White fur on your dog will stain easily, and can require frequent grooming that can become exhausting for both you and your dog. Keeping your canine white and bright ensures a distinguished, clean coat, and your dog will be healthier and free of debris and potential harmful bacteria. In some cases, tear stains are common in white dogs. These stains are called epiphora or chromodacryorrhea. Before treating your dog for the stain, examine your dog for any wounds or inflammation that may require treatment from your veterinarian.
Step 1
Wash your dog with a whitening shampoo. Lather up your dog, being careful to not get shampoo or water in your dog's eyes or ears. Pay close attention to areas that are prone to stains, such as the muzzle, tail and chest area. Allow the shampoo to sit on your dog and absorb into the hair shaft for approximately two to five minutes.
Step 2
Rinse your dog thoroughly with warm or tepid water. Run your fingers through your dog's coat as you rinse him to be sure there is no remaining shampoo in his coat.
Step 3
Apply conditioner to your dog, avoiding the eyes, ears and mouth. The conditioner will coat the hair shaft, protecting it from absorbing new stains. Rinse your dog thoroughly with warm or tepid water to remove any excess conditioner. Dry your dog until damp with a clean towel.
Step 4
Brush your dog with a pin brush or slicker brush, depending on your dog's coat. A pin brush is useful for dogs with long hair or thick coats, while a slicker brush is ideal for dogs with finer fur or sensitive skin. Pay close attention to areas where stains collect. Brush in the direction of fur growth to rid the coat of tangles, starting from the dog's head and working toward the tail.
Step 5
Create a paste of hydrogen peroxide and cornstarch. Apply the paste to the stained area on your dog's coat and work it into the fur with your hands. Keep the peroxide paste on your dog's coat for five to 15 minutes, depending on the severity of the stain. Brush the stained area thoroughly to work out any additional stain debris, and rinse thoroughly with warm water. Dry the area with a clean towel.
Step 6
Trim areas of fur on your dog that are prone to stains, such as the muzzle or chest with thinning shears. Clip a small amount of hair, then stand back and inspect your work to be sure it is trimmed evenly.
Tips
Consider giving your dog a supplement to aid in keeping his eyes free of tear stains. A tear stain supplement will keep your dog's eye area whiter as new hair grows. Continue to keep the eye area trimmed and neat even if you choose to give your dog a supplement.
Items You Will Need
- Dog whitening shampoo
- Dog conditioner
- Towel
- Pin brush or slicker brush
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Cornstarch
- Thinning shears (optional)
- Tear stain supplement (optional)
References
- What's Wrong With My Dog?; Jake Tedaldi, DVM
- Animal Hospitals-USA: Cat Grooming
Photo Credits
- White Dog image by Stana from Fotolia.com