White Dog? BRIGHTEN with CommandTM Shampoo for Animals

Dogs with white fur will often show stains easily. These stains will require frequent grooming that can be exhausting for your dog as well as for you. Removing these stains, however, will make sure your dog stays distinguished with a bright, clean coat. Grooming the stains will also give you a healthier pet free of potentially harmful bacteria and debris.  

Tear staining or tear stains are common among many breeds.  Sometimes tiny hairs are causing irritation to the cornea, causing the eye to weep.  This is discomforting to the pet and should be addressed by your veterinarian.  A veterinary professional can “pluck” these hair under magnification, typically resulting in a positive resolution.  Other dogs and cats who suffer from chronic allergies will have weepy eyes.  Properly diagnosing the underlying allergen or “trigger” can be frustrating, however once identified, your pet will be very thankful.  See below for a pro-tip on how to successfully remove tear stains. 

The stains you see on your white dog's fur are called chromodacryorrhea or epiphora. Before you treat your pet for these stains, you need to check them over and make sure they do not have any inflammation or wounds that would require veterinarian treatment. Dogs suffering from allergies will often lick their feet, sometimes constantly.  On lighter (whiter) colored dogs will have discolored fur around the paws and often redness or yeast trapped between the paw pads.  Consider using VetUAU® medicated wipes to keep these areas clean and disinfected. 

Follow these tips for removing the stains from your dog's fur:

1. Wash Your Dog

Wash your dog with Command™ Shampoo. Command Deep Cleansing Animal Shampoo is a veterinary prescribed, deep cleaning shampoo for your dog. This shampoo is designed for treating your dog's skin problems, such as:

• Chronic itch
• Infection
• Allergic dermatitis
• Pyoderma

Command Shampoo will also help you remove stains from your white dog's fur. The shampoo has a whitening/brightening benefit that will help your pet by providing a deep clean as it deodorizes their fur.

Command is formulated with salicylic acid and sodium hypochlorite to:

• Reduce clinical lesion severity
• Decrease bacterial load

Command Shampoo contains no dyes or fragrances, no chemicals, and is a cruelty-free product made in the United States.

Lather the shampoo on your dog, being careful not to get any into the mouth or eyes. Pay close attention to the stained areas and allow Command to sit on these areas for two to five minutes so it can absorb into the hair shaft.  Command™ Shampoo may be applied to a soft, moist cloth or cotton ball to use on tear stains, safely up to the conjunctiva (corner of the eye) while avoiding direct contact with the eye. If accidental contact with the eye occurs, rinse with clean water to reduce irritation. 

2. Rinse Your Dog Thoroughly

Using tepid or warm water, rinse the shampoo from your dog's fur. Run your fingers through the coat to make sure there is no shampoo left on their coat.

3. Apply a Conditioner to Your Dog

Apply Atopicream™ HC with Hydrocortisone Leave-on Conditioner to your dog's fur. This conditioner is a soothing relief for irritated skin and contains ceramides, vitamin E, potent essential fatty acids, and aloe vera. The conditioner is a unique, anti-inflammatory, rehydrating lotion.

Apply the conditioner as you did the dog shampoo, making sure to avoid the ears, mouth, and eyes. The conditioner will coat your dog's hair shafts and protect them from absorbing new stains. Since this is a leave-on product, you will not have to worry about rinsing the conditioner from your pet's coat, although AtopiCream™ HC can be used as a rinse by diluting 1oz of AtopiCream™ HC to 1 gallon of water, mix well and apply topically. 

4. Brush Your Dog

Depending on your dog's coat type, brush their fur with a slicker or pin brush. A slicker brush works best for dogs that have finer fur or sensitive skin, and the pin brush works best on dogs with thick coats or long fur. Make sure the areas where the stains appear are groomed by brushing in the direction of the fur's growth. This brushing will rid your dog's fur of tangles.

5. Use a Paste of Hydrogen Peroxide and Cornstarch

If the Command Dog Shampoo did not remove your white dog's stains completely, you can apply a paste of hydrogen peroxide and cornstarch to stubborn areas. Apply the paste to the stained area and work it into their coat. The paste should stay on their coat for five to fifteen minutes, depending on how much stain is left after shampooing with Command dog shampoo.

Brush the stained area to work any additional debris out, and rinse with warm water. Dry your dog with a clean towel.

Where to Learn More About Command Shampoo Dog Shampoo and Other Animal Products

VetriMax has more than twenty years of experience in the animal health industry. Our ingredient-delivery technologies produce VetriMax products that have been expertly created and clinically tested to make sure your pet's skin and coat health receive maximum benefits.