Why Is My Dog Fur Turning Brown?
Why Is My Dog Fur Turning Brown Around His Paws and Mouth?.Have you recently noticed brown stains on your dog’s white fur or light-colored dog around your paw pads or in his muzzle? We all know as dog owners as soon as you notice anything out of the ordinary on your furry friends you immediately start to worry about illness, disease or any possible aesthetic issue. Fortunately most brown stains on a dog are not because their actual fur is changing color naturally but because the fur is getting regularly wet from excessive salivation.
Once dry saliva leave pigments in your dog’s light colored fur.
These are called porphyrins and will stain a dog’s hair a red-brown hue. Although this coloring alone should not be a concern, in many cases, licking or excessive drooling will highlight an underlying health issue that cannot be ignored. As a veterinarian, the common complaint is what is making my dog’s paws and the area around their mouth brown? This might be related to allergens, allergies, itchy skin, yeast infections, skin irritations, teeth diseases, lip fold disease, excess drooling or dietary irritations.
Why Is My Dog Fur Turning Brown
The cause that the bestows many people doggy-chewing most is overabundant saliva on the coat: 198500 198500 dog-chewing Dogs’ drool includes compounds which comprise iron called porphyrins. On if saliva rests on their fur a sufficient length of time, these pigments in air may begin to oxygenate the saliva and turn the fur a pink to rusty color.
118000 dog-chewing Those with pale to white fur are much more likely to reveal these marks of salivating than canines with much darker fur.
- Maltese
- Bichon Frise
- Shih Tzu
- Poodle
- West Highland White Terrier
- Samoyed
- Great Pyrenees
However, dogs of any breed can develop brown staining.
Also Check: The Best Way to Clean Dog Teeth Without Brushing
Why Is My Dog Fur Turning Brown Around His Paws and Mouth?
Brown paws almost always suggest that your dog has been licking or chewing their feet frequently.
Common reasons include:
1. Environmental Allergies
Dogs may react to:
- Grass
- Tree pollen
- Mold
- Dust mites
- Weeds
These allergies make the paws itchy, causing constant licking that leads to brown staining.
Other symptoms include:
- Red skin
- Ear infections
- Scratching
- Rubbing the face
- Seasonal flare-ups
2. Food Allergies
Some dogs develop allergies to proteins such as:
- Beef
- Chicken
- Dairy
- Wheat
- Soy
Food allergies often cause:
- Itchy feet
- Chronic ear infections
- Digestive upset
- Paw licking
3. Yeast Infections
Warm, moist paws provide the perfect environment for yeast.
Signs include:
- Brown staining
- Greasy fur
- Strong odor
- Red skin
- Constant licking
4. Bacterial Skin Infections
Secondary bacterial infections often occur after excessive licking damages the skin.
Symptoms include:
- Swelling
- Pus
- Pain
- Hair loss
- Brown saliva staining
5. Foreign Objects
Small objects can become lodged between the toes, including:
- Grass awns
- Splinters
- Pebbles
- Burrs
These cause irritation that leads to constant licking.
6. Anxiety or Boredom
Some dogs lick their paws because of stress rather than physical illness.
Behavioral paw licking often occurs:
- During thunderstorms
- When left alone
- During boredom
- At bedtime
Why Is My Dog’s Fur Turning Brown Around the Mouth?
The mouth is another common area for saliva staining.
Possible causes include:
Excessive Drooling
Dogs naturally drool after:
- Drinking
- Eating
- Exercise
- Excitement
Continuous moisture causes staining over time.
Dental Disease
Painful dental problems may increase drooling.
Watch for:
- Bad breath
- Loose teeth
- Swollen gums
- Difficulty chewing
- Bleeding gums
Dental disease is one of the most overlooked causes of brown facial staining.
Lip Fold Dermatitis
Breeds with loose facial folds may trap saliva.
Common breeds include:
- Bulldogs
- Mastiffs
- Pugs
- Saint Bernards
These folds stay moist, allowing bacteria and yeast to grow.
Oral Pain
Dogs with mouth discomfort often lick their lips repeatedly.
Possible causes include:
- Mouth ulcers
- Broken teeth
- Oral tumors
- Gum infections
Is Brown Fur Dangerous?
The stain itself is generally harmless.
However, excessive licking or drooling should always be investigated because it often signals an underlying problem.
Ignoring persistent licking may allow:
- Skin infections
- Chronic allergies
- Painful sores
- Yeast overgrowth
to worsen over time.
How Veterinarians Diagnose the Cause
Your veterinarian may perform:
- Physical examination
- Skin cytology
- Allergy evaluation
- Ear examination
- Dental examination
- Paw inspection
- Skin scraping
- Fungal testing
- Food elimination trial
Correct diagnosis ensures the right treatment rather than simply treating the stain.
Can Brown Stains Be Removed?
Existing stains usually persist until the stained hair is shed.
However, you can help decrease the staining that would occur later:
By cleaning the paws after walkies
- Wiping the mouth after meals
- Keeping the facial fur trim
Feeding the food from a stainless steel bowl. Promptly treating allergies
Discouraging licking
Do not ever use human hair bleaching or whitening products on dogs!
Home Care Tips
What you can implement daily to try to minimize staining:
Keep feet dry Trim excess hair on feet Wipe slobber after meals. Groom the hair around the mouth frequently Practice good oral hygiene Provide a complete and balanced diet Frequent washing of bedding Keep an eye for compulsive licking behaviors
When Should You See a Veterinarian?
Schedule an examination if:
- Your dog constantly licks the paws
- The paws are swollen
- The skin bleeds
- A foul odor develops
- Hair loss occurs
- The skin is open and ulcerated
- Your dog is constantly drooling
- The dog’s breath is foul
- Difficulty chewing/eating
- Brown staining that continually worsens
- Getting prompt treatment can save your dog from chronic skin disease.
How to Prevent Brown Fur Staining
The key is to minimize moisture and correct underlying causes. Some helpful ways to help prevent staining:
- Frequent grooming
- Managing allergies
- Prompt treatment of skin infections
- Good oral care every day
- Wiping the feet after outdoor walks
Providing enrichment to decrease stress-induced licking
Feed a complete and balanced diet
Annual veterinary well checks are recommended
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is my white dog’s fur turning brown around the mouth?
The primary culprit is saliva staining caused by porphyrins, which are iron-containing compounds present in tears and saliva.
Drooling, dental problems, or irritation of the lips can all cause excess saliva to reach your dog’s fur.
Why is my white dog’s fur turning brown around the mouth?
The primary culprit is saliva staining caused by porphyrins, which are iron-containing compounds present in tears and saliva.
Drooling, dental problems, or irritation of the lips can all cause excess saliva to reach your dog’s fur.
Can food cause brown fur staining?
Yes, some foods can lead to allergic reactions in dogs which causes excessive licking of the paws, resulting in brown saliva staining around the mouth and paws.
Is brown fur caused by a yeast infection?
Other Causes of Brown fur a yeast infection Some yeast infections can cause a dog’s fur to appear stained as well. They often itch dogs and can lead to chewing on and licking the paws, leading to staining.
What can I do to stop my dog from licking his paws?
Treat underlying cause “When treating the underlying cause, the best treatment option is to figure out why your dog is licking his paws and address it directly. The potential causes range from an infection, allergies to the environment or something your dog ate, to parasites, anxiety, and even pain.
Do dog whitening shampoos work on stained fur?
A dog whitening shampoo might brighten small sections of fur, but they don’t get rid of the cause.
Are brown stains painful?
The staining itself is not painful. However, the condition or issue that is causing the excessive drooling or licking can be.
Do all dogs develop saliva stains?
No but a light-colored dog will appear to have saliva stains more prominently, i.e. A white, cream colored dog, and tan colored dog vs a dark colored dog. Darker colored dogs can also develop stains if they have too much.
If my dog is all the sudden having excess saliva what should I do?
Yes, excess drooling can be related to dental problems, an injury, having eaten something poisonous, having a sensitive stomach, nausea, and several other health problems that necessitate a visit to your veterinarian.
How to prevent all brown stains in a dog?
While it cannot be completely prevented with all dogs, proper grooming, addressing your dog’s underlying allergies, diligent cleaning of your dog’s teeth and mouth and discouraging your dog from excessively licking can reduce the intensity and appearance of the brown saliva stains of the dog.
Final Thoughts
BROWN EARS: 7 common reasons for brown on your dog’s paws and mouth Saliva Color-Change Your dog’s brown or reddish brown fur on their paws and around their mouth is more likely due to the natural pigments in saliva than a actual color change of the fur. Eventually the saliva pigment on the hair can discolor light-colored fur but even the color can indicate the cause is a symptom for a underlying issues. Common Causes are, yeast infection, allergies, poor dental hygiene, skin issues, excess drooling, and chewing/licking behaviors.
