There’s nothing more beautiful than a Pug’s healthy deep black coat, as it glows from within. However, some dog owners may notice that their Pugs fur can begin to change colors over time. If you’ve ever wondered “why is my black Pug turning brown,” I’ve found some possible reasons for you, as well as whether or not there’s anything to worry about.
Why Is My Black Pug Turning Brown?
It’s NOT unusual for a dog’s hair color to change, however, if your Pugs hair is turning brown, it’s most commonly due to the sun bleaching their hair.
Depending on how the sun hits your dog, it can make your black Pug look brown or even reddish-brown. This breed is prone to several issues and it’s vital to understand Pugs and their health problems.
But now, let’s take a closer look at how the sun can affect the color of your dog’s coat and what you can do to protect your pooch.
The Sun’s Heat Can Be Deadly
We already know that Pugs can’t tolerate the heat very well, that’s why you need to keep them inside as much as possible during the hot weather days.
Pugs are prone to heatstroke more than other dog breeds. They don’t sweat like us, plus this brachycephalic breed has trouble breathing in the heat.
They have sweat glands in their paws, but this won’t protect their fur from the sun’s rays.
Sun Bleaching The Coat
People who spend a lot of time outside in the sun will notice that the sun can bleach their hair. Like you, if your Pug spends a lot of time outside, over time they will develop a sun-bleached coat.
Sun bleaching usually affects the darker colored dogs, more than light-colored dogs. But this doesn’t mean that light-colored dogs are NOT affected by the sun, they are more prone to sunburns.
The sun is one of the most common reasons why a dog’s black coat changes color. On some dogs, their hair will turn red, reddish-brown, or even look tri-colored.
Unfortunately, the sun-bleached hair means that your Pugs coat has been damaged. The hair is usually dry, damaged, as well as discolored.
Can I Prevent The Sun Bleaching?
Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot you can do about this, other than limit the time your Pug spends outside. Just like us, if we spend too much time in the sun, we’ll get sunburned and dark-headed people will get sun bleach.
The great news is that the damage isn’t permanent.
Will Sun Bleaching Go Away?
If your black Pug looks brown, the good thing is that the bleached hairs should eventually return to your dog’s deep, rich color. Just don’t expect it to happen overnight.
Here are some things you can do to speed up the process:
Premium Dog Food: Nutrition plays a huge part in your dog’s health. A good quality dog food can help maintain a healthy dog coat. Talk to your veterinarian to ensure your dog is eating a well-balanced diet.
Color Shampoo: There are specific shampoos that are made specifically for dark-colored dogs that have brown, black or red coats. These colored shampoos can help restore the luster in your dog’s coat.
Fish Oil Supplements: The omega 3 can help improve your Pug’s skin, joint health, and coat health.
Regular Brushing and Grooming: Use a good dog brush to remove all that dead damaged hair. I’d recommend using a slicker brush on your Pug’s double coat. The regular brushing will help distribute the coat’s oils giving their coat a shinier healthier look.
Leave-In Conditioners and Coat Sprays: Opt for an oil-based conditioner or coat spray to help bring back the shine and luster your dog’s black hair used to have.