Question from Ann Hutton
What can cause staining around mouth and on dogs paws? No change in diet and its come on in just a few weeks? Cavalier male aged 9.
Answer from Shanika Online Vet
Hi Ann,
Thanks for your interesting question about the recent staining you have noticed around your dog’s mouth and paws. The staining you are referring to is most likely caused by a substance called Porphyrin.
Porphyrin is a naturally occurring substance in the tears and saliva and tends to show up as a pink/brown colour where your pet has licked, dribbled or produced lots of tears. The discolouration from the Porphyrin is most obvious on light coloured fur.
The staining of the fur itself is of no actual harm to your pet; however, it is important to get to the bottom of why it is happening and I would definitely advise that you discuss this further with your vet.
There are many possible causes for the staining you have noticed, which include: dental disease, other conditions of the mouth, allergies and stress.
Dental disease is a very common finding in both dogs and cats of around 3 years of age and over, a build-up of plaque and bacteria can lead to inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) and loosening of the teeth ( periodontal disease) which can result in dribbling ( excessive salivation).
Treatment for dental disease may include a course of antibiotics to treat any infection present, the use of pain relief plus or minus dental surgery to clean and remove any loose/infected teeth. Your pet will receive follow up checks and advice regarding a dental health care plan to reduce the need for further dental treatment in a hurry. Dental health care includes special diets to reduce plaque build- up, use of tooth brushing where appropriate and or dental chews to keep your pets mouth as clean and healthy as possible.
Read: Sometimes it’s not teeth – other causes of bad breath in pets.
Other mouth related conditions that may lead to saliva staining include: inflamed and or infected fold in the gum flaps which are common in breed such as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. This is thought to be related to the fact that the nose of the dog is shortened, and the soft tissues including the skin are not, which can lead to folds of skin which collect saliva and food particles. The skin folds can become very painful and infected this can usually be treated with antibiotics, pain relief and or regular cleansing of the affected areas. In very extreme cases surgery may be needed.
Polyps, growth or cysts in the mouth can also cause irritation that may lead to excess saliva production and therefore staining. These can best be treated once identified and the exact type of growth determined.
Stress and or allergies can cause dogs to dribble and or chew their paws; this is another common cause of Porphyrin staining around the mouth and feet.
So as you can see there are many possible causes for the staining of the fur around your dog’s mouth and on his paws, a visit to your vet would be the best way to find out what the cause is and how best it can be treated. I hope that my answer has been helpful for you and that your dog responds well to the treatment plan that is best for him.
Shanika Winters MRCVS
You may also be interested in;
- Behind the scenes – dog dental
- Fact Vs Myth: Dental Disease in Pets
- Why does my dog snore?
- Why does my dog smell?
- Why Does my Dog Lick His Paws?
Share your own experiences or ask any pet-related questions in the comments below.
Discussion
Hi, my dog is a Lab who suffers from unknown allergies. He takes regular apoquel for it.
Today, I have noticed that my dog’s gums are turning brown. The basal part is still pink in colour, the peridontal area too. It’s more the upper part, particularly in the front. There are also two black spots which are exactly where the canine teeth are (perhaps just related to the pressure they apply on the gums when the mouth is closed. Any thoughts?
The black spots might be pressure related, but a change in pigmentation is a bit of a worry, especially in a dog taking Apoquel (which can have some rather odd side effects in rare cases). I think time for a vet check and make sure there’s nothing nasty going on. It’s probably just an aging change, but better checked earlier than later.
I have an almost 3 yr old Shitzu-Chihuahua mix and within the last year we have noticed her white paws and around her mouth have started turning brown. It’s more on her back paws than anywhere else, any suggestions?
Hmmm – I’d definitely get her checked out by your vet, brown staining around the paws especially is a “red flag” marker for skin issues, especially at that age.
8 month old blonde golden retriever, she has brown in her tear duct area, I am using the puppy eye wipes to keep it clean but it is not getting any better. What is your advice
I’d start out with a double check with the vet to make sure that there in’t an underlying medical cause – excessive tears can, for example, be due to tear duct issues, or even entropion (inward folded eyelids).
