How to Make a White Dog White Again

If you are the proud owner of a breed of white dog such as a bichon frise, American Eskimo or Great Pyrenees, or your lovely mixed breed just happens to have a white coat, you already know the problem. Your dog's once brilliant white coat has turned a weird shade of yellowish-yucky which is not what you bargained for when you selected your happy hound. You love your dog no matter what his coat looks like, of course, but you would like to get that pretty white back again. You may just be able to do so if you try a few tricks of the trade.

Things You'll Need

  • Baking soda
  • Peroxide
  • Mild dish soap
  • Dog shampoo with whitening agent
  • Milk of Magnesia
  • Toothbrush
  • Dog brush
  • Cornstarch
  • Baby powder
  • Boric powder
  • Potato starch
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Instructions

  1. Bathing Method

    • 1
      Regular brushing and bathing will keep your dog's coat looking its best.

      Mix 36 ounces of hydrogen peroxide in a bucket with 1/2 cup of baking soda. Add one to two tablespoons of a mild liquid soap and stir until the baking soda is dissolved. Do not stir to make a lather, just mix gently. You don't want too much lather, it will get in the dog's eyes.

    • 2
      Some shampoos come with whitening agents already in them. Check with your pet supply store.

      Put your dog in the tub, wash tub or sink. Gently wet him down. Wet his whole body including his face. Using a sponge dipped in the solution you made from step one, carefully sponge his body. Be careful around the eyes, use a washcloth on his face. Allow the solution to sit at least five minutes. Use this time to give him a nice massage. Do not leave the dog unattended at the sink.

    • 3

      Reapply one more time at the end of five minutes. Rinse the dog thoroughly. Be careful around his eyes. Your dog will close his eyes when the water flows over his face, but take care that the solution doesn't get in his eyes. If it does, keep rinsing until the fur runs clear. Dry your dog and brush as usual.

    Non-Bathing Methods

    • 4
      Westies are known for their pretty white coats.

      Sprinkle your dog's coat liberally with cornstarch. Rub the cornstarch into his coat and allow it to fully penetrate down to his skin. Mix it all around in his coat. Then, brush well. Brush all or most of the cornstarch out. Do this on a regular basis as it removes impurities and bleaches your dog's coat.

    • 5

      Scatter potato starch all over your dog's coat. Massage and mix in the starch all around your dog's body. Spray a little water to slightly moisten the coat. Then, brush as usual. Add a little almond oil to moisturize your dog's skin.

    • 6

      Wipe down eye tear stains with a commercially available eye wipe. You can also wipe down the eye area with a sponge moistened with a little paste made with cornstarch and peroxide. Try a mixture of equal parts boric powder and baby powder mixed with Milk of Magnesia and blended into a smooth paste. Apply this with a toothbrush, allow to dry and then brush off. If the area is really stained, add a little peroxide to the mix.