Although dogs are easily the most commonly kept pet in the western world with there being a surprisingly large gap between the popularity of dogs and cats, the popularity of dogs just keep increasing every month.
Due to this, we see a large number of different questions being asked about people’s dogs every single month with people looking for advice on how to care for their pets.
One thing that seems to be causing lots of people problems with their dogs recently is issues with their dog collar staining their dog’s fur due to the friction.
With so many people reaching out to ask about their dog’s collar staining their dog’s fur as well as a number of people worried that their dog collar may actually be hurting their dog, we decided to publish this article going over the topic in detail.
Is It Normal For A Dog Collar To Stain Dog Fur?
The answer to this question is both yes and no depending on the specific dog collar that you’re using as well as how often it is used.
If you’re using a dog collar made from materials such as nylon or leather, then it is actually quite normal for the dog collar to start staining your dog’s fur after extended periods of use.
The staining is caused by the friction between the dog collar and your dog’s fur as well as the oils from your dog’s skin being transferred onto the dog collar.
This is why you’ll often see people recommend that you regularly clean your dog’s collar to prevent this staining from happening.
If you’re using a metal choke chain or pinch collar, then it is not normal for these types of dog collars to start staining your dog’s fur.
The only exception to this rule is if the metal choke chain or pinch collar is starting to rust due which would then cause staining.
If you notice that your dog’s fur is starting to stain after using a metal choke chain or pinch collar, then you should stop using it immediately and replace it with a new one.
How To Prevent Your Dog Collar From Staining Your Dog’s Fur!
The best way to prevent your dog collar from staining your dog’s fur is to regularly clean it using a mild soap and water.
You should also avoid letting your dog wear the collar for extended periods of time as this will increase the amount of frictional force between the collar and your dog’s fur.
If you notice that the staining is starting to become severe, then you may need to replace the collar entirely.
Cheap leather collars can also stain your dog’s fur too so we would recommend you just avoid cheap leather dog collars altogether if possible.
You also have to realize that cheap leather collars are often not real leather and have very little tensile strength so if your dog pulls on it enough then they can commonly pull hard enough to get off the collar with ease.
How Do I Remove Collar Stains From My Dog’s Fur?
If you notice that your dog’s fur is starting to get stained from the collar then there are a few things that you can do in order to try and remove the stains.
The first thing that you can do is to use a mild soap and water to try and clean the stained area.
If this doesn’t work, then you can try using a mild bleach solution but you need to be very careful with this as you don’t want to damage your dog’s fur.
If the staining is severe, then you may need to take your dog to a professional groomer in order to get the stains removed.
How Long Does It Take for Collar Staining To Fade On A Dog?
The amount of time it takes for the staining from a dog collar to fade will depend on how severe the staining is as well as what type of fur your dog has.
If the staining is only superficial, then it should fade within a few weeks.
However, if the staining is severe then it can take several months for the staining to fade.
Is The Stains On My Dogs Fur Harmful To My Dog?
The stains on your dog’s fur are not harmful to your dog unless they are caused by a metal choke chain or pinch collar that is starting to rust.
If you notice that the stains are rust colored, then you should take your dog to the vet as soon as possible as this could be a sign of an infection.
My Dog’s Fur Is Stained, Should I Shave It Off?
If your dog’s fur is stained, then you should not shave it off as this will not remove the stains.
Shaving your dog’s fur can also cause skin irritation and other problems.
The best thing to do if your dog’s fur is stained is to try and remove the stains using a mild soap and water or a mild bleach solution.
If the stains are severe, then you may need to take your dog to a professional groomer in order to get the stains removed.
Conclusion
We hope that this article has helped you to better understand why your dog collar is staining your dog’s fur as well as how to prevent it from happening.
If you have any further questions or concerns, then please feel free to reach out to us and we’ll be more than happy to help.
