Is My Dog Going Grey Too Early?
It takes many dog owners by surprise: one day, you look over at your sweet pup and realize they’re getting a little grey around the eyes. You think to yourself, this can’t be! They were just a puppy, like, yesterday!
Well, if your dog is somewhere around 4 to 6 years old, the most likely explanation is that they’re simply aging. At the same time, there may be other factors at play here that can explain the change. And no matter what the reason is, there are a few things that you can do to boost your dog’s vitality and comfort.
In this article, we’re going to talk about aging, stress, diet, and more, while offering up some valuable tips for your dog’s longevity.
What is the normal age for greying in dogs?
Just like in humans, genetics has a lot to do with the age at which your dog will start showing this early sign of aging. That means that every dog is different and will start going grey at their own rate. Some dogs, for instance, can start greying naturally around 4 years old, while others will keep their colorful coat well until 7 to even 10 years old.
Does breed, size or sex have anything to do with greying?
Breed and size has an effect on your dog’s lifespan, so it makes sense that it would also have an effect on when they’ll start getting grey. Big dogs with shorter lifespans, such as Great Danes, can show signs of aging as early as 3 or 4 years old (there are even some owner-reported accounts of their gentle giants going grey as early as 2 and half.) Smaller dogs with longer lifespans, on the other hand, may not show signs of greying until they’re much older. For Chihuahuas, for example, the typical age is somewhere around 7 or 8 years old.
At the same time, some breeds are more likely to carry on something called the “greying gene.” This is a not-very-well-understood genetic marker that causes some dog breeds to grey earlier than others, not only around the eyes and mouth but over the entire coat. In fact, it’s more of a lightening effect than the characteristic gray face we associate with older dogs. Dog breeds in this category include Poodles, Havanese, Bearded Collies, Irish Wolfhounds, and more.
Sex also plays an interesting role here. A study from the journal Applied Animal Behavior and Science, found that females were more likely to develop premature greying than male dogs as a result of stress (more on that in a moment.)
How does stress play a role in greying?
Also like humans, dogs who deal with chronic stress are more likely to go grey than their relaxed and happy-go-lucky peers. This is due to the fact that heightened levels of cortisol in the body have the effect of damaging pigment-regenerating stem cells in hair follicles. The more a dog goes through episodes of fight-flight-freeze, in other words, the more likely those regenerative cells are to die prematurely.
But, how can you tell if your dog is experiencing the level of stress that may impact their coat color? Namely, dogs who suffer from chronic anxiety, fear, or impulse control issues are most likely to be affected by this phenomenon.
Is diet to blame here?
It’s well known that a poor diet can negatively affect your dog’s coat. Nutritional deficiencies can make fur look less shiny while also leading to itchy and irritated skin.
But, while some dog food and vitamin brands claim that their product can delay the aging process, as of today, the science community isn’t convinced. Sure, certain diets have been linked to fur discoloration in dogs in some studies, but it’s not well-documented that your dog’s diet is to blame for them going grey.
What about other health conditions?
It’s important to note that there are certain health problems that may be linked to greying or discoloration in your dog’s coat. Hyperthyroidism, liver disease, and kidney disease, for example, can cause changes in the coat.
For this reason, even if you think that your dog may be naturally graying due to age, it’s still a good idea to get a health check with your vet.
General tips for longevity and health
As we’ve covered so far, your dog may be going grey for a variety of reasons, from genetics to stressors to health conditions. And while some of these root causes should be dealt with under the care of a vet professional, you may be wondering how to take care of your pup if their gradual greying is simply old age. Here are a few tips to keep them young at heart:
- Regular exercise, modified for their age. Your dog may slow down as they get older, but regular exercise is still an important part of their health and wellbeing! Make sure to update their exercise regime to include senior-friendly activities like swimming, gentle hiking, and fetch with soft toys on soft surfaces like grass.
- Reduced stress. You may not be able to completely eliminate stressors from your dog’s life, but treatments such as exposure therapy and positive reinforcement training can help to soothe fear and reactivity. You can also keep them calm during car rides by installing BreezeGuards on your back windows!
- Relaxation. You can improve your dog’s rest by giving them a quiet, cool place where they can snooze without being interrupted.
- Quality time. One of the best ways that you can keep your dog happy and young is by spending quality time with them. This will improve their mood and reduce stress (for both of you!)
- Vet visits. Regular check-ups, vaccines, and teeth cleaning are all ways that you can keep your dog younger for longer. If your dog gets stressed out at the vet, consider working with an animal behaviorist or finding a vet who makes house calls.
Greying is a normal part of life!
While it may tear up at the thought of your dog getting older, grey hair on your pup is most likely a normal sign of aging and nothing to worry about. So, give those grey chin hairs some scratches and get ready for the next, more relaxed, phase of your dog’s life!