The color of dog’s nose is diverse

The color of dog’s nose is not all black.
A dog's nose can come in many colors, including black, pink, liver color or the same color as its own hair. If your dog's nose changes from black to pink, it means there is a problem with its melanin deposition. Some of the causes of discolored dog noses are caused by disease, while others are completely normal processes of aging.
This has a lot to do with the breed and size of the dog. Generally speaking, the noses of large dogs and white-coated dogs are more prone to discoloration.

Causes of dog nose discoloration

Dog nose discoloration can also be divided into innate and acquired. Some dogs are born with discolored noses caused by genes. This kind of nose will never become completely black. Some acquired depigmentation is caused by disease, while others are completely normal. If the nose tip only fades without other symptoms, it is physiological depigmentation. Will not affect the dog's health.
Causes of physiological depigmentation: temperature, season, ultraviolet intensity, nutrition, age (too old or too young), estrus, genes.
Causes of pathological depigmentation: contact rhinitis, vitiligo, trauma, etc. caused by plastic products.

Important elements that affect the color of a dog’s nose

What affects the melanin deposition in a dog’s nose is animal pigments. Animal pigments are mainly distributed in muscles, circulatory system, The visual organs and body surface are mostly caused by the action of the endocrine system caused by nerve signals. Have specific physiological functions. For example, melanin, carotenoids, shrimp shell red pigment (also known as astaxanthin), etc., gradually accumulate and transform in the body as the animal grows and develops or feeds. During the aging process of dogs, the accumulation speed and amount of these animal pigments will be affected, so that the nose of an old dog is no longer as black as it was when it was a child (the hair on the mouth will also turn white~). In addition, the synthesis and accumulation of these pigments are harmful to dogs. Temperature is very sensitive, and it is easier to synthesize and accumulate in warm environments. Sufficient ultraviolet radiation will also stimulate dogs to synthesize melanin. Therefore, dogs’ noses tend to fade in winter, and usually return to black when summer comes. In this case, as long as the dog is in good mental condition and has no other symptoms, it does not fall into the category of disease. It is a very normal phenomenon.

The impact of nose discoloration on dogs

In the competition arena, for some breeds, dogs with naturally pink noses are not allowed to compete, but dogs with acquired nose discoloration can participate in the competition.
Vitiligo, also known as vitiligo, can also cause the dog’s nose to discolor, but at this time the dog’s hair and skin will also experience varying degrees of depigmentation. Dog breeds such as German Shepherds and Rottweilers are more likely to suffer from this disease.
A dog’s nose can also turn pink if it has abrasions or scratches. Color will return as the injury heals. In addition, if the dog has experienced other diseases, psychological trauma or heat, it may also cause nose fading.color. After the disease is cured and the estrus is over, the color will return to black.
If your dog’s nose is completely pink, you must pay attention to protecting its nose when in the sun and not allowing it to be exposed to the sun. Because a pink nose is not protected by melanin and lacks pigment protection, it is easily burned by ultraviolet rays.

Remedies for dog nose discoloration

1. Pay attention to nutritional supplements
Adequate high-quality protein, B vitamins (complex vitamins), beta carotene (seaweed powder) and lecithin (necessary for cell metabolism), as well as the animal pigment astaxanthin can help restore the color of the nose.
2. Sufficient outdoor activities
Take your dog out to exercise more and bask in the sun. Sufficient ultraviolet rays will alleviate the discoloration of the nose
3. Replace all dog supplies with ceramic or stainless steel
br />Plastic products can cause allergies in dogs and cause discoloration of the nose. Replacing them will help the discoloration of the dog's nose
4. Pay attention to sun protection
If the dog's nose is severely discolored due to aging and other reasons, Then you should pay attention to sun protection when taking your dog for long-term outdoor activities, such as walking in the shade.
5. Body size and coat color determine nose color
Large dogs require more nutrition and cost more than small dogs, so the problem of nose discoloration is more common.
Compared with dogs of other colors, white dogs synthesize less melanin and have less reserves, and their noses will lose more color. Small dogs can just spend money to make up for it, but the cost will be higher for large dogs.
6. The nose of young dogs is not black
Generally, the nose of a dog that is 2 to 3 months old is not completely black. This is because the dog is still young and still needs to develop. My nose will naturally become darker as I grow older.
7. Genetic issues
Some dogs are born with low melanin, which is not only reflected in their noses, but also in the color of their eye circles and pupils. This is a genetic problem and cannot be changed.

Can a dog’s nose turn black if it fades?

There are many reasons for the fading of a dog’s nose. Although nutrition is very important, it is only part of it. This nutrition is not meant for dogs. By eating certain nutritional supplements, including staple food, the dog's overall nutrition will be improved.
In addition, outdoor sports, ultraviolet rays, and temperature also have a great impact on the color of a dog’s nose. Some scavengers are too lazy to walk their dogs, so they only try to make their dogs’ noses black by supplementing them with nutrients. It is also unreliable.