Why are my dog's back feet turning white? Is it vitiligo or aging?

Depigmentation can be normal, but if the skin is also thick or crusty or there are other skin lesions it might also be a sign of an autoimmune skin disease. If Iker has scabs or crusts on his paw pads that aren't obvious in the picture, if he seems itchy or if he has other skin problems I'd recommend having your vet take a look.

That could be completely normal and if there are no other signs related to it (like itch, any bumps, lumps or any skin lesion) there is nothing to be worried about. 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. Please find the time to give us a feedback about the consultation as that will be used to improve our service.

There are breeds of dogs that are prone to a seasonal lightening of the nasal planum (the hard, tough, hairless end of their nose). Sometimes referred to as “Snow Nose” these dogs (Siberian Huskies, Labradors and Golden Retrievers) can have darker noses in the summer months and lighter noses in the winter. These same breeds plus German Shepherds, Samoyeds, Afghan Hounds and Dobermans (among others) can also experience a gradual or waxing and lightening or fading of their nose color over time. This condition is known as “Dudley Nose." Vitiligo is a progressive disease in which the melanocytes are gradually destroyed causing unpigmented areas on the skin. They develop pigment loss from their skin or hair on their heads, but it can occur in other locations too. In some cases, antibodies against melanocytes have been identified in the serum of infected dogs indicating an immune component to the disorder. And skin biopsies of the affected areas will typically reveal a total lack of any remaining melanocytes. What all three of these causes for depigmentation have is common is the fact that they are not a disease that can bother or hurt your dog at all. There is no reason to worry about them and there is nothing to be done to ‘correct’ them. The depigmentation is purely cosmetic. Some depigmentation is cause for concern. For instance, any contact dermatitis/irritation can cause depigmentation as can certain chemicals in rubber that can affect the production of melanin pigment where the rubber touches the skin. The administration of certain drugs like ketoconazole, procainamide, and vitamin E have been reported to cause generalized changes in coat color in dogs, and injections of other drugs (glucocorticoids, for instance) can cause localized loss of pigment. Additionally, hormonal disorders (imbalances of thyroid, adrenal or sex hormones) can alter pigmentation as can bacterial and fungal infections and even cancers (neoplasias). Immune-mediated diseases also occur in dogs where the dog’s own antibodies attack different parts of the skin resulting in depigmentation. I recommend getting your dog seen by your vet just to be safe. She is young for some of these conditions to occur, but nothing is impossible.

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.

Hello, it may be associated with an aging change depending on how old your pup is. This could also happen with frequent licking and chewing as saliva has enzymes that stain fur. Other causes such as bacterial or yeast infections could also stain the fur. If Maxx is licking his paws frequently, he could have allergies with a secondary infection that may require medications to control. Have him seen by a veterinarian if he is licking, otherwise, you can continue to monitor him for any other changes with his coat. Hope this helps and best of luck.

It is difficult to tell in these photos, but if your dog's fur itself is turning white/color fading away without loss of the hair itself it could be a condition called vitiligo. This causes loss of the pigment of the skin and hair. Often it is a harmless condition but can sometimes be seen with some autoimmune disorders so it is recommended to have an exam done by Tyson's vet to be on the safe side.

Coloration of the paw pads can change as a dog ages, and may turn pinkish or brown, especially if old skin has sloughed off or there was an injury that healed. Signs of a problem to look out for include licking or chewing of the feet, redness or inflammation, pain, visible swelling or injury, strange smells, or if the discolored area is painful to the touch or non-weight bearing. These are all signs of something else ongoing such as an infection, allergy, or injury, which should be treated by your vet.