Hello my puppy is 5 weeks old and he started puking up a brown substance this morning and shaking, generally weak. Any info would be greatly appreciated
Definitely time for a vet! It might just be gastroenteritis, but it could be something really nasty, like parvo. Even if it’s “just” gastroenteritis, dehydration alone can easily be fatal for a puppy that age – so vet, ASAP.
My maltipoo is 7. He is white but has never had stained fur or tear stains. Recently, his breathe has been putrid. I’ve also noticed his inner thigh furr is stained a rust color and just this last week fur around his mouth is stained this same rust color.
I’d definitely get a vet check – he’s clearly licking himself for some reason (could be a skin problem, could be pain e.g. arthritis); and it does sound like his teeth might need a good clean too!
Hello my dog is almost 15 and suffers from gum disease and just bad oral health. We had a vet come to the house because his mouth was getting worse. She said he has a stage 4 heart murmur so she didn’t recommend surgery. She did put him on antibiotics which helped for a bit. I’m looking for something I can give him for pain. I can tell it is bothering him.
You would need to talk to your vet about analgesia – there are no over-the-counter painkillers licensed for dogs here in the UK and as far as I know, none in the USA either.
My 1 month old puppy’s tongue is turning brown and she won’t drink milk, it looks like she wants to throw up I don’t really know how to describe it.
That suggests either dehydration, or damage to the soft tissues of the mouth – vet time ASAP!
My puppy is 65days old… His mother died right after giving birth. Since last few days there have been some watery discharge from his mouth. Its like the area where he place his mouth becomes wet. He also feels thirsty very often since last 2-3days.
I’d definitely get him checked out – there are lots of possibilities including gut infections, and he should probably be seen by your vet sooner rather than later, before anything progresses too far.
Hi! My dog, 6 yr. old male, has a brown saliva drooping from his and he refuses to eat unless it is a wet dog food. He is also having trouble in drinking water. Is this a sign of a dental problem?
It could be, but it sounds more like an issue at the back of his throat – definitely time for a vet ASAP!
1yr old Jack R. Her leg and belly get red and then disappear. Is this anxiety of food allergies?
Dogs do get food allergies, but they’re not all that common – allergies to other substances, or a disease called Atopic Dermatitis are more likely, especially in a dog of that breed and age. However, your description of the symptoms does suggest allergic skin disease, or the presence of parasites (fleas, lice, or mites) . Other possible causes include skin infections (pyoderma or yeast infections). To get to the bottom of it, though, you will need to get her checked out by your vet. Good luck with her!
Hello
I have a 6 year old shihtzu, she has a bit of plaque built up around her teeth, but I started brishung her teeth everyday and will be looking for some treatment for her to temple the plaque. But I noticed on her gum above her big teeth , that there was a slight cut in her gum , it has turned yellowish now (the cut) and it doesn’t look like it’s healing. Do you have any idea what that could be and how to treat it at home ?
It’s difficult to say without examining it; however, cuts in the gum can sometimes take on a yellowish tinge if there is scar tissue forming. However, other possibilities include a cancer of the gums, or a discharging sinus tract, so I would suggest getting a vet check to make sure it isn’t anything nasty!
Hi
I have an American Akita – 14 months old. He is producing a weird brown liquid who cv is all over his chin and coming out of his eyes. When he shakes this liquid goes all over our WHITE walls. We’ve noticed it more now the weather is hot and he’s drooling a lot more but I think he has had this for some times. His chin is constantly wet and brown. Help pls!
Oh dear, that really doesn’t sound nice! While it might just be normal stained saliva or tears, from your description there might be more going on so I’d suggest a vet check, and if possible, take some of the offending substance with you! Good luck!
