My black lab's coat is turning reddish. Is this normal for senior dogs?

That may be just normal pigmentation changes. If the skin feels, or looks rougher than normal, if there are scabs or if she itches those areas then I would be more concerned. I hope this was helpful!

If no skin lesions are present, that could be completely normal being part of the aging process. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Her skin looks like a normal skin color for an adult lab. It isn't abnormal for the puppy pink skin to darkened in these area to a uniform greyish brown color. the skin should still be soft and not "elephant" like which indicates excessive licking. Have a great day!

Thank you for your question about Aspen. Dogs can occasionally have changes in the appearance of their hair/change in hair color over time. If Aspen is acting normally otherwise I would just continue to monitor her. Be sure she isn't licking herself because licking leaves saliva on the fur which can then change the color of the fur to a rust color. If she is licking then this can be a sign of allergies or other skin irritation. Look closely at her skin under the fur for any signs of redness/bumps/scratches. If she has any changes in her appetite, energy level, water intake, or bowel habits notify your veterinarian.

White hairs can be a normal color variant for a Labrador, and can also be part of the aging process. Feeding a balanced diet is always best, but if you are seeing other issues such as hair loss, itching, or irritation, or changes in appetite or weight in addition to the color change, then it is always a good idea to have Tasha checked by your vet to rule out any issues such as illness, allergy, or metabolic disease.

This may be a normal aging change for her. As puppies lose their puppy coats the adult fur can change color and the skin pigment can darken also. If the skin looks normal with no sores I wouldn't worry about it. If she is itchy that may cause changes in the skin color. A veterinary visit is indicated if you are seeing abnormal areas on the skin.

Hello, thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Pigmentary changes to the hair/coat are not that unusual, especially if there are no underlying lesions. If your pet ever sustained an injury to that area in the past, even a mild infection or burn, the hair follicles can be affected & color can change months to even years later. So, if she is not bothered by the area, you feel no lumps, bumps, roughness, see no redness or dermatitis, then this may just be a normal change in an unusual area. Just mention it to your vet at your next visit. Take care.