Why Your Dog's Fur Turns Pink or Brown

While it isn't always a cause for alarm when your dog's fur turns pink or brown, sometimes, it could signify a hidden medical condition. Understanding the potential causes of this discolouration can help you avoid needless stress.

Porphyrin is the most common cause of pink, red, orange, or brown stains on your dog's fur, according to Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer for the AKC. Porphyrins are iron-rich excretions in tears, saliva, urine, and faeces. That is why you often notice the discolouration around your dog's eyes, mouth, licked fur, or rear end.

Although all dogs manufacture porphyrins, some do so more than others, and light-coloured fur shows the staining more prominently. Porphyrin staining isn't usually a cause for concern. However, excessive staining along with specific signs or behaviours usually denotes an underlying medical condition that may require quick veterinarian care.

The following are stains to look out for:

Tear stains

Excessive staining around the eye could signify injury, allergies, infections, or abnormalities.

Mouth stain

Excessive salivation may signify periodontal disease, fractured teeth, or other dental issues. Watch out for bad breath, bleeding gums, or trouble eating. 

Paws or Other Body Parts

When dogs lick their paws too much, a buildup of porphyrins in the saliva causes the fur in the vicinity to turn pink or rusty red. Excessive licking is often a sign of a hidden medical or behavioural disorder, even though the staining is just unpleasant.