Some breeds of dogs have naturally white coats that need constant maintaining.
If their coats are not maintained, they tend to discolor. Stains like white coats more than anything else.
Whitening shampoos keep the coat looking silky white and leaves your dog with a healthy coat that smells fresh.
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Types of whitening shampoos
- Bleaching shampoos
- Clarifying shampoos
- Bluing shampoos
- Enzymatic shampoos
- Dye-based shampoos
How whitening shampoos work
Dogs are very playful. They will play with their urine if left unattended, and this will stain the beautiful white coat. When dogs cry or play in the dirt or mud, the whiteness won’t be there anymore.
Whitening shampoos are formulated with natural ingredients that keep the coat white without bleaching it.
They are vet-recommended as they also moisturize and condition the skin.
Others contain bleaching agents and dyes, which will discolor the coat, even more, when applied inappropriately.
They make a good bath time as they are soap-free. Soap irritates the eyes of a dog, and anything that causes tears will give you zero work.
Tears stain the area around the area and the coat if it drops there and stays for long.
The main purpose of a whitening shampoo is to remove the stains and keep the coat as white as possible.
They are enriched with a fragrance that makes you want to cuddle your pooch all the time.
The market is full of different types of whitening shampoos.
Bleaching shampoo
Just by the name of it, it bleaches the coat, which is harsh for sensitive dogs.
It can cause damage to the skin as it removes the natural color of the coat.
Clarifying shampoo
They are better at removing stains that are still fresh.
They are harsh, too, and will cause damages if not used correctly.
Bluing shampoos
Bluing shampoos can be used to whiten coats with mild staining. This is because most bluing shampoos don’t remove much staining on a white coat as expected.
They hide yellow stains and enhance the white color.
As a result, see a white bright-looking coat. Bathe your dog before using a bluing whitening shampoo on your white dog.
If you use too much bluing shampoo, the coat will no longer look white but have hues of the shampoo color.
Bluing shampoos also contain high PH.
Enzymatic shampoos
These whitening shampoos have surfactants that help dissolve particles and remove stains on a white coat.
The enzymes absorb the stains like saliva proteins or urine from the fur.
Even though they are effective in removing discoloration, they are very harsh to the dog’s skin and coat.
Dye-based shampoos
Dye-based whitening shampoos that cover the coat with dyes to remove stains. You will find them in purple color mostly.
How to use a whitening shampoo?
All these whitening shampoos will work and be applied differently.
The first thing to do is to read the labels on the whitening shampoo; there will be instructions on how to use it.
It does not come with instructions; here is how to go about it.
- Bathe your dog before shampooing to make the coat wet. You’ll achieve more results on a wet coat rather than a dry coat. Cover the dog’s ears with cotton balls to avoid water splashing in.
- Dilute the whitening shampoo to water on 2:1 for a coat with short or medium hair. Dogs with thick coats or more staining need less diluting. Whitening shampoos containing dyes when used undiluted might stain the coat more as they will take the color of the shampoo. When you are unsure of the ratio to dilute, read the instructions on the label. You can also check with your vet for more information.
- Apply whitening shampoo on the stained area and let it for a few minutes. Depending on the stain, you can leave it for about 5-10 minutes on the stained area. Start with a more stained area as you finish with less stained parts. Once it soaks up the stain, you can clean it away. Spread it around the stained areas.
- Rinse the area with warm water to remove any shampoo left on the coat.
- Not all whitening shampoos are mild to the skin or coat. To avoid any allergic reactions, use a conditioner to finalize the process and brush afterward. Brush in the direction of hair growth.
- If the stains are still persistent, repeat the same process after a few days for a stain-free coat. Frequent shampooing will bring damage to the skin and coat.
Tips to keeping white coat extra white
- Condition the coat after using a whitening shampoo on the coat. Conditioners moisturize and keep it healthy and untangled. Removing a stain from a matted or tangled coat is another process that takes time.
- Tearless whitening shampoos will keep the eyes from irritation. However, using a tear stain remover instead will help keep the area white. Some of these whitening shampoos have harsh chemicals that should not come anywhere close to the eyes. If the shampoo irritates the dog’s eyes after shampooing, more tears will cause staining.
- Let the whitening shampoo soak in the coat for a few minutes before rinsing it off. Use a shampoo specifically made to whiten the coat.
- Prevent re-staining to minimize the use of whitening shampoos. If the dog goes to a specific place for adventure where it gets dirty, you can find him a new place. Potty train the dog to avoid urine stains often. Good training will help your dog maintain its white coat and avoid careless staining. Know the causes of different stains and apply preventive measures from that.
- Urine stains should be removed immediately when you notice their presence on the coat. Remove urine before it dries up by wiping it clean with a damp cloth. Several urine wipes are in the market, which can help you with removing tear stains.
- Purple shampoos formulated to whiten the coat will live it more bright white without changing its color.
Conclusion
Dog’s skin is more sensitive, and therefore when using a whitening shampoo, it is best to go all-natural.
Some like clarifying shampoos are very harsh to the skin and will cause damage to the coat as well instead of removing stains.
The white coat will get stained often, but shampooing often doesn’t sound right health-wise.
Dogs should not be bathed every day, and that means you can use a whitening shampoo every time the coat is stained.
Consider your dog’s hair as you own; you would put any dye or colorant in it if it’s harsh.
A mild shampoo will give you the results you need to achieve on the white coat. They will provide the whiteness and also brighten the coat without any damages.