Why is my 2 year old dog going GREY
Why Is My Dog's Muzzle Hair Turning Gray?
As a pet parent with an adopted dog, you might not know your dog's exact age. And now his hair, especially around his muzzle, is turning gray. Does a gray muzzle mean he's becoming a senior dog? Or is it a sign that something is wrong?
Gray hair on a dog's face and around his muzzle is a natural occurrence as he ages just like turning gray is a natural occurrence for humans. Because dogs age faster than humans, they turn gray sooner than their pet parents. And just like humans, some dogs turn gray much earlier in life than others.
Behavior and Health Link
While typically a sign of an aging dog, a gray muzzle can also be found in dogs as young as one year old. A study of 400 dogs, published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science, discovered that dogs that experience high levels of anxiety, are impulsive or have fearful responses to strange people, animals and noises are linked to premature graying not much different to when you hear people say things like, "you're the reason I am going gray."
A graying muzzle may also indicate a health issue. For instance, premature graying of the muzzle is one sign your dog might have hypothyroidism. Because it could be health-related, you should consult with your veterinarian if your dog starts graying.
Senior Years
Typically, a graying muzzle or face is a sign your dog is entering his senior years. Typically, dogs enter their senior years between the ages of seven and ten, but depending on your dog's size it might be even younger. For instance, giant breed dogs (those that weight 91 pounds or more) can be considered senior by the time they turn five, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Small and medium breeds (up to 50 pounds) can be considered a senior at around age seven. Genetics plays a large roll in the graying process of your dog as certain breeds or lineages have a predisposition for graying earlier than others. It's also a lot easier to notice a gray muzzle on a dog with darker hair than say a West Highland white terrier.
Dogs that have reached their senior years may benefit from switching to a senior dog food. While it doesn't reverse the causes of graying in your dog, the best senior formulated dog foods offer a nutritional formula that works to ease the effects of aging. For instance, Hill's Science Diet Youthful Vitality was developed with the changing biology of pets ages seven and above in mind. The breakthrough nutrition found in the Science Diet food is made with Hill's proprietary recipe of natural ingredients including fruits, vegetables, fatty acids and antioxidants plus added vitamins, minerals and amino acids all of which work together to fight the effects of aging. Its formula is designed to help with brain function, energy and vitality and healthy immune and digestive systems. It also includes essential fatty acids that promote a coat with increased shininess and softness.
Going gray for whatever reason might give your dog a new look. But he will still thrive on the same love and attention he's always wanted from you!
Contributor Bio
Kara Murphy
Kara Murphy is a freelance writer and pet parent who lives in Erie, Pa. She has a goldendoodle named Maddie.
Why Do Dogs Go Grey Early?
Why Do Dogs Go Grey Early?
Last updated on By Puppy Leaks 29 Comments
Laikas already going grey, though shes only 3 years old. Looking back all of my dogs went grey eventually, but it never started quite that early.
So it got me wondering why do dogs go grey early anyway? It it all genetics? Is it stress related? And why do some dogs go grey much earlier than others?
Why Do Dogs Go Grey Early?
Is your dog doing grey around the muzzle? Just as it is with humans theres a couple different reasons as to why some dogs go grey early while others dont grey much at all.
Two major factors come into play when it comes to dogs going grey stress and genetics. Dogs with high levels of psychological stress or anxiety have been found to grey earlier, and the cellular stress that causes grey hairs has a genetic component in dogs.
On average most dogs start going grey around 5 years old, though some start going grey before the age of 2. Greying in dogs can occur anywhere, but it tends to be most prominent on their muzzle.
Geriatric vs Progressive Greying in Dogs
The premature greying Im talking about with Laika is called geriatric greying, and it usually starts around the muzzle. Its the greying thats associated with the aging process, the same one that happens to humans.
Theres another type of greying that certain breeds go through called progressive greying. Its caused by a progressive greying gene that causes their coats to turn grey or silver. This type of progressive greying is attributed to chromosome 25, though the gene itself has not been found.
Some breeds, such as Poodles and Bearded Collies, have the greying gene that causes their entire coat to turn silver. Because the progressive greying gene is dominant its also seen in some mixed breeds, especially in the UK where Bearded Collie & terrier crosses are common.
What Causes Premature Greying in Dogs?
Though the specific gene that causes premature greying has yet to be found, experts say that cellular stress is what causes grey hairs. Over time we create less melanin, the black or brown pigment that occurs in the hair, skin & eyes of humans & animals.
Scientists traced the loss of hair color to the gradual dying off of adult stem cells that form a reservoir that spawns a continuous supply of new pigment-manufacturing cells, called melanocytes, that give hair its youthful hues. Science Daily
The Influence of Genetics On Going Grey
Genetics is a big influence when it comes to premature greying, in both dogs and humans. The pigment cells that give hair its youthful color are called melanocytes, and when they die off or grow incorrectly greying starts to occur.
