Graying hair isn’t something we often connect with a young puppy.
So when your dog’s fur suddenly changes color, it’s understandably a cause for concern.
Before we go deeper into the possible causes, let’s make clear what graying in dogs actually is and why it happens.
Like humans, dogs can develop gray hair as they get older.
This often happens across the muzzle but gray or white spots can occur across the entire body.
Hair color is decided by the kind and the quantity of melanin it has.
When the production of this pigment slows down or stops, individual strands of hair will come out in a lighter shade.
This is normally a traditional strategy of aging and nothing you must worry about.
Now let’s learn how that very same process could happen in a young puppy.
A dog’s hair can turn white or gray on account of age, genetics, health issues, stress, or skin conditions. Premature graying can occur in dogs even younger than 2 years of age.
5 Reasons Your Puppy is Getting White Hair
Age is unquestionably probably the most common reason for graying in dogs nonetheless if you might have a really young dog, you may rule that one out.
While there are several different causes for white hair in puppies, most cases are related to genetics.
1. Genetics
When premature graying happens in humans, we commonly glance on the person’s parents as genetics are a giant influential factor.
It also doesn’t hurt to take a more in-depth take a look at your dog’s parents.
If possible, try to seek out out more about your dog’s relatives to see if the graying process matches in any way.
If their parents developed gray hair at a young age, likelihood is your dog will too.
Black dogs also are inclined to show gray-colored hair sooner than dogs with lighter coats.
Although this may occasionally be on account of the indisputable fact that gray hair simply stands out on a dark coat and many homeowners never notice their yellow Labs graying.
Photo by Jeremy Perkins on Unsplash
2. Breed Predisposition
When researching for white hair in puppies, the Poodle continuously pops up, and for good reasons.
In dogs, there’s something called progressive graying which is attributable to a gene that may affect certain breeds just like the Poodle, Irish Wolfhound, and Bearded Collies.
It is usually seen in long-haired breeds probably on account of the indisputable fact that the hair lightens because it grows and it won’t turn into long enough in short-haired breeds.
A brief-haired dog is perhaps born with the gene without showing any signs.
Unlike “normal” graying where hair strands grow gray from the start, progressive graying signifies that the hair cannot hold onto the pigment because it ages.
Since it’s a dominant gene, progressive graying will also be seen in mixed breeds.
3. Health Issues
Underlying health issues often is the reason your puppy is getting white hair which incorporates conditions equivalent to hypothyroidism, liver disease, and kidney issues.
Among the many underlying health issues which have graying as a symptom is hypothyroidism.
This can be a condition where your dog’s thyroids produce an inadequate amount of hormones.
It’s a typical condition in dogs that may cause weight gain, behavioral changes, and coat issues.
Hair loss mainly happens on the dog’s trunk and the back of the legs.
Chances are you’ll also notice an overall thinning of the hair and it could lose its shine.
Hypothyroidism is normally treated with oral medications that should be taken for the remainder of your dog’s life.
Moreover, liver and kidney disease in dogs may end in hair graying or more commonly in abnormal-looking skin and hair.
Nevertheless these are rarer and when you suspect that anything is incorrect together with your dog, definitely consider taking him to the vet.
4. Skin Conditions
Vitiligo is a rare skin condition in each humans and dogs and is characterised by patches of unpigmented skin.
Certain areas may fade while others completely lose their pigmentation.
These color changes are often everlasting nonetheless they’re only cosmetic and will not be harmful to your dog.
Most dogs diagnosed with vitiligo are lower than 3 years old and there are some breeds that appear to be affected greater than others.
The Rottweiler, Dachshund, German Shepherd, Doberman Pinscher, and Old English Sheepdog could also be genetically predisposed nonetheless no gene has been identified to be answerable for vitiligo.
5. Stress
Stress had been linked to premature graying in humans before and it’s possible that it also plays a job in dogs.
A study from 2016 found that young dogs which might be more anxious and impulsive usually tend to develop gray hair at a younger age.
The researchers photographed 400 dogs and asked their owners to fill out an in depth questionnaire.
Female dogs were also found to gray earlier more continuously than male dogs.
What Age Do Dogs Get White Hair?
On average, dogs begin to develop white hairs around 5 years of age. This greatly is dependent upon the breed as every breed enters its senior years at a distinct point.
Small breeds are considered senior dogs at around 10-12 years old while large breeds enter this stage at about 6 years old.
Large dogs are inclined to age more quickly and still have shorter life expectancy hence they earn their distinguished look earlier.
Even inside the same breed, there might be differences and a few dogs may develop gray hairs at only a number of years of age while others never rock a gray muzzle.
Photo by Berkay Gumustekin on Unsplash
How one can Get Rid of Gray Hair on Dogs?
If you might have ruled out medical issues, gray hair in your dog isn’t something you must do away with and is simply a cosmetic issue.
I get that the senior dog look isn’t everyone’s cup of tea especially if it happens at an early age.
Getting constant remarks and having to clarify to those who your dog is definitely very young can get annoying.
Nonetheless, those little strands of gray make your dog truly unique they usually are an element of them.
In case your dog is battling anxiety, this may occasionally result in premature graying.
Separation anxiety, for instance, is a typical behavior issue in dogs that might be extremely stressful.
By working together with your dog through those fears, you might not only prevent further graying but may also greatly improve your dog’s quality of life.
Being in a relentless state of fear or stress is harmful to the entire body and may cause health problems, equivalent to urinary tract infections, hypertension, stomach ulcers, and more.
Your dog can feel stressed for plenty of reasons:
- latest environment
- loud noises
- change in routine
- latest people
- addition or lack of a household member
Many homeowners are inclined to overlook that their very own stress levels can impact their dogs.
We advise that dogs, to an ideal extent, mirror the stress level of their owners.
Long-term stress levels are synchronized in dogs and their owners
The plan of action will rely upon your dog’s specific anxiety and your circumstances.
Nevertheless, there are a number of things that each owner can do to make their dog’s life more comfortable.
The best stress reliever in dogs might be exercise.
Research your dog’s breed and be certain that they’ve sufficient physical exertion in addition to mental stimulation every single day.
Attempt to follow a every day routine as best as possible so your dog knows what to anticipate.
Practice stress management by avoiding situations that make your dog nervous or uncomfortable.
If the problem persists or gets worse, seek the advice of a vet or behaviorist to get more personalized suggestions.
Disclaimer: This blog post doesn’t substitute veterinary attention and doesn’t intend to achieve this. I’m not a veterinarian or pet nutritionist. In case your dog shows any sign of illness, call your vet.
