There are always some reasons why during the process of raising poodles, you will notice some fading phenomena! Why does a perfectly good poodle fade? Today, the editor will take you to understand the secret behind this!

Poodles

1. Genetic Influence

Except for the stable black and white colors, other coat colors of poodles are very unstable, especially red, which is the most severe. Because the color is bright, even a slight change is noticeable. Poodles, originally only having black and white colors, gradually developed other color series from variations of these two. If your dog’s lineage is not bred with the same color for more than three generations, fading is very likely to occur.

Fading usually becomes apparent after 6 months of age. HiPi reminds: actually, most dark-colored poodles except black have fading issues. Owners need not worry too much and can use supplements such as fish oil, seaweed powder, and lecithin to help regulate and timely supplement the elements required for hair growth, which can help restore the coat color.

2. Improper Diet

Some owners neglect the dog's diet and frequently feed human food, not realizing that dogs consuming products with high salt content will cause fading; some owners blindly feed beautifying products aiming to enhance the coat color. The end result: due to the hormone effects, the dog gains weight and bulk increases. Instead of improving the coat, it becomes duller and drier.

Solution: Choose nutritionally balanced dog food. Do not overfeed snacks and human meals because the dog is picky or greedy. Dog food with a salmon formula is preferred as salmon has good antioxidant properties that help maintain coat color.

3. Insufficient Sunlight

As poodles grow, their noses gradually become lighter, and their coat is less glossy than before. Some owners start worrying, asking, "What is going on?" Mainly because the dog is exposed to less sunlight and genetic factors cause the coat and nose color to lighten with age.

This issue is easy to solve: just take the dog out more often to sunlight to absorb UV rays and exercise regularly to promote blood circulation. This helps the dog grow healthy hair and also supplements calcium.

4. Weather Reasons

There is also the issue of poodles’ hair turning white, especially in red-brown puppies. Hot weather and uneven nutrition cause this issue. Owners should not panic; many poodles experience this in summer to some extent. Supplementing trace elements and coat-enhancing powders will help. Soon, the new hair will be red again, and you can simply trim off the white hair.

5. Improper Grooming

A dog’s skin is more fragile than a human’s. When bathing, pay attention to water temperature, preferably warm water, and use pet-specialized shampoo. Remember to thoroughly dry the dog’s hair afterward. In dry seasons, using some conditioner is also a good choice.

Bathing frequency: once every 7~10 days in summer, around every 2 weeks in winter.

6. Special Groups Prone to Hair Color Fading in Dogs

Besides congenital fading, some common fading groups include:

(1) Dogs that are picky eaters, mainly fed table food and snacks: reduce snacks, correct picky eating habits, feed nutritious dog food, or prepare several types of nutritious food at home without oil or salt.

(2) Dogs with significant nutritional loss after giving birth: Female poodles that have mated and borne puppies typically have lighter colors because giving birth is physically taxing and requires nutrition supplements. Dietary beautification includes beef + carrot + egg yolk; persisting for 2 months yields results. Postpartum moms also lose calcium and vitamins causing fading; proper supplements help.

(3) Weak or elderly dogs: No need to worry or neglect them. Special types of dogs need extra nutrition to recover. Dogs after illness may have dull hair due to weak stomach caused by medication or injections. Adjusting the gut with probiotics and subsequent nutrition supplementation will gradually deepen the poodle’s coat color.

Elderly dogs tend to shed more, have dull or white hair. At this time, supplement calcium well to strengthen the dog’s body, and the coat will naturally improve.