Why is My Dog Getting White Hair at a Young Age?

Have you noticed some white or gray hair strands popping up on your young pup? What’s that all about?

Premature graying in puppies comes with a mix of concern and confusion, especially if you're a new dog owner. Is your puppy aging too fast? Could it be a sign of an underlying issue? Since it’s not such a common occurrence, we can understand why you would be worried. 

But premature gray hair in puppies can happen due to several reasons. To put your mind at ease, let’s go over what these reasons are, whether you need to be concerned, and if there’s anything you can do about it.

Understanding Why Your Dog is Getting White Hair Prematurely.

Here are some of the most common reasons why your pup may be experiencing premature graying:

Genetics

Just as genes play a huge role in our appearance, the same applies to dogs. The gene responsible for early graying in dogs is known as the graying gene. It mainly affects one of the two types of melanin present in dogs, known as eumelanin.

Dogs expressing the graying gene will start with colorful new fur that gradually fades into with or gray hair as the fur grows out. This may be more visible in long-haired dogs than in short-haired dogs, as well as in gray or black dogs compared to lighter colored dogs. 

Certain dog breeds are also more predisposed to having this graying gene, such as Greyhounds, Poodles, Schauners, and Weimaraners

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Age

You should expect to see some gray hairs pop up as your dog grows older. Mainly, the white or gray hairs show up around the muzzle and face as a sign that your fur baby is no longer a baby. Now you may be thinking, “Mine is just a puppy!”

Typically, dogs are considered seniors between the ages of seven and ten years. But some may start showing gray hairs as early as five years, if not earlier. 

That’s because some dogs age faster than others. This could be affected by the dog's lifestyle, genes, diet, or even your dog's size. For example, large dogs age faster than smaller breeds because they have a higher metabolism.

Also, read “At what age is a dog considered a senior?” for more insight on your dog’s exact age. 

Nutritional Deficiency

While on the subject of diet, a balanced diet doesn’t just affect your dog’s aging process. It also has a direct effect on the health of its coat. 

One study showed that your pet’s diet had some effect on its coat’s pigmentation. Therefore, nutritional deficiencies in important vitamins and minerals like copper could contribute to the premature graying of your dog’s hair.

Anxiety and Stress

Have you ever noticed that you develop some gray hairs when you’re stressed out? Apparently, the same can happen to young dogs. Although not a lot of studies have been done to explain this, some suggest that stress can affect the body’s production of pigment, leading to premature gray hair.

To support this, in one study, researchers found an association between premature gray hair and anxious behavior among other factors in female dogs than in male dogs within the study. 

So, it is important to focus on how to make your dog happy. Something like introducing your puppy to new environments like dog parks could end up being a stressor if not done properly. 

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Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a skin condition that is rare in dogs but can affect the pigmentation of their skin and fur. It is mainly characterized by the gradual loss of pigmentation in certain areas – or sometimes the whole – of your dog’s body. 

At times, it may be accompanied by other symptoms like dandruff and skin lesions. The cause of this condition is still unclear. However, it could be genetic since some breeds like Dachshunds and Sheepdogs are more prone to getting it.

Undiagnosed Health Issues

Although healthy dogs can have premature gray hairs, it could also be a sign of an underlying health issue. For example, premature graying in young dogs could signal underperforming thyroid glands, a condition known as hypothyroidism.

Even though it’s rare, premature graying could also be a sign that your dog’s body is not excreting toxins quickly enough, which could indicate a liver or kidney disease. Either way, we recommend having a vet check and test your little pup to ensure these are not the cases.   

Should You Be Concerned About Your Dog’s Premature Graying?

Usually, your dog’s hair turning white or gray shouldn’t be a cause for concern. This is especially true if it is due to aging or genetics.

Before you rush into taking any action, make sure that your dog is actually graying prematurely. Naturally gray dogs, for example, shouldn’t worry you since that is their natural hair color. 

But if your dog starts showing gray earlier than expected, then you can consult dog professionals. You can check with vets, dog behaviorists, and breeders to help you determine the exact reason your pup started graying.

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What Can You Do About Your Puppy’s Premature Graying?

There isn’t much you can do to reverse premature graying if it's due to natural causes like genetics. If it is due to medical problems like liver disease or lifestyle issues like stress and anxiety, here are a few pointers:

• Get proper treatment of any underlying health issues that could help reverse the graying.

• Ensure your dog receives a balanced diet to enhance its coat health and overall well-being.

• Reduce stress by keeping your dog away from any stressors like loud noises or unfamiliar places.

Also, find more insight from our guide on how to be a good dog owner.

Conclusion.             

If your puppy’s fur starts to go gray or white, don’t be alarmed. You can check with a vet to help ease your concerns and find out what the reasons are. Otherwise, we encourage you to embrace their new salt-and-pepper look to help them feel more comfortable, too!

You can also enhance your dog’s appearance and keep them stylish and happy with SparkPaws vast collection of cute and unique apparel and accessories. Shop now because every dog deserves to look and feel amazing!