My 12 year old dog was covered in blood from her front 2 feet up her legs. And there was a blood spot on my bed bigger than a basket ball. We bathed her and couldn’t find anything wrong with her paws. Then she decided to lick her back legs and there was blood all over again. So it was coming from her mouth. But we can’t see anything wrong
Bleeding from the mouth can be hard to pinpoint – but it can be really serious, especially if one of the major vessels in the palate is damaged, so I strongly advise a vet check!
I don’t have a comment specifically about staining but I have a Cavalier King Charles who just had his remaining teeth out 10 days ago and is now toothless. Ever since the surgery he paws violently at his mouth after eating or drinking anything and sometimes when he wakes up. He has been examined and xrayed and we are told everything looks “good” in his mouth. We are at a loss about what is wrong and how to help him. The surgery was performed by a board certified veterinary dentist and he has been back to him and to our regular vet and we still don’t have any answers.
Post extraction neuropathic or chronic pain can be a major problem with multiple extractions – it might be worth having a chat to your vet about a referral to a veterinary pain clinic?
I have a pit mix and she is 4 mo. Her eyes are bloodshot red and her gums are red too. She has a little discharge coming from her eyes and they seem like they hurt. What could this be?
This could be an allergic reaction, or even a toxic one, but I’d suggest having a chat to your vet to get to the bottom of it – a proper diagnosis early is often the key to good control of these conditions, and the various disorders that can mimic them.
hi My springer spaniel has orange stain on her nose and on her tongue anyone know the cause of this or how to treat it. She is in flying form still as she only a puppy 6 months old
That’s an odd one! This can occasionally be due to vitamin or mineral imbalances in the diet, but that’s pretty rare nowadays with properly balanced commercial complete diets.
I haven’t got any other ideas, I’m afraid – but if you and your vet do get to the bottom of this, please pop back on here and let us know!
Hello I have a Siberian Husky puppy and his mouth or kinda like lips are stripped pink then black then pink then black all the way around. Our other siberian husky puppy has only black all the way around his mouth. Is this pink and black normal?
Yes, a mixture of pigmentation is quite common. If, however, you notice the colour fading out of the black bits, then it’s definitely time to check with your vet as this can be a sign of some autoimmune problems.
What do you do if someone who hands their dog over to you hasn’t gotten the dog any shots since birth and he’s now 1? Is pet insurance recommended? If so which should I go for?
Well, I’d strongly advise getting him his vaccines now. Most of the core vaccines will be effective from 2 weeks after the first dose in an adult dog, although if Lepto is a core vaccine in your area (as it is in the UK), that will need two doses.
Regarding insurance, it is something we generally advise – but here in the UK, vets aren’t allowed to recommend a specific brand. Take a look here for some ideas: https://vethelpdirect.com/pet-insurance/
Good evening my question is. My dogs tongue is hanging out as he as no teeth on the left side and I’ve noticed the his tongue color has changed, could you please help
There are a number of possibilities, but probably the most likely is that his tongue is dried out and maybe chapped. Have a chat with your vet to rule out other issues (such as infection or abnormal tissue growths), but it may just be you need to help him keep it moist.
Hello, I have a 5 and half months old Aspin, she has no appetite and has watery eyes, also she coughs and it seems like when compare to humans, she has a phlegm. Also her mouth has turned into pinkish, originally it was white. I would really appreciate if you could answer me early, because I’m so worried about my dog. This has been going on for 3 days now.
This could be an infection or an allergic problem; either way, though, if it’s been going on three days, I think a vet check is indicated.
I have Maltese and she has no teeth at all and her tongue is always hanging out of the side of the mouth
This is quite common after extensive dental extractions, especially in older dogs. Over time, she may work out how to keep it in, but if not, just make sure she has access to water to keep moistening the mucous membrane so her tongue doesn’t dry up and crack.
Hi I have 5 months old gsd its mouth is pinkish what will be the problem
There are lots of possible causes, ranging from allergies to infection to normal development to abnormal pigmentation. Time for a vet check who can examine the pup and see what the issue is!
