Is your pet's fur turning yellow? There could be many reasons, but the most common ones are listed below.
Incorrectly selected care products
The following principle applies: if a shampoo, conditioner, or other product doesn't suit a dog, it inevitably develops an allergic skin reaction. Furthermore, inappropriate products can affect the mucous membranes of the eyes and mouth, causing itching. As a result, the dog begins to actively lick or scratch the inflamed areas, which worsens the condition of the fur. In irritated areas, the fur may change color, for example, from white to yellow, reddish, or even light brown.
The problem is easily resolved: simply change your pet's grooming products and give them antihistamines. Consulting a veterinarian is also a good idea.
Poor nutrition
Typically, manufacturers of ready-made dog food add products such as:
- seaweed;
- carrot;
- beet;
- food colorings.
If a red-haired dog eats such food, its fur will acquire a brighter, more saturated hue. However, for white and parti-colored dogs, such a diet will negatively affect their coats—they will likely turn brown, yellow, or reddish.
To get rid of this, simply stop feeding the offending dog. However, according to experienced dog breeders, the coat doesn't immediately return to its original color. The tips of the hairs will remain red for a long time, until several shedding cycles have passed.
If a puppy or young dog's coat turns yellow, this may indicate digestive problems caused by improper nutrition.
Hormonal problems in pets
An excess of substances such as phenylalanine and tyrosine in the body can cause coat color changes. The cause is, again, improper nutrition. However, in this case, the problem isn't the food itself, but rather the owners feeding their pets food from their own table. Dog breeders and cynologists advise against this, as such supplementary feeding negatively impacts health and almost always leads to hormonal imbalances and other disorders.
To make sure your dog truly has hormonal dysfunction, look for additional symptoms:
- change in appetite (may be accompanied by binge eating or refusal to eat);
- frequent urination;
- thirst;
- weight loss or obesity;
- hair loss in some areas;
- change in color and quality of wool;
- darkening of the skin.
These symptoms develop gradually, like most hormonal disorders. Therefore, if your dog's coat has acquired a yellowish or reddish tint, it's time to consult a veterinarian for an examination.
Preventing color changes in dogs
To avoid having to deal with the causes of yellowing of your dog's coat, take preventative measures. They're quite simple:
- You should not give your dog tap water, as it often contains too many mineral impurities, which can cause an excess of them.
- If your pet is on a natural diet, you need to carefully monitor its diet and also study the composition of the dietary supplements it receives.
- You should not give your pet large quantities of products containing iodine, copper, or carotene.
- If your dog is on dry food, you should choose a product that is at least super-premium.
- The hair around the eyes should be trimmed regularly to prevent it from getting on the mucous membrane and irritating it.
- If your pet's coat has already turned yellow, you can restore it to its normal appearance by bathing it with a special whitening shampoo. You can also use a lightening gel or spray.
A change in coat color is a sign that something is wrong with your dog. The cause needs to be identified and corrected.
