What causes dog hair to turn white?

There are several common reasons for a dog's hair turning white, including genetic issues, aging, improper diet, inadequate grooming, and underlying health conditions. First, if the dog's parents have a problem with white hair, it may be due to genetic factors that cause the dog's hair to turn white. Secondly, as the dog ages, the pigment deposition decreases, and the hair follows suit. Furthermore, feeding the dog human food or an unbalanced diet can lead to hair color fading or turning white. Lastly, if the dog exhibits abnormal symptoms such as excessive shedding or weight gain, it may indicate a underlying health condition and require immediate veterinary attention.

1. Genetic Issues

If the dog's parents have a problem with white hair, their offspring may be genetically predisposed to it. Therefore, it's not necessarily a matter of the dog's hair being impure, but rather a genetic issue. There is nothing that can be done to change the existing genetic predisposition, but if the owner finds the white hair unattractive, they can take the dog to a groomer.

1. Aging

As dogs age, pigment deposition decreases, causing the hair to gradually turn gray or white, which is a normal occurrence. However, a dog's hair does not turn white overnight, but rather first appears around the face, particularly near the mouth.

1. Improper Diet

If the owner frequently feeds the dog human food, the dog's body may be unable to digest the excessive salt, causing the original hair to become damaged and turn white. Moreover, if attention is not paid to a balanced diet, the dog's hair color may become duller due to a lack of nutrients such as protein and vitamins. In this case, the owner needs to adjust the dog's diet promptly. They can try feeding the dog bland food without salt, such as carrots, egg yolks, and chicken breasts. If conditions permit, the dog can also be given beauty supplements like lecithin.

1. Inadequate Grooming

Using human shampoo or shampoo with harmful ingredients when bathing the dog can damage the dog's skin or hair follicles, preventing nutrients from reaching the hair and causing it to turn white. In this situation, it is necessary to switch to a dog-specific shampoo and avoid bathing the dog too frequently.

1. Underlying Health Conditions

Some diseases can also cause a dog's hair to turn white, such as hypothyroidism and Cushing's disease. Hypothyroidism can also lead to weight gain, hair loss, and skin problems in dogs. In addition, liver and kidney diseases can cause a dog's hair to turn white because toxins are not cleared from the body quickly enough, affecting the cells that produce melanin. If you suspect that your dog's white hair is due to a health condition, it is best to take it to a veterinarian for examination and treatment as soon as possible.