Hi, my maltise dog had given birth to 5 puppies, all puppies are gud in health and now they all are of 7 days, now suddenly some black spots are growing under their lips and on gums,, priviously all was of skin colour in their mouth.. their mother has a black gums and under lips is also black.. so is it normal for the puppies or not ??
Probably just the natural development of pigment as they develop, but if in doubt, have it looked at by your veterinarian at their next check up.
I have a 6 month old puppy who has permanent teeth on the top and bottom. His teeth are already stained brown. I’ve tried brushing them and scraping them but it doesn’t make a difference. Is there something wrong with his teeth?
There might be – enamel dysplasia can cause these signs (common causes include use of tetracycline antibiotics in puppyhood, but there are other causes too). I would be inclined to get him vet checked at an adolescent health check, as there may be other issues that need managing – or there may be something else causing the discolouration for some reason.
Why after my dog passed he had a pinkish color liquid run out of his nose
This is a mixture of mucus and, usually, blood from the nasal passages. It’s unpleasant, but it’s not uncommon, especially in dogs with circulatory or vascular disorders, due to oedema and swelling in the nasal passages and lungs.
MY dog is 11 years old, he had bleeding in his stool from last Nov till feb, in this period he was going through several medicine. From March his bleeding stopped and he was 30-40% recovered, we hoped for the best but it went worst, from June he started neglecting foods. He was a healthy baby who use to eat 2 days and be on a gap for one day, but everyday use to drink half liter of milk. From the time he started neglecting food, till July he stopped having anything, not even a single spoon of milk. Used to eat small quantity once in a fortnight. Please guide me something which I can do for him. We can’t loose him like this 🙁
I really do think it sounds like he needs some detailed investigations, like blood tests, endoscopy, scans and maybe even surgery. Blood in the stool suggests a serious disruption of the gut lining, and it doesn’t sound like you’ve really got to the underlying cause yet. Time to have a chat with your vets about what they can do locally, and what you might need a referral to a hospital facility for. Good luck!
my dogs eyes are red and by his nose are red hes a pit bull
There are lots of possibilities, but allergic disease must be on the list. I would advise a vet check though, as these signs can also indicate more severe conditions such as atopy or some autoimmune diseases, as well as systemic diseases such as infection.
My dog had a few teeth out today & she is pawing at her mouth any advise
That suggests she might be a bit uncomfortable after her dentistry – I’d give the practice a call and ask about additional pain relief and see how she goes with that.
I have a 14 year old white 9 lb. poodle. Lately she has been licking her bottom, which was becoming reddish brown, it is now getting darker. She does have dental disease.
It sounds like she’s got an itchy bottom! The most likely causes are worms and anal gland problems. Your vet will be able to check out both for you; or you could try worming her (making sure you treat for tapeworms), and if that doesn’t help, then vet time to check out her anal glands.
I have a 1 in a half maltipoo who is named scruffy and I’ve come to notice he developed a light pinkish brownish rash mark or spot on his lip should I be worried if so what should I do ?
This could well be saliva staining – it’s common in these breeds – in which case the question is whether there’s a medical reason for the drooling. Other possibilities include skin infections or even (rarely) cancers and autoimmune diseases, which can also cause colour changes. I would advise a vet check to rule out underlying health issues.
Hello,
I have a 6 year old Husky and I’ve been noticing that he’s nose and lips are fading from being black to pink? It’s been awhile now he sometimes gets itchy on his nose? Should I be worried. Thank you
This is commonly seen with certain skin diseases, especially depigmenting autoimmune conditions. I’d strongly advise a vet check, as if it is something like this, the earlier treatment can start the better.
I noticed the bottom of my dogs jaw was a splotchy light pink color (typically white), and a couple days later that there were pink spots on his paws from his drool. Is this normal?
Not really, it suggests some irritation or staining – which implies he’s been drooling and/or licking more than usual. I think it would be worth a vet check up.
My dogs mouth has suddenly turned pink. It was black before. Her eyes are also a little red. Her eyes have also been pretty watery the past few days.
