Pet owners with white dogs know the trials of keeping their pup’s fur from turning a rust color. It’s not easy, but having a clean white dog is so satisfying. That’s why most dog owners with dogs that have light colored or white coats are motivated to know the treatment for dog fur turning rust color.
Dog Fur Turning Rust Color: Treatment Options
Dog fur turning rust color treatment isn’t difficult, but it does need to be done repeatedly to keep the rust color away. The following are the best ways to treat dog fur turning rust color.
Check with Vet
There are many medical conditions that can cause the tear ducts to excess tear production. Common causes include yeast infection and eye infection.
Other medical concerns that can cause saliva to turn white fur a rust color are skin infections, ear infections, and allergies.
For fur staining around the mouth, there could be dental problems. Since dental problems can cause other medical conditions, it’s important to resolve them with the vet.
It’s important to check with your vet to rule out any medical problems before trying to get rid of tear staining at home. Eye infections, yeast infections, and ear infections need antibiotics to treat before they become worse.
Trim Fur Regularly
A dog’s fur that has turned a rust color can be cut off. Since it takes a while for the fur to stain, a simple trim can take away the color. This, of course, means your dog’s fur will stay short.
Clean Eyes Regularly
Cleaning your dog’s eyes regularly can keep the tear staining away. There are tear-staining wipes that remove the chemicals responsible for discoloring the fur around a dog’s eyes.
The below wipes are perfect for tear stains on white fur. They are gentle on your dog’s eyes and can be used around the mouth and paws.
Reduce Excessive Tear Production
Since tear stains come from excessive tear production, reducing it can keep the area around the eyes free from staining. CBD for dog allergies can help with environmental allergies that cause excess tears.
Dog owners unsure of what is causing the excessive tear production should reach out to the vet. Resolving the root of the problem can help with dog tear stains.
Change Your Dog’s Diet
Diet has a lot to do with the health of a dog’s body, including porphyrin production (porphyrin is the chemical that causes the rust color excreted in tears and saliva). A cleaner, fresher, and possibly raw diet may keep dog fur from turning rust color.
Since beef has a high amount of iron in it, it’s a good idea to avoid beef in a dog’s diet for those that have high porphyrin production.
Learn more about switching to a fresh raw dog food diet here:
Advantages of Raw Dog Food
Use Apple Cider Vinegar and Water
Dilute apple cider vinegar with warm water. Pour the mixture on a cloth and use the damp cloth around the eyes and dog’s face. Be careful not to get in your dog’s eyes as it can cause eye irritation.
Use Peroxide and Water
Dilute peroxide with warm water. Pour it on a cloth and use the damp cloth to wipe your dog’s face and around the eyes. This is another dog fur turning rust color treatment.
Try Filtered Water
Tap water is high in minerals and cause the fur around a dog’s mouth to turn a rust color. Switch to filtered water to see if it makes a difference.
Switch to a Stainless Steel Food Bowl
Plastic food bowls can get scratched and harbor bacteria that lead to skin irritation. Stainless steel is much better for that reason.
Why Dog Fur Turns a Rust Color
Chemically, a dog’s fur turns a rust color due to porphyrin production. Prohyrin is an iron-containing molecule that is produced when the body breaks down red blood cells.
A dog’s body excretes the iron through feces primarily, but it can also be found in tears, saliva, and urine. While all dogs excrete rust-staining porphyrins, it’s more noticeable in dogs with white coats.
What Else You Need to Know About Dog Fur Turning Rust Color Treatment
Dog tear stains aren’t a problem. They just aren’t pretty to look at, so don’t be overly concerned with them if the vet doesn’t find any medical problems causing them.
Your dog’s coat is a part of his/her look and having rusty-colored paws, mouth, and eye areas won’t make your pup any less lovable or attractive. Do what you can with grooming, but don’t become obsessed over the fur staining. Those of us with white dogs know all about it!
In addition, to tear stains, is shedding a problem? Check out our recommendations for the best bedsheets for dog hair.
