My dog has reddish-brown fur spots and licks them constantly. Why?

HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Actually dog saliva has a pigment in it that can cause the hair to turn a brownish red color. My guess is that the reason their fur is changing color is from them licking not from the urine. I recommend seeing your Vet to figure out why they are scratching and licking first. It could be from fleas, allergies from environment or food), or an infection. Then after you see the Vet go get them groomed! I hope this helps!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

The brownish-red discoloration on your dog's face looks most like salivary staining. The enzymes in the saliva interact with the fur, causing this type of reddish-brown staining. Salivary staining generally occurs when a dog licks a particular area excessively, like the paws or groin, or when they drool a good bit. It's especially noticeable in white dogs, like your adorable pup. Some dogs may drool excessively if they're nauseous, so keep a close eye on your dog for changes in their appetite, vomiting, or lethargy, as these could be signs of a medical issue. If your dog is otherwise doing well, allergies are often to blame (particularly this time of year). You can try bathing your dog with a gentle oatmeal shampoo. It's best to seek veterinary attention if you see this discoloration elsewhere on the body, as this indicates that your dog is itchy if they're licking a lot, and would likely benefit from additional treatment. I hope that everything goes well!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Based on your picture, the brown spots are normal freckling. I can't tell if there are 2 red bumps with yellow discharge. If there are that could be a skin infection. Skin infections can cause her to lick the area or scratch. We treat with oral antibiotics. If there aren't any red bumps there then I think her belly is normal. Have a great day!

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I can see that Rillie has some irritation and discoloration of the fur. The discoloration is from chronic licking, and saliva contains enzymes in it that cause the fur to change color. The areas she has been licking are typically areas that flare up in cases of allergies - these can be to something in the environment such as mold or dust, or certain proteins in food. While the itching is not comfortable, the chronic clicking causes destruction of the skin barrier and this predisposes Rillie to bacterial and/or fungal skin infections. Your vet can determine if an infection is present and perform bloodwork to rule in/out specific allergens. I hope this helps and am happy to answer any other questions you may have!

Hello. The rusty colored skin is an indication that Bowie is spending a great deal of time licking his bum. Pigments in saliva will discolor hair once it is exposed to air & light. It is likely Bowie has allergies & this is causing his uncomfortable itchiness. He may also have an issue with his anal glands, which are located just inside the rectum, or he may have a parasitic problem, either internal or external like fleas. Your veterinarian can sort this out rather quickly & recommend any number of medications, supplements or therapies to make Bowie much more comfortable. Thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hello. This looks like the typical skin changes seen with many of the allergies pets can suffer from. Unless the underlying allergies are dealt with, it is difficult to totally clear up the skin. You can start with a mild shampoo, either containing Pramoxine or 1% hydrocortisone ( available online & at pet retailers ). Use cool water & bath her twice a week. Adding a good quality fish oil supplement may help ( approx. 1000 mg twice a day ). Since your pet is an older girl, it would be very helpful to do some bloodwork to identify any underlying issues, including a low thyroid, that may be contributing to her skin problems. Hopefully, you can find her some relief soon. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.