White Dog Clean Up! Here's How to Keep Your Pooch Looking His Best
(photo credit: Good Focus / shutterstock.com)
Want to know why we don’t furnish our homes in top-to-bottom white? Because, as we all know, darker colors hide the dirt better. Not to say we don’t vacuum and clean regularly… but all those crumbs and dust don’t stare back at us quite so intently on a dark background as they do when sitting atop a stark white surface. You know I'm right!
It’s the same with dogs. We bathe them, brush them, clean out their ears and wipe down their paws because even though we can’t see all the bits and pieces they’ve brought back on them from the great outdoors, we know it’s there.
And if your dog is white - we’re talking head-to-toe white - how do you stay on top of it? Well, care for white dogs gets a lot simpler if you establish a routine and invest in a few key pet care products for that tool chest of yours.
Surface Cleaning
While brushing alone won’t produce the level of "clean" we’re striving for, it is a good first step in eliminating visible dust and debris clinging to your dog's face and coat. For dogs with a curly, wiry, or medium-to-longer coat – thinking Samoyed, Poodle, or American Eskimo - a good slicker brush is the way to go. This type of brush consists of tightly packed wire pins that are great at digging down through thick, dense fur yet angled to prevent contact with skin. Something like this self-cleaning brush (good for both cats and dogs) from Swihauk is perfect for quick touch-ups after walks or outdoor play.
And if your pooch is of the finer, short hair variety, you’ll want a good natural or nylon bristle brush. Options such as this ergonomically designed bristle brush are perfect for breeds including Bull terriers, Westies, or Maltese, where your goal is to remove all that surface dust, dander, and loose hair.
So brushing quite literally, skims the surface!
Deeper Cleaning
But in addition to regular maintenance (including that daily brushing), your white dog is going to need to be bathed at a minimum, every six weeks. More frequently, if your pet’s coat becomes stained or they are highly active outdoors, and require a soapy intervention.
Now, these baths should include a shampoo that’s been specifically formulated for white dogs - yes, there is such a product – and for that, we’re loving this pear-scented whitening shampoo from Wahl. pH-balanced and paraben-free, its rich lather brightens dull, dirty coats… and who doesn’t want their dog to smell like a ripe pear?
For those on the go, tackling dirt, stains, and smells never takes a break, and that’s when something like this dry dog shampoo spray from Arm & Hammer delivers a brilliant solution. It’s a mist infused with baking soda. You simply spray it on, massage it in, and brush it out. Perfect for RV travel when a bathtub full of suds isn’t practical, yet clean still needs to happen.
Facial Cleaning
Regardless of the products you use, daily clean-ups are a must when tackling runny eyes and the resultant staining. Especially on white dogs, where the streaks are highly visible. Tip – keep a soft wash cloth on the ready for a quick overall refresh of your pet’s face at the end of meals when facial fur can become gunky and result in stains.
But let’s start with a more in-depth preventative measure. Introducing easy, effective clean-ups into your routine is the best way to stay on top of staining - and pre-moistened dog eye wipe s are just the ticket. This biodegradable option from Opula is loaded with natural extracts including Aloe Vera, Avocado and Dead Sea salts. Used daily, it removes dried mucus (AKA eye boogers), discharge, tear stains and saliva stains from your pet’s fur.
If you’ve already drifted out of the preventative stage and into the “recovery” stage, you’re looking for a specially formulated tear stain remover that is gentle around your pet’s eyes yet still highly effective at getting rid of unsightly markings. We vote for this gentle tear stain remover from TropiClean that smells like blueberries and uses oatmeal and Vitamin E to add rich moisture to your pet’s fur. Now, it’s not as simple as a wipe – you have to wet the face, add the facial shampoo, scrub a little, wait a few minutes, then rinse. But at this stage, it's about removing the heavily established staining versus preventing it.
While bathing a white dog is recommended every other month, and brushing several times a week, a successful tear stain removal plan requires daily applications. And if you’re often on the go, convenience rules the day, right? That’s where something like this Eye Envy tear stain removal powder is your new best friend. You don’t need water to activate or rinse; just apply to the stained area and let the powder absorb the discharge, naturally. That’s it.
Let's agree that the all-white dog is a showstopper, gorgeous when his coat is maintained and he’s looking his best. With the right products, a little time, and a plan in place, that’s going to be your dog turning heads.
Sharing space with three seriously judgy Schnoodles and 2 felines who prefers to be left alone. #LivingMyBestLife
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