Have you ever wondered why is my Shih Tzu’s fur turning pink? Well, there are a number of reasons this can happen including their diet, the water they drink, and allergies. There are also a few things you can do to keep it from happening in the future.
Reasons Why Your Shih Tzu is Turning Pink
There are three main reasons your Shih Tzu’s hair might be turning pink. It can be due to allergies, the food your Shih Tzu eats, or the water they are drinking.
1.Your Shih Tzu Has Allergies
It is really common for Shih Tzus to have allergies. I know that my Truman (you can read more about Truman here) has always had issues with allergies.
One clue that your Shih Tzu might have allergies is if they are licking their feet or belly a lot. The licking can lead to the area turning pink.
Your dog can be allergic to chemicals in the dog food you give it, or they could be allergic to something in its environment, or even have seasonal allergies.
Dogs can also be allergic to fleas. This means if they are bitten by fleas they may lick the area, scratch it, or even pull the hair out if things get really bad.
I know that Truman is allergic to fleas, so I make sure he is always protected from them.
There was a really bad flea season one year when I lived in South Carolina. The normal flea applications weren’t working at all. No matter what I or the vet did, we couldn’t seem to get the situation under control.
That’s when I found out Truman was allergic to fleas. He was licking all the time as well as scratching and even biting at the area where he had been bitten. It was terrible.
For what I heard, I wasn’t the only one having issues. I finally had to spray my entire yard and bomb my house before everything got under control. It was a tough few weeks for all of us.
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2.Your Shih Tzu is Eating the Wrong Food
Your Shih Tzu’s hair could be turning pink due to the food you are feeding them.
Low quality and cheaper brands of dog food contain a lot of chemicals. They also typically have fillers and grains. Because of this, your Shih Tzu’s saliva might contain an abundance of bacteria and yeast.
When they then lick themselves, this causes the fur to turn pink.
One way to combat this is to provide your Shih Tzu with a higher quality of dog food that is free of chemicals and grains. This will help reduce the number of bacteria and yeast which in turn will eliminate the possibility of your Shih Tzus hair turning pink.
You can find a list of high-quality dog foods that are free of chemicals and grains and fillers you might want to consider here.
3. Issues with Your Shih Tzus Water or Food Bowls
If you notice that your Shih Tzu’s hair on their face, around their mouth area, is turning pink it could be due to the water they are drinking or their food bowls.
If your water has a high mineral content, once it dries, it can stain your Shih Tzus face. This is due to the fact that your Shih Tzu gets a lot of the hair around their mouth in the water while they are drinking.
Once the water drys, it can stain their fur.
To get around this, you can either give your Shih Tzus filtered water, from the tap which is a great option, or teach your Shih Tzu to drink from a water bottle that will keep most of the water off your Shih Tzu’s face.
4. Your Shih Tzu Has an Eye Infection
If you notice that the hair around your Shih Tzu’s eyes is turning pink, it is most likely due to a yeast infection.
It isn’t uncommon for your Shih Tzu’s tear ducts to become clogged. If you have had a Shih Tzu for any length of time, I’m sure you have seen tear stains. These stains can attract bacteria and yeast which leads to the hair becoming discolored and in some cases pink.
If you see this happening, you should really take your pup to the vet and have them checked out. In the worst-case scenario, your vet may have to open the tear ducts surgically.
You can buy commercial products to remove the tear stains such as Petpost | Tear Stain Remover Wipes.
5. Your Shih Tzu Has Matted Hair Around Their Paws
If your Shih Tzu’s paws are turning pink, then take a close look to see if the hair between the pads is matted. If so, there’s a good chance that the hair in this area is irritating your Shih Tzu.
This will lead them to lick that hair and that in turn with cause the hair to turn pink.
If you have trouble getting the hair trimmed in this area, consider taking your Shih Tzu to a groomer, so they can get the job done for you.
The issue can also be fleas are living in the matted hair and biting your Shih Tzu.
Either way, getting rid of the mats should be a priority.
Related Questions:
Why Is My Shih Tzu’s Fur Changing Color?
The hair color that your Shih Tzu is born with will not be the color it is once it has become an adult. Genetically, Shih Tzus have two genes that will decide if your Shih Tzu’s hair will get lighter as they grow up or stay darker.
For example, my Truman was very dark brown when he was a puppy, but as he got older he turned lighter and lighter. Once he was an adult, he became a golden blonde.
So, it is completely natural for your Shih Tzu’s hair to change color as they age. Once they are a senior dog, they might start to turn gray as well.
Why is My Shih Tzu’s Nose Pink?
Shih Tzus that are considered a Liver Shih Tzu will have a nose that contains pink and brown areas. You might also notice that your Shih Tzu has the same coloring on their pads, eye rims, and lips as well.
This is completely normal for a Liver Shih Tzu and you will see this coloration regardless of what color their hair is.
What is the Most Popular Shih Tzu Color?
As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but the most popular Shih Tzu color seems to be black.
While Shih Tzus come in a large variety of colors and color patterns and they are all super cute, a black Shih Tzu still wins the day when it comes to being the most sought after color.
To Sum it All Up:
Shih Tzus fur can turn pink due to yeast infections, the food they are eating, allergies, and even the water they are drinking. There are some easy fixes for the problem, such as changing their food, addressing what they are allergic to, or providing filtered water.
Please Note:
This article is informational only and does not substitute for veterinary advice. Always check with your veterinarian if you are concerned about your Shih Tzu’s behavior. This article should not be considered in any way as veterinarian advice.
