured in the mouth, it can trigger excessive saliva production as a response to protect and heal the affected area.
Additionally, mouth or teeth infections can increase saliva production as the body’s defense mechanism kicks in to combat the infection and maintain oral health.
Consequently, the saliva will drip to the area below your dog’s mouth. This buildup may eventually lead to a noticeable change in the color of the dog’s coat in that area.
Treatment
Suppose you observe excessive saliva production in your dog. In that case, it should be considered a sign of an underlying problem, especially when accompanied by other symptoms such as bad breath, difficulty eating, or reluctance to chew toys or bones.
Seeking professional veterinary care is crucial to accurately diagnose the specific dental issue affecting your dog.
Cause 3: skin irritation
When dogs experience skin irritation, biting and licking the affected area is natural.
Their instinctual response to discomfort is an attempt to soothe the irritation and find relief. However, this behavior unintentionally leads to a buildup of saliva around the irritated skin.
The accumulation of saliva on the affected area leads to a high concentration of porphyrin, which gradually causes the coat color to take on a rusty appearance.
Treatment
You must identify the root cause and take appropriate steps to eliminate it. The trigger could be various factors, including environmental elements, dietary components, or even allergies.
Consulting a veterinarian will help you rule out any underlying health conditions that may be irritating. The vet will conduct a thorough examination and, if necessary, recommend specific tests to pinpoint the exact cause.
Cause 4: Dog breed
Certain dog breeds are more prone to fur staining, especially around their eyes, nose, and mouth. These breeds, such as Pugs, Boxers, Bulldogs, and Bichons, are known as brachycephalic breeds.
Brachycephalic dogs have a short muzzles and often possess a flat face. Unfortunately, this facial structure can result in various health complications, including respiratory, dental, eye, and skin infections.
One of the reasons for these problems is the inadequate drainage from the eye sockets and nose in dogs with brachycephalic facial structures, which leads to the accumulation of tears and nasal discharge. Over time, the porphyria in the discharge will stain the fur.
Treatment
If you have a brachycephalic breed, the best thing you can do is take proactive measures and ensure your dog is well groomed and wiped more often. However, if you notice excess discharge be on the lookout; it could suggest an underlying issue.
Cause 5: Tears duct and eye problems
When a dog’s tear ducts become blocked or infected, or if their eyes are irritated, it can result in an excessive production of tears which stains the dog’s fur around the eyes. ‘
Eye irritation can sometimes be due to something as simple as overgrown hair poking and rubbing against the eyes.
Treatment
The best thing to do is address the underlying cause of the infection in the eye by visiting a vet. If there is an overgrowth of hair that might irritate the eye, you can take care of this at home by trimming down the hair near the eyes.
Pro Tip: Many stain removers on the market are meant to remove stains without irritating your dog’s eyes.
These removers are safe to be used around the mouth and in o. If you favor a do-it-yourself approach, consider using baking soda, a natural bleaching agent that poses no harm to your dog’s coat or skin.
You have two options: simply sprinkle baking soda directly onto your dog’s coat and gently brush it in, or create a paste by mixing baking soda with water and applying it using a soft cloth.
Allow the baking soda to sit on the fur for approximately five minutes before rinsing it out thoroughly.
What Is Porphyrin?
Porphyrin is a byproduct generated by the dog’s body as a waste material. It is formed when iron breaks down red blood cells.
The elimination of porphyrin from the body occurs primarily through feces. However, it can also be through tears, saliva, and urine.
A reddish stain gradually develops as the dog sheds tears or licks its fur. The iron in porphyrin is the primary cause of the reddish-brown stains on the dog’s fur.
Preventive Measures To Avoid Your Dog’s Fur-Turning Rust
Prevnetive measures is important for dog fur turning rust color treatment. Your dog’s coat is a reflection of their overall health and well-being. Following these preventive measures ensures your pup’s fur remains free from the dreaded rust color.
- Maintaining proper hygiene
Regular grooming sessions are key to preventing the accumulation of excess saliva on their fur. Frequent brushing helps remove loose hair and debris while distributing natural oils, resulting in a shiny coat.
Additionally, pay attention to their oral health. Dental problems can cause excessive saliva production, leading to rust color. So, brush their teeth regularly and schedule dental check-ups with your vet.
- Regular vet visits
Routine visits to your veterinarian are essential for overall health assessment and detecting early signs of potential skin or dental issues.
Addressing any underlying problems can prevent them from escalating and affecting the appearance of your dog’s coat. Your vet will partner in maintaining your furry friend’s healthy and vibrant coat.
- Give your dog nutritious food.
Feed your dog high-quality food tailored to meet their specific nutritional needs. A diet rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals contributes to healthy skin and a shiny coat.
Remember, a well-nourished dog is less likely to suffer from skin irritations, which can lead to excessive licking and rust-colored fur.
- Allergy management
Just like humans, dogs can also have allergies to their skin and fur. If your pup experiences allergies, work closely with your veterinarian to manage them effectively.
Identifying and avoiding allergens can help prevent skin irritation and the temptation to lick or bite their fur excessively. Controlling allergies will protect your furry friend from developing a rusty coat.
- Prevent parasites
Pesky parasites like fleas and ticks can wreak havoc on your dog’s skin and coat. Regularly administer flea and tick prevention measures recommended by your vet to keep these parasites at bay.
A parasite-free pup is less likely to experience skin irritation, preventing the buildup of porphyrin in their saliva and keeping their coat color beautifully vibrant.
Conclusion
Understanding the causes and implementing effective treatments for dog fur turning rust color is important for ensuring a healthy life.
Whether the discoloration results from skin irritation, dental issues, or other underlying factors, addressing the root cause is paramount.
Regular vet visits allow for early detection and appropriate intervention, preventing minor issues from escalating.
Also, managing allergies and preventing parasites is essential to safeguarding your dog’s coat from unsightly rust stains.
Remember, a vibrant and healthy coat enhances our canine companions’ beauty and reflects their overall health.
