Maltese Coat Whitening

A favored canine companion of the wealthy in Greek and Roman times, the tiny Maltese remains popular due to its playful nature and beauty. However, grooming that beautiful white coat entails frequent bathing and detailed hygiene. The Maltese is particularly susceptible to paw stains and reddish-brown "tear staining" of the face. Against the dog's white coat, these stains can appear stark and unappealing -- and may indicate a medical problem. Whitening stained fur involves treating the cause as well as the stain.

  1. Malady-Related Staining

    • Like humans, dogs produce excessive tears in response to irritations and certain medical problems. Ear infections, blocked tear ducts, allergies and fleas all may cause a dog to produce more tears, leaving the fur wet. Perpetually wet fur breeds bacteria and the red yeast responsible for the under-eye fur discoloration. Resolving the medical problem, however, will reduce the tears as well as the stains, leaving a whiter coat.

    Malady Treatment

    • A vet can prescribe antibiotics and ear rinses to treat ear infections, and pet supply stores offer many flea remedies. A vet also can determine whether the animal's tear ducts are clogged or blocked. Irrigation will clear up a clogged duct. However, many small dogs such as the Maltese are born with tear ducts that are physically closed; surgery may be required to open them. Maltese also may react to certain seasonal and other allergens, such as chemicals and shampoos, cigarette smoke or even a type of food. Elimination of potential allergens, one by one, will help identify the culprit, so an owner can reduce the dog's exposure to it.

    Benign Causes

    • A Maltese puppy might show stains on its face from nursing or cutting new teeth, or from its mother constantly cleaning the puppy's face with her tongue. Just as some humans are more prone to watery eyes, so are some dogs; some Maltese breeders believe genetics may cause one Maltese to tear up more than another. Stains around the beard and face, however, may be due to the dyes or chemicals in a dog's food or treats. Also, the long fur of a Maltese has a tendency to fall in its face and become stained due to contact with dog food or wetness from tears.

    Remedying Benign Causes

    • As a puppy grows older, facial wetness from nursing, teething and its mother's grooming will cease to be an issue, and fur will gradually whiten on its own. Excessive tearing caused by genetics may be treated with eye drops to reduce tearing, or prescribed antibiotics or dietary supplements may change the composition of tears, so they cause less staining. Consult a vet before offering the Maltese a supplement of calcium carbonate, which is common in some antacids, to change the pH of tears. Many times the antacid itself can be given orally, half of a 500-milligram tablet, twice per day. Otherwise, consider adding 1 tsp. of white vinegar to the dog's drinking water. For mouth and beard stains, consider buying preservative-free and dye-free dog food. To keep eye-staining and beard-staining from spreading to the tuft of hair flopping over the dog's eyes, trim the hair or pull it up with bands, a common style for the Maltese.

    Spot Treating

    • Besides wiping under the eyes daily and bathing the Maltese regularly, apply special whiteners to lighten stains. Gel whiteners especially formulated for tear-staining in dogs are available in pet supply outlets, as are some dog shampoos that contain mild whiteners. Alternatively, a common homemade remedy consists of equal parts cornstarch, milk of magnesium and peroxide. Another home remedy to try: a mixture of half lemon juice and half baking soda. Both home remedies make a paste. Carefully work the paste into the stain, allow it to sit for several minutes, and then rinse. Be careful to keep any whitening formula out of the dog's eyes. Paw fur stained by urine or mud also may be reduced by bathing and further eliminated with whitening formulas.