That sounds unpleasant – I’d strongly advise a vet check as there are a number of unpleasant infections that can present like this; however, the most likely explanation is grass or grass seed irritation. Good luck!
Thankyou for your answer to my question it was very helpful
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why my lhasa have redness in the side of his nose.WHAT TO DO NOW
There are lots of possible causes! Time to talk to your vet and find out why.
HI my dog is a mix of border collie / Jack Russell..
Healthy as a button and mad as a hatter.
Today my son noticed her normally pink tongue is gone a very brownish/;orange colour.
No change of pet food no change of anything and she is still happy out.
What would you advise me to do or is this OK?
Many thanks
Mark Greaney
A brown or orange tongue could be caused by a couple of things…
Firstly, a condition called methaemoglobinaemia, caused by poisoning – e.g. with paracetamol. In this case, the gums would usually be discoloured as well.
The second option is that she’s been licking something that has discoloured the tongue; this is probably more likely, but without knowing what it is, it’s hard to know if it’s dangerous or not. I must admit I would be inclined to get her checked over by your vet.
Maltese 7 all of a sudden eye and around her mouth are brownish. Also licking her private area a lot. All of a sudden this change. Help
These sorts of signs suggest a skin problem – possibly an allergy or a yeast infection. I’d advise a vet check to get to the bottom of it, so you can hopefully get her all sorted out!
My dog is acting really weird lol he’s extra loving like really extra following me everywhere and is acting super protective over me why is he all of a sudden doing this he’s also licking my legs and my belly it’s kinda weird helpppppp please
There are a number of possibilities, but the most likely is that he’s really anxious about something and doesn’t want to be left alone. I’d suggest talking to your vet about a referral to a good clinical canine behaviourist.
Hi my shih tzu is on hypoallergenic food she still is getting brown reddish stains on her paws and mouth she is licking excessive from her mouth she has saliva as her mouth is all wet she does have poyips one on her lip and one under her lip what else can I do for her please.
Probably time to get other skin problems ruled out – many cases of atopic dermatitis, for example, aren’t controlled with hypoallergenic diets, and dogs can be allergic to multiple different allergens.
Hi. I have a 12 year old english cocker spaniel, male, who leaves small brownish saliva spots on the bed after sleeping. When I dry his mouth the saliva on the paper also has a brownish/orange colour to it. His paws are not stained and his mouth are only a little stained in the folds. What could this be ? We have a his annual check at the vets on august 24. Should I worry and get an earlier appointment or can it wait a month?
It’s likely to relate to dental disease – definitely ask the vets to check his teeth out, and if you can bring the check up forward, it’s probably a good idea to (although it doesn’t sound like an emergency, dental disease can be really painful).
Hello, my dog has pink spot under his nose and jaw, where he lost his fur and showed the skin under, and the spot is growing larger . What could cause it? Also not sure if related, his breath smell has turn to the worse as well.
There are lots of possible causes, including skin infections, but some form of growth is a definite possibility. A number of tumours can look like that, including benign ones (like histiocytoma) and highly malignant and aggressive cancers such as a Mast Cell Tumour. If it’s growing – seek veterinary attention as soon as possible, the smaller it is, the easier to treat if it turns out to be something nasty.
Thank you for answering, luckily it just seems like a temporary skin infections, his fur is all grow back now.
Good to hear!
Hello my dogs mouth and for both front amd back paws and on the whole body pink colour spots appearing may i kindly know the reason why it is appearing like that.
Most likely this is skin inflammation – typically due to parasites, allergies, bacterial infections or yeast infections. A vet will need to examine him to determine the exact cause.
hie , my puppy ha dry skin close to his anus and has a pink color that can be seen from behind down from the tail to the belly is it something l should worry about ?
It’s difficult to say over the internet, but this might just be the parting in the hair over the perineum? In which case it’s very normal in a growing pup!
If in doubt, get your vet or vet nurse to check.