Cell survival in general is influenced by an anti-death gene known as Bcl2. So the study included mice without the gene. Turns out they lose their melanocyte stem cells shortly after birth and turn gray quickly. Could be, Fisher said, that people who gray prematurely have mutations that knock out Bcl2. Live Science
The pigment cells responsible for our hair color undergo levels of cellular stress that lead to greying. When they die off or develop in the wrong part of the hair follicle our hair goes grey.
The blame lies on genotoxic stress, or stress from mutagens that can cause damage to DNA, such as ultraviolet light. The researchers found that this cellular stress diminishes the supply of melanocyte stem cells (MSC) cells in hair follicles that are responsible for making the pigment-producing cells that give hair its color. Live Science
The Influence of Stress in Premature Greying in Dogs
Weve all heard that stress can cause premature grey hairs, but can the same be said for our canine companions? Scientists are trying to figure this out, but early research points to yes.
One recent study surveyed the owners of 400 dogs aged 1-4 who were showing signs of premature greying. Based on answers provided researchers concluded that psychological stress & anxiety may indeed play a role in the premature greying of young dogs.
Researchers were able to predict premature greying in dogs that exhibited anxious or impulsivity behaviors at home. These include:
- Fear of noises
- Fear of unfamiliar people or animals
- Jumping up on people (being impulsive)
The study did not find any predictors of premature greying when looking at a dogs age, size, sex or spay/neuter status.
The current dog study by King and colleagues finds that premature graying could link up with anxiety, impulsivity, or fear issues, which are not fabulous if you are a dog. About That Premature Greying, Scientific American
Can Medical Issues Cause Greying?
In a few instances your dogs early graying could be caused by a medical issue. If you suspect your dog has a medical problem please consult your veterinarian.
One of the main symptoms of hypothyroidism is multiple hair changes which includes hair loss, coarseness, dark skin pigmentation, and premature greying of the muzzle.
Clinical symptoms of the disease include hair loss, premature graying of the muzzle, hair coat dryness, retarded hair growth, and dark skin pigmentation. St. Georges Veterinary Hospital
A Grey Muzzle Doesnt Always Indicate an Older Dog
Because of all the variables associated with coat colors a dogs grey muzzle isnt always an accurate way to estimate age. Dogs as young as 2 can have a lot of grey around their muzzle and eyebrows, though its often associated with dogs in middle to old age.
The condition of a dogs teeth can usually give a more accurate indicator of a dogs age, though its not an exact science because of outside influences. Estimates are made by the amount of tartar buildup and how worn down the incisors are. A dogs lower incisors tend to remain uneven until a dog reaches middle age.
Though Laika has premature greying her uneven lower incisors are a more accurate indication of her age.
So When Does a Dog Normally go Grey?
On average its around 5 years old, but varies greatly. Premature greying is rarely cause for medical concern, but as always if you suspect something may be wrong please consult your veterinarian.
When it comes to going grey early dogs are just like us. Some go grey really early, some never will, but most are somewhere in the middle. Premature greying is just an aesthetic thing, and rarely cause for concern.
Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you dont mind, it doesnt matter. Mark Twain
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Check out out More of Our Why Do Dogs Series:
My favorite comeback about grey hair via dumpaday
Why does my 2 year old dog have GREY hair?
Genetics Even perfectly healthy dogs might be genetically predisposed to early graying. In fact, even puppies can have graying hair, and it can start to become more silvery with age. A few breeds are more likely to be genetically predisposed to graying.
Can dogs go GREY at 2?
Dogs with high levels of psychological stress or anxiety have been found to grey earlier, and the cellular stress that causes grey hairs has a genetic component in dogs. On average most dogs start going grey around 5 years old, though some start going grey before the age of 2.
Why is my dog going GREY?
Like humans, dogs tend to go gray as part of their natural aging process. And just like us, as dogs get older, the pigment cells responsible for color (specifically, melanin) stop being produced; this causes the strands to come out at a lighter shade, like gray or white.
How old is a dog when they start Greying?
At the age of 45 or 50, it is expected that most of us will have visible graying. With increasing age, dogs also begin to turn gray, also. This lighter hair appears first on the dogs muzzle and face and its usually quite noticeable by the time the dog is 7 or 8 years old.
Why is my dog aging so fast?
But irrespective of size, why do our beloved pets have lifespans so much shorter than our own? Well, dogs are in possession of faster metabolisms and hearts that work harder than our own. Because of all this extra work, dogs age faster and, consequently, live shorter lives. It also means they grow up more quickly.
Does stress turn hair grey?
A new study shows that stress really can give you gray hair. Researchers found that the bodys fight-or-flight response plays a key role in turning hair gray. Your hair color is determined by pigment-producing cells called melanocytes.
Can dogs hair turn white from stress?
A dogs premature graying hair could be caused by stress. Dogs as young as 1 year old have been seen with gray muzzles, and many of them have something in common. Younger dogs with prematurely gray hair often have poor impulse control, experience separation anxiety, or are fearful of people, animals, or sounds.
How can you tell if a dogs coat is healthy?
The general condition of your dogs skin and coat are good indicators of his health. A healthy coat should be shiny and smooth, not brittle or coarse, and healthy skin should be supple and clear, not greasy, flaky, or bumpy.
Do dogs change color as they age?
A single-coated breed will lose its puppy coat, and adult hair grows in, but double-coated breeds will develop their second coat as they mature. Its not uncommon for the puppys adult coat color to end up a different hue than the puppy coat.
Why is my dogs hair changing color?
Many breeds have coats that change over time. Puppies will generally be a different color than the adult dog. Medications, sunlight, nutritional status and skin disease can all be factors in changing and dogs coat color.
How could you tell a dogs age?
- 15 human years equals the first year of a medium-sized dogs life.
- Year two for a dog equals about nine years for a human.
- And after that, each human year would be approximately five years for a dog.
What is dog vitiligo?
Vitiligo is a rare skin condition that some humans may develop, but so can cats and dogs. A human or animal with this condition experiences depigmentation, which occurs when the skin loses its natural pigments. The skin will turn white (or light pink) in patches and hair in those spots can also turn white.
Why is my white hair turning black again?
Sometimes, stress, nutritional deficiencies, and other lifestyle factors can halt melanin production. Once these issues are reversed, melanin may be restored. In most cases though, the age at which you start seeing grays and the extent of them are controlled by your genes.
Why is my black lab getting white hairs?
A Sign of their Age. Other times, white fur can be a sign that your Lab is aging. White and grey fur develops on black Labs as they get older. If your Lab develops white markings around its face, or any other place on their body as they get older, it may just be a sign of old age.
At what age do dogs start slowing down?
Most dogs enter their senior years at around 7 years old, a little sooner for larger dog breeds. They begin to slow down, they may gain weight more easily, their senses start to dull. An older dogs behavior will give you plenty of hints as to what he needs, but sometimes it helps to put it in words.
Do dogs know they are dying?
On her website, Beside Still Water, she assures owners, Animals know when they are dying. They are not afraid of death, at least not in the sense that we people are. Nearing death, they come to a place of acceptance and try to communicate that to us.
Can you feel old dogs spine?
Spondylosis Deformans: A Condition That Every Dog Develops. If your older dog yelps in pain or has trouble moving, this condition could be the cause. Have you heard of spondylosis deformans? This condition affects the spine of older dogs and causes the bones (vertebrae) of the back to fuse together.
Does plucking grey hair increase it?
Shaskank Kraleti, M.D., explain the medical science behind this myth. Plucking a gray hair will only get you a new gray hair in its place because there is only one hair that is able to grow per follicle. Your surrounding hairs will not turn white until their own follicles pigment cells die.
Does Covid cause grey hair?
Alopecia and grey hair are associated with COVID-19 Severity.
Do blondes go grey or white?
If You Have Blonde Hair Blonds get white hair just like brunets, but some blondes only appear to get a lighter blond while others experience their blonde hairs getting darker and duller as the white hairs begin to appear. Still, blondes can, over time, have a full head of white hair.
Why is my brown poodle turning white?
Poodle hair turning white is sometimes a result of advanced aging, but not always. Some poodle puppies are born with a mutation on a gene that causes a dog born black or brown to begin to turn grey or a white silver at three months old. These dogs are usually completely white, silver, or grey by maturity.
Why is my dogs coat suddenly dull?
Dull coat and deficiencies A dull, dry coat can often be due to micronutrient deficiencies. It is well established that conventional dog foods are lacking in skin-nourishing omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids aid skin and coat health by improving the framework upon which skin cells are built and organised.
How do you know when a dog is sad?
- Vocalizations like whines or whimpers.
- Mopey behavior around things they typically enjoy.
- Lowered energy.
- Refusing food or treats.
- Eyes appear squinty or smaller than usual.
- A change in sleep patterns or behavior.
How often should you bathe your dog?
Generally speaking, a healthy dog with a short, smooth coat and no skin problems doesnt need to be bathed often. In most cases, dog baths are more for the benefit of their pet parents than for the dogs themselves. Even so, its a good idea to bathe your pooch at least once every two to three months.
What breed of dog lives the longest?
Australian Cattle Dog An Australian Cattle Dog called Bluey holds the record for the longest-lived dog reaching an incredible 29 years of age. The breed normally lives for around 15 years.
