Why does our westies fur on chin and paws go a brown/red colour

Hi John

Does this sound familiar?


The hair under the chin, throat and neck are the areas at the
forefront of mess, saliva and their general, day-to-day scrubbing and rooting
around and the pinkish coloured stain some owners report is due to the saliva
and general wetness encountered by those areas. Some dogs develop pink
stained feet too, it is a common occurrence.

The chromed chain links on a half check collar are notorious for dirtying
the white neck/chest hair of dogs although the brass alternative is thought by
some to generate slightly less of a problem. Some owners prefer not to
leave a half check on a dog all the time (just using it for walks) because of
the obvious risk factor of a loose-fitting collar getting caught up on
something, but those who do want their dog to wear that type for longer or
shorter periods will find that by choosing a webbing option (rather than leather) allows the collar to be washed in the washing machine regularly and that will avoid any greasy residue building up under the collar and being transferred to the hair.

Also wet hair will attract dirt more effectively than dry hair so anyone doing some 'spot-washing' of the neck or throat area etc of a dog would be wise to blow-dry the hair completely dry to achieve the best and most long-lasting benefits.


Sally

Its difficult to comment on this, without seeing some pictures of your Westie.

Some common reasons for change in pigmentation include mineral and essential
fatty acid deficiencies.

Another probable reason could be contact dermatitis, where the chin is constantly touching the floor/ garden causing some local irritation.

You could try giving some vitamin and mineral supplements and also keeping the chin dry at all times.


Learn about Westies.