My dog gave birth few days ago and now her mouth has lost hair turning her lips pink. She is obviously licking the pups alot but is it normal for her lips to change colour/lose hair
Going a little pink is really common, but hair loss, not so much! I’d suggest mentioning it to your vet when you get the chance – they know your dog’s medical history and can give more specific individual advice.
Hi my 12 year old jack Russel bitch has long pink patches on her outer back legs,it doesn’t have a rash in the area and doesn’t bother her but looks a bit unsightly.i have tried to wash it off but it makes no difference,her bed is always dry and washed regularly,any ideas what it could be?
There are a range of possibilities, but two common explanations are that either it’s an allergic reaction to something (especially contact dermatitis, caused by a reaction to something like fabric softener) – or, more likely, it’s from licking (especially at night). In a 12 year old dog, I’d want to rule out arthritis in the back legs, as this is a common cause of licking overnight.
I would advise getting her checked out by your vet – allergies can be hard to control, and if she’s developing arthritis, there’s an awful lot we can do nowadays if we catch it early enough. If you want, you can also try changing your washing powder/liquid to see if that makes a difference.
We went on holiday for a week without our cocker spaniel, when we came back her mouth looked as though she had eaten a strawberry chocolate ice cream and over the weeks the fur around her mouth has darkened. I keep it clean but obviously licking her paws is now turning the fur pinky brown there. She was very stressed by all accounts that we left her as before the holiday we noticed her hearing was becoming poorer and her eyes looked a bit bluey as well. I think having one of us always near her gave her confidence with her failing hearing and sight so to have both of us leave even though my son looked after her was I think too much for her to cope with. She would not leave us when we returned and even refused to wander around the home for the first few days we were back. She is fine now and is happy and playful, eats well and drinks well but still has the brown around her eyes and mouth . She is 13 years old so will this browning ever go?
The staining is probably from pigments in saliva and, possibly, tears – if she had a cloudy or “gunky” eye then it’s likely she had some degree of conjunctivitis. If so, it will probably clear up when she moults, but if she’s still licking or crying a lot, I’d strongly advise a vet check to make sure there aren’t any underlying health issues causing it.
Hi my west highland dog has developed red paws and the fur round her mouth can you tell me what it could be she constantly chews her feet and scratches her mouth
The most likely explanation, I’m afraid, is skin allergies. West Highland White Terriers are predisposed, and the common symptoms include increased licking and scratching, especially around the mouth and feet. I think you need to make an appointment with your vet to get her checked out! The underlying cause in most cases is a disease called Atopic Dermatitis; this is a complex condition with no single “cure”, but with modern medication it can usually be managed really effectively.
Thank you so much I have tried everything so off to the vets I go I’ll keep you informed what they diagnosed she is such a sweetheart and I don’t want her suffering unnecessarily thank you once again ?
Hi
We have an 8 year old Lhasa Apso and it seemed like over night that his white fur all around his mouth and under his eyes turned a reddish brown and his lovely white paws and are going a browny reddish colour after licking and biting at them.
His penis looks a bit bigger to me as well and his tummy is redder than what it used to be, but like I said, it seemed to have over night or a couple of days.
The vet said there was nothing wrong with him though, just tear staining, but I am not too sure.
This problem happened to our dog a couple of years agon but nowhere near as bad and it cleared up on its own.
Can this problem correct itself ?
Thank you
Simon
Unfortunately, it depends exactly what’s caused it! It might just be that he’s been licking and grooming himself more for some reason. However, the symptoms you’ve described are commonly associated with skin allergies – especially with the underside and feet being most affected – and are often caused by licking, nibbling or scratching, especially at night when you can’t see them doing it. I would suggest another check up and a discussion about possible allergic skin disease or (the other common possibility) skin parasites e.g. fleas or mites.
Thank you David.
We will defiantly take him back to the vets and tell them what you said.
But I feel a bit cheeky questioning them if they have already checked him out.
I have a 16 year old lurcher who has a staining around mouth and eyes Any ideas please.
Staining from tears especially is more common in older dogs anyway; however, it might also suggest an underlying health problem. In particular, poor dental health can lead to increased salivation, and thus more staining. I think it’s worth having a chat with your vet and seeing if there are any issues especially in the mouth – sadly, Lurchers and greyhounds do tend to be prone to dental problems.
Thank you read on your dogie health that doesn’t look right do not wait, act on it!
Soon! Just like your child, this is your baby
4ever amen?⚘???
Ellen, thank you very much Ian watching
My dogie teeth he is 9yr old, it not easy take care of there month care.
Some of his teeth came ,iam doing month every night.
Iam getting ready for month cleaning of his teeth next!
But my dogie peanut have a heartmarmer
So iam getting his heart check !
Then teeth clean
Thank God for, my baby is in good
Health!
Iam prays on,my friends dogies
Mouth care mount are very dark around
There mounts, it doesn’t look healthily
At all,That way iam reading ,and asking on
Iam grateful for this information
To help over dogie@ cats
Blessings all times????❣
I have a yorkie poo and he has this Harden crossed underneath his chin and around his lips but on the hair. I assumed it was food buildup but I keep trying to trim the hair and clean the area but it doesn’t seem to go away. Not sure if this is some type of disease and looking for answers. Please help!
There are lots of possibilities, so it’s always best to get it checked out by your vet, just to make sure there aren’t any underlying issues!
My beagle is 7 months old. And alot of redness is there around his mouth. There is no kind of itching. And it’s there from 3-4 months. I am really scared.
OK, I think you need to see a veterinarian – there are lots of possibilities, and they will be able to tell you exactly what is going on.
We have a Bedlington Terrier. We have paid a small fortune to vets to discover why she keeps at back bum and tail area and scooting her bum on the ground. Because of this she also has a lot of discoloration (reddish/ brown)around that area and her feet and mouth. We were told its allergies but after medication and hypoallergenic diet there isn’t a big improvement.
Deidre Stewart, my maltese/shih tzu ( 11 1/2) was doing this. It worked out that his anal glands needed emptying. After this was done a couple of times, he had to have an operation to flush them out, and he has been fine since. Hope this helps, maybe google anal glands ….
I’d agree that’s a very definite possibility – you can read more about anal gland issues in the Pet Health Library here.
My dog is in Chf and has recently started drooling so much his fur on his neck and chest is wet and changing colour I’m afraid he has gum disease can anything be done he obviously can’t go under antithetic is the gum disease dangerous for his heart
Why is my dogs black skin turning into human skin color near the mouth area?
Like humans, dogs express different amounts of pigment in different parts of their bodies. A change in pigment may be a sign of aging, of inflammation of the skin, some hormonal disorders, or skin disease such as cancer. While it may be harmless, if your dog’s skin is changing colour, we would advise getting them checked out by your vet to make sure there’s nothing unpleasant going on.
Just notice for the first time that my Maltipoo was starring off and drooling excessively. Than after a shirt while he was back to his old self. Can you tell me what can cause this for Rio to act this way. He is 1 1/2 yrs old.
Hi Barbara. It’s hard to say as anything could cause this kind of reaction – he could have been feeling nauseous, or have eaten/licked at something that was quite irritating or bitter tasting, as a couple of examples. If he seems fine and isn’t unwell in himself at all, hopefully it was just a one-off reaction to something, but if he shows any signs of this again, pop him along to your vet for a check-up.
The fur around my dog mouth and genital area is turning red. Any idea why. It started when we got a cat and he start eating cat food. We change the cat food to one with no red pigment but the dog mouth is still the same. Please help
Hi Dona. It could still be saliva staining that we talk about in this article – around the mouth can be quite common and also could be found around the genital area if he’s been cleaning himself a lot. It would be worth a quick check-up with your vet just to make sure there’s no underlying cause for this. If he gets the all clear, the staining itself isn’t a problem but your vet may recommend some ways of cleaning the areas to reduce the staining.
Hi my dog a mini Golden retriever has this dark purple almost brown around the left corner of her mouth and I am very worried can you reply as soon as possible please and thank you
Hello, it could be something simple like a rash, or even a flare-up if you dog has chewed something a bit toxic. Without examination it is impossible to say I’m afraid. Please get your dog checked out with a veterinarian, it may be nothing to worry about, but it will give you peace of mind.
Hi have a maltease who is 3 and has staining on the sides of her mouth. Other than that she seems ok . I brush her teeth everyday she won’t eat any the chews .
Hello. It’s probably just saliva staining and nothing to worry about if she’s fit and well. You can get your vet to look at it next time you’re in, and they may be able to recommend some wipes to help with the staining. Keeping the area clean and continuing with regular tooth brushing will also help.
My 7 year old white bichon has skin allergies and is on Apoquel 8mg each evening to keep him from itching. Since mid-June (3 months) his fur has slowly turned orange/brown around his mouth, paws and annual area. His teeth are fine. Could it be too much protein in his diet? I have had 2 prior Bichons and never had this happen. Also,his nose was black and has turned brown! Poor guy looks awful! The vet says it’s allergies….I am embarrassed by his appearance. Otherwise, he is a happy guy!
Embarrased by your dog’s appearance? My god, it’s a dog, not an accessory. Dogs get dirty – a happy dog does anyway, and any owner who tries to keep their dog looking pristine and perfect in order to keep up with appearances isn’t allowing their dog to be a dog and is therefore depriving it of doing what dogs do naturally.
So what if your dog has fur stains? It clearly isn’t bothering your dog …. it’s your issue. Get over it.
Keep your dog healthy and happy. Give him lots of love and allow him to enjoy his life. He’s not there to accessorise your wardrobe and he’s not there to make you look good. If his fur stains bother you let it be for the right reasons, which SHOULD be that you’re concerned about his health and comfort and NOT because he’s an embarrassment to you.
I think she means embarrassed that people may thing she is neglecting her dog not because her dog is making her look bad lol.
That is the right response to the situation. I hope that Sarah gets understanding responses from others instead of making her feel worse. I have had similar problems and I understand fully how it feels in concern to address the problem.
Because you care for your dog and want to highlight any conditions that need treatment
We’d agree with your vet that this sort of staining can be common with allergies, but if you’re still concerned, it would be worth popping him back in to see your vet for another check-up. The main thing is he’s happy and on treatment to help, and the staining itself isn’t a problem.
Hi, My husky started with the staining around her butt hole about an inch distance. It than appeared on her left eye only 1/8 from the corner and her left muzzle covering the whisker area and not under her chin. When she was the sickest it also appeared on her left wrist, but that is gone. The Vet checked for parasites there were none. she was treated for pancietitis. At the time i brought her in she suffered from water colored diarrhea, clear vomit and no appetite and she became aggressive.
I am sure that the first symptom was the rear end staining, but wasn’t sure it was a problem. Her intestines seemed hard before the meds our vet gave.
Hi, did the Vet eventually find out what was wrong with your husky? What was the cause of it?
I think brown staining by butt holes is pretty common 🙂
Hi Marie. These symptoms can be caused by many different things. We hope your Husky is better now, but if you’re still worried about her, we’d recommend popping her back in to see your vet. They have all of her history, and will be best placed to advise you on next steps.
Any recommendations to remove or neutralize the stain on paws or around the urethra of little while female dog?
There are products such as Diamond Eyes (which I’m unsure if available in the US). I would suggest chatting to your vet or dog groomer for ideas as well. Please be careful of irritation of the skin though!
You can buy diamond eyes in any pet shop here in England. I find its great to clean my maltese’s eyes and face. Come up super white. It is safe to use.
Hi my dogs mouth and front paws have gone Brown can you tell me why
Hi, have a read of the blog, there are many potential causes including dental disease, stress and allergies. It is best to take your dog to the vet to determine which is bothering them so that any necessary treatment can be employed.
My dog front mouth have a pink stain and he’s constantly scratching the same spot
That needs veterinary attention – there is some irritation and inflammation, which your vet needs to check out.