My westie is wonderfully active and loves to find bugs in the dirt. Hence, paws and nose tend to be "dingy". She is bathed weekly with a white enhancing shampoo and I spot touch a cotton ball with hydrogen peroxide on stained areas. Any other suggestions to help maintain her white color? She's not quite a year old and I don't want to see stains set in as she gets older.
2007-02-21 07:39:17 · 5 answers · asked by Denise D 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
You are already doing the best thing, but I have heard this trick for stubborn spots:
You make a paste of cornstarch mixed with water and apply it to the spots and allow it to harden and dry. Then you gently comb it out. Removes tear stains around the eyes and discoloration around the mouth and chin from eating.
2007-02-21 07:50:18 · answer #1 · answered by allyalexmch 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's the westie breed. Like someone said before, dirt is drawn to them. They are curious dogs by nature and the areas they tend to explore the most seem to always include dirt or dust. I don't think Westie's like to stay clean, mine would roll in mud right after a bath, if she could. Westie's also have a tendency to get a yellowish tint to their coat, but I think this happens more so as they get older. Another common thing with westie's is that they will get brownish-red stains on their feet and mouth. Mine gets it quite a bit on her feet from licking. Somehow when the saliva discolors the hair and it's more prevelant in white dogs, like westie's with longer hair. If the stain is at the root, it could be a sign of an infection. It's seems like the best way to keep your westie white the longest is to take him/her to a groomer. Ours went to a groomer about 2 weeks ago and is still white. I think they have professional grade, strong shampoo they use or something. Something stonger than what is available to normal pet owners. When we wash her at home, she won't stay as white as when we take her to a groomer, but we found the best stuff to be Veterinary Formula - Snow White Shampoo from Petco, you should be able to get it at any pet supply store.
2016-03-29 05:58:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a Westie, and my vet told me to use Selson Blue (people shampoo) on her to really wash her skin, remove all the loose dander, and clean out all the crap on her coat. After not bathing her for a while, she really looks like she has a stripe down her back that is yellow-ish. The Selsun Blue has really helped. Also, if your Westie's skin is very pink now (if she's young), you will find that as she ages, she will get brown-er skin. I was actually so concerned about this because it started out as spots, but my vet reassured me that the brown was age spots, just like humans get. When Westies get the darker skin, the white just doesn't come through like it does when they have the nice pink skin. Hope this helps, and give that Westie a hug!
2007-02-21 08:32:49 · answer #3 · answered by irishprincess777 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Big thing to keeping a white dog white - Make sure it is dried thoroughly. If s/he has gone out in the rain, when you come in, dry the dog with a towel and hair dryer(low to medium setting), same as when you bathe her, you want her to be dry. Alot of staining comes from them being wet and not dried properly.
dog groomer - show and pets for over 20 yrs
2007-02-21 09:20:12 · answer #4 · answered by jojuzach 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
See if she enjoys a fish oil pill every day. That will help her coat stay cleanable. I have a Great Pyrenees, different coat but very white!
2007-02-21 07:45:12 · answer #5 · answered by Susan M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