Why is my 6-year-old pit bull's head hair turning lighter? Should I worry?

Hi, pigmentation of the skin can change as dogs get older and it is usually nothing to be concerned about. Unless it is something associated with itchiness or inflammation of the skin. In this case it could mean another underlying condition is present that would need to be diagnosed and treated accordingly. Hope this helps !

This could be a normal pigment change with age. If you could post a picture that may help identify what exactly is going on. However if his eye is normal, he's not squinting, no tearing, no discharge then it's likely a normal change for him.

I can see what you've mentioned with darker skin pigmentation and a bit of hair loss around his ear. It's certainly possible that the pigment change is a normal variation, because skin pigment can change a bit over time. However, that doesn't explain his hair loss. I agree that the area pictured doesn't look consistent with significant inflammation, which is often associated with allergies or many infectious conditions. Instead, I'd tend to be more concerned about vasculitis or autoimmune issues. Ultimately, I think it would be best to take your puppy to his vet for an exam. Depending on their exam findings, your vet may need to examine some skin cells under a microscope or submit a biopsy sample of skin to a pathologist to get to the bottom of this issue. A bit of sneezing or very mild itching isn't uncommon this time of year, as springtime allergens can bother dogs just as much as people.

I'm sorry to hear Angelica is losing hair. It is not typical for a short haired breed such as a pit bull to blow or shed their coat seasonally. I would be concerned that there is something more going on with her skin, such as parasites (mites or fleas), an infection, or an underlying medical issue. I would recommend she be seen by her regular veterinarian to determine the underlying cause for her hair loss and start any treatment if necessary. Good luck!

Dogs can definitely start to have hair that turns white or grey with age, usually around the face and head. I'm not sure about your description of purple/white skin under the hair on his head - this has me a little worried he could have a bruise. If you think his head could look consistent with a bruise, or if the purple areas are raised I would recommend seeing a veterinarian. Bruising can be a sign of a bleeding disorder and should be addressed right away.

I would get this checked by your vet as soon as possible. It could be a number of things, from fungal or bacterial infections, to mange. Identifying it quickly can save a lot of time and trouble as some of these conditions are a challenge to clear up. Your vet will do an exam, pluck some hairs and possibly do a skin scrape, which involves scraping a dulled scalpel blade on the skin to remove hair and a little skin to examine under the microscope. Based on these tests, your vet will be better able to tell you what is going on with your puppy's skin and how to treat it.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It’s hard to tell from the pictures but it looks like there is a skin infection on Noheas head. An infection could cause bumps and hair loss. A common cause of skin infections in young pit bulls is mange (demodex). These are microscopic mites that don’t cause scratching. I recommend taking Nohea to a vet for a close exam of her skin. They will need to look at cells under the microscope to diagnose this. They can then get her medications to treat the infection and mites if needed. Good luck and kisses to Nohea!