White Dog Fur Turning Rust Color? (Explanation + Treatment)

White dog fur turns rust-colored mainly because of porphyrins, iron-containing pigments in tears and saliva that stain the hair reddish-brown, or because of a yeast infection in areas that stay damp. The stain itself is harmless, but heavy staining around the paws, mouth or eyes usually means your dog is licking a lot or has watery eyes, and that underlying cause is worth finding.

Most of the time, the causes of this can be found quickly, and it’s usually a recognizable symptom of an underlying issue. Your dog’s fur might have turned rusty because of conditions like a yeast infection or the production of porphyrin in saliva, tears, feces, or urine.

Your dog’s coat may be in contact with either porphyrin or yeast, turning the white hair to a rust color. It is a common issue that pertains to dogs, but it’s most noticeable when the dog is white. 

You can help your dog get rid of this rust color through various treatment options, either medical or non-medical. In this article, we will help answer questions like “why is white dog fur turning rust color?” as well as preventions and treatments for dog breeds that are prone to it.

Causes Of White Dog Fur Turning Rust Color

Maybe you were taking your dog on a walk, and they unknowingly rubbed against a rusty fence, or perhaps there are significant causes that seem to be a symptom of an underlying condition. What are the leading causes of rust color dog fur?

A major reason for the red-brown stain left on your dog’s fur can be due to porphyrin. This is an iron-containing pigment that is produced when red blood cells are broken down inside the body. Most of it leaves the body in the feces, but it is also found in the dog’s saliva, tears, and urine.

Rust stains usually appear where tears or saliva sit on the fur – under the eyes, around the mouth, and on the paws, legs or any spot your dog licks a lot. If your dog has rust color stains, you should consider the following causes:

1Medical Ailments

Dental problems such as periodontal disease can cause excess drooling, which stains the fur around the mouth and chin. Eye problems, such as blocked tear ducts, inward-turning eyelids or irritation, cause extra tears that stain the fur below the eyes. Any painful spot, such as a sore joint or a skin problem, can also lead to constant licking and staining in that area.

2Allergic Reaction

Sometimes we forget that dogs, just like people, can be allergic to things. Allergens such as food ingredients, pollen, dust mites and fleas can cause itchiness. Dogs relieve the itch by licking and chewing – paws are a favorite – which leaves saliva on the coat and causes stains. 

3Conditions of Behavior

Just like allergies, your dog can also suffer from anxiety and will excessively lick its coat. They do this even if they are feeling bored or in pain. The dog’s surrounding environment or social environment can be the reasons that lead to this.

If not porphyrin, it might be an issue with a yeast infection. Yeast thrives in warm, damp areas such as between the toes, in skin folds and around the ears, and an overgrowth causes itchiness, a musty smell and reddish-brown fur.

Which Breeds Prone to White Dog Fur Turning Rust Color?

Dogs with white coats are not the only ones prone to such problems. All dogs, old or young, can have their fur turn a rust color due to porphyrin issues or a yeast infection, no matter the breed or color of their coat. But, you will most likely notice it more on a white-furred dog because of the vast color difference between white and rust. 

These are a few breeds whose white fur turns a rust color and becomes immediately noticeable to people:

• Great Pyrenees
• Golden Retrievers
• Pomeranians
• Lhasa Apso
• Samoyeds
• Huskies
• American Eskimos
• Japanese Spitz

A dog’s coat color is not the only factor that plays a role in the rusting of a dog’s fur. Many breeds are predisposed to tear and saliva staining because of their anatomy, such as:

• Narrow Eyes
• Short Noses
• Additional skin folds
• Lack of Drainage
• Deep Eye Sockets
• Small Tear Ducts

This leads to the conclusion that breeds such as Poodles, Boxers, Maltese, Bull Terriers, Bulldogs, Pekingese, Bichons, and so on have higher risks of noticeable fur staining. This is so because their eyes and mouth mostly start rusting due to anatomical, medical, or conformational conditions. 

How to Prevent White Dog Fur from Turning Rust Color?

White fur turning rust color can result from tears or saliva being spread on the dog’s hair. Keeping your white-furred dog’s face, paws and skin folds clean and dry is the best way to prevent rusting. Gently wipe away tears and drool once or twice a day with a damp cloth or a pet-safe wipe. This applies to all dogs with tear issues and to canines who excessively lick themselves – and in those dogs, treating the cause of the licking matters most.

If you have a dog susceptible to yeast infections, you can dry their paws after taking a walk and dry their ears carefully after bathing them. If your dog suffers from teary eyes, this may cause stains on the fur, so you can cut the hair around their nose and eyes short to reduce the staining.

How To Treat White Dog Fur Turned Rust Color?

Some easy ways to get rid of the rust color from a dog’s fur include:

1Careful & Thorough Bath

A careful, warm bath with a gentle dog shampoo (or a whitening shampoo made for dogs) can lighten fresh staining. Choose fragrance-free, hypoallergenic products, as perfumed shampoos can irritate sensitive skin. Older, set-in stains often won’t wash out fully and fade as the stained hair grows out and is trimmed. 

2Use Store Products

You can find any stain remover online or in local stores specifically for pets. Most of them are promoted for tear stains, but some can be used on porphyrin stains elsewhere on your dog’s body. Keep all products out of the eyes, never use human bleach or hair products on your dog, and avoid tear stain supplements that contain antibiotics (such as tylosin) unless your vet has prescribed them.

3Add Apple Cider Vinegar

Some owners add a small splash of apple cider vinegar to their dog’s water or food, hoping it will discourage yeast. There’s little evidence that this works, and it won’t treat an actual yeast infection, which needs a vet diagnosis and antifungal treatment. If you want to try it, ask your vet first, dilute it well, and skip it for dogs with sensitive stomachs. 

4Medical Checks & Decent Grooming

If the staining is heavy or keeps coming back, take your dog to the vet to rule out an underlying medical issue. If it is, you can treat your dog with the advice given by the veterinarian. If it’s nothing to worry about, you can take them to the groomers regularly to help with the rust color. 

Wrapping Up

If you start noticing your dog’s white fur turning rust color, look at where it’s happening and why. Call your vet if the staining appears suddenly, your dog has red, sore or very watery eyes, bad breath or drooling, itchy or smelly skin, or keeps licking one spot, as these point to a health problem that needs treatment. You can put some of the advice given earlier into action to help your dog. Hopefully, the article will help you clean your dog’s fur and clear it of any stains. For gentle ways to brighten a white coat, see how to whiten dog fur naturally.