Dogs love to play outside and get dirty. White dogs always run the risk of picking up stains. Whether the dog has gotten into some mud, other mess, or has dog tear stains, it is imperative to know how to remove brown stains from white dog fur—or any kind of stain really.
Step 1.
The first step is to pick the right product. You will want a dog shampoo meant for white fur. Look for whitening shampoo that deals with stains. If you are in doubt, ask your vet or groomer for recommendations. Your vet is the best source of information for dog owners.
All you need to do to start is lather up your dog. Do not get shampoo or water in the eyes. You should focus more on areas with heavy staining. Use less product on the areas that are not stained.
Areas that get stained frequently like the chest, legs, tail, and muzzle should have shampoo applied since this can help prevent future stains. Let the shampoo sit for at least two minutes on the darkest stains. If the dog fur stains are very bad you can let the shampoo soak in for up to five minutes.
Step 2.
Now is the time to rinse your dog thoroughly with warm water. Run your fingers through the coat gently to make sure all the shampoo is rinsed away. You may need to really work your fingers through if your dog has a long coat. If your dog’s coat is very thick or you missed areas, give them a second rinse.
Step 3.
The next step is to apply a dog hair conditioner. After a shampoo, your pup’s fur will need to be moisturized. Apply the product to your dog while avoiding the dog’s eyes, ears, and mouth. Learning how to wash a dog’s face is another task for every dog owner.
The conditioner will help keep your dog from becoming stained again. It will also help prevent brittle fur and dry skin. Be sure to rinse the conditioner off as well.
Step 4.
The next step for removing stains is good brushing. Make sure you use the right brush type for your dog’s coat. A pin brush is great for long or thick coats. If your dog has a finer coat or sensitive skin, a slicker brush is a great choice.
Brush out your whole dog, but focus on areas that were stained or pick up stains frequently. Be sure to brush in the direction of hair growth to get out any tangles. You will also want to brush from the head to the tail.
Step 5.
The next step is to create a paste to help lift out any heavier staining. Mix together equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and cornstarch to create a thick paste. Apply this to any stains and gently massage it in. If your dog has a long or thick white coat, you can use a comb to help work the paste down to the base of the fur.
This should be left for at least five minutes. If the stain is dark or very deep, you can leave it for up to fifteen minutes. Keep an eye on your dog to make sure your pup doesn’t try to lick off the paste. Make sure you are careful if you apply it near the dog’s eyes or use it to deal with urine stains.
Once the treatment is finished, use warm water to rinse it out. You can use a comb to get out any debris. Finally, use a nice clean towel to dry off your pup.
Step 6.
If you still see any staining, you may want to trim the area. Use a pair of thinning shears and take off small amounts at a time. Make sure you step back to check your work. Areas like the muzzle and chest can pick up stains easily, so you may want to focus your attention on these areas.
Do not trim too close to the skin. This can result in irritation and other problems. You can turn this into a full haircut or trim and style your dog. You can also opt to take your pup to a groomer if you are not confident in your abilities.
Step 7.
If the stains are still there and can’t be safely trimmed out, you may need to repeat the treatments. You can try again the next day, but be careful. Repeated shampooing can cause dry skin and brittle fur [1]. You will need to be careful to moisturize dry skin on dogs to prevent irritation.
If it looks like it may take several attempts to get the stains out, it is best to space out the treatments. Go for about once a week until you see improvement. Focus all the attention on the stains to help protect the rest of your dog’s white coat.
Once you get any heavy staining out, switch to monthly treatment. This can help keep any heavy staining from happening again.
What Can Cause Stains
Understanding where your dog is picking up any stains can help prevent them in the future. The most common locations for stains on white dogs are on the muzzle, the chest, legs, and paws.
Tear stains are some of the most common stains. These stains can be caused by everything from allergies to poor diet. Prevention is the best option, but you can also buy products to help clean up the stains. While other areas can use homemade solutions, it is best to follow your vet’s recommendations when it comes to the eyes.
Stains on the paws can be caused by the same causes as tear stains or by something your dog stepped in. Besides following the steps on cleaning a stained white dog, learning how to trim dog paw hair can also help.
The underside of your dog can pick up a lot of dirt. If you notice your dog is getting stained in this area often, you can trim your dog’s fur. You can opt to DIY dog grooming or go to a professional.
Some types of soil can stain a dog if it stays on them for a while. General stains like this are hard to prevent. You can opt to give your dog a clean after time outside to help prevent stains.
If it might be caused by a specific substance, try to keep your dog away from it. This could be soil from potted plants or food scraps your dog finds. Keep these out of reach and it should help keep your dog clean.
Helpful Tricks and Tips
Very dark stains can be hard to remove. You may also find your dog is sensitive to the shampoo or stain removers you have tried. Here are a few more methods. They can take more time and effort, so try these only if the other tips are not the right method for you and your pet.
Commercial stain removers can work wonders, but they can be harsh. Ask your vet or groomer for recommendations. If you know your dog has allergies or skin sensitivities, be sure to read the ingredients and test a small area first.
A trip to the groomer can also be needed for very heavy staining. An expert can safely use chemicals and products to remove brown stains from your white dog. If you know your dog will not sit still for long enough, a professional groomer is your best bet.
FAQ
How Do You Get Rid of Brown Stains on Dogs?
The fastest methods involve whitening shampoo and stain removers. You can opt for an all-natural option you make at home or buy a product meant for dogs. You can repeat it once a day for a few days or once a week for very severe stains. You may also opt to visit a groomer.
What Causes Brown Stains on Dogs?
On the face and paws, it can be caused by tears or sweat. If you suddenly see these stains on the face, you may want to visit the vet to rule out serious causes. Other causes of stains can be dirt outside or something your pup got into. Keep an eye out for potential causes.
How Do You Get a Stain Out of a White Dog?
White dogs need more work to completely remove stains than dogs with a darker coat. Whitening shampoos are the first line of defense along with pastes or products meant to remove stains. This guide gives a good example of how to remove stains from a white dog with a bath and a cornstarch and hydrogen peroxide paste. You can also trim out stains if they are not deep into the fur.
How Do I Get Stains Out of My Dog’s Fur?
You should start with a bath with whitening shampoo. If your dog isn’t pure white, you may want to opt for something that whitens less. A cornstarch and hydrogen peroxide paste can work nicely and is easy to apply. You can also buy products to help remove stains. Just remember to only wash the dog once a day maximum since frequent bathing can cause dry skin and brittle fur since you strip away the protective oils from the